Page 43 of Inked Craving

“Um. Right.”

“Do I want to know what you’re doing with my sister?” Benjamin asked after a moment.

I got to my car and frowned, looking around. It felt like someone was watching me, but maybe it was just the fact that I was talking with Benjamin. I didn’t know, but I pushed those thoughts away and got into my car, setting up the Bluetooth as I tried to force my thoughts into some semblance of order.

“I don’t know, Ben. That’s a problem, isn’t it? I have no idea what the fuck’s going on with your sister and me. And I probably shouldn’t be the one to tell you that.”

“No, you being as confused as we are helps.” Benjamin let out a breath. “The only reason we gave her as much space as she wanted was because she asked for it. We’re not assholes who force ourselves into being with her all the time. But you were there. And when you weren’t, one of us was. We’re never alone, we Montgomerys. But I just don’t want either of you guys hurt. You know?”

“I know. Fuck, it’s just…it’s Paige.”

“Yeah, it’s Paige. You should tell her how you feel, bro.”

I laughed, heading out of the parking lot. “Yes, just like you did with Brenna?”

“Worked out for me in the end.”

“Maybe you took all the luck and I’ll end up being that weird uncle-friend guy who shows up for some parties.”

“You’re still my best friend, Lee. No matter what happens.”

“You really think that any of you would want me near Paige if it turned out that we didn’t fit?”

“That’s up to you. But I see how you are around her, the way you are around Emery. Don’t let everything slip through your fingers because you’re afraid. I know that whatever the two of you are doing is completely opposite of how a normal relationship should work. But hell, you two are practically an old married couple already. Maybe you should talk to each other.”

“You’re starting to sound more like Archer than yourself.” I scowled.

“Pretty much. But my baby brother taught me a lot. We should listen to him.”

“Maybe. Or perhaps we should just keep things how they are.”

“As an amorphous blob that doesn’t make any sense and makes everybody confused and wanting to step on eggshells so as not to hurt each other’s feelings? Sure, that sounds great.”

“I hate when you’re the voice of reason.”

My friend laughed. “You must hate me often, asshole.”

I rolled my eyes, then hung up, finally heading towards the store. I picked up diapers and chocolate for Paige since she didn’t let herself have it often, and then headed towards the house.

This wasn’t what I wanted for my life. I had told myself that I wouldn’t have this. That I wasn’t going to rely on anyone or fall in love. Because my parents had been in love. They had moved around a lot, but had loved one another and had been there for each other. And then biology changed everything, and it left my mother broken, tearing something open in me, too. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want that for Paige.

What if my genes flipped? How was I supposed to let someone trust me when I couldn’t even trust my own biology? I frowned at that thought and then pulled into Paige’s driveway before letting myself head inside.

Paige was in the kitchen, rocking Emery as she smiled over the baby’s head. “You’re here.”

I couldn’t help but smile back. “I am. And not too late, either.”

“Eliza and Beckett brought over dinner. So, we don’t have to cook.”

My stomach growled as I nodded. “Nice.”

“It’s a broccoli chicken casserole bake thing. And I’m starving.”

“I’m suddenly starving, too. You okay with me eating dinner with you?”

She blinked, and I realized that we hadn’t spoken about me eating dinner over here. We had just assumed. And maybe this was the perfect time to talk about things.

I set down the diapers and the chocolate and then took Emery from Paige’s arms. The baby looked up at me, her still-blue eyes wide, and I grinned. “There’s my girl,” I whispered. I looked up at Paige, and she blinked at me before a single tear ran down her cheek. “Hey, don’t cry.”

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