I picture the look on my mom and dad’s face when I tell them I’m fucking their nephew and my heart sinks. What’s even worse is when I think of Lincoln’s brothers. How disgusted they would all be to find out what we’ve been doing behind closed doors.
We’ve known each other our whole lives as a familial unit. Am I really willing to risk this infatuation, this sexual awakening, when it could all come crumbling down?
Even if we risked it, fooled around more, eventually we would get caught. Lincoln thinks he wants me because I’m the one person he’s not supposed to want. He’s in a similar crisis that I am. Two lost people looking for solace in the depths of hell.
No matter how good he feels, it’s only temporary. Everything is.
I groan, wash my hands, and open the bathroom door. Jessa is standing there and I nearly take a step back from running into her.
“Are you okay?” she asks sweetly.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“He isn’t?—”
I cut her off immediately. “No, it’s not like that, it’s complicated.”
She nods her head, probably thinking back to my mental breakdown earlier in the week and clicking all the pieces together.
“I’m ready to go home,” I say, not wanting to talk about it.
What can I say out loud that I haven’t already said in my head? Maybe I should talk to someone besides my therapist about this, but it all comes down to the fact that it’s not a good idea.
“Are you sure, Penny? I could have Aiden drop us off at the cottage if you don’t want to ride with him.”
I give her a soft smile. “No, I’m good, I promise.”
When did I become such a good liar?
22
CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET
Penny avoids me,not that I’m surprised.
I’m trying to understand while also… just not giving a fuck.
If the family doesn’t like it, I can be her family. Though, I have more faith in the Myers and the Carlsons than she does. But then again, I wasn’t adopted. I don’t have the same hangups and insecurities as she does.
I’m trying to be patient and failing miserably.
I put the passcode into Aiden’s house and enter.
“What’s up, asshole?” I yell, walking through the kitchen, where I’m greeted by his tiny girlfriend, who is holding a rolling pin over her shoulder. She sighs with relief when she realizes it’s me.
“Jesus Christ,” she says, dropping the rolling pin on the counter and folding her arms over her chest.
“Is my brother here?”
“He went to grab dinner. He’ll be back soon.”
“Are you cool if I wait?” I ask her and she nods her head.
I pull out the barstool and take a seat. She looks at me cautiously and my brows furrow.
“What?”
“Um. Nothing,” she says too quickly.
