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Christ. So much for easing in.
Liam and Leah exchanged another look, only, this time, there was definitely some non-verbal, psychic sibling communication happening.
“We didn’t want to say anything yesterday and make things awkward,” I said.
“And it was so long ago,” Brooke added. “A lifetime.”
Leah let go of my hand that she’d been holding since we got into the car. “I don’t understand,” she said to me. “Why didn’t you just pull me aside yesterday and—”
“That was my fault,” Brooke cut in. “I was so nervous about meeting everyone and got completely flustered when I saw Alex. So, I asked him to hold off on saying anything.” She turned to Liam, adding, “I wanted to talk to you last night, but it was so late.”
The muscle in Liam’s jaw twitched. I wasn’t sure why Brooke was taking full blame for the secret we both had agreed to keep. “It was a joint decision,” I said.
“Wow,” Liam said, his tone sharp. “Years apart and still making joint decisions.”
“Liam,” Brooke said, reaching for his hand.
Leah looked at Liam, then at me, realization setting on to her face. “So, this wasn’t a casual thing between you two.”
“No,” I said. If I thought things were awkward at breakfast, that just became a cakewalk. “We were in a relationship.”
“How long?” Leah asked.
Liam scoffed.
“Liam,” Brooke pleaded, then answered. “Three years.”
“But again,” I said, “it was eight years ago. We hadn’t seen each other since school, and we were both shocked yesterday. We made a decision at the moment that may not have been the right one, but felt like the best choice at the time.”
Silence descended on the car again, this time so quiet that I could hear the radio in the car next to ours blasting some peppy pop tune and mocking me.
I glanced at Brooke, saying a silentI’m sorrywith my eyes. It seemed that no matter what, our relationship continued to cause her pain.
I opened my mouth, determined to fix things, but Leah spoke first.
“I get it.”
We all looked at her, jaws slack.
“You do?” I said.
She nodded. “Yes. In the moment, caught off guard like that? I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing.”
Brooke exhaled, and I joined her. Liam, however, still hadn’t blinked.
“Liam,” Leah said. “Put yourself in their shoes. This is a really weird coincidence—two people that used to date, now dating siblings? No one can be expected to behave perfectly under the circumstances.”
Liam took a deep breath. “I guess that’s true.”
“We meant no harm,” Brooke said.
I looked at Leah, shaking my head to echo Brooke’s sentiment.
She smiled warmly.Thank God.Things still felt unfinished with Brooke, but there was nothing I could do about that right now. I could, however, try to make amends with the other Grey sibling.
“Sorry, Liam,” I said sincerely.
Liam looked between me and Brooke for a long beat, then finally replied, “I think I could use that drink.”
