Page 66 of The Grumpy Billionaire Baby Daddy

I love my little brother, but he can sometimes be a thorn in the flesh, making jokes out of serious situations. He collapses into my bed, rolling from side to side as he holds his belly, unable to stop laughing.

I roll my eyes and shut the bathroom door.

“Jason! It's Saturday!”

Wait, what? I blink. Wow. I open the door to find Richard convulsing in between bouts of laughter. He wipes a tear from his eyes and sits up.

“You really do need help, big bro.”

I sink into bed beside him, pinching the ridge of my nose. I haven't been able to think straight with everything that's going on—business failing, the deal with Davidson lost, nightmares making sleep a dreadful thing, Fiona and the baby missing. I suck in bouts of air and exhale, running my hands through my hair.

Richard watches me in silence.

“You look like you've not slept in a week.”

Because I haven't.

Right now, I can only get a reasonable amount of sleep in Fiona’s room, but it's weird to do that often. I haven't gone to her room in five days, and I've had a nightmare every day in those five days. Altogether, I've slept for less than three hours. The excruciating pain in my head won't stop, and sometimes my vision gets blurry.

“How’re youreallydoing, Jason?”

I shift on the bed, lowering my head. Even though Richard and I are siblings, I’ve never been one to share anything with him except just surface stuff. But right now, there’s the urge to be open with him, to tell him everything. It’s strange. I’ve never done that with anyone who isn’t my therapist or Fiona. Is Fiona changing me?

“I’m not alright, obviously. It took just one week for everything to fall apart.”

If Richard is shocked that I’m opening up, he doesn’t show. Instead, he shifts to face me.

“I can imagine. It’s not even my name in the papers and yet I’ve been benched all week. So, I can imagine how much tougher it is for you. How bad is business?”

I rub my lips. Laying with my back on the bed, I place my arms behind me to support my head.

“Trash. Everything is burning down. The stocks are horrible, it’s never been that low in all of Consco’s history. Customers are pulling out of the bank, and Davidson called me to cancel a deal.”

“Dang,” he says.

I shrug. “Not to mention, Eva is calling off a marriage that never happened.”

He chuckles and folds his arms.

“I don’t think that part made you sad.”

“I was relieved honestly. It was a lot having to deal with that. We ended up dissolving the friendship anyway, which didn’t make me too happy, but after everything she’s done, it’s probably the best.”

This is the first time my brother and I are having a personal conversation like this. He tried to do it a few times by opening up to me about the stuff going on with him, but it only made me uncomfortable. It doesn’t feel as awkward anymore. I really did shut out the most important people in my life. An ache forms in my throat.

“Jason, you’ve always been great at negotiations. I think you can convince Davidson. I’m sure he’ll look past the whole ruckus.”

It’s possible. Eva was born that way, too, from a woman who wasn't his wife. I’m sure I can convince him.

“You’re probably right. When did you get so smart?”

He shrugs. “I watched you.”

He grins.

“Now that’s just corny,” I smirk. “I appreciate it. And thanks for asking.”

“Do you miss Fiona as much as I do?” His voice is sober.

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