He really does look so much like me. How is it possible? We only share one parent. We might look similar, but he’s like the male version of me.
His blond hair, his blue eyes, his tall build. He’s more muscular, of course, but…
“Just wanted to see how you were doing,” he says.
His voice is low and rich, and it seems so familiar, as if we’ve known each other our whole lives.
I open my mouth to speak but can’t find the words. Can’t find anything in this moment of connection and disconnect that can possibly span the gulf between us.
“She’ll be fine,” Darby says. “She needs to drink a lot, and she needs to rest. Then maybe some fresh fruit. She’ll be right as rain for the wedding tomorrow.”
Jake nods. “Right. I can’t believe Al is marrying someone he just met a week ago. Then again, do I even know him anymore? Do I know any of them?” He sighs. “I hear she’s a gorgeous little thing. A Southerner.”
“Ariel, yeah,” I say. “She’s okay.”
Darby gathers her things and closes her medical bag. “I’ll be back to check on you in an hour or so. Call before then if you need anything. Take some time.” She lowers her voice. “Talk to him.”
I nod as she leaves the bedroom. A moment later, I hear her leave the suite, closing the door behind her.
I wish I knew what to say. Does Jake even know believe that he’s my brother?
“Do you mind?” Jake gestures to a chair next to my bed.
“Sure, go ahead.”
He sits and then runs a hand over his unruly blond hair. “Riv told me. About you. About us.”
I gulp.
Jake sighs. “I didn’t believe him. I didn’t think my mom would keep something like that from me, but then I saw you…”
“It’s uncanny,” I agree.
“I’m not who you think I am, Misty.”
“Nothing matters. All I know is that you’re my brother. Inever had a brother or sister. I used to wish for one. I never even knew I was adopted until recently. I guess that explains why I don’t have siblings. My parents couldn’t have kids.”
“I didn’t have any either,” he says. “I never even knew who my dad was.”
“Makes two of us.”
“You have parents.”
“I mean biologically. We both know who our mom is. How is she? Can I meet her?”
“Damn.” Jake rises and paces back and forth at the foot of my bed. “I haven’t seen her in… Fuck. In twenty years.”
“I don’t understand any of this.” I take a sip of water. Still feels like sand going down. “Why did you let your friends think you were dead? And how did River know all this time?”
“It’s a long fucking story,” he says. “I only agreed to come here because River told me about you. I had a life. Or I made one. I did what I had to do. It was the only way. I hated leaving, but some shit went down…”
Does he realize he’s talking in non sequiturs? Did River tell Jake about me before they got here? Or just now? My mind is full of sand. And Jake…
He stops pacing. His eyes meet mine, and they’re stormy now, like whatever he’s holding back might snap loose if I breathe wrong.
“I didn’t want to fake my death, if that’s what you’re wondering. It wasn’t some grand plan. It was survival.”
I blink. “Survival?”
