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“True,” I agreed. “But you have to know that we didn’t mean to hurt you. We just couldn’t stay away from each other anymore. I’ve loved Brett for a long time, and he loves me, too.”
“Brett doesn’t know how to be in love. He’s going to hurt you, Soph. Why do think I tried to keep him away from you all these years? I knew you had a thing for him. I’m not blind. I tried to protect you from him!” He huffed out an exasperated sigh. “So not only did he betray me, but he’s blown years of friendship because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. There’s no way I’d ever be able to look at him again if he breaks your heart.”
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’m going to ask you to listen anyway. It might’ve started because he couldn't keep his di—”
Mark held up a hand. “You’re right. I don’t want to hear this. I don’t want to know or think about the two of you fucking behind my back.”
“Well tough, because I’m saying it anyway. It started with his dick, sure.”
“Soph,” he warned.
“I’m done with that part, I promise. That’s what it started with, but that’s not what it’s about anymore. He loves me. I know that you don’t think that he knows how to be in love, but I’ve known him as long as you have, and I’m telling you, he’s in love with me. We’re good together, Mark. If you’d give it a chance, you’ll see that.”
“And if he breaks your heart?” he mumbled.
“Then you help dad kick his ass.”
He let out a low chuckle. “Maybe.”
Reaching across the table, I placed my hand on his forearm, encouraged when he didn’t shake me off. “Both of us love you. I’m going to need you. You’re my big brother. I literally don’t know how to live without you there with me. Brett’s going to need his best friend, too. Please promise me that you’ll at least try to be there for both of us? I know that it’s a selfish thing to ask, but I’m asking it anyway.”
Mark was quiet for a long time, and I let him think. I didn’t want to push him, but I also wasn’t going anywhere until I knew that there was chance of getting my brother and Brett’s best friend back.
When he turned to face me with a tiny upward hitch on his lips, the spark of hope in my chest bloomed and grew.
“Fine, I’ll try. I’ve never really wanted to think about it, but now that I have, I think Mom and Dad might be right. You guys were probably always going to happen.”
“Does that mean—”
“Let me finish. I listened, so now it’s your turn.” He waited for me to nod before continuing.
“I love the both of you, too. I do, but the fact that neither of you told me the truth and that I had to find out the way I did, that burns like a bitch. I want to be there for you both and for the baby, I guess, but I need some time, okay?”
“Okay. Take as much time as you need. I’ll be waiting for you.”
I patted his arm and went back inside.
Brett was waiting for me in the kitchen, talking quietly to my mom. As soon as he saw me, he opened his arms, and I walked right into them, wedging myself between his knees where he sat at the island.
“Everything okay out there?” he asked.
“It’s all good,” I said. “He’s going to come around.”
Brett smiled down at me, love and joy burning bright in his smoky eyes, his dimples deep creases in his cheeks. “Just like that?”
I laughed softly. “Just like that.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
Brett
“It’s official,” I told Sophia. “I’m declaring our bedroom a disaster zone.”
“Who knew babies needed so much stuff?” Sophia asked, nodding her agreement.
“Not me.” I really hadn’t. Thank god for grandmothers and the internet. I didn’t think that we’d have survived without either.
