Page 69 of Flipping the Script

Hannah might not have had our parents’ support growing up, but she had a second family who loved her unconditionally, and that meant the world to me.

I’d never tell anyone this, but Adam’s family was the reason I’d felt okay leaving to pursue my music career after grad. I’d known my little sister would be taken care of and protected, and that had taken a huge burden off me.

“Where’s the birthday boy?” I asked, following Patrick into the main part of the house.

“Out back showing off his garden.” Patrick’s smile was soft, and his eyes were filled with love and affection. “His new rose hybrid is blooming, and he’s like a proud papa showing everyone his babies.”

I chuckled. “I’d better go see the new additions to the family.”

“I’ll hide this—I mean, put this in a safe space.” He wiggled the wine bag and gave me an exaggerated wink.

One thing I liked about Jesse and Adam’s family was that they preferred small, intimate gatherings where people could relax in a no-stress atmosphere over the stuffy and massive parties my family liked to host.

The open concept living area was covered with campy, silly birthday decorations. Most of them were geared toward a child’s party with cartoon tools and tractors and other construction-related equipment. And someone, probably Adam, had gone hog wild with the streamers. An intricate network of thin strips of crepe paper crisscrossed the ceiling, light fixtures, and any other piece of tall furniture that tape could stick to.

Their dining room table had been stocked with platters of finger food and snacks, and the server, or whatever those giant cabinets people put in dining rooms were called, was set up as a makeshift bar, complete with a drink mixing station, a beer cooler, and lots of non-alcohol choices.

The crowd wasn’t huge, but clusters of people were scattered about the room, chatting and snacking while soft music played in the background.

“Wassup!” a loud voice said in my ear a second before someone grabbed my shoulders from behind.

“Jesus!” I jumped a mile, my arms windmilling comically as I nearly fell on my ass.

Laughter greeted me when I finally spun around to greet my would-be attackers. “You guys are menaces,” I shot Adam and my sister my best big brother look.

“You should see your face right now,” Hannah said with a snicker, her eyes alight with humor.

Adam had both of his hands over his mouth, his face red from holding in what would have most likely come out as belly laughs.

My fake anger melted away at their antics. “Come here and give me a hug.” I held out my arms and advanced on them.

Both made a show of pretending to run away but let me grab them in a bear hug.

“So, how’s your first summer of freedom going?” I asked when I let them go.

Hannah made a face. “If this is freedom, then I don’t want it.”

“That’s what you get for taking a job with your dad instead of mine.” Adam grinned and poked her in the side.

She jumped and let out a little yelp. Hannah was insanely ticklish, something Adam loved to exploit. “I’ll get you back for that.” She pretended to kick him in the shins.

“Sure you will.” He smirked, looking so much like Jesse in that moment I nearly did a double take.

The brothers were nearly identical when it came to their looks, but opposite in personality. Jesse was sullen and serious, while Adam was one of those people who radiated kindness andfun. He drew people to him with his big smiles and friendly nature.

Jesse could stand to take a few lessons from him.

“But back to what I was about to say before someone rudely interrupted me.” Hannah shot Adam some exaggerated side-eye. “If this is freedom, then I don’t want it.”

“Dad being his usual asshole self?” I asked.

She nodded and crossed her arms, her expression petulant. “Does he have another setting?”

“Not that I’ve seen. Is it as bad as I think it is?”

She nodded grimly. “I swear he’s incapable of seeing me as an adult. He questions everything I say and won’t even listen to me unless I give him all sorts of sources and crap to prove that my suggestions or proposals are worth looking at. No one else has to do that. But apparently I do because I’m his daughter and he has to make sure that people don’t think he’s giving me preferential treatment.”

“Do you have an office?” I asked.

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