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“Twenty-five!?” the woman shouts, spinning to David.
“Not helping, Laura,” David mumbles.
The teenage boy lifts a hand, looking between me and… his father… Oh, fuck, I am actually going to pass out.
“Dad. Who’s that?”
David takes a notable step away from me. I feel a little abandoned and betrayed, but Lewisdoeslook like he is going to beat him up, so I guess I can’treallyblame him.
“This is… Laura… James…” He clears his throat. David looks at Lewis. “You have different last names.”
Lewis looks so mad. Oh, god. “Laura’s dad is my stepdad.”
David looks at me accusatorily. I shrug. “What? Heis.”
“Hi, Laura!” the little girl says, waving. She’s got short, curly hair and a wide smile. She is undeniably adorable. “My name is Angela Donovan, but at school, people call me Angie D., and I think that is a better name.”
“Honey, not now,” The woman says, placing a hand on her daughter’s shoulder.
“What? Theydo.”
The boy drops to his haunches, mock-whispering, “Angie, Daddy is about to get in trouble.”
“Oohh!” This clearly excites Angie.
“Benjamin,” David snaps. Benjamin just smiles.
What…
The…
Hell…
Did I get myself in to?
“I think someone should explain to me right now why my twenty-five-year-old sister is—” Lewis stutters to a stop, looking at the children. “I think… I think someone… I’m… Jessi, help.”
The woman, Jessi, places a hand on Lewis’ shoulder. She steps around her children and gives me a quick once over.
I’ve heard so much about her, but until now, I hadn’t known what she looks like.
“Hi, Laura. I’m Jessi. I’m Lewis’ girlfriend.” She lifts a hand as if to shake mine but then seems to think better of it and quickly just waves. Considering where my hand has been, and recently, and obviously by the scrunch of her nose, I don’t blame her. “Also, I am David’s ex-wife.”
“And my mom,” Angie says. “And Benji’s mom.”
I knew this, but it makes me nauseous to see.
Jessi is… Well, she’s older than me.
And yet, younger than David.
I feel like a stupid kid.
“Dad, seriously,” Benjamin says, wrinkling his nose. He looks like his mom.
“Seriously?” David looks pained.
Lewis looks furious.
