Page 123 of Playbook
“Does she know that? Because she’s pretty eager to talk to you.”
“Yes, she is. At first, I thought it was a scam or she was just making shit up, but then she showed up at the bar last night.”
“What are you trying to say?” London asks. “Is she someone you hooked up with in the past? Is she pregnant? What? Just say it.”
Pregnant? Whoa. Wait. I shake my head.
“She’s my sister,” I blurt out.
London rears back like that is more surprising than some random woman calling me up and saying she’s pregnant. Her mouth falls open.
“Yeah.” I nod. “Or she says she is. I don’t know for sure yet, but her story adds up.”
“How would you not know if you had a sister?”
“That is a complicated answer.” I run a hand over my head. “I told you my family was shit and I meant it. I moved in with the Hollands when I was a kid, and I haven’t seen them since. The only time they’ve bothered to reach out since then was for money after I got drafted.”
Her eyes take on a pitying, soft edge. “Brogan.”
“I don’t want your sympathy.”
She wraps her arms around my middle and places her head against my chest. “I’m so sorry.”
My throat tightens with emotion as she hugs me. “It’s fine. I’ve accepted it, but then Sabrina started contacting me and I didn’t know what to do. I’ve ignored her for months. I had no idea about her. I don’t even know if she’s telling the truth. Archer thinks it could be my parents using some random girl to get more money.”
“But you don’t?”
“I don’t know what to think.” I shake my head. “She looks like my mom.”
Fuck, maybe it’s all in my head.
“So, she tracked you down at the bar last night because you’ve been avoiding her texts?”
“Yeah.” I let out a short laugh. “She’s as relentless as I am.”
The thought sobers me. I have a sister. Maybe. A part of me wants it to be true and the other part is afraid anyone who shares my blood can’t possibly have pure intentions.
“I should get back. She’s probably going to call back until I answer. I don’t have any idea what to say to her.”
“I think you just…talk to her. Be you. Sweet, open-minded Brogan Six.”
I don’t think it will be that easy, but I can’t keep going without knowing the truth.
“Yeah. All right.” I blow out a long breath, then voice that fear that’s been picking at me since last night. “What if she isn’t really my sister?”
What if I let myself hope and then it turns out she’s just another person who doesn’t give a shit about me?
“Either way, you’ll know.” She studies me. “Do you want me to come back up with you while you talk to her?”
Absolutely, I do. I want to wrap London around me like a security blanket, but this isn’t her mess and I’ve already dropped one bomb on her today. If she sits through this conversation with Sabrina, she’ll know just how fucked up my parents are. How could they never mention that I have a sister?
“That’s all right. I should talk to her alone. It’s going to be awkward as fuck.”
“Will you call me later?” she asks. “Let me know how it goes?”
“Of course. We have dinner with your parents, right?”
“Brogan, you don’t have to come to that. I’ll cover for you. This is a lot. You should take time to sit with it.”
