Page 86 of Restrained

I hate his attitude, but I don’t have time to ask him about it right now. We start down the aisle toward Linc, and I smile, seeing how happy my mom is as she leans her head on Tony’sshoulder. Asher’s eyes, however, are only on Viv. We walk by them and then up to the alter.

I give Lincoln a great big hug when we reach him. “I’m so proud of you, Linc.”

He winks at me. “I’m proud of all of us.”

I smile as I take my spot on the opposite side of the aisle and watch Asher and Lincoln exchange a handshake and a quick grumble no one else can hear. Penelope and Hayden’s cue is the bridal music, and everyone now stands. We all watch.

Penelope has her arm linked with Hayden’s as they walk toward us. The emotions I feel are almost too much.

I know Colt is watching. I can feel him, and as much as I hated coming here and being where he died, I know Penelope and Linc were right to have their wedding here.

He should be a part of this. I’m not sure how he would feel about their love. But at the end of the day, he was so good, I think he would have found a way to be okay with it. He loved harder than all of us.

Hayden gives Penelope’s hand to Lincoln, and everything in this moment feels as it should. Like we’ve been on this path for a long time, and this was our destination.

It’s powerful listening to them exchange vows, promising to love each other and be together forever no matter what is thrown at them.

My eyes lock with Hayden’s as he sits next to Tony, listening intently, his eyes intense.

Destiny is a funny thing, isn’t it?

37

HAYDEN

“He’s spiraling out of control.” I hold Lola to me as we stand against the wall of the grand living room in the lake house. The furniture has been cleared out, and after a nice dinner, the table was removed to make room for dancing.

Baz and Viv are on the dance floor with Tony and Nora, and Linc and P. But Lola is fully focused on Asher, who showed up shitfaced a couple of minutes before the wedding.

He held up remarkably well during the ceremony with alcohol seeping through his pores. “He’ll be okay, Lola.”

She doesn’t believe me, and I hate the sadness in her eyes as she looks up at me. “I don’t want to fail him anymore.”

I wish I could make her see he’s not her responsibility, but I don’t think that will happen. I watch Asher lift a silver flask to his lips, not even bothering to hide it as he stands by the exit. I’d rather deal with him anyway.

I kiss her forehead. “I’ll be back, okay?”

I don’t let her argue with me and walk over to Asher, standing at his side as he watches Penelope and Lincoln on the dance floor, hatred in his eyes. He doesn’t say a word, and Inod my head at the flask. “Don’t you think that’s enough for the night?”

He doesn’t say a word, just lifts the flask to his lips and takes another drink, still staring. “She cleans up nice, huh?” I bristle at his tone but remain stoic. “She always did. I remember when Colt and Linc brought her home. She had ripped jeans and dirt on her face, but they didn’t care. They both loved her.”

“She’s not hard to love.”

He snorts. “Apparently. Penelope likes to give a lot oflove. Of course, I never got that far.”

You can’t kill him.“Good.”

He shrugs. “I was pretty young when she was busy fucking both of my brothers.”

My knuckles turn white as my hands fist at my sides. I stay quiet.

He keeps pushing, and I know exactly why. “You knew that, right? Or did they give you the watered-down version?”

I take his bait but keep my voice quiet as Lola joins Baz and Viv, all three of them dancing together and seemingly having a good time. “Knew what?”

“That she was Colt’s. And now we’re here celebrating her marriage to Linc.”

From everything I've heard, Penelope and Colt were a puppy love relationship, and Penelope and Lincoln seem like the real deal. Still, I know the kid is hurting. “I think you can grieve a loss and celebrate a new future at the same time, man.”

---