31. Hayden
31
HAYDEN
I smile, looking at Lola as she sleeps in her bed next to me. Last night was intense, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Yeah, her family is a lot, but it’s apparent how much they care about each other.
I hate that Penelope had so much contempt for me, but no part of me can blame her. I know how she grew up.
I understand the distrust.
Lola is completely out, and I need coffee, so I grab my dress slacks from the floor and slip them on, running a hand through my hair on my way out of her room. I quietly tiptoe to the kitchen, but quickly notice I'm not alone.
Her youngest brother, Asher, is sitting at the table with cereal in front of him, smiling smugly at me.
“Morning.” I try to be civil even though I recognize this little shit.
He’s me. Ten years ago.
All guys in their twenties are shitheads.
And it doesn’t matter that he grew up with wealth and privilege. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t. We’ve both experience pain and abandonment in some form or another and didn’t know how to deal with it.
I understand him.
He doesn’t say anything as I make my way to the coffee, not needing him to say anything. Not needing his acceptance.
“You in love with my sister?”
The question does, however, catch me off guard. Christ, I didn’t even get a chance to pour a cup of coffee. I turn around to face him. “I haven’t known her long.”
He rolls his eyes at me as if that’s the stupidest thing I could have said. “That’s not what I asked.”
“That’s something I should probably discuss with her first.”
Again, his eyes roll. He’s a tough kid. I recognize the suffering in his eyes. I also know that underneath that is fear. Fear of everything.
He stands and walks to the sink, rinsing his bowl and then turning to look at me. “Don’t hurt her.”
“I won’t.”
He smiles mockingly, staring deliberately at the black eye his sister gave me. “Good because she’s tough, but if you do, between Linc and me, they won’t even be able to identify your body.”
I can respect that. “Noted.”
He nods his head and walks out of the kitchen, I follow, watching him pick up a bag next to the sofa and slinging it over his shoulder. “Tell Lola thanks for letting me stay here last night. I needed to hang out with Baz.”
“She’s upstairs. You should tell her yourself.”
He waves me off. “Nah. I hate good-byes. I gotta go.”
I follow him to the front door. “What about Baz? Did you tell him?”
He turns around to face me, his chest puffed out. “I love that kid, and you don’t know me, so you need to know that.”
“I already did. You should tell him goodbye.”
“I’ll never say goodbye to him.” He pauses. “I’ll be back. Don’t forget what I said.”
“Homicide. Got it.”
He laughs, turning back around.
“I do, you know?”
He looks at me over his shoulder, a grin on his face knowing I'm talking about loving Lola. “I know. I’m glad.” His hand finds the handle. “She’s special. She’s strong for all of us but weak when it comes to herself. You look out for her, and I like it.”
Not that I needed it, but it appears I have the kid’s approval.
No other words need to be said as he leaves. I return to the kitchen, barely getting two cups of coffee brewed before feeling familiar hands slide around my waist.
“Good morning.”
I turn around and kiss the tip of Lola’s elegant nose. “Good morning.”
“I really like waking up with you here.”
I liked it too. “Asher left.”
Her face falls, but she doesn’t look surprised as I had her a cup of coffee. “When?”
“Not long ago. I’m sorry, I just never want to hide anything from you ever again.”
She smiles, taking a sip of the hot liquid, hissing and then putting it down on the counter, evidently deciding it was too hot. “I figured he wouldn’t be here when we woke up. Did he say anything?”
I don’t want to hide anything from her, but I’m not ready for that conversation. “He wanted me to thank you for letting him stay.”
She smiles. “Baz wanted a sleepover.”
“It was probably good for him.”
“Yeah.” She looks pensive as she peers through the door at the sunrise. “It’s strange because Asher complicates everything, but I swear, I'm going to miss him.”
“Has he thought about moving out here?”
“I’ve tried to put it out there.” She sighs. “I’m starting to think I made a huge mistake encouraging Viv and Baz to move here without him. He’s angry, and he should be.”
I don’t want to lecture her, but our conversation last night is at the forefront of my mind. “He could have followed.”
“He has too much pride.”
I shrug. “Maybe they needed a break.”
She picks up the coffee again but doesn’t drink yet. “The thought of them together terrifies me.”
“Why?”
“She’s too much like our mother.”
“Your mother is fucking great. He should be so lucky.”
She laughs, nudging me in the ribs. “Please tell me you don’t have a thing for my mother.”
“She’s actually a mother. You know how much I craved that when I was a little kid?”
Okay, maybe even as an adult. Nora is nurturing and caring. Makes people feel safe and warm with just a look. That’s something I never had. She looks saddened by that. “You’re right. And Vivienne is amazing.”
“So, you’re worried he’ll hurt her?”
“He would. He has. And they’re just not good for each other.”
The woman is infuriating—the definition of a control freak—but she just wants what’s best for her family. She has a huge heart, no wonder she’s tried to guard it for so long. “Isn’t that for them to decide?”
She won’t admit it, but I know she’s thinking that over. However, she changes the subject. “Penelope sent me a text this morning.”
My body stiffens as I wait for her to continue. Trying not to show my apprehension.
“She wants a DNA test.”
Surprised, I look at Lola. “She does?”
She nods. “She does. And she doesn’t want to be around me until she knows one way or the other if, and I quote, ‘that fucker is lying yet again.’” She sighs. “I guess that’s a start.”
I can’t hide my smile. “She sounds like me.”
This makes her laugh. “Yeah. She does.”
No matter what plan I had to get to know my sister, the way it went was not at all what I anticipated.
But this is what I needed.