Page 3 of Restorations

And she should help him. They’ve all been through hell. “I know that’s a big step. And you should help him.”

I force a smile, not really ready to move out. “Viv, he wants Baz under the same roof as him. I think he needs it.”

My chest aches, thinking about the way he hugged Baz the day I told him we were moving. And the way Baz clung to him. I have nightmares about that day. “Do you really think things have changed that much in a year? We’re still toxic around each other.”

Lola is firm in her conviction as she takes my hand and looks me in the eye. “This is your home, and you feeling safe here is my number one priority. But I swear to you, I think this will be good. I never should have meddled in the first place.”

I cock a suspicious eyebrow. “You didn’t plan this, did you?”

She shakes her head adamantly. “No. I swear to you. He just showed up last night looking beat to hell and defeated.” Tears spring to her eyes, and it breaks my heart. “Colt . . .” His name is still hard for her to say out loud, but at least she can do it now. “He was drowning on land long before he died, and I was too self-involved to see it. Asher is here and begging for a lifeline. I can’t let him drown.”

He seemed perfectly fine downstairs, but I don’t say that to her. I know he’s hurting, but I’m afraid the only way for Asher to make himself feel any better is to lash out at me. “Okay.”

It’s weak, and she grabs my other hand. “I will, however, threaten him with bodily harm if he torments you.”

I laugh a little at that because I know she will. She is the best big sister I've ever known. “I feel awful about the way I left him, but I won’t take his abuse either.”

“You did what you had to do. And maybe I put too much pressure on you to do it, but you’re strong, Viv. You had every right to get out of a bad situation.”

“He’s so angry.” My voice is a low whisper, and I know it’s dripping with fear. I don’t feel strong right now.

Asher has a crazy hold over me. Even this morning, I felt it, a gripping addiction to his torment, pleasure, and the heaven and hell he brings.

“Give him a chance. Please.”

I nod. “For Baz and for you. I will.”

She smiles and pulls me into a hug. “Thank you. So much.”

Her voice is shaky, and I know she’s relieved I agreed to this, but I can’t help feel a sense of dread.

This is a very bad idea.

2

ASHER

I’m about to grab breakfast when the doorbell rings. I look through the patio door where Hayden is standing as he talks on the phone. He said a quick hello before his phone rang, and that’s where he’s been since Viv headed up to bitch at Lola for letting me move in.

I know my sister. She'll talk Viv into giving it a chance. I’m not worried.

Viv.

Fuck her. And her being annoyed or uncomfortable with me here. I gave her a year. She’s a big girl, and she can fucking deal with it.

I’ve never felt more pain than the day she took Baz and left me with nothing and no one. She knew that kid was everything to me. And okay, I shouldn’t have fucked her when I knew, without a doubt, she couldn’t handle the whole no feelings thing, but she told me she could.

She convinced me. Over and over. With her bullshit games of seduction.

And now, I fucking hate her.

I stayed in her house out of convenience and not wanting to find a place to stay until I graduated from college. But the plan was always to follow.

I may hate his mother, but I love Baz with every last bit of humanity I have in me.

And then, I had to listen to Viv and Sawyer fucking in the room next to me all night. If that isn’t life fucking me without lube yet again, I'm not sure what is. Her moans floated through the thin fucking walls, and it made me sick.

I can’t believe they’re still together. I have no idea what his angle is, and I know she doesn’t love him. But I don’t fucking care. They can have each other.

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