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I scoop Lila up in my arms and hug her tight against me, thankful for at least one silver lining of the evening. My girl home safe and sound with the people who love her most.
“Hey, pumpkin! What a surprise. You miss us?” She smells like sunscreen and sugar.
Oliver comes down the steps and pulls his sister in for a big hug. He thinks I don't notice, but I see him move her behind him. Like he needs to protect her from me of all people. I can’t help but wonder if he knows about doucheface Conner and his sister’s extracurricular activities.
“Peyton, I brought you a present! Come and open it.” Lila pulls Peyton into the house. Peyton throws me a worried glance as I stay outside with Oliver.
“What the hell happened with Amber?” I demand when they are both out of earshot.
Oliver folds his arms across his chest. “What do you think, man? The wedding was a shit show. Amber and her new husband were in no way up to an even minimal level of parenting even before she made it down the aisle. Lila kept asking to come home. I talked to Amber, and she agreed Lila would be happier here. So we got the last evening flight over. I left you a message which from the look on your face you didn’t get.”
Thank God, Oliver had been there. I pat my pockets. Fuck. I’d left my phone at the house which pisses me off. But I am more furious with Amber. That she could have even ignored Lila for some man and all the cameras pointed her way makes me crazed. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Lila is here and safe. That is all that matters.
“Thank you so much for looking out for Lila and bringing her back,” I say, my voice tight with rage at Amber.
Oliver’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes as he stares at me.
“Something else on your mind, bro?”
“Where were you?”
“Not that I owe you a fucking explanation, but I’ll give you the benefit of being my best friend and give it anyway. I had a charity event, and I brought Peyton along. Satisfied?”
Oliver’s arms drop to his sides, and he takes a step closer.
“She’s been staying here then? You let her stay here alone with you?” Oliver’s eyes narrow, waiting on my answer.
“Last time I checked your sister was an adult capable of making her own decisions, buddy. You’d do well to remember that. Besides, where the fuck did you want her to go? To a hotel? Where all levels of assholes are? Why put her through that when there’s plenty of room here?” My rage is tunneling into pure, raw fury. I don’t have time for this overprotective brother bullshit.
“What was the one thing I asked of you when my sister came to take care of Lila?”
“Fuck off, Oliver. I don’t have time for your shit tonight.”
“I asked for one thing. I asked,don’t fuck my sister. Remember that?”
“I do and well, shit happened. It’s not like that, anyway. But I don’t owe you more of an explanation than that, so fuck right off, buddy.”
Oliver pegs me in the chest with a finger, and I let it slide instead of slamming my fist into the side of his head like I want. The last thing Peyton needs tonight is tending to her brother’s wounds.
“Don’t insult me,” he roars. “You two were eye-fucking each other, just getting out of the car. And that was in front of a minor.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“It’s exactly what I think. You are a selfish bastard who thinks he can do whatever he wants because he’s some famous lead singer in a band. I’m leaving, and I’m taking my sister with me.” Oliver starts up the steps of the house to get Peyton.
“That’s not happening.” There is no way Peyton is leaving.
“She’s staying with me,” I say as he touches the door handle. “Push the topic and we can go at it right here.”
Oliver turns back to me, teeth clenched.
“She’s not leaving. Ever. And frankly, I don't give a shit what you think. I’m sorry about the promise and all that, but I didn’t expect to feel the way I do about her.”
Oliver’s face is dark with fury.
“I’m marrying her. And hopefully producing a long line of little singers as a result. You got a problem with that, take your best fucking shot, bro.” I raise an eyebrow but keep my arms folded across my chest.
Oliver is lean, and I feel bad being bigger and stronger. I have no desire to brawl with my future brother-in-law, but if that is what it takes to secure Peyton, I will do it in a heartbeat.
