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“Can we do something?” I ask, perking up.
His lips quirk up in a smile. “Anything. What were you thinking?”
I stand and pull him off the couch. “Let’s grab Chlo and go to the park. I want to ride on one of those swans.”
Jay grimaces. “In the dirty pond full of bird feces?”
“You said anything, husband.”
“Bird. Shit,” he enunciates, as if I don’t understand.
“Yes, and you can work on those calf muscles while you pedal around the pond. You know,” I say, waggling my brows, “for all the kneeling you’ll do later.”
Jay’s laughter echoes around us, and he pulls me into his chest, hugging me close. “Fuck, you’re my favorite person. Okay, let’s take our daughter to the shit pond, and I’ll get my workout in.”
* * *
An hour later,I wink at Chloe as I glide my hand over the water, then splash Jay’s face. Her giggles are as loud as his shriek, and both are the balm my tender heart needed today. The park is filled with families paddling around the pond, lounging on the lawn, and biking along the trail that cuts through. I can’t help but turn wistful when I compare today to what a typical day looked like a year ago. Last year, I stood in my office and looked down at a beach full of families doing just this and wondered if I’d ever get out from behind the glass and live again. Now I’m riding in a swan and laughing with my husband and daughter.
It’s surreal.
“Can we have takeout tonight and a dance party?” Chloe asks as Jay grumps and wipes his face.
I cuddle closer to her. “Sounds like the perfect night.”
* * *
We’re just finishingdinner when Chase’s name flashes on my phone’s screen.
“Hey.” I shoot a look at Jay, then make my way to the living room. Chase has been a wild card ever since the Vanessa articles, and I’d rather not upset Chloe if this conversation goes off the rails.
Not that I have any intention of broaching the subject tonight.
But his voice on the other end of the line is a painful reminder that we still haven’t told him that he and Jay are brothers. My stomach is in knots at just the thought. If only we could avoid it forever.
“Hey, do you have a minute?”
“Yeah, just finished dinner. What’s up?”
For several moments, all I hear are heavy breaths. I can imagine my brother pacing and raking a hand through his blond hair while he works out how to say whatever’s on his mind.
“Everything okay?” I prompt.
Chase coughs out a laugh. “No. Nothing has been okay for a while now.”
Nervously, I pick at my sweater. Is it possible he’s found out who his real mother is?
“I know things have been hard, Chase—”
“Hard?” He laughs again, the sound far from jovial. “I feel like I’m losing my damn mind. I don’t even recognize our family anymore. You’re marrying a Hanson, Carter has stopped dating, and Cash? Don’t even get me started on him.”
“Maybe we should all sit down. It’s been a while since the four of us have been together. I miss you.” As I say the words, I realize how true they are. I’m tired of fighting with my brothers. And I’m tired of hiding my family from them. “I think it’s time we get some things out in the open.”
Chase hums. “That’s why I’m calling. Our family has harbored too many secrets. Too many lies. Before you marry Hanson, you need to know what Cash has done. Fuck, you don’t even need to marry Hanson now.”
My heart lurches at his insinuation. “What do you mean what Cash has done?”
“Oh, it’s not just Cash. It’s Pa too. They were both in on it.”
