Page 42 of Bae

If there was one thing I’d learned over the past few years, it was life wasn’t easy. In fact, at times, it was fucking brutal. Family was supposed to be the exception. Family was supposed to make life easier.

It wasn’t always that way.

Guess that’s why the six of us formed our own family. A family by choice and out of loyalty.

“He wasn’t invited.” I crossed my arms over my chest. I wasn’t above kicking someone off this property.

“Didn’t stop him from coming,” Trent retorted.

Rimmel heard something she didn’t like in his voice and went to his side. He draped an arm over her shoulders, and she peeked around at me with a frown.

We didn’t need this. Rim had enough going on inside her without worrying herself sick over Trent and Drew. And my brothers deserved to be at peace in their own damn home.

I strode toward the house. There was some shit I couldn’t fix, but I could do something about this.

“Wait.” Drew stopped me.

I turned back.

“He’s Nova’s grandfather.”

“He gave up that right,” I countered.

“I don’t want a fight,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to be anything like him.”

Trent made a sound and stepped up to Drew’s side. “You aren’t. You arenothinglike him.”

“Just let him stay. I’m not putting my sister in the middle of this. Or my niece.”

“I’m pretty sure Ivy didn’t ask him to be here,” I said.

Rimmel shook her head, agreeing with me. “Definitely not.”

Drew rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “No, but he came anyway.”

“This is your house. Our house,” Trent said. “He’s not welcome here.”

“I’m sorry, frat boy,” Drew told him. “It won’t be like last time. He says one thing to you, even looks at you cross-eyed, and I’ll toss him out myself.”

“Don’t worry about me, Forrester,” Trent spoke. “This isn’t about me.”

“It’s always about you,” Drew replied, almost too low for me to hear.

Rimmel glanced around at me again, her heart in her eyes. I shook my head. I was getting pretty fucking tired of feeling helpless. I wasn’t, but some of these situations sure played with a man’s head.

What the fuck kind of father did this to his son? It was amazing to me the man in my kitchen right now could be so cold to his own blood. That he would put his own happiness before his child’s. And why? Because he didn’t agree with who his son loved. I’d never treat my kid that way. Never.

You sure about that?

I shook off the thought. It was bad shit.

“He’s out,” I said, not in anger, just in truth. I wanted to toss him out. Fuck, my fingers itched for the fight. I just wanted him gone. I wanted everything he represented gone.

“No,” Drew said after a moment. “Today isn’t about me.” He glanced at Trent. “As long as he keeps his bigoted opinions to himself, doesn’t say anything to T, and overall acts like a decent person, then he can stay. But after today, he’s out.”

I nodded once, respecting his choice. “You change your mind, just say the word.” My eyes met Trent’s and held until he nodded. I wanted him to know if or when he had enough, then I’d show our unwanted guest the door, regardless of Drew not wanting to upset his sister.

“Your parents are here,” Trent told me after a few seconds of silence.

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