Page 55 of Restrained

But it doesn’t work. She turns and leaves, her heels clicking on my driveway as she runs to her car.

I watch her leave, wondering if this is the last time I’ll ever see her. I’ve had so many people leave in my life. I’ve left a lot of people behind.

But it’s never felt as bad as this.

24

LOLA

I’m so angry I'm shaking as I pull into my drive, not even pulling into the garage. I climb out of my car and walk into the back of my house.

I should be surprised to see Penelope and Linc right outside of my property line on the beach, sitting together in the sand and looking out at the ocean.

Penelope must hear me approach because she turns. “Lola. Thank fuck. What is going on?”

She stands and so does Linc, both coming closer to me. I feel numb as I look at my best friend and see the worry on her face.

Linc looks worried as he looks me over, and I tuck my hand behind my back. I can’t believe I hit him. I’ve never hit anyone in my life. “Lols, what’s up? We’ve been worried.”

“We were about to send a fucking search party after you. You looked crazed when you left.” Penelope takes my non-swollen hand in hers. “What’s going on?”

“He’s your brother,” I blurt out without even thinking in my still numb state.

“What?” Her eyes search mine. “I don’t have a fucking brother.”

My entire body feels heavy, but especially my head as it droops, my eyes taking in the sand below my feet. “You do. Hayden.”

“Your client?” I hear Linc’s booming voice, but I don’t lift my eyes.

“What the hell are you talking about, Lola? I don’t have a fucking brother.”

My eyes lift to meet hers, which is a daunting task. “You do. He admitted it tonight.”

“He’s a fucking liar. Do you really think I wouldn’t have told you if I had a brother?”

Linc wraps a protective arm around her shoulder. “It’s okay, P. Calm down.”

“No.” She turns to me. “He’s a liar. There’s no way. Why do you even think that?”

“He’s from Kansas City.”

She scoffs. “A lot of people are from Kansas City, and a lot of them move here. We did.”

“He had a rough childhood.”

She laughs angrily, folding her arms. “Oh, well. You didn’t mention that. He comes from a shit childhood? Then we must be related.”

“P...” Linc’s tone is careful but still a plea to calm down.

Her eyes meet mine. “I’m an only child. And thank god, because my mother was awful. You really think I wouldn’t know if I had a sibling?”

“Your nose. The bump.” I nod my head toward her face. “He has it. And the little golden flakes in your eyes. He has them too.”

“Big deal.”

My eyes move to Linc’s, and I see him processing the information. “It is a big deal. He told me you’re his sister. He admitted it tonight.”

“And you just automatically believe him?”

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