“I should go,” I whisper.
He places a wordless kiss on the top of my head and I leave the rooftop feeling lighter than I did before I came up here, but just as confused.
20
BATMAN’S CALLING
I should have canceled,stayed home and made sure that Penny was alright. But I knew if I didn’t leave the fucking apartment, I’d just sit there and constantly think about her all the time.
It’s not healthy, I’m more than well aware.
My obsession with Penny is only getting worse with each passing day. When she read that letter, though? More of me understood why she feels like she can’t be with me, why our family is the crucible of who she is.
Doesn’t mean I’m not pissed about it.
It’s been a series of stupid games the twins have come up with and Aiden looking like he’s floating on cloud nine thinking about his new girlfriend. At least I know Penny is over at her new friend’s house tonight. That’s good. She needs a close friend.
The twins are wasted, singing and dancing acting like the happiest bunch of assholes I’ve ever seen and I can’t take it anymore. I’ve had too much to drink, but not in a way that makes me feel good. I feel hopeless and somewhat depressed as I look over at Aiden.
“Cigar?” I ask Aiden.
We head outside to the back deck, listening to the roar of the ocean as we sit in a moment of silence before I look over at Aiden, smiling at his phone.
“I’m happy for you, ya know?” I tell him and I mean it. I might be slightly fucking jealous that my love life isn’t as complicated. But I’m happy that Aiden has found someone. Even if it’s still somewhat of a secret to the general public.
“I know.”
“You deserve to be happy. I’m excited to meet her. You know, outside of Avalon.” I smirk and he rolls his eyes. He, in fact, did not kick my ass after that encounter. What a softie.
“You deserve to be happy too, Lincoln.”
“I’m not sure the rest of the family would agree,” I reply, and he clearly doesn’t get the connotation of what I’m saying and I wave him off. “You should invite her to The Bahamas. I know it’s a while away, but that just gives you more time to be together.”
His relationship is new, and hard launching her into the Carlson household is honestly just rude. But if they last the next couple of weeks, I know our mother would be thrilled.
“I’ll ask her.”
“I’m going to go for a walk,” I say, grabbing another drink and waving off my brother as I walk down the beach.
The beach is nice as it always is as I walk in the sand, letting the lights from the ocean front houses guide me.
I pull out my phone and scroll through to Penny’s name.
Are you awake?
Penny
Jessa’s couch is uncomfortable as fuck.
I smile and decide to call her instead of texting.
“Who’s this?” she says with a little slur in her words.
“Batman,” I say in a deep gravelly voice and she laughs.
“How is Gotham faring without you?” she asks.
“I’m pretty sure Aiden is talking to Jessa and the twins are probably passed out somewhere in the house.”
