Chapter 8

EIGHT

As the sun rises in the morning, my body refuses to sleep in despite screaming at me to rest.

I’d barely slept, maybe three hours at most. The night ended only a few hours ago when Rocky started taking his clothes off after multiple rounds of shots. He got his hands on Cognac, an awful-tasting drink, but apparently, the French people enjoy it.

The newlyweds had long gone, saying goodbye to everyone before retiring to their own place for some alone time. The moment they left, the party turned into something else.

Beau disappeared early. I’m not sure where, nor did I ask. For all I know, he’s Bruce Wayne pretending to be Batman to fight crime.

That, or he hooked up with someone in town.

People drank more, and the music got louder. To Eric’s amusement, Rocky got fed up with his suit and began stripping off.

When we all caught a glimpse of the leopard print underwear, I took the opportunity to excuse myself to bed. Some things can never be unseen.

Inside the kitchen, there are three personal chefs preparing breakfast. I offer them a smile, then ask politely for coffee since my brain is yet to wake up. Of all guests, I’m the only one accustomed to the time zone, making it easier for me to be awake at this time, even though a little more sleep would have been nice. The irony of this, my father is nowhere to be seen. The one person who always wakes up each morning before anyone else.

I walk outside to the patio area, where a small wicker table and two chairs sit. The view is impressive, just open fields of the countryside and a lot of silence. I’m not used to it, having spent my time in the city for the last few months, but after a long day with all my family, I welcome the momentary silence.

“Morning,” a voice behind me yawns.

Ava is wearing a burgundy robe with a coffee in hand. She takes a seat across from me, yawning again. Her hair is a mess, tied into a bun, yet she still looks beautiful even though she’s make-up free. Okay, maybe the dark circles make her look older, but I’ll keep that observation to myself.

“Are you awake before your kids? How is that possible?”

“It’s a miracle. Promise me you’ll enjoy your life before you have kids,” she says while taking a sip from the small espresso cup. “Sleep is the greatest gift to ever exist.”

My eyes fall to the tabletop, but as quick as it does, I raise them again with a forced smile. “I like thinking about me for once.”

“So, nothing from Cole?”

I shake my head. “I unfollowed him on socials.”

“Good move, nothing worse than staying friends with an ex.”

“You unfollowed all your ex-boyfriends?”

Ava nods. “Any guy I’d slept with.”

“Wow.” I chuckle, surprised at her admission. “That’s a lot of unfollowing.”

Across the table, Ava presses her lips flat in annoyance but then breaks out into a knowing smile. “Yeah, whatever, so I have a past.”

“Too bad Austin can’t unfollow his ex.”

“Funny,” she responds with sarcasm laced in her voice. “Lucky, I’m an understanding wife.”

“I don’t know how you do it,” I admit, wondering how anyone stays near their ex-partner. “You, Millie, even Mom and Dad with Uncle Julian.”

Ava lets out a sigh, relaxing her shoulders as she enjoys the view around us. It’s hard to believe she’s a mother of two daughters. Ava has always been the selfish one, thinking about herself. Look at her now, all responsibility and a changed woman.

“When you find that person, no one else matters. Ex-lovers are exes for a reason. It was never meant to be.”

“True, although I don’t know how Dad managed to move on and be around Uncle Julian.”

A small laugh escapes Ava to the point she almost chokes on the hot coffee. I watch on, waiting to see what happens.

“Oh God,” she rasps, clearing her throat. “Look, Dad is as alpha as you can get. The problem with him is if he was to lose his wife or sister, he wouldn’t be able to survive. So, he has no choice. It sucks to be Lex Edwards, huh?”

“Oh, sure,” I drag. “Totally sucks to be a controlling father too.”

“C’mon, give him a break. You’re high maintenance.”

“Um, hello?” I almost yell, my eyes widening in disbelief from the irony. “You’re high maintenance. Everyone knows that.”

“I’m not high maintenance, perhaps dramatic at times.”

“Dramatic would be an understatement.” I snort.

“My point is, cut Dad some slack, okay? You are going against everything he says. It doesn’t make life easier on any of us.”

“Ava, I disagree with his rules. I’m an adult now, have been for a while.”

Ava remains quiet, her piercing green eyes watching and making me uncomfortable. She’s rarely quiet, so when she is, you can expect verbal diarrhea of thoughts at any moment.

“No matter how old we grow, we always need our dad. There’s no shame in it. We will always be Daddy’s little girls. Be grateful we are blessed to be given life with a man who will do anything to protect us.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re his favorite.”

Ava shakes her head in disagreement. “Trust me. It’s Millie.”

“Millie? No way, she’s too stubborn like Mom. Plus, the whole sneaking around with Will drama? Maybe, Addy, she’s the goody-two-shoes.”

We both laugh in unison, then let out a sigh seconds apart.

“I think you’re right,” Ava continues, trying to catch her breath. “But listen, and I’m serious here, be careful, okay?”

“I know,” I tell her. “Come back in one piece.”

“And you know my home is open, and my wallet. If you don’t want to call Mom or Dad, whatever. Austin and I are here if you need us.”

Despite my years of clashing with Ava, of all my sisters, she has never not come through for me. There’s comfort in her words, and for the first time in months, I feel more confident to continue with my travels without the fear of failing at life.

“You just want a built-in babysitter,” I joke.

“Yes!” She giggles, throwing her head back. “But I think Millie will fight for you. Just remember, if it’s down to us, Austin is a heart surgeon, so that always comes in handy.”

“Sure, I guess, if I need heart surgery,” I joke, grinning. “But Will is a billionaire. They can pay me good money.”

“Are you forgetting Will is Lex Edwards junior? Do you really want to be around that? And they’re always having sex everywhere. It’ll be like living with Mom and Dad again.”

My stomach churns at the thought. “Gross, why would you say that? Anyways, it’s not like you’re celibate. Everyone knows you fucked Austin in the pool house last year at the fourth of July party.”

“That was Will and Millie!”

“Really? Addy and Luna swore it was you.”

Ava’s eyes light up. “Oh, so speaking of Luna, guess who I saw hot and heavy against the wall last night.”

“Who?”

“Luna and Cruz.”

The news surprises me. I didn’t see that coming at all. Luna never mentioned Cruz, but I’m going to assume they both got drunk and needy.

“Do you think he did it to get over Addy?” I ask.

“Nah, I think he’s genuinely happy for Masen and Addy,” she admits. “But I think Luna was drunk and wanted to get laid. I’m surprised, given she does older men, but Cruz is hot, plus he has the whole footballer thing going for him. Luna is probably on an ego high right now. Women want Cruz, and she got him into bed.”

“You think they actually slept together?”

Ava sneers. “C’mon, Alexa. Don’t be naïve. This isn’t high school anymore. The way I saw them, they were one step away from it. Anyways, both of them disappeared after that. You do the math.”

Luna is notorious for being open about her sex life. Personally, I didn’t understand the whole instant attraction and taking it to the bedroom. However, it’s not instant since they’ve known each other for years.

Either way, it’s none of my business. I’m sure Ava would beg to differ.

“So, one last hurrah before you leave?”

My brows narrow the more her face lights up. “What does your hurrah entail?”

“Lunch, just us girls.”

“And Eric?”

Ava throws her head back in amusement. “I think Eric is unable to join us.”

“Hangover?”

“Let’s just say if his Air BnB hosts weren’t swingers, they probably are now.”

“Oh God,” I moan. “What is wrong with our family?”

“Where do I begin,” Ava answers while laughing. “I’m sure we’ll get all the answers at lunch. Once Eric wakes up and spills the beans in our group chat.”

My shoulders move up and down, unable to hold back my laughter. I’m going to miss my family, but of everyone, I think I’m going to miss Ava the most.

Not that I would ever admit it to her face.

Some things are best left unsaid.