Page 60 of Last Minute Fiancé

“Figured what out?” Heath asked, his voice soft.

“That I’m always going to miss her. That I’m going to hate what happened until the end of my days. But also that I needed to learn who I am without her.”

“I wasn’t thinking that you were conflating Addison and Ashleigh in your mind, I was just being a guy worried about your feelings. I don’t like being that guy.” August rubbed his temples. “I’m really sorry. About all of this. And I am worried about Addison, just like you, but I’m also worried about my brother. Are you okay?”

“No. Of course I’m not. But Addison needs me to be strong, so I will be. I’m going to move in and make sure she’s safe and healthy and has what she needs, and we’ll take it from there.”

“Taking it from there means you’re going to be a father, Luca.”

“You’re going to be a father too, Heath.” I grinned, I couldn’t help it. “And even in all this insanity, we’re going to be dads at the same time. How fucking amazing is that?”

“It’s pure insanity, and I’m nervous. There’re classes and books to read and I feel like I’m behind.”

“I’m reading all that I can, and it doesn’t matter that I have a so-called genius level IQ, I’m such a dumbass sometimes.”

“Oh good, we can do this together.”

“I love this bonding,” August said dryly. “And since I’m the only one not currently impregnating the women in their lives, I’m just going to put it out there that if you need me, I’m here. I have weekends off when I know you don’t always, so if the girls can’t figure out a schedule so Addison doesn’t get bored or stressed out or have a panic attack, I guess I could help.”

I just stared at my brother, confused. “Really? You?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. I have emotional growth. Sometimes.”

“You’re a good brother, you know.”

“I try. Just don’t get hurt, okay? I love you, you know. You’re a dumbass but I love you. Addison has you and her support group, but she has us too. She’s carrying my niece or nephew.”

I smiled, then wrapped my arms around him, giving him a tight hug, doing the same to Heath.

I zipped up my bag and made my way to the front door, ready to head to Addison’s.

The doorbell rang right as I got there though and I frowned in confusion.

“Who the hell’s that?” I asked and opened the door without looking to see who was there.

I really, really should have.

Or maybe left a little earlier than this.

Our parents stood on the porch, not touching, not looking at one another. It was a familiar tableau.

Our parents were either all over each other and ready to show the world that they deserved to be together, or they were passive-aggressive assholes who hated one another and used that to become blockades between their children.

There was never any middle ground with them.

And from the tight look in my mother’s eyes, and the set line of my dad’s jaw, this wasn’t going to be one of the good times.

“Mom, Dad. I wasn’t aware you guys were in town.”

“Your mother and I wanted to tell you something first, that way you can tell your brothers and sister. You were always the more rational one.”

“Well, that’s good to know,” Heath said from behind me, his voice flat.

August didn’t say anything, but I could feel the anger radiating off him.

My parents stilled, looking at each other then back at me.

“I didn’t realize your brothers were here.”

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