Page 54 of Connected By Love
I pull into the driveway of our blue two-story house on the beach in Blue Haven. My brothers and I added on when my parents turned the house over to us to give us each a living space. Jake took over the master bedroom on the main floor when I moved out, giving Savi and our parents the rooms upstairs when they visit. We turned the storage space above the garage into an apartment for Miles. He’s able to have his band practices in the soundproof room in the garage they made and have his band members over when he wants to. We renovated and added onto the pool house to make a one-bedroom living area for Ryder.
It works out that everyone has their space. Ryder used tolive in the main house with me because we were the only ones not bringing girls home. I had a good reason with Max, but I worry about Ryder being so closed off since Eve left him two years ago. He still hasn’t gotten over it and throws himself into his work to help him cope. I haven’t seen him so much as look at another girl since she left.
Walking into the main living area, I spot my brothers and Max outside by the pool. We have made the house our own since our parents gave us free reign over the place. They put all their personal items in a storage unit, along with any furniture we didn’t want. The home gym and pool table were the first things we bought, along with the big TV and leather sectional couch for watching hockey and football games.
I walk across the light bamboo floor, grabbing a beer from the fridge, before heading out back.
“Daddy!” Max comes running over, and I swing him up for a hug.
“Hey, buddy! Did you have fun at the car show this morning?”
“Uh huh,” he nods his head. “I got to see my favorite car. Uncle Ryder says one day he’ll get me one, and we can restore it together just how I like it.”
“He did, did he?” I look over at Ryder, who has a big grin on his face.
“Like I could say no to him. It will be a fun project for us. By the time we’re done, he will have something most adults would kill for.”
“But a GT3? How about we start with a Honda Civic? It’s much safer and doesn’t go as fast.”
“Nobody restores a Civic,” he looks at me, horrified. I guess when you restore supercars for a living, it’s unimaginable to even think about owning a Honda Civic, let alone restoring one.
“We’ll discuss this later,” I laugh. “He’s only five right now, so we have plenty of time to think this through.”
“You can never start too early. I’ll at least keep my eye out for a good deal in the meantime.” Ryder takes a sip of beer and grins. He knows I’m outnumbered on this one.
I set Max down and he runs and jumps in the pool. I watch him swim for a bit before I break the silence.
“I got a text from Addy today.” I can feel all eyes turn my way as I glance over and look at them.
“Shit,” Jake says. A frown appears on his face. “What did she want?”
I walk over and sit down next to them, facing the pool, so I can keep an eye on Max. “She didn’t say. Just that we need to talk.”
“Did you text her back,” Miles asks, looking equally pissed.
“Not yet. I had Sophia in my fucking bed waiting for me when I got the text this morning. I ignored it so I could enjoy the rest of my breakfast with her.”
“What the hell does she want? It’s been five fucking years, and she just texts you out of the blue?” Ryder glances at Max, and I can tell he’s wondering how this will affect him.
“If what we’ve been hearing is right, you can’t let her around Max if she’s using.” Jake has a tight grip on his beer bottle as anger fills him. All my brothers knew Addy and trusted her. She was part of the family for four years while we dated. She not only hurt me but all of them in the process as well.
“I know that,” I roughly run a hand through my hair. “I can’t believe this is all happening now. I’m just starting to get in a good head space with Sophia, and Addy has to come back into my life and fuck it all up again.”
“She’s not going to fuck it all up. We won’t let her.” Jake looks at me with determination in his eyes. “I haven’t seen youthis happy. Ever. Sophia is good for you and Max. You deserve some good in your life. She’ll only mess this up if you let her. Text her back and see what she wants, and we’ll go from there with a plan.”
Jake takes on the protector role just like he always does. He’s right. I’m not going to let Addy mess up the best thing that’s ever happened to me and Max. I’ve been giving my power away to her for too long by not allowing myself to get close to anyone. It’s time to take back that power and release the chains that are holding me.
I pull out my phone and type a quick text before hitting send.
Travis
What do you want to talk about?
Setting my phone down, I wait for a response and explanation. Some things never change, though, because I never get one.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sophia
