Page 31 of Regrets

I notice Lola’s eyes are laser-focused on me now too.

“She’s fine. Doing well in school.”

My mother looks relieved, but apparently Lola isn’t 100 percent my mother’s twin because I see a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

She knows I’m lying, and I wonder if she’ll call me out.

There was a time she didn’t have a problem doing that. I mean, Lola was always good like Colt, but she had a fire in her once, calling me on my bullshit, especially when it came to Penelope.

But now, Lola only purses her lips tightly and keeps quiet.

“Nora. Lola.”

We all turn at the sound of Penelope’s voice coming from the hallway as she walks into the living room. I brace myself as I lift my eyes to look at her, wondering what level of trainwreck she’s at.

I swear my jaw hits the floor when I see her. Her hair has been dried and curled into large waves she’s left mostly downbut partially pinned up in the middle of her head. Her make-up is subtle, yet polished and sophisticated.

She dressed in a fucking gray cardigan with black pants, and I want to fucking scream because it’s not her.

Not at all.

But it makes my mother squeal with delight when she meets P halfway and pulls her into a tight hug, stroking her hair with her hand. “Penelope. You look beautiful.”

“So do you.” I hear Penelope’s soft voice as she holds my mother to her, clinging to her with both hands.

My mom finally pulls her back slightly, holding onto her shoulders and giving her a once over. “My goodness, you have truly blossomed into a gorgeous young woman. College has done amazing things for you.”

I glare at Penelope, my mom’s back to me.

I don’t know why I’m so angry. I told her to clean up, and she did, but I can’t seem to swallow the bullshit.

Lola walks to them and gives P a hug as my mom releases her. “I’ve missed you, Penelope.”

“I’ve missed you too, Lola. You look good.”

Lola’s eyes scrutinize Penelope. It’s subtle, but I can see her going over every detail.

Does she see it?

17

LINC

THREE YEARS AGO

Iwalk down to the kitchen, my guest from last night long gone. I kicked her to the curb less than five minutes after I came.

She was hot but boring.

When I hit the last step, I see everyone else has already beat me here. Penelope and Colt are playing grab-ass and fighting over the cereal box. Asher is busy with his cellphone at the kitchen table and shoveling cereal into his mouth. Even Lola is here. I’m not sure when she got home. I don’t think she stayed the night last night.

She’s sipping some fancy coffee as she smiles at me. “Morning, Linc.”

I scratch my head, thinking I need a haircut as I walk into the kitchen. “Mornin’. When did you get here?”

“This morning. I figured with Mom and Dad gone for the weekend, I should check in and make sure you guys didn’t burn the house down.”

Colt gives in and hands the cereal box to P, kissing the top of her head, and she smiles like she won the world’s toughest battle. I roll my eyes and go to the fridge, grabbing the orangejuice and a glass when I hear my mom’s voice in my head telling me not to drink from the carton.

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