Always You (Adair Family 3)

Lachlan followed her movements as she strode through the bifold doors and down the deck, out of sight. “Why the hell did I not just build a side extension so she could walk directly through the house into it?”

My lips twitched. “And I thought I was overprotective.”

He scowled at me. “This whole thing with Arro has me on edge.”

Taking a deep breath, I replied, “What I have to say might put you more on edge.”

“Do I need a drink for this conversation?”

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I don’t know how you’ll react.”

“Just get to the point, Mac. You’ve got me imagining all manner of things.”

My mouth was suddenly dry, and I gulped down the dregs of my now-cold coffee before blurting out bluntly, “I’m in love with Arro.”

Ignoring my racing heart and its echo in my ears, I waited as Lachlan stared at me.

Just fucking stared.

“Well?” I snapped.

Instead of answering, he pushed back from the table and strolled into the kitchen. Irritated, concerned, I followed him with my plate and put it in the sink, watching Lachlan as he poured himself a small whisky.

“I’d offer you one, but you’re driving,” he said before he tipped the contents down in one gulp. He pressed a hand against his chest, and I could practically feel the burn.

“Is it really that bad?” I asked flatly.

He shook his head, placing the glass on the counter before he turned to me. “It’s not that. I’m now just wondering how long you’ve both felt like this and have done nothing about it because of me? I think I convinced myself that you were just attracted to her and that if you loved her, you would have done something about it by now. So I’m wondering if I’m the arsehole who’s been standing in the way of your happiness this whole fucking time?”

“No.” Relieved he wasn’t pissed off, I replied, “I’m the arsehole who’s been standing in the way of my happiness this whole fucking time.”

Lachlan scrutinized me. “Is Arro the reason you went to therapy?”

“She was the catalyst.”

His face clouded over. “You hurt her, didn’t you?” He took an instinctively aggressive step toward me. “What did you do?”

I held up my hands in appeasement. “I said some things to her I didn’t mean.”

He studied me carefully, searching for the truth. “They must have been pretty bloody awful, Mac, because it has escaped none of our notice that she hasn’t talked to you in months.”

“I fucked up,” I confessed. “So much that I might never get another chance with her.” The thought ripped through me, and I looked away, battling against the pain of it.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” He frowned. “Another chance? Do you mean to say something has already happened between you? Is this another Thane and Regan situation?”

Uncomfortable discussing this with him, I shrugged. “I’m not going into the details because that’s fucking strange, for both of us, but I can say that, no, it isn’t like Thane and Regan. Arro and I have never had an affair.”

“I thought so.” He nodded in contemplation.

“It really wouldn’t matter to you if Arro and I got together? She’s thirteen years younger than me. She’s your sister.”

Lachlan scoffed. “I’m ten years older than Robyn, and she’s your daughter. Do you really think I’m a hypocritical prick?”

I snorted and shook my head. “No, I know you’re not.”

“I mightn’t have been happy about it before Robyn. I’ll admit that.” Lachlan leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s hard for me to see Arro as anything but a wee girl. I was more father than brother to her.”

“I know.”