“Trust me, sis, no one on this island is going to see it.”
June’s jaw is dropped. “Wait. Hold on. You mean to tell me the mysterious stranger who just reappeared from the dead is your actualbrother?”
“Half-brother,” Jake says.
“Same birth mother,” I add.
“Jesus Christ.” June throws herself into the nearest chair like the weight of this family reunion is just too much to bear. “Why doesn’t anyone ever tell me these things?”
“I’m thinking maybe because it isn’t any of your business,” I say casually. “Besides, you were busy trying to schedule abs for Ariel.”
Jake rubs his hands over his face. “This is…a lot.”
“It is,” I agree. “Maybe you should take a hike, June.”
June crosses her arms, clearly not heeding my advice. “What’s got your panties in a twist, Misty? Scared your long-lost brother’s going to steal your spotlight?”
I’m still feeling weak, but I suppose I could get out of bed and scratch June’s eyes out.
But Jake jumps in fast. “Okay. Let’s breathe. Let’s all breathe.”
June lets out a breath. “Don’t get mad at me just because your world tilted six inches to the left and you’re suddenly not the most mysterious person in the room.”
I glare at her. “That’s what this is about? You’re jealous you didn’t get the twist ending this time?”
June smiles, all sugar and arsenic. “Oh, honey. Iamthe twist.”
Jake rubs his temples. “Can the two of you talk to each other without veiled insults?”
“I don’t see anything ‘veiled’ about any of it,” I say dryly.
June glances at him with wide eyes. “Of course, sweetheart. But if someone wants to start throwing real grenades, she should be ready to catch one.”
Before I can fire back, there’s a knock at the door.
One sharp knock.
Then two more.
Jake’s shoulders tense. My stomach knots.
I can’t stay here in my suite forever. I’m already beginning to feel better. Sooner or later, I’m going to have to tell everyone about my relationship to Jake. About why I really came here.
June looks between us. “Expecting someone?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“I’ll get it,” Jake says, leaving the bedroom.
June follows on his heels.
And hell if I’m going to miss whatever’s coming.
I move to the side of the bed and stand. I’m a little dizzy, but I’ll be okay. I leave the bedroom.
Brett is standing there in the doorway of my suite.
He looks…raw. Like he’s been battling ghosts the rest of us can’t see.
