“She told you?” I ask, not wanting to give myself away, but needing to know. The idea of Penny telling her new friend about me is beyond pleasing.
“No, I saw you at Whiskey Joe’s.”
I click my tongue and nod my head.
“If you hurt her,” she starts, and I smile.
“To be honest, I think I’m the one who needs to worry about being hurt here.”
Her brow furrows as she looks at me.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. So, Aiden invited you to The Bahamas?”
She clears her throat and nods. I sigh dramatically. “You have nothing to worry about. My mom will be thrilled that at least one of her sons turned out semi-normal.”
“Are the other brothers like you?” she asks and I laugh.
“No, Ben and Gavin are the happiest assholes you’ll ever meet. It will be fine, we’re all happy for Aiden.”
She blushes. “I really like him.”
“Good. He’s been different since you two started dating, happier. Still up my ass, though.”
“He has a big heart,” she says dreamily, and I want to roll my eyes, but hold it back.
It’s not like I’m jealous or anything. Like I wish Penny was in my kitchen and I was getting us takeout food and we were talking about how happy we are—definitely not.
The garage door sounds and a few moments later, Aiden is walking through the door and looking back and forth between me and his girlfriend.
He kisses her head and places the food on the table.
“Didn’t know you were coming over,” he says, looking at me cautiously. “I brought plenty of food if you’re hungry.”
I knew he wouldn’t toss me out. He’s too worried about me being in the deep end or some shit. It’s obvious I’m intruding on a date, and I should go home, but I don’t.
The fact is, maybe I’m in too deep.
I’ve always liked my life in little boxes. It’s easier to function when you know what to expect and have most aspects controlled in your life.
Penny has been the biggest destruction in my life, and I just genuinely don’t know what to do.
I can’t tell Aiden the truth, not until Penny agrees to be with me.
But fuck, I feel so alone.
We eat and watch the game on TV. His girlfriend is kind and sweet, the perfect match for him. It’s a sick longing feeling watching them on the couch together.
How did I ever think that domesticity wasn’t something I wanted?
Maybe it’s because I never wanted it before Penny.
“I’m going to head up to bed. Good seeing you again, Linc.” She waves and heads to Aiden’s bedroom as the game continues on.
Eventually, my brother turns to me.
“You ready to talk about it?”
