let you in my life. And the answer is, of course I am. But I'm not about to spill my guts to Kade, so I just agree to his suggestion. I'll do anything to get back in their lives. Anything to be close to June again.
"We'll see you at Chez Anton at eight sharp?" he suggests, and I agree with him before cutting the line. Then I set the phone down, not bothering to text Marissa about the change of plans.
My mind is already on something else, and I'm sure she can figure out I got busy with something better than her holes.
I make sure to arrive at the restaurant late, make them wait for me like I've been doing for them for the past year. I want them squirming, wondering whether I'll really show up. And when my cab pulls up in front of the restaurant and I spot them through the window, I'm pretty sure they're both anxious. They're talking, Kade trying hard to keep up a conversation, waving his arms around animatedly. And June is just sitting there, looking paranoid as fuck and as pretty as ever.
I walk in, and their heads turn toward me. I ignore Kade completely, focusing on my sweet little stepsister. Her expression of anxiousness turns into fear, and it makes my cock stir in my pants. Fuck, I want June more than ever.
"Hello," I greet them stiffly, and she looks away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as though she's afraid to even meet my eye. As if I'm going to hurt her just by being in her presence. She's quiet while Kade greets me enthusiastically, and I sit on the other side of the table from them. I can tell I'm making them uncomfortable, and it's making me fucking happy. I'm going to ruin them. Just you fucking wait.
While Kade chatters about nonsensical stuff, June keeps quiet, refusing to meet my eye. I stare at her pointedly the whole time, trying to steal a glance at those gorgeous eyes that haunt my dreams. But she won't let me, and it's driving me fucking insane. I need June. She's the one who grounds me, the only one who can keep the red mist away. And she makes it all so much better.
She owes me this. She owes it to me to make it all better and calm my demons. She doesn't seem to be aware of that, though, as she shoots several loving glances at my twin brother throughout the dinner. It drives me fucking insane, the way they look at each other, because I want her for myself. The evening drags and drags, though I could look at June all day. They don't seem to be as comfortable, though, and I realize they're going to bring up a topic I probably won't like.
"So I heard you had a kid," I say when the appetizers are on our table. June forks her salad, and Kade picks at a beef tartare. "What's his name?"
They exchange a glance, and I realize they aren't sure how much they should tell me. It pisses me off, and I push my plate back, then throw the napkin on the table. "You know what, if I make you this uncomfortable, just forget it. I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"Parker, don't." I'm shocked when June is the one to reach out, her warm, soft hand covering mine. "Stay, please. We have a lot more to talk about." My gaze bores into hers, but I finally sit back down. Kade clears his throat, and we all do our best to pretend nothing's happened.
"His name is Theo," Kade finally says.
"How old is he?" I ask next, trying to hide the pain from my voice. I don't want them to know how much power they still have over me. How their words can hurt me more than my knife could ever hurt them. They exchange another uncomfortable glance.
"He's eighteen months," Kade finally says.
"Cute." I pick at my beef tartare, just as Kade is doing. "Do I get to meet him?"
"Of course, eventually," Kade nods. "He's your nephew, after all." I can see how much June is glaring at him. That'll be those protective, motherly instincts kicking in. She wants to protect that kid from me. But he's a Miller. The boy has the same darkness running through his veins as I do and as Kade does.
The rest of the evening progresses with the same amount of awkwardness. We make our