What’s wrong? Is everything okay? Did something happen to Mom or Dad?I’m so panicked I can’t swallow past the fist sitting in my throat.
They’re fine.Bryson glances quickly to Tristan.Baya says you’re all through with classes for the day. Can we go somewhere private?
Sure. By the way, this is Tristan. He’s my interpreter and tutor. The university paired us through the students with disabilities program. He signs.A scowl takes over without meaning to. The only reason I threw that last part in was to ward them off from saying negative things about Blake. I already know Blake is the reason they’re here. They must have found out I didn’t go home last night and want to lecture me on STDs—either that or slap a chastity belt on me.
They share a quick hello with Tristan before whisking me off toward the parking lot. We hop in Holt’s truck and drive a few minutes to the Black Bear where I’m expecting the place to be in ruins or burnt to the ground. This secret rendezvous is increasingly morbid. I have no clue why they’re being so covert. They could hate on Blake at Whitney as easily as they could here.
We get inside to find Laney, Baya, and Izzy waiting at a table near the back. A thick feeling of dread lines me. I’m starting to wonder if this is shaping up to be some kind of intervention in hopes to preserve my virginity. Too late.
What’s this about?I’d like to imagine this might be happy news like another wedding or a baby, but my brothers have steam shooting from their ears and haven’t really bothered to hide it.
Is this about Blake?I cut to the chase, taking them in, each with their sorrowful expression.
“Yes, it is about Blake.” Bryson both signs and speaks for the benefit of those around. “There’s something you need to know about him.”
I can’t believe this is happening. Is this really happening? I want to bang my head against the wall just to orient myself to reality.
Holt tenderly bears into me with a horrific sadness in his eyes as if this entire show is killing him.
“He’s not who you think he is.” Holt closes his eyes. “There’s someone else in his life that you don’t know about.”
Blake’s crazy father comes to mind. Is that what this is about? Maybe he did something completely insane last night like stagger in here demanding to see me, and, now, my brothers think I have a stalker on my hands. But something in me says no, this isn’t going to have an easy solution that we can all laugh about later.
Just say it!I sign so hard my fingers strain from the effort.
Baya and Izzy hop to their feet and stand on either side of me like bookends.
What?I demand from my brothers.
“Annie”—Bryson swallows hard as if he’s about to cry—“has Blake told you about a girl named Olivia?”
Olivia? I blink back stunned.Yes. I answer back with just as hard a stance. I don’t soften in the event they think they’re off the hook for pigeonholing me like this. Today is the last day that Bryson and Holt Edwards treat their little sister like a porcelain doll. I’m through with their overprotective bullshit.I know everything there is to know about Olivia. Are you satisfied? Blake has a past—big fucking deal. I’m the one who’s with him now, and nothing is going to change that.
Holt’s lips move as he gives a quick interpretation to the girls.
He takes a breath. “Do you know that she’s having his baby?”
Sucker punch. The ground jolts beneath my feet. The wind gets knocked out of me so fast I think I might pass out.
This is low. I give a wild look to everyone in the vicinity. Cole and Roxy step into our circle, and I see Baya filling them in.I would never think that you two would come up with such outrageous lies against the first boy—the first and only man that I’ll ever love.I try to get my bearings.Do you understand what I’m saying? I’m in love!Their faces fill with pain.I wish you could understand how much I care for him, but you just can’t seem to get it through your stupid, thick skulls!I hone in on Bryson.And while you’re interpreting this, I want you to add the words—I am an ass for tormenting my sister this way!
Roxy comes up and rubs my shoulder. I take a few steps back just to pull myself together.
“Annie.” Bryson and Holt come over. “We promise, we are not making any of this up. This isn’t some manufactured bullshit. It’s real. I’m sorry.”
Holt touches his hand to his chest. “We know how much you care for this guy, that’s why we waited until we were certain. We spoke with this girl ourselves.”
Really?I’m almost amused.And where did you find her? How do I even know she exists? If you want me to believe that Blake is a liar then consider yourselves on an even playing field because I am not believing a word either of you say! My heart hurts because I can’t imagine why you would make something like this up. Don’t you know all I have to do is ask Blake myself? I’m sure he’ll take me straight to this girl and prove you’re both wrong. Can’t you see the only relationship you’re damaging is the one between the three of us?
Bryson steps in. “The last thing we want is to damage our relationship.”
“Too bad, it’s done!” I scream so hard my throat feels as if it’s on fire. I’ve never wanted to use my voice so much before in my life. I hope I’ve stung them in the most intimate way possible.
Bryson cups the side of my face with a pressing hurt in his eyes that I hope never goes away. “We knew you wouldn’t believe us, Annie. That’s why we brought Olivia here, so you can speak with her yourself.”
I stagger back. Do I even know these people anymore? Just how far are my brothers willing to take this charade? What did they do—hire some actress to play the part of Blake’s ex-girlfriend? I bet she’s wearing one of those maternity cushions over her stomach. I bet she’s some size two actress that’s strapped one on just for the role. My heart thumps unnaturally because, on some level, this is starting to feel real. My brothers have wrapped their words around my neck and are choking me with their lies.
“She’s in the back room.”Holt nods behind the bar.“We’ll go with you.”
