Page 103 of Restrictions

“Yup. That Sawyer.” Asher takes over while I stutter like an idiot. “My best friend all through school. The kid who came over and stayed the night at our house more times than I can count. The kid who broke his leg at our house jumping down from the treehouse like a fucking asshole trying to show off. The fucker who slept with sisters because he fucking could.”

My stomach turns as he speaks because I know he’s hurt.

Lola looks shocked as she listens to him, and then focuses on me. “How did that happen?”

“Which part? Her going out on a date with him or her fucking melast night?”

We both turn to look at Asher, who’s fuming. And Lola clears her throat quietly, stuck in a totally awkward situation that she certainly wasn’t expecting to be in when she came over this morning. “Um, dating Sawyer.” Her eyes stay trained on me.

“He’s spent a lot of time here.”

“He’s convenient. Viv doesn't have a lot of time for dating, so she just fucks whoever comes close.”

“Asher.” Lola’s voice is both shocked and warning as I stand from the table, humiliated and feeling guilty.

“It’s okay. He’s mad.” I look over at Asher, my gaze cold. And there are so many cruel things I could say, but I don’t.

I don’t want to hurt him.

I don’t want to hurt anyone.

Lola takes my hand. “Please don’t leave. I don’t get to see you very often.”

I feel bad and sit back down because I really do care about Lola. “How long are you here?”

“I have to get back tomorrow.” She turns to Asher. “I was hoping you would go to Mom’s house and help me help her. She has to get rid of some stuff.”

“Why, the beach house is small?”

“Smaller than their current home. Yes.”

He nods, telling her he’ll help without saying anything as he stands up. “I’m gonna go shower.”

He leaves, and Lola turns to look at me, deep concern in her eyes. “What happened? I thought you guys called it quits.” Yes, I told her everything Christmas Eve over eggnog.

“We did. I told you it was a mistake.”

She nods. “Are you okay?”

She’s one of a kind. She’s his sister, but I see the compassion she has for me. “Yes.” My eyes well up with tears, the memories of last night flooding through me. “No.”

She nods and pulls me into a hug smoothing my hair. “He loves you too, you know? He does. He’s just an idiot.”

I laugh through tears against her small bony shoulder. “He doesn’t. He’s just a child who doesn’t want anyone else playing with his toy.”

She holds me by the shoulders and pushes me back enough to look into my eyes. “Sawyer?”

I sniff and wipe away a tear. “He’s attractive. And charming.”

“Yeah. No shit. That boy could talk a nun out of her habit.”

I laugh at that and then so does she as I brush away more tears.

“Do you really think that’s a good idea? I mean, I'm sure he’s a great rebound.”

I shake my head. “That’s not how I see him.”

She studies me with uncertainty. “You don’t?”

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