Page 98 of Restrictions

“I had fun.”

“Let’s do it again.”

I nod my head as I open the door. “Okay.”

I climb out and take Baz in my arms, allowing Sawyer to take his car seat out and put it in the garage before he gives my lips another brief kiss goodbye and leaves.

I balance Baz in my arms as I make my way up to the door, a feeling of dread deep in my belly, but I know I have to face him sometime.

I can do this. I don’t owe him anything.

42

ASHER

She went out on a date with Sawyer.Fucking Sawyer. My best fucking friend since I can remember. He took her out on a date, and he didn’t even have the fucking balls to ask me first. Or hell, even give me a heads-up.

Instead he let me look like a fucking jackass when he was already on his way over.

To take her and my nephew out.

Who the fuck is he trying to fool?

She thinks I'm immature and can’t commit... That motherfucker is even worse than me.

How can they do this to me?

I feel sick as I pace the living room. It’s getting late. The sun is starting to set. I know the zoo closed hours ago.

What the fuck are they doing?

Is he touching her?

I shake my head at my own thought.No. Baz is with them.

I heard his car pull up what seems like an hour ago, but in reality, it was probably only ten minutes. I refuse to look out the front window. To spy. To see if his hands are on her.

Fuck!

I hear the key in the lock and know it’s too late to run downstairs as the door pushes open.

Please don’t let him be with her.

I’m instantly relieved when I see Viv walk in with Baz in her arms, his body draping past her knees as she struggles, and I walk over to them. I keep my voice low. “Do you need help?”

I can already see the defiance in her eyes before she shakes her head no. “I can manage.”

She starts for the stairs, and I want to beg her to come back, but I don’t. I just watch her disappear up the stairs, my stomach in knots, left to wonder if he fucking touched her.

Baz. Was. With. Them.

I hold onto that as I go downstairs to my room, changing into my workout clothes and then going into the gym, spending some much-needed time with the punching bag, trying my best to get rid of some of the pent-up rage I feel inside.

They couldn’t have fucked. Baz was there, and even if Sawyer is a depraved motherfucker, Viv isn’t.

My fist slams into the bag, and I try to get my body under control.

I knew when I couldn’t love her that she would start dating. I’d hoped she would wait I don’t know, maybe another two or three years, but still. I knew.

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