Page 11 of Secret Crush

John froze. Peter had no right to talk about their sister as if he was protecting her. He hadn't cared what happened. "You weren't some hero. Vicki's dead, just like our mom."

"I don't want to bring her up," Peter said. "Mom didn't die. She walked out the door and never came home."

John lifted his chin. Peter sounded like their father, and he'd not let his guard down. No, now was not the time. He refused to share his plans with Peter and argue with his brother about the past. He looked at his watch. In twenty minutes, whoever Peter hired to speak would start. Their father didn't have one person here who truly mourned for him. He glanced at the door. "We should go. Why aren't you speaking?"

"Why aren't you?""

Did you need me to answer that?"

Peter nodded. "The funeral is tomorrow. That's where my strengths have to be. I am glad you're here."

John stilled. Strengths were for important matters. "Why? Are you giving the eulogy then?"

"Someone has to. You have every right to speak if you want."

No.Peter was welcome to pretend to care, but if John spoke he'd accuse his father of murder in front of the enormous crowd. John refused to be that spectacle. His father didn't deserve that he humiliate himself on top of everything else. "Absolutely not."

Peter breathed deep and got to his feet. "Then it has to be me."

Standing as well, John shook his head, his hand on the door. "No, it doesn't. The church can be silent or we can just let the President have his say and whoever else wishes to tell us how Dad was a wonderful, salt-of-the-earth type of guy."

Peter's dark eyebrows quirked. "Salt of the earth? Who would say that?"

He smiled. At least Peter wasn't a complete fool. "I'm sure someone."

Peter lowered his face and kept his voice low. "I'm tired of fighting, John."

They never spoke, so they never fought. John pressed his lips together. Peter had a plan. He shouldn't care, but what if his brother was telling the truth? John opened the door. "Me, too. I'm not staying for the hired performer tonight. I'm exhausted. Bye."

Peter walked behind him. "I'll see you tomorrow."

John's gaze landed on Alice as she slipped out the front door. He sighed. The only light in this place was now gone. John stared at the room full of strangers as Peter walked away with his girlfriend on his arm. John's hands clenched. He'd show up tomorrow. Whatever Peter thought their father might bequeath him left him with nothing but guesses.

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