Page 80 of Restrictions

Why the fuck am I here?

Baz hops up and down outside the front door in his little jeans and t-shirt, no jacket. In November. It’s seventy-five degrees and sunny.

And I’m still annoyed.

I’d like to think it’s all for Baz. I turn and look at Vivienne as she tucks her hair behind her ear, her dark blue nail polish swiped perfectly over each nail. I hate how easy it was for her to talk me into coming here. I hate how I never fucking fight her. Ever.

I don’t want to be like Linc.

She talks me into fucking the one woman that Colt had a baby with. So, in essence she was his in a way.

I don’t want to be in a relationship.

She talks me into fucking only her for months now. And I don’t even have an urge to stray.

I didn’t want to fly to California and watch Penelope and Linc play house.

And I’m fucking here at their doorstep.

Penelope opens the door, her smile brighter than I remember it asshe stands there, looking down at Baz. Her eyes actually sparkle. “Sebastian! My goodness, you grew a foot!”

Baz giggles and shakes his head. “A foot! A foot!”

She bends down, and he runs to her, letting her wrap him in her arms as Linc stands behind them. Our eyes meet with a quick nod before he also claims a hug from our nephew.

Lola is also here, and she joins us, her crisp white sweater almost blinding but so her. She hasn’t changed. Picture-perfect, with her blonde hair curled and styled like she just came from a salon.

“You guys are here! Finally.”

We missed our flight this morning, the one we were supposed to take with my mom and Tony. And yeah, maybe it was my fault. I was dragging my feet all morning.

She wraps her arms around my neck and gives my cheek a kiss. “I missed you.”

I hug her waist and nod curtly. “Missed you too.”

She pulls back, her eyes meeting mine. “Mom and Tony are already here, but they went for a walk on the beach before dinner.” She turns to look at Vivienne, her smile kind and genuine. “I’m so happy you got him to come.”

I feel my body become rigid as Viv forces a smile. “I didn’t do anything but ask.”

Lola laughs and nudges Linc. “Yeah well, we had a bet. I won.”

Not surprising Linc bet against me coming. “Is that so?” I look at my brother.

His jaw ticks, and I hate how much we look alike. All three of us always did. People said we resembled triplets but were all different ages. Carbon copies of our father.

Lucky us.

“I’m glad you showed.”

I stare at him, and he stares right back because the thing with Linc... he’s not fucking sorry. Not for any of it. Not for loving Penelope while she was Colt’s. Not for fucking her when she and Colt were still dating. Not for being with her now when Colt is conveniently dead.

I nod my head toward Baz, who’s currently wrapped in Lola’s arms. “I’m here for the kid.”

His head nods once in understanding as Penelope walks to his side, his arm pulling her to him. “P, you wanna show Baz his surprise?”

She lights up, and so does Baz as he looks over at them both.

Great, another toy to buy him off.

---