Chapter 27
27
LINCOLN
“Where are you going again?” Violet asks as I jump into my car, very aware that I’m currently coming across as a fucking douche canoe.
The evidence of a heartbroken woman standing in her doorway, holding her miniature dog, questioning my every move, proves exactly that. After we both had a shower—in complete silence, I might add—she said things like…
Who are you having lunch with?
No, it’s fine if you go.
You don’t have to come back.
You don’t have to stay the night.
Don’t bother coming here later. I have plans with my friends.
When I know she doesn’t.
I messed up.
And to add to my shitty behavior, I am now leaving her, straight after she told me she loved me, as I’m about to meet my family, who I wanted to surprise Violet with.
Meeting my raucous family in an all-at-once, impromptu, surprise, get it over and done with, is what she needs—no buildup, just a full-on surprise. Here’s my family. Or she’d be fretting over what to wear and question her hair and ask me several hundred questions about them and if they will like her or not.
It’s a big fat yes.
They will love her.
Like I do.
Just say the words, Linc.
“I am going back to the hotel to pick up Rio’s keys for his house. I forgot to give them to him when I moved out, and then I am meeting Rio for lunch so we can catch up,” I lie.
“So, you’re going to the hotel first?”
“Yes, Violet. You can track me on your phone?” I try to tease. She doesn’t laugh.
My phone dings and I check the screen.
Dad
We’re twenty minutes from the hotel.
Me
Just leaving Violet’s.
Violet eyes me suspiciously. She looks gorgeous in a little lilac summer dress and she’s waved her hair today. No make-up needed. She’s pure perfection.
“I’ll see you tonight,” I call out to her through my lowered window, but she shouts back:
“Don’t bother. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Her front door slams shut.
“Shit,” I hiss and slam the palm of my hand against the steering wheel then I drop my dad a text.
Me
What does love feel like?
Dad
I’m jet-lagged. Have a very grumpy eighteen-month-old daughter and two small boys who need to be peeled from the ceiling because they are excited to see you and that’s what you go with?
Me
Yes.
My dad moans about having three young kids now, but he secretly loves it. Eva and the children run circles around him, but he would also do anything for them all, and me.
Dad
Okay, I’ll give it my best shot…
Dad
When all you can think about is them. That it doesn’t matter if they do something silly or stupid, you simply like them for being them. You can’t wait to go home to them. Your heart feels like it is going to explode when they smile. When all you want to do is spend every minute of every hour of every day with them. They make you feel better. They feel like it’s what you’ve been searching for, and you finally find them. And you don’t mind sharing your food with them.
That’s exactly how I feel, but I think I’ve blown it.
Dad
The jury’s still out on the last one.
Me
Thanks for that.
Dad
Now get your ass to the hotel before I have to medicate the boys.
I let out a chuckle, then reverse out of Violet’s driveway. I’m fucking coming back here later whether or not she likes it because once my family has settled in, freshened up, and have rested, she’s meeting them later for dinner; she just doesn’t know it yet.