Page 81 of When Forever Falls Apart

“They sure are, Daddy,” I muse.

“Eva and this baby are everything to me,” Aston says softly, his eyes bright with a fierce determination that both comforts and inspires me. “My life feels complete.”

I instinctively reach for his arm, resting my head against it as we stroll side by side down a tree-lined street. “You really have it all, big brother.”

Suddenly, Aston halts mid-stride, the city’s glow reflecting in his earnest gaze.

“And you’ll have it all one day, too. Just don’t rush it. It’ll come when you least expect it,” he reassures me, but a knot of doubt coils in my stomach. I keep the worry to myself, the weight of it too heavy for this moment. “For now, go live your life.”

“So what you’re saying is, there are more fireball shots in my future?”

Aston’s shoulders move up and down as he chuckles. “Maybe switch to vodka. Less of a hangover.”

Eva is asleep when we reach the apartment. I quickly slip into the shower to wash away tonight’s events, then snuggle beneath the covers inside the guest bedroom.

Elliot hasn’t arrived yet, and as much as I want to call him, I decide it would be best to sleep on things since nothing good will come of conversations held when I’m utterly exhausted.

I soon fall into a deep sleep, but it feels like only minutes later that a blaring wail of a siren wakes me from my slumber.

“Nooo,” I mumble into the pillow.

The soft sunlight filters through the sheer curtains, painting patterns on the walls, as I reach over to my phone to glance at the time.

It’s just after five in the morning, and I’ve had four hours’ sleep.

I groan as my head falls back onto the pillow, but my mind refuses to shut off despite my eyes begging it to shut the hell up.

For the next hour, I toss and turn to no avail, then my cell phone beeps with a text message. I quickly read it, noting that it’s from my father, who wants to meet for brunch. I have no idea how he knows I’m in the city, yet I’m too tired to care. I quickly respond, confirming my attendance. It would be silly of me to assume he wants to meet up to say sorry for being a goddamn dick.

There’s no point in lying in bed, so I drag my hungover ass to the bathroom to brush my teeth. As my gaze drifts to my reflection in the mirror, it’s accurate to say I look like death. My hair is a bird’s nest.

My feet move slowly toward the kitchen, where I’m surprised to see everyone awake, including Elliot.

“So, this is fun. A little impromptu family reunion,” Eva chirps as she rises from her chair, the light catching the subtle curve of her belly.

I blink in surprise, realization dawning on me. “Oh my God. How did I miss that last night?”

Eva simply shrugs with a grin, a stark difference from when I last saw her in Cinnamon Springs. The change in mood brings a wave of relief because now I hope she’ll focus on all the fun stuff, like a baby shower.

And not focus on the whole watermelon out of a lemon scenario.

“You were too eager to hit the town and hook up with some random stranger,” Eva quickly reminds me.

I slide into the chair beside Elliot, but keep my eyes to myself. Aston serves me a fresh cup of coffee. I cradle the mug in my hand, carefully blowing the steam away.

“I don’t recall saying anything of the sort,” I mumble.

“Quite the night it was,” Aston adds, glancing at Elliot and then me with his brow raised.

“Yes, well, I caught up with Ava,” I say, trying to maintain a casual tone, even as a rush of complicated emotions washes over me. “Girls’ night. Aside from Bowie, but he doesn’t count.”

“How is she doing?” Aston asks, genuine concern etched on his face. “I’ve heard things have been relatively complex of late.”

I shrug, the heaviness of unsaid thoughts hanging over me. “She’s okay, just juggling a lot right now.”

Eva shifts her gaze to Elliot. “You’re awfully quiet for someone who came home an hour ago. Let me guess, another hot chicky babe under your belt?”

Without even thinking, my eyes flick upward, waiting for Elliot to respond.