Easton

All of his life, people had an agenda, something from him. What was Liam’s?

“I just want to make this work,” Easton said. He would pick his fight with Liam when the time was right. He wasn’t strong enough.

Junior knew Liam. His own kid didn’t have a clue who he was.

“Good. Come on, don’t touch anything. Junior’s very particular about who touches his stuff. He protects it like it’s an actual life.”

He left the room, and his kid was a stranger to him. He wouldn’t allow that to last, no matter what.

“This is my and Scarlett’s room, and we made this one up for you.” It was the room between his son’s and Scarlett’s. Would he have to hear them fucking?

He was starting to think this wasn’t a good idea.

His feelings for Scarlett confused the fuck out of him. He was angry with her for not telling him she was pregnant. Then he’d think about how she looked on the last day when he threw her feelings for him, back in her face.

Liam opened the door. The room was huge.

“Wow,” he said. “Is it wrong you feel like a sugar daddy right now?”

Liam laughed, and Easton liked the sound. It was good to be around someone who didn’t get off on pain and destruction. He’d not been in a house like this since living in King’s Ridge.

He’d handed his father’s home over to the police to complete the investigation. Once that had been completed, he intended to sell it off, or demolish it and sell it as a building site. He wanted nothing else to do with it.

The past already haunted him enough as it was.

Liam put the suitcase on the bed.

“When you’re here, I want you to be comfortable. I only allow the best.”

“I can see that.” And he could. Liam truly loved his luxury, and Easton liked it. Even though the home was large, it was lived in. It was nice.

His son clearly thrived here, at least from what he’d seen.

“I’ll let you get settled in. This home is now yours. Please, join us when you’re ready. Easton, I’d like for us to be friends and for things not to be weird for us.” Liam held out his hand.

Easton looked at it. “I’d like that. I don’t want there to be any complications with this. Just for things to go smoothly.”

“Excellent. It’s good to know we’re on the same page.” Liam shook his hand, and he had a firm grip. “See you downstairs.”

He watched Liam go and closed the door behind him. He honestly didn’t have a clue what he was fucking doing.

Chapter Nine

Over eleven years ago

Easton didn’t want to be alone. Whenever he was, his thoughts always went to Carla. The girl he’d been in love with. The girl he’d lost.

Running fingers through his hair, he tried to think of anything but the dead body Taylor pulled out of the water. Guilt crushed him.

He’d not told any of the guys he’d intended to end it with Carla. His father had found out about the relationship and had threatened to hurt Carla. Then she had to go and tell him she was pregnant. Running away with her seemed the only solution to keep her safe. Now he wasn’t so sure. Everything just ended up all fucked up, and he hated the uncertainty in his life. How messed up it had all become.

“You’re hiding again,” Scar said, coming to sit beside him.

He was on a rock overlooking the lake. “I’m surprised you’re not scared in case I throw you in.”

“You don’t look in a playful mood.”

“I’m not.”

“Do you want to tell me your thoughts?”

“No.”

“Then I can sit here and just listen to the world going by without anyone affecting me.”

“I’m not the best company right now.”

“Me neither. I don’t mind.”

He didn’t believe for a second she could last any amount of time without talking or saying something.

Staring out across the lake, he waited, but Scar didn’t say or do anything. She sat. There wasn’t even a sigh that crossed her lips.

When he glanced toward her, she had her knees pressed against her chest and her head resting on them.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine, Easton. Just family stuff. You know, the usual crap.”

“I get it.”

Scar reached out for him, taking his hand, and he stared down at it, liking that she reached out to him. He could handle whatever was thrown his way, just so long as he had Scar.

****

Present day

“You’re so cool,” Easton said, looking through the microscope at a clipping from a plant.

“It’s not that cool yet. It’s just science, but I don’t want to harm anyone or the environment. I want to save it.”

“That’s awesome, buddy.” Easton sat back on one of the chairs and smiled over at his son. “You amaze me.”

“Dad, why didn’t you come and find my mom?” Junior asked.