Page 60 of The Painter and His Poet

“Things are complicated.”

“I bet. Have you talked anymore?”

“I want to, but every time we’re alone together things get…heated,” I explain.

“I see,” he muses. “That intense, huh?”

“Yeah, it’s been that intense. Truth is, I’ve spent most of the time avoiding her. I gave her space last week thinking that’s what she needed, but then as soon as we were alone together the other night… Well, put it this way, I can’t fucking control myself.”

“I get it.”

“You do?”

“Listen, I knew early on that Lia was the woman for me. I fell hard and fast. So, yeah, I get it. I’m assuming that you’re struggling with the fact that she’s now your step-sister?”

“Not so much that,” I admit. “Because, frankly, I couldn’t give a fuck that our parents are married. It doesn’t alter what’s happened between us or how I feel about her.”

“But?”

“But Harlow’s struggling with it all, and there’s the added complication that my father is a bastard. We all know that hewould go out of his way to ruin both our lives if we pursued anything.”

“Yes, I imagine he would…” Drix pauses, then clears his throat. “Do you want my advice?”

“I’d appreciate it, yes,” I reply hoping he can give me some clarity.

“Almost losing Lia has made me realise that fighting for someone you care about is theonlything that matters,” he continues. “I thought that Lia and Toby would be better off without me, I was so fucking wrong, Sterling. I can’t even begin to imagine my life without them in it.”

“So, what are you saying?”

“If you think you can make this work with Harlow, and you’re as serious about her as you seem to be, thenfinda way to be with her. After that, find a way to deal with your dad.”

“I wish it were that simple.”

“Mate, nothing worth having is ever easy.”

“Did you just quote Theodore Roosevelt?” I ask, smiling a little when I recognise the familiar saying.

“Pretty sure I just quoted Hubert Hammer,” Drix replies, chuckling as he recalls his late father. “Then again, Dad did have an obsession with the American presidents.”

“Yeah, he did, didn't he?” I reply, smiling at the memory of Hubert, and his many quirks. Like Ben’s father Walter, Hubert was one of the good ones. He adopted Drix and Daisy when they were kids and showered them both with love and affection that neither of them received from their respective birth parents. It was a fucking tragedy when he died.

“Though I’m pretty sure that Dad would have a few choice words to say to Dalton about this sham of a wedding,” Drix grumbles.

“Pretty sure he would’ve had a few choice words to say to Carl too,” I add.

“Yeah, he would’ve,” Drix agrees.

“Well, I’d better let you go. Thanks for the advice, Drix,” I say.

“You’re welcome. I guess I’ll be seeing you at the engagement party then?”

“I didn’t realise the invites had been sent out?”

“They haven’t yet as far as I’m aware, but I don’t need one. I’m there regardless. I might not agree with what’s happening, but I’ll be going to support Daisy.”

“Then I’ll be there too… Oh, and Drix?”

“Yes?”

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