Page 21 of Chasing Sunrise

“Breaking your trust. I swear I didn’t plan this thing with Harper. When you invited me to work on your set, I was grateful for the opportunity.

Ethan served in the military for six years and came out with no degree and a specialty in working on helicopters. There weren’t many job openings for Army helicopter mechanics outside of the Army. He’d looked for work for a year. Their mom had complained about Ethan’s situation every time Kasey talked to her, so he finally asked Harper to give him a job. The guy could fix anything electrical and kept the camera equipment working.

“I never imagined myself and Harper together. The few times I’d met her when you brought her around, I couldn’t understand the draw between you two. She always seemed snooty, and I believed she thought she was better than us, well, better than me. Now I realize she’s got a lot of responsibility and is often distracted because of it. I misjudged her.” Ethan took a long pull off the beer.

“So did I. I never thought she’d cheat on me.”

“She didn’t.”

What?“She didn’t what?” As hazy as his mind was, Kasey wanted to put a finer point on the betrayal.

“I guess she technically cheated because we went out a couple of times, but we didn’t even kiss until she left for the airport tonight.”

Shock slammed through Kasey, sobering him a bit. He narrowed his eyes at his brother. “You haven’t slept together?”

“She couldn’t cheat on you.” Ethan shrugged. “Neither could I.”

It was a relief he and his brother weren’t both having sex with Harper. “I’m not sure how to feel about that. I hope you’re not telling me this because you’re looking for my blessing.” Kasey grabbed the book and stood, then leaned to the left as if going down.

Ethan rose and reached out.

Kasey jerked the other way and steadied himself. He stepped around the coffee table, away from Ethan. “I have one question. Did you know what Harper planned?”

“I didn’t. Harper told me she didn’t tell me because she didn’t think I’d be able to keep it a secret from you. And she was right. I would’ve told you.”

He stared at Ethan a few seconds, believing his every word. His brother wasn’t known to lie.

“You’re being more decent about this than I thought you’d be.”

Kasey laughed. “How’d you think I’d react?”

“I thought you’d act like you did when we were growing up. You’d yell or rip me a new one. Perhaps we’d wrestle.”

“Consider me older and wiser.”

“And too drunk,” his brother added.

Kasey walked toward the stairs feeling betrayed, yet relieved. He’d dodged a disastrous mistake of marrying someone who wasn’t wholeheartedly in love with him.

“I live for watching TV and partying with my book club.” ~ Lauren Lapkus

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