I couldn’t breathe.I heard all of EJ’s words and even understood them, but it was like I couldn't fully process them. My brother that I had thought had died all those years ago was sitting in front of me. I had grieved him and thought about him daily, wishing I could have met him. And now here he was.He had been here for months. Working with me, making moves on the woman I loved, having breakfast with my father. Father. Did he know who EJ was? No he couldn’t have. EJ said Dad never wanted to know. “Lee,” EJ whispered. “Can you…will please just say something?”“Your name was going to be Samuel,” I breathed. “I was so ready to meet you.”It was strange but now looking at EJ and knowing who he was I could see the similarities between us. Our eyes were the same. We both had that strong Windsor jaw and we kind of had the same smile. He was actually my brother.Here I was thinking that he just wanted to take over my life. Maybe that was still true. I mean he had so many opportunities t

“I’m sensing some…tension here.” Dr. Malik frowned. “Yeah you are,” I commented. “It’s been kind of a week.”“What happened?”Grayson and I looked over at Lee.“Remember how I told you my brother died with my mom?” Dr. Malik nodded. “Well that was a lie my father told me. He's alive."“Oh. And how did you find this out?” Dr. Malik questioned. “Remember my friend EJ?” I asked. Again Dr. Malik nodded. “That’s Lee’s brother.”“Oh my, this will be an interesting session.”“It sure will be.” I muttered. “So Lee…how are you feeling?”“Honestly? Betrayed, furious, hurt, rejected.”“Rejected? Why rejected?”“Because that’s what my father did to me. He rejected me ever since my mom died. He rejected my efforts and my love and anything that made me happy except for Scarlett. She’s the only thing in relation to me that he likes.”“And why is that?” Dr. Malik questioned. “Because he thinks she’s better than me. He thinks without her I’m mediocre.”“Do you think you’re mediocre without her?”

My living room was filled with people who didn’t want to be there. I didn’t particularly care though, it was time to air this shit out. “Well…you all know why we’re here,” I started. “We’re going to have twins welcomed into this family quite soon and you’re all a mess.”“I’m sorry, why aren’t your parents here?” Belinda asked. “Because despite my mom being a pregnant narcissist married to a man child and my father being an alcoholic married to a homewrecker, we’re actually in a good place. The rest of you are not. So who wants to go first?”I was met with silence.“Belinda and Alistair, meet Faye and Steven. You are all parents to Grayson.”“It’s nice to see you two again,” Faye offered nervously. “And you,” Alistair nodded. “Though I didn’t think we’d ever have to sit down with you.”“Dad, don't be rude,” Grayson snapped. “Oh so you do recognize me as your Dad still, how nice! You wouldn’t know it from all the missed calls and texts!”“I told you I needed space! You don’t just g

“What are you doing here?” I asked. “I’m having a girl!” Mom announced. “A beautiful baby girl!”I gaped at my mother. What the hell was wrong with her? Crashing Sophia’s baby shower to announce the gender of her baby before she could. How could she be so incredibly selfish?!“Why are you like this?” I asked. “No, Scarlett, why are you like this? You chose to come to this woman’s party over mine as though she didn’t tear apart our family!”“That was years ago, Mom. We have all moved on. You are pregnant with another man’s baby.”“Yes, another girl!” Mom said proudly.I was both not happy and very excited about this. I had always wanted a sister. Sure that would be different considering I was a twenty-four year old and wouldn’t actually grow up with her, but still I wanted to be a big sister to a girl.I was worried Mom would raise this girl just like me and I had a plethora of issues and insecurities. But this little girl would have something I didn’t. A big sister who would have h

“I can’t believe you told Lee and Grayson!”“Come on, Scarlett, I was worried about you!” EJ stated. “You don’t need to, EJ. And you don’t need to tattle on me like that.”“I felt that Grayson and Lee should know.”“Did you also tell them that you’ve been kissing me?” I challenged. “That kind of seems like something they should know about.”“Me kissing you doesn’t put anyone in danger,” EJ pointed out. “No, but it puts relationships in danger. Not only mine with the guys, but yours and Lee’s. He’s your brother EJ, there is no way I’m worth all of this.”“Lee wants you to be happy, no matter who that’s with.”“You clearly don’t know him that well.”“I was just looking out for you, okay?”“Like I said, I don’t need you to EJ. I’m an adult and I can take care of myself.” I said firmly. “Now, you don’t have to stay with me today, Rudy and I are going shopping.”“What? You’re not supposed to hang out with him!” EJ protested. “No, my kids aren't supposed to, but seeing as they aren’t out