Page 24 of Letters to Lily

“Nah, we’re the same age. I was here last semester, but I was trying to work up the courage to track you down.”

“Ah, worried you might come off as a stalker?” I laughed to let him know I was joking.

“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’d 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 to whoever had just texted him. 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 class 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 class, 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. “I can’t tell you how much I wish it was like that. Maybe one day, if I can convince her that the dickwad that knocked her up and ran isn’t worth a place in heart.” 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 of us 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 his head 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 damn 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 know 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 been able to get 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 was giving me was 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, we were introduced when we were in diapers, but then we were separated. Different moms, same dad, and only a couple of months apart in age,” I admitted with a shrug of my shoulders.

“That sounds like a story you can tell me while we see the sights. Just let me go clock out, and I’ll get my things.” The girl ran off before I could even ask her name, but she wasn’t gone long.

“I just realized, I wasn’t wearing my name tag today,” she stuck out her hand as she introduced herself, “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 11

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