Page 25 of Daring You

“Everyone’s here!”

Carter picks this time to come out of the bedroom, captivating and boho chick with her elbow-length dark waves and almond-shaped, golden eyes. She’s in a sweater-dress and looks about as comfortable and alluring as a fluffy cloud on a bright fall day.

If I didn’t already like her, I’d hate her.

She gives a wave to Ben. Ben’s not at the level where he accepts pecks on the cheek, even from his buddies’ girlfriends, and he accepts the greeting by looking away from me and giving an answering flick of his hand.

Carter comes over and wraps me in a fragrant hug. I respond in kind, since it’s too inviting a squeeze to do anything else. She’s done so much for my family, including saving my faltering brother’s soul. I can at least hug the girl.

“You’ve outdone yourself,” I say when we split apart. “All I can smell in here is warm spices and fresh baked bread.”

“Exactly the atmosphere I want,” Carter says with a sly smile. “It brings everyone together. Nobody can be cranky when there’s caramel for breakfast.”

I narrow my eyes at her.

“Are you pregnant?” I blurt out.

“Fuck!” Locke says, at the same time Carter shouts, “No!”

“Jesus, sis,” Locke says. “Let me have my coffee first.”

I shrug. “Just wondering.”

Ben chuckles.

“Since you refuse any subtlety,” Carter continues, and loops an arm around mine to bring me to the loaded table, “I want to make this a thing. You know, family brunches. Every weekend. And you and Ben are our family.”

“So get along already,” Locke cuts in. But I know my brother, and I can read the reluctance behind his expression the same way Ben can.

“We’re all lonely in the city,” Carter says. She steps away to pick up Lily and settle her into her high chair. “Since none of us really have extended family of our own. You’re Locke and I’s people. And I’m tired of always doing separate things with the two of you. So whatever it is, squash it.” She sits down primly. “We’re more important.”

“You’re Lily’s godmother,” Locke says to me, like it’s some form of admonishment. “And you, you dickhead, are her godfather. Act like it.”

Every cell in my body goes cold. “Good God, don’t die and leave me to bring Lily up with him.”

“Hey,” Ben says.

“Good to know that’s why you don’t want me to die,” Locke says.

“All of you. Sit down. Now,” Carter says.

I cover any reaction I might be making by taking a long swig of orange juice. I dab my mouth with a napkin before saying, “I can only stay for forty-five minutes. I have to go into the office for a meeting.”

Carter sighs, her shoulders sagging as she cuts to Locke, as if he can provide any solution. Carter should know by now that Locke may be my twin, but we couldn’t be more different.

“And I have to get to the gym,” Ben says as he fits his large body into a wooden chair. “Thirty minutes, tops.”

I subtly sneer at him. Bastard even has to beat me at time.

Locke gives Carter an answering cant of his head, basically saying, We tried, honey. We tried.

Seeing them as a unit only causes more annoyance. What Locke and Carter can’t understand is, Ben isn’t part of my unit. He isn’t family.

Family doesn’t humiliate, then ditch, then pretend he didn’t ruin my life. Loved ones don’t leave you to stitch up your own wounds as you sob.

Ben’s my goddamned enemy.

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