She nods her head as if she understands, although I know she thinks I'm insane. Maybe I am, but I already hate that I've used my trust fund to get us started. I also truly hate that Hayden West was right and the money is running out quickly. She’s looking in the direction of the dining room where Vivienne is helping Baz set the table, keeping her voice low. “How is she?”
Penelope is truly an amazing person. Baz is the product of infidelity. Technically, she was with my brother Colt when he and Vivienne conceived Baz one night at a high school party. Most women wouldn’t be able to stomach being near the other woman, but Penelope doesn’t seem to blame her, nor is she bitter.
She’s happy with Linc. I think that factors into it tremendously. “Not great. I haven’t talked to her much, but I don’t think Asher took it well when she left.”
“I can’t imagine he would. Has he called?”
“I don’t think so. But he will. He loves Baz more than himself, which is kind of a miracle with him.”
She smiles knowingly as we join Baz and Viv at the table, me carrying the salad. “That looks lovely.”
Vivienne’s smile is beautiful as she wraps an arm around Baz, and I laugh. “You’re kind.”
Linc barges in the front door of my house, because why not? He’s my brother and I love him, but he’s an ass. “Please tell me dinner is ready.”
I roll my eyes as he tips Penelope’s head back and gives her an upside-down kiss hello. She rights herself as he takes a seat. “Ask Vivienne, she’s the chef.”
Vivienne blushes slightly as she stands. “I’ll check, and I am definitely no chef.”
Linc greets Baz, and I smile when Baz climbs up on his lap. Vivienne lights up when she walks into the dining room with a pan of delicious smelling chicken.
“Wow. That looks amazing.” Linc stands up, leaving Baz on his chair, clearing a spot on the table for her to set it down. “Sorry, Viv. I would have carried it in.”
She waves him off. “It’s totally fine.”
We all sit down for dinner, but I notice Vivienne is checking her phone nervously, and I have to ask.
“You okay?”
Startled, she places her phone next to her. “Yes, sorry.” Her eyes dart to Baz, who’s sitting next to Lincoln in his own chair, and then meet mine. “Asher is going to call in an hour.”
The tension noticeably grows as Penelope shifts in her seat, looking over at Vivienne cautiously. “Does he know you’re here?”
Vivienne looks guilty, her eyes down. “No.” Then she looks at me. “I don’t have to tell him.”
Lincoln—whose relationship with Asher is even more strained considering Asher doesn’t approve of Penelope and Lincoln being together—growls, “I’ll tell him.”
Again, Viv looks startled, and I shake my head, standing up from the table. “No. You won’t.” Linc smiles jadedly as I focus on Vivienne. “I’ll tell him.”
She shakes her head vehemently, but it’s not really up for discussion.
“It should come from me, Viv.”
“He’ll be angry.”
I shrug and finish my wine. “I can handle it.” I grab my phone from the kitchen counter and walk out to the patio, sliding the door shut behind me and taking a seat. I dial my youngest brother for a video call and hope he will answer.
Moments later, I smile weakly when I see his face. His hair is mussed, and he looks worn out, but it’s still so good to see his face. “Asher.”
“What’s up, Lols?”
“How are you?”
“Shitty.” He’s blunt as always.
“I’m sorry.”
“Have you talked to her?” He doesn’t have to say Vivienne’s name, and my heart squeezes, knowing how badly he’s hurting. It’s all over his face.
“Yes.” My throat is dry, and I suddenly feel like chickening out. The last thing I want to do is hurt him.
“Have you seen him?”
My eyes scrunch in confusion. “Him? Baz?”
He looks sickened and growls, “Sawyer.”
I shake my head. “No.” I haven’t asked Vivienne about Sawyer, but I know he’s living about five miles from here in a condo and has started work with Linc.
“So, you haven’t been to their place?”
The bitterness in his tone makes me ache, but I have no idea what he’s talking about again. “Their place?”
“Please don’t make me say it. I know they’re living together.”
Did she tell him she was moving in with Sawyer? “Asher, listen to me, okay?” I take a deep breath as he watches me in confusion. “Vivienne and Baz are staying with me here at my house.”
“What?” I can see the betrayal written all over his face, and I hate it.
“You guys needed a break from each other, Asher. I told her she could come and stay with me for a while.”
He was seated, but now I can tell by the phone jostling around that he’s jumped up and is pacing. “You’re the reason she went to fucking California?”
“Not exactly.”
“Right. That motherfucker got a job with the other motherfucker.”
Sawyer and Linc respectively. “Listen—”
“No.” He’s angry and cuts me off quickly. “How can you do that to me? You know how much I fucking love that kid.”
“I do.”
“And yet you encouraged his mother to move across the country?”
I swear I did it for him. “Asher, you guys were locked in an unhealthy war. I couldn’t just sit there and watch.”
“Right.” His scoff is cold and holds so much meaning behind it.
“I’ve messed up so much, Asher. I’m trying to be better.”
“That’s just fucking great. Thanks so much for all your help, sis.”
It’s obviously sarcastic, his rage cutting through me. “You need time to grow up. You needed space. She needed—”
“To fuck Sawyer.”
I gulp, his angry interruption stopping my words, but I'm tired of him acting like a child. “If that’s what she needs to heal and grow.”
“Heal from fucking what? She left. Not me. She did. And now I find out my sister was the driving force behind it.”
“I think you need to look in the mirror a little bit there, Ash.”
I may have offered her a break, but it was one she was already craving. “Right.” His jaw ticks.
“I know you’re angry now, but please just call as often as you can. Come visit him and use this time to grow.”
His eyes seem to be looking beyond me, and I turn to look over my shoulder, seeing Viv poised at the closed glass patio door. “I’ll call Baz at the scheduled time. Make sure he answers and not her.”
My eyes squeeze shut from the intensity of his tone. Then I open them and nod. “You guys will get through this.”
“No. We won’t.”
He hangs up, and the screen goes black.
I can’t look back at Viv. Instead, I glance up at the night sky, hating how lonely and broken my brother is.
I hope with all my heart I don’t let him down this time.