And I don’t want to live with him either.
Well, now that Hollyn is in his life and he’s happy and looking towards forever with her, there isn’t enough money in the world for me to live with him. Gross.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he’s happy. They’re an adorable couple and I really like Hollyn. She’s good people and has been teaching me about how to schedule my marketing while streamlining social media posting.
Still, the very last thing I want to hear or, gag, walk in on is my brother getting laid.
I shudder as I buckle in and notice that I’m the last in line to pull out of the parking lot to head home. Even though my friends can’t see me, I wave goodbye before turning in the opposite direction.
After driving less than a block, red and blue lights flash behind me.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I snarl the words and take a deep breath.
The desire to storm out of my car and tell Officer Simmons right where to shove it, is almost impossible to ignore. But he is a police officer. I am not.
I’m also not stupid.
My hands tighten around the steering wheel after I roll the window down, but only partway. It’s winter, it’ll have to be good enough.
“Good evening, Greylin,” Aiden’s smokey voice slides through the window and wraps around me. “If you wouldn’t mind, can I get your license, registration, and proof of insurance?”
He poses it like a question, a request, but we both know it’s not. And we’ve danced these steps before. He won’t tell me why he’s pulled me over until I give him what he’s asked for. So that’s what I do; I hand it over.
As if he hasn’t memorized my damn license number by now.
When he rests his arm against the top of my car and leans down, I consider punching him in the face. But I’m not a violent person and I’m not going to let this infuriating man affect me that much.
His mouth tips up in a smirk while his green eyes take me in. I already know whatever reason he’s used to pull me over is going to be ridiculous. And if I soak him in while acting annoyed, I keep it to myself.
CHAPTER 2
AIDEN
Pulling Greylin over because she didn’t signal when she pulled out of the parking lot of GMH last night was a stretch. I might have strained something, honestly. But I had to see her last night.
I was unable to avoid tonight and the family dinner I was expected to attend. Which is why I’m seated at a table that seats ten with only my brother and my father.
Because they’re all I have left.
And my father doesn’t do anything halfway.
His home is set up to host a fundraiser, or anything involving a photo op, at the drop of a hat.
Myfather can do what he wants, he’s a grown ass man who will have to confront his demons just like everyone else in this world. What bothers me is that my brother drank the political party punch and works hard at being dad’s clone.
I wish he would be his own man.
When we were growing up, I looked up to him even though he’s only two years older than me. He saw our dad as the mayor of Storyville and endeavored to be a kid worthy of having that kind of father.
But as a kid you believe your parents are infallible and their moral compass is resolute.
Later you find out parents are just people.
Flawed.
Shaped by things beyond their control while not noticing how they’re passing on their scars.
Human.
