“Damn man.” Brad looks hurt for me as the waitress strolls up in the perfect moment to distract from the emotions that I can't seem to get out of my head or my heart. It didn't escape me that I had just referred to Sasha as my girl in the present tense. Some days there was no denying that moving on wasn't even beginning to happen for me.
“What's it going to be guys?” Our perky blond waitress asks while blatantly checking the both of us out.
“I'll just grab the burger special and a sweet tea,” Brad says as he flips his menu to the end of the table. The waitress nods, and seeing that I'm not quite ready she strikes up conversation with him to give me a minute.
“Aren't you always in here with that pregnant girl, the one that's always bent over her diary or whatever?” The question seemed harmless enough, but her tone was definitely saying something else.
“Yeah, I am.” His admission was quick and to the point. There was also no missing his tone. It was the one that said back off, because if you say the wrong thing in the wrong way this will not end well for you.
“Oh, I thought I recognized you was all. She's in here a lot more than you are, so I wasn't sure.”
“Mm hmm,” was his only response as they both turned to look in my direction.
“I'll just have the same thing he's getting,” I decided since I hadn't been able to really focus on the menu.
“Sure thing, hot stuff.” With that she took our discarded menus and sashayed off with hips swinging.
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm pretty sure her tone was more to do with feeling out which one of us available,” I told Brad which brought grins to both of our faces.
“Yeah, I figured as much. She had that hungry look in her eyes. Then again, might just be a slow day and she's bored.”
“Nah, we're fine specimens. She just couldn't decide. Give her a minute, tell her you're single, and she'll probably be asking how we feel about a threesome.”
The tips of Brad's ears and his cheeks actually flushed with a tinge of red as his embarrassment grew. “Damn man, I just…” He shook his head. “Okay, this is a little weird for me. I'm sitting across from a dude who is, no kidding, my long lost brother who I haven't seen since before I can remember. The image of us in a bedroom with that chick together all sweaty and shit…” he chuckled. “Yeah, not one I needed in my head today, or ever.”
I laughed right along with him. “Well, look at it this way, we're breaking the ice in real good and getting all that awkward shit out of the way. See, I've all ready checked a few things off my list. One,” I raised a finger in the air. “If I decide to try to get over my broken heart one day, you're clearly not competition, because you have your ready made family waiting on you.” He huffed out a laugh on that one as our waitress brought over our sweet teas and set them down. She lingered a little too long, but when neither of us acknowledged her she finally moved on. “Two, and I'm thankful to say this one, I don't need to worry about you wanting to get naked in the same room with me. That's a good thing, brother or not.” This time he choked on the sip of sweet tea he'd just attempted to drink. “And three is that we seem to have the same sense of humor at least, so I'm thinking we'll be able to build an easy friendship.”
Brad and I spent the next 15 minutes scarfing down our burgers and fries, and then two hours telling stories about what growing up was like for each of us. “Why in the hell did you end up here in North Carolina?”
“Two reasons. The first being that Northbrook offered me an athletic scholarship. I'm a running back on the football team. That was the other reason I needed to meet later in the day. I had practice this morning.” That made sense, because he was definitely in great shape. “The second was because I wanted to track you down. Last time we heard from my dad, our dad, he mentioned to my mom that you were getting ready to start college here.”
“Wait, did you transfer, or what?”
“Nah, we're the same age. I was here last semester, but I um, was trying to work up the courage to track you down.”
“Ah, worried you might come off as a stalker?” I laughed out.
“Heh! Something like that. I just wasn't certain if you knew, or how you'd feel about some asshole coming up to you claiming to be your brother. That shit stressed me out last semester more than I like to admit.” He looked down as his phone beeped with an incoming message.
“I bet it did.” My response went unheard by him as his fingers flew over his phone typing back a response. When he was done he looked up, not losing the smile the text had brought to his face.
“Let me guess. Prego?”
His grin grew as he glanced back down at another text and responded. “Yeah, she had a doctor appointment this afternoon. They couldn't tell her last month what the sex was, because the baby was turned wrong or whatever. I think she was able to find out today, and wants to share the news in person.”
“That's awesome, man. You need me to drop you off somewhere, or back at your apartment?”
“Neither. She doesn't live far from here. I can walk and she'll drop me off at home on her way to work later.” He stood up at the end of our booth and tossed some cash down on the table, probably more than was necessary for his share of the bill, which meant the waitress would be getting a healthy tip today. I had slipped her my credit card when he was in the bathroom earlier.
“I got this covered man, take your money back.” He just gave me the withering look I knew I would have landed on him if our rolls had been reversed. “Fine, whatever. Waitresses love great tips,” I chuckled.
“Sorry to cut out on you, but Prego only has about two hours before work, so…”
“Hey, no need to explain. Go find out what you guys are having.”
I meant it as a joke, but the sad look that crossed his face told me my words held much deeper meaning, and a whole lot of longing. “Man, don't I wish it were like that.” He smiled then leaned in towards me and offered up a quick hug. “It was really great getting to meet up in person, man. I hope it's not the last time.”
“I'm thinking neither you or I are anything like the man who sired us, so we'll definitely be making this a regular thing.”
His smile grew genuine again as he threw back with a nod and tossed out a “definitely” before heading out the door of the diner. I stayed there in the booth for a few minutes just contemplating what I would do if I met a chick that was pregnant with another man's kid. I wasn't so sure I would be ready to fall head over heels for her and take on someone else's responsibility. My brother definitely wasn't my father's son in that respect.
“Hey handsome, anything else I can get for you?” The waitress asked as she came back by with a refill of sweet tea. I placed my hand over the cup to stop her from yet another fill.
“No, I'm about to head out, but thanks.”
“I saw the name on the card you handed me earlier, it's different,” she stated. “Was that yours or the other guy's?”
“Yeah, it is different, and definitely mine.”
“Hmm,” the waitress appeared thoughtful at that for some reason. “I don't think I've ever heard of a single other guy with that name.” It was almost as if she'd been talking to herself when she finally turned her attention back to me. “So where have you been all my life, anyway? I haven't seen you around before.”
“I've been out of town for a few months, but I actually grew up here.” I admitted. While I knew she was flirting, and I still had unfinished business with Sasha hanging over my head, it felt nice to be noticed again by anyone who was close to my age and female. The past few months I'd been living under a damned rock with my parent's problems and getting to know surprise siblings.
“I'm off now. I don't suppose you want to go hang out somewhere?”
“Oh, um, I'm not sure if…” I started to say, but she cut me off.
“Look, I'm actually new around here. I transferred to Northbrook from a junior college last semester. This doesn't have to be anything more than getting to kno
w someone else and hanging out.” Her smile was stunning and seemed to be genuine enough. “Besides, I haven't been able to get out much since I've been here. Working for tuition takes it out of a person. Maybe you could show me around since you grew up here?”
“Sure, I suppose I could offer up the Northbrook tour and some company. Aside from my brother, I haven't really gotten out to socialize since I've been back anyway.”
“Oh, that was your brother? I guess you guys did look somewhat alike.” The look she's giving me is an odd one though, like she was trying to figure something out.
“If we seemed awkward together it's because we're only just meeting for the first time today. Well, apparently we were introduced when we were in diapers, but then we were separated. Different moms, same dad.” I shrugged my shoulder.
“Sounds like a story you can tell me while we see the sights. Just let me go clock out, and get my things.” The girl ran off before I could even ask her name, but before I knew it she was back.
“I just realized I wasn't wearing my name tag today,” she stuck out her hand, “I'm Jenn.”
“Nice to meet you, Jenn.” With the introductions out of the way we left the diner, hopped in my Jeep, and took off for a drive.
Chapter Eleven
~Sasha~
Aug. 2 - Time stood still for a while as I cooked the pasta, heated up some sauce, and popped the cheesy garlic bread into the oven before everyone got to the house. I was busy, but almost felt like I was in an emotional limbo. I felt good for once. Being able to purge some memories out in a positive way felt really freeing. This was the first day since before Kade left that I had some happiness actually creep in around me and warm my soul a little bit.
“Honey, I'm home!” Kristin called out as the front door opened. “And I've brought guests with me.”
“What's the news, ladies?” Mal called out as he sauntered into my kitchen like he owned the place. “Damn, it smells good in here. Forget the news, let's eat!”
“Stop being an asshole,” Brad called out. I hadn't seen him come in, because I had turned back around to smack the sauce spoon out of Mal's hands. “Wow, where did you get this print?” He asked, and I turned to see that Brad was staring up at a photo I'd taken when I was in high school. Kristin, Kade, and I had gone hiking and wandered off the trail long enough to find this little hidden treasure of a waterfall. The waterfall itself wasn't exactly what made the image; it was all the Rhododendron Trees that had been in full bloom surrounding it that made for a truly magnificent study in color and contrast.
“We didn't buy that,” Kristin threw out before I could even comment. “Sasha took that photo, what?” She turned to me for confirmation of the timeline, “three years ago?”
“Yep,” was all I offered.
“We all went hiking, and got lost when we strolled off the trail being dumb. Then we found this place and it was just stunning. Luckily, that one doesn't leave the camera behind when we hike.”
“You got lost?” Brad asked, interested to hear the rest of the story.
“Yeah, K…” Kristin cut herself off as she realized she had been about to say his name. “Um, the baby daddy was with us that day, and good thing too. He found some trail tape dangling from a tree and went in search for more. Then he came back and led us to the trail again. If not for him, our dumb butts probably would have been stuck there until a search party came to find us.”
“Looks like the trip was worth it though. That could be hanging in a gallery,” Brad offered as he turned to look at the photo again. “I didn't realize you took pictures?” I wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement, but I answered anyway, more so because of the odd look that settled over his features.
“Yeah, I've always been into photography. I just haven't been able to get out and take the photos I want to lately, because, well…” I pointed down to my ever-growing belly. “I've had other things going on.”
“Plus, she's been focusing on her writing lately. Our girl is a big bundle of talent,” Kristin smiled as she pulled plates down and set the table.
“Seems so,” Brad moved closer to the kitchen now. “Can I help with anything?”
“No, I have it all covered. Just sit. I'm about to bring it all over to the table. Kristin, could you grab the salad?”
I noticed as everyone dished out his or her plates that Brad didn't take as much as he normally would. “What's the matter, not hungry today?”
“I'm always hungry, Sasha, but as luck would have it I just ate at the diner a couple hours ago with my brother.” The words left his mouth effortlessly, but my head snapped up anyway.
“Brother?” I questioned.
“I didn't know you had a brother,” Kristin chimed in.
“Cool guy, saw him earlier. They actually look alike when you stand them side by side too.” Mal spoke around a mouthful of pasta.
“I thought you were from out west though, and you never mentioned a brother?” The questions still hung in the air because I was wondering why Brad never told me about siblings before.
“Well, we share a dad, and never knew about each other until recently. It was actually the first time we got to meet one another. That was my news I was going to share with you today. I never really wanted to talk about him before, because it was like this abstract idea. You know, a person in your life, but not really in your life?”
“Yeah, I know all about that,” I tossed out while trying to lose the resentful tone I wanted to put behind it.
The sad looks I got from everyone let me know I failed. “Please, continue, I want to hear all about it.”
“Well, we got along great, had a fantastic time, and hell I think I saw that slick bastard taking our waitress home as I was headed over here.”
Mal was laughing, “that doesn't surprise me one bit. I had him pegged for a player the minute I saw him at the apartment.”
“I don't know that I would peg him that way, but he was in need of a good distraction from his life, so I hope he did more than just give her a ride home. He's kind of nursing a broken heart right now.”
“Must be in the water,” I grumbled.
“Funny, that's what I told him.” Brad chuckled a little and thankfully lightened the mood again before he pounced. “Soooo…” He drew the word out while watching for my reaction.
“So what?” I played along.
“Sooo… we're waiting to hear your news.”
I pulled one of the three sonogram images that I had been given earlier that day out and slid it across the table to Brad. He studied it for a minute, and I could tell when he finally saw the words across the top. No way was I giving him credit for seeing the truth in a sonogram that neither Kristin nor myself saw.
“This is great news, Sasha!” His grin grew even wider on his face as Kristin, looking skeptical, asked the question I'm sure the rest of us were wondering.
“Do you even know…”
He cut her off before she could finish. “Do you have a name for her yet?”
Kristin's jaw dropped as she muttered, “how?”
“Well,” he started as he held up the picture. “There's really nothing dangling here between the legs. I'm no expert, but unless your boy has one hell of a tuck going on…” He was laughing now, as was Mal. I just narrowed my eyes at him, knowing what actually clued him in. “Okay, fine. I only realized what I was looking at after I saw these words up here,” he pointed to the three little words stating, “I'm a girl!”
Kristin poked her lip out in a pout. “Cheater,” she huffed.
“Aw, come on Kris, cut the guy some slack when he's trying to impress…” Mal cut his words off, looking rather guilty then. It did not go unnoticed that Brad's cheeks and the tips of his ears flushed with color at his roommate's faux pas. “Ow,” Mal whined after Kristin apparently hit him under the table for his idiot move. “Sorry.”
“So, do you?” Kristin swooped in trying to save both Brad and me from the embarrassment of his crush being revealed. I have
to say, I all ready suspected. I hoped he was just genuinely super nice, and I was reading too much into things, but honestly, I was concerned that I had another Kade situation brewing. I didn't have the feelings for him that I'd always had for Kaden, but that didn't mean he wasn't turning into my new male best friend - one who had feelings for me. Feelings that I absolutely wasn't capable of returning right now.
“Do I what, Kris?”
“Have a name picked out?”
“Oh, yes, I do.” I smiled, and only offered up her first name. “It's Lily,” I offered up quietly, not giving her full name, just the first.
“Oh, Sash,” Kristin huffed out before hopping up and coming to give me a hug. Even though she had been around back then, we hadn't been close friends the way we were in high school so she didn't know first hand what that Valentines Day had meant to me. I did however tell her, repeatedly, over the years the story of the most epic gift ever given. Actually, when the prom night fiasco occurred I remember asking her how a boy who was so thoughtful in junior high school could have been so out of touch with nice gestures on the most important day of high school for a girl.
“I'm assuming the name has special meaning?” Brad asked quietly.
I very gently pushed Kristin away so she would go sit down before she made me cry again. I didn't want to cry anymore, especially not in front of Mal and Brad. I'd broken down around them enough. Mal always freaked out and took off as quickly as possible, but Brad always seemed to stick around and let me make a mess of him with my uncontrolled tears and snot.
“Um, yeah, there is, but it's a story for another day.”
Brad just nodded accepting that I did things in my own time. He probably understood by now that I didn't want to break down in front of him again. Poor guy. “So what about a middle name? Is there one?”
“Yes, but I'm going to keep that a secret until I'm putting out birth announcements.” I smiled to let them all know it wasn't a bad thing; just something I needed to do.
“But you're going to tell me as soon as they leave, right?” Kristin was pouting again. “I'm her auntie, I deserve to know!” I just laughed at Kristin's attempts to get the information.
Letters to Lily (Letters to... #1) Page 11
