Page 45 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

Her dad raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “The talk of the town, huh? Guess that’s what happens when you come back after setting the world on fire out there. Some people are just disappointed they didn’t have the guts to try.”

I loved that her parents were supportive. I never had that, but I was glad she did. I supposed that was why she was able to keep on moving past the rumors and other bullshit.

“Just taking a detour for a bit,” Portia said.

Alexis leaned in, her elbows on the table. “A detour’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes you need to slow down to figure out where you’re really headed.”

Portia shot her a grateful smile. “Thank you. It feels like everyone’s waiting for me to get back on track. Like they’re all watching to see if I’ll pull it together or crash and burn.”

I glanced at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her tone. “You’ll be fine,” I said. “No one here has any right to judge.”

Her mother gave me a knowing look. Like she was seeing something I wasn’t sure I wanted to acknowledge.

“Man, I have to say, I missed these ribs,” Portia said.

“Be careful you don’t get sauce on that dress,” her mother said. “It’s a very pretty dress.”

“Alexis,” Portia said. “Did you design this?”

Alexis blushed while her mother beamed.

“She did,” Alexis’s mother said. “She’s been doing a little of that on the side.”

“It’s beautiful,” Portia said. “I love the fabric. And the pockets.”

I thought it fit Portia like a glove. Feminine and pretty and perfect for Portia.

The conversation shifted to talks of fashion and fabric and shit I had no knowledge of. I caught a glimpse of Seth walking by. He had a beer in hand, laughing with a few of his friends. I got that feeling in my gut. I knew my little brother. Something about the way they were huddled, whispering, made my gut say trouble was coming.

And I’d never been wrong about that before.

“Excuse me,” I said. “I’m going to grab some more napkins.”

Portia gave me a curious look, but I didn’t explain. I walked over to Seth and his friends and could hear them whispering about something. They were a bunch of twenty and thirty-something men acting like teenagers.

“What’s going on?” I demanded.

Seth turned, his grin fading when he saw my expression. “Relax, Dean. We’re just enjoying ourselves like everyone here. Why do you always jump to the worst-case scenario?”

“Because it’s always true when you’re involved,” I grumbled.

Seth rolled his eyes. “Come on, man. Not everything’s a disaster waiting to happen. Sometimes, we’re just having fun. You need to relax.”

I didn’t respond, just stared at him, trying to gauge if he was telling the truth. I knew he wasn’t. I knew it, but how was I going to argue it? My gut? History?

“Look, go enjoy your domesticated little dinner with your new girl and her parents. I’m fine. Promise.”

“Don’t do anything stupid,” I warned. “And quit drinking. You’re going to get drunk and do something stupid.”

“So, you think I’m stupid?” He grinned.

I glared at him. “I think you’re reckless. And when you’re reckless, you make stupid decisions. Don’t test me, Seth.”

“All right, all right. Chill out, big brother. I’ll behave. Scout’s honor.”

“You were never a scout,” I shot back, but he was already turning away, laughing with his friends as they wandered off toward the lake. I watched them for a moment, that gnawing feeling in my gut refusing to settle. Seth was a grown man—technically—but he still had a knack for finding trouble, even when he wasn’t looking for it.

I grabbed a stack of napkins from a nearby table and headed back to Portia and her family. As I approached, I caught Portia’s eye again. She was watching me with that curious expression of hers, like she could see right through the walls I kept so carefully constructed.