Page 128 of Muddy Messy Love

And…he has two sons. One my age, the other twenty-one. My half brothers, handsome and whole, who look more like me than Beth ever will.

Holy shit.

I swipe back to Thomas and stare into his eyes, trying to picture this shiny man cheating on his beautiful wife, but I can’t see it. They’re a picture-perfect family, all bursting with pride. Sheila must have been Thomas’s one slip-up—his biggest regret. I wonder if the wife knows or if I’m a dirty little secret he’s kept buried in the dark. It wouldn’t be my first time there.

I run my fingertips down the pale face on my screen and shake my head. Thomas presents like one of the good ones. Is it possible he doesn’t know about me? Maybe Sheila lied. I’m his child, after all—his own flesh and blood. How could he pretend I don’t exist? But maybe Sheila designed it that way, wielding threats and scorn. Maybe Thomas had no choice.

The thought jolts me upright. “Dad, I’ve gotta go. I love you.” I climb to my feet and plant a kiss atop his cold headstone, then dash for the vintage gates.

A silver lining to this clusterfuck shimmers for the first time. I have two brothers and the possibility of a whole new family. For all I know, the wife is aware of Thomas’s indiscretion and forgave him long ago. Images of meeting, befriending, and bonding with these people sashay through my mind in a Hallmark-worthy montage, complete with piano.

Maybe one day I could be in their family photo too.

A voice in my head snorts.Yeah, I’m sure the fruit of an affair would poll epically in the court of public opinion, she snarks, but my hope stomps her out, and excitement bubbles.

I need to tell Cole, and now.

When I reach the tram stop, I sit and dial his number, but it diverts to voicemail. My heel bounces against the pavement, and I drum my fingers on the bench as I chew my bottom lip. Fuck it, I’ll tram it to Benedict’s instead of home. This is news I need to share.

Eyes prickle the back of my neck as I press the up button next to Benedict’s golden elevator. I was hoping to sneak by unnoticed given I’m technically on sick leave, but alas, Mini-Bees is virtually a fish tank and standing directly behind me, which has been a bonus until now. Biting the bullet, I turn around with an awkward smile, and sure enough, Hannah and Tej are staring at me, a sea of toddlers asleep at their feet.

Hannah folds her arms with a smirk and arches an accusing brow, tapping her foot as if to say, “So much for being sick.”

“I’m sorry,” I mouth before pointing upstairs. “Blame your brother.” Hannah rolls her eyes and shoos me away with a light-hearted wave.

Tej, however, is beaming. He radiates light as if he’s swallowed the sun. He excuses himself and dashes towards me, soon barrelling out the glass door. “Aves, I’m so glad you’re here. I have some news.”

His electric excitement startles my frayed nerves. “What is it?” He holds me out at arm’s length, squeezing my shoulders. The elevator dings, and the doors glide open, but I ignore them. “Did you win Powerball or something?”

“Close.” Grinning, Tej inhales a deep breath and puffs out his chest. “Last night, Riot of the Ruby Soul signed a record deal.”

I gasp and grip his forearms. “Oh my God. You’re kidding me?”

He shakes his head. “Nuh-uh. We did it, baby.”

I jump up and down, squealing like a loon, then yank him in for a hug. “Congratulations. I knew you would. You guys are amazing.” Over Tej’s shoulder through the glass wall, I spot Hannah playing air guitar, spasming one leg dramatically in the air. I laugh.

“I still think I’m dreaming,” Tej says as we break apart.

I shake my head. “You get tolivethe dream now.” Tears fill my eyes, primed and looking for any excuse to fall. “I’m so happy for you.”

Tej hitches a shoulder and jerks his chin towards the elevator. “Looks like both our fantasies came true, hey?” My cheeks flush, and Tej chuckles, play-punching my arm. “Hey, I had you figured out before anyone.” He winks, and I nod.

“That you did.”

“I gotta get back,” he says, hitching a thumb over his shoulder. “Marla’s on lunch. When are you back with us?”

“Monday,” I say. “Will you still be here?”

“Sure will. See you then.” He grins, then leans past me to smack the up button on the elevator once more. “Give my regards to Mr. B.”

I smirk. “Will do.”

When I exit the elevator, I scan the fourth floor. Inside glass offices, pristine staff meet with clients, stare at their laptop screens, or eat at their designer oak desks while flipping through papers. Cole’s assistant is notably absent. Her Eames replica chair sits tucked behind her desk, and no jacket hangs from its back. She must be at lunch.

I glance towards Cole’s office. Daylight glows through the glossy white glass, and his door sits an inch ajar. I should probably phone him again, but that feels stupid when I’m five metres away. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? If he’s busy with a client, I’ll simply apologise for interrupting and be on my merry way.

A rush of jittery excitement returns as I traverse the hall, my Chucks quiet against the chevron timber floors. I have three siblings. How surreal. I raise my fist to knock, but halt when the growly, bitter version of Cole’s voice torpedoes out. “I’m out. I’ve done everything I agreed to do.”

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