Page 70 of Save the Drama for your Mama
“What are you talking about?! This won’t change our relationship.” I sat beside him and clapped a hand on his back. “We’re still brothers, no matter what. Half-brothers if you want to get technical, but I will always consider us brothers. We have the same mom and a lifetime of memories that nobody can ever take away from us.”
After several long moments, Chad turned to meet my gaze, his shoulders relaxing. “You’re right.”
I nodded. “Of course I’m right. I’m still your wise older brother.”
“And I’m the good-looking, younger one.” Chad chuckled, then grew thoughtful. “This may take some getting used to.” He paused, sifting sand through his fingers. “Thanks for telling me, Coop. Couldn’t have been easy for you to find out. Are you okay?”
“Honestly—it was a shock,” I said. “But somehow, having Melody around when I found out made it much easier. She’s the one who discovered it.”
“Well, I stand by what I said yesterday,” Chad said. “The woman is a hottie, a total knockout.”
“You’re saying that like you think I don’t know.”
“Yeah, but now we can add intelligence to the mix.” He turned to me. “So, you like her then, right?”
“Yeah—I like her,” I said, nodding, thinking about it. “And I’m happy for you and Marilyn, you know that. Are you going to be okay living in Hollywood?”
Chad grinned. “What do you think? I’m going to eat that place up.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I had a feeling you’d say something like that.”
We sat in silence for a bit, listening to the gentle roll of waves along the shore. The initial shock was wearing off, and Chad seemed to take the revelation in stride. I knew we’d get through this weird twist of fate like we always did—together, as brothers do.
“We should head back,” Chad said as he stood and brushed the sand off his pants. “Can’t keep the ladies waiting!” He grinned at me.
We trekked back across the sand to the resort, the lights from the iconic turret winking at us. Melody and Marilyn were waiting for us outside the restaurant, chatting like they had known each other for years.
Melody’s eyes found mine, a question in them.
I smiled and gave a slight nod.
Telling Chad had gone better than I could’ve hoped.
After saying goodbye to them and thanking them again for dinner, Melody and I went for a stroll before heading home. The faint scent of night-blooming jasmine enveloped us as we wandered through lush gardens lit by flickering torches.
“So . . . how did Chad take the news?” she asked.
I sighed. “He was shocked at first, as expected. But he took it better than I thought. I think it’ll just take some time to sink in.”
Melody nodded. “Understandable. It’s quite the family secret to unpack.”
“That’s the truth.” Impulsively, I reached out and tucked a windblown strand of hair behind her ear.
Her breath caught, lips parting slightly. “Cooper . . .” She glanced at my lips, and I glanced at hers.
I considered kissing her right then, but before I could contemplate it any further, she grabbed my hand and pulled me to the hallway that led into the hotel.
“Where are we going?” I asked, stumbling along behind her.
“On a ghost hunt!” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “I want to check out Kate Morgan’s infamous haunted room, three-three-two-seven.”
My laughter echoed down the empty hallway as we scurried inside. Leave it to Melody to turn a stymied first kiss into a spontaneous adventure.
We crept through the quiet halls, dodging guests and room service staff. At last, we arrived outside room 3327 near the staircase, its door looming before us.
Melody pressed her ear to it, listening. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be listening for.” She giggled.
I chuckled and sidled up behind her, leaning in close to whisper back. “I know how you can lure the ghost out.” In a lightning quick move, I formed my fingers into a claw and pressed them into her back.
