Page 108 of You Were Never Not Mine

Originally, we were supposed to have dinner with my parents tonight, but they couldn’t make it, so the big family dinner will be tomorrow, which is unfortunate. I liked the idea of getting it over with and being able to breathe easier for the rest of the weekend.

I guess that’s not what’s in store for me.

We go out for dinner tonight, August’s parents taking us to a restaurant not too far from their home. Iris and Brooks come with us, baby Astrid as well, and I can’t stop cooing at her in the restaurant. Lucky for me, I’m sitting next to Iris and she’sholding Astrid for most of the meal so I help her distract the baby whenever I can.

“I think she likes you,” Iris muses when Astrid reaches out and grabs onto a strand of my hair, tugging it hard.

“Ow, little princess. That hurts.” I gently pry her fingers from my hair and move away from her. This results in Astrid making a pouty face just before she scrunches it up and lets out a loud wail.

“Maybe she doesn’t like me so much after all,” I murmur, watching as Iris hands off the baby to Brooks, who takes her in his arms and starts tickling her belly. She immediately starts laughing, her distress forgotten though there are still fat tears clinging to the corners of her eyes.

“She’s getting into a bratty stage, I fear,” Iris tells me as she reaches for her glass of white wine and sips from it. “And the only person who can console her completely is her daddy.”

The love shining in Iris’s eyes as she watches Brooks with their daughter tells me she’s beyond happy with her little family and that warms my heart.

“She’s not a brat. She’s sweet,” I murmur, smiling.

“Augie calls her a monster.” Iris shakes her head. “If anyone is a monster, it’s my brother.”

I don’t know if I’d call him a monster, but if she’d said that a couple of months ago, I would’ve readily agreed with her.

Funny how things change.

“He’s not so bad,” I finally say, earning a pointed look from his sister.

“He made your life a living hell.”

I didn’t need the reminder but there it is. Do his parents know about our past? If they do, what do they think about it? It’s a little embarrassing, that our original connection was when he used to bully me.

“Iris, can I ask you a question?” Iris turns to face me oncemore, nodding. “Did you know Brooks was the one for you the minute you met him?”

“Oh no. Not at all. I loathed Brooksie when we first met. He just immediately rubbed me the wrong way. But the more I got to know him, the more enthralled I became with him and the next thing I knew, we were sneaking off together and hooking up constantly. Oh, we had the best time back then. We were so horny every minute of every day and we couldn’t get enough of each other.” She rests her fingers over her mouth like she needs to shut herself up. “I probably shouldn’t have said that to you.”

“No, I don’t mind.” It reminds me of my situation with August. I loathed him too, for years. Until eventually we became horny for each other as well. “August has mentioned there’s a family curse when it comes to love.”

“He told you about that? And called it a curse?” Iris begins to laugh. “Oh, that’s hilarious. I wouldn’t call it a curse. It’s just a basic fact. Lancasters find their person right away. Usually when we’re young. I sometimes think that’s why he bullied you.”

I frown. “You think he bullied me why? Because he was…interested in me?”

That’s laughable. I was desperately unattractive and awkward and an ugly duckling who hadn’t quite bloomed into a swan. I find what Iris is saying hard to believe.

“Yes. Definitely.” Iris looks smug. Like she’s been dying to tell me this. “Think about it. He wouldn’t leave you alone. He was constantly giving you shit for the entire year. Who does that? Why would he do it? Because he was secretly obsessed with you, which is another Lancaster male trait. They hide their feelings and pretend they hate you when that’s the furthest thing from the truth.”

“That sounds ridiculous.” I’m scoffing. Shaking my head. She can’t be for real right now. “He hated me. Told me I was ugly and stupid.”

“God, see? He’s a monster! Are you sure you want to be with him?” Iris rests her fingers on her lips once more, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t say that but I can’t help it. I love my brother but please—just make sure his intentions are true.”

Unease slips down my spine as I absorb what she said. “Do you think he’s trying to what…trick me?”

“I don’t know. I should’ve never said anything about this.” She shrugs, obviously uncomfortable. “He would never do that to you. He seems like he’s completely in love with you.”

I almost scoff at that. The words have never been spoken out loud by him and I just find it’s too soon for love. Right? Does August even have a heart big enough to love someone? He treats me well. We have sex constantly. But is that all it is? We’re horny for each other, as Iris described herself and Brooks.

“I don’t know if it’s love,” I start, and Iris is shaking her head, a panicked look on her face.

“I regret saying what I said to you, Sinclair. My brother wouldn’t do anything like that to you. He pays attention to no one. Is dismissive of almost everyone. He’s falling for you. I’m sure of it.”

Her words ring hollow and I’m sure that has to do with my sudden lack of self-esteem thanks to our conversation. But I put on a brave smile and nod like I agree with her, grateful when she changes the subject and starts talking about Astrid teething. I half listen to her, my gaze going to August who is sitting on the other side of the table, engrossed in a conversation with his father.

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