Page 92 of Against All Odds

Lachlan and Miles glance at each other and then back at me before Lachlan speaks. “Dude, you know you don’t have to shoulder everything on your own. I know you’re not all about sharing, but we’re your friends.”

“Seriously, how many times have you been there for us?” Miles says, backing him up.

“I share when I can.”

Lachlan lifts one brow. “The fuck you do. You never talk about the shit you’re dealing with.”

“I’m fine. I appreciate the concern. Let’s just drink beer and talk about sports.”

Lachlan takes a long swig of his beer before going right back into it. “I think it’s about Violet,” he says to Miles.

I sigh heavily and turn my head.

“Probably, you know he has issues with women,” Miles informs him. “I’m not sure if it also includes performance issues.”

“I have an issue with you two dickheads,” I mutter under my breath.

“Do you remember when Ainsley came to town? He was the one offering all his unsolicited advice,” Lachlan jokes.

“I think I gave very solid advice considering you’re engaged and living with her ...”

Idiot was so sure that it couldn’t work and look at them now. Happy and living in domestic bliss. I should get a thank-you card instead of this treatment.

Miles scoffs. “Oh, he had plenty of opinions about Penelope too.”

“Again, you’re now living together, and I’m sure you’re going to be married before we know it. I don’t want to hear shit.”

“So maybe you’re just good at giving the advice and not taking it,” Miles counters.

“Maybe I don’t need advice from two fools who couldn’t get their heads out of their asses.”

Although it’s not the baby part for me. I mean, sure, it’s not ideal and I really didn’t plan on becoming a father anytime soon, but I know I could love that child. I watched my parents do it without a thought. I’ve lived that love, and I could provide that to a baby regardless of whether they were technically mine.

Love is not born from blood, but by a person’s willingness to give it freely.

And unlike what I would have initially thought, I want everything with Violet, including this child that is half of her and will be wholly loved.

Right now, she’s scared, and I get it. Once again, her life is flipped upside down. She needs time, which is what I’m giving her, but I’m not walking away.

“Come on!” I hear a woman yell in the background, and the three of us turn our heads.

“Ana!No!” Violet is trying to be quiet, but I’d know her voice anywhere.

“Oh, please!” the other girl says. “You’re no fun!”

Lachlan and Miles both turn their gazes to me, and I shrug. “Violet?” I call out.

“Shit,” I hear her say under her breath. “Hey, Ev, umm, I was just outside and ... we saw the fire ... and myfriendwanted to come make sure it wasn’t a house fire.”

The three of us all snort at the same time. “Not a house fire,” I say. “Besides, we have the fire chief here, so if it was, we’d be fine.”

“Come over and join us!” Miles yells, and I punch him in the arm. “Ouch! Fucker, that hurt.”

“It’s okay! We don’t want to bother you guys,” Violet says. “My God,Ana, stop.”

Instead of stopping, a girl pops her head around the side of the house. “Hey, I’m Ana, a friend of Violet’s from California, and we would love to come join you guys.”

Lachlan chuckles. “It looks like Violet would rather do anything else.”

---