My brothers dropped me on the grass and wrestled with me, trying to tickle where they knew I was super sensitive.
“You want to be our triplet?” Lex asked, tickling the backs of my knees.
“No, that’s River’s job,” I said, fighting back by holding Adam down.
“You can be our quadruplet. I can already feel the connection,” Adam said. “You want to turn vegetarian and eat grass.”
He tried to push my face into the grass, but I was stronger and managed to worm out of his hold.
“Boys!” Mom shouted. “I thought you grew out of that a while ago. Don’t make me grab my slipper.”
We all split apart. “Not the chinelo, Mãezinha. We’ll be good.”
We doubled over in laughter. I couldn’t remember the last time my brothers and I messed around like this.
I’d forgotten we weren’t just close. We were tight. Maybe I let myself create that distance. I’d blamed Lex for it because of the time when he was sad that Emery was gone, and I’d blamed Adam because spending time with Victoria had taken him away from us. But I was equally to blame.
And now I had an even bigger secret.
I looked at Lior, who was smiling back at us. That man made me feel so much it wasn’t fair.
“What happened?”
We turned to Victoria, who looked like she’d swallowed a rotten piece of meat.
“That’s just boys being boys, my dear,” Mom said. “You’ll have to get used to it if you end up having boys. They run in our family. Twins too.”
Victoria’s eyes bugged out, and she suddenly looked ill.
“Adam, can I have a word?”
The three of us were still sitting on the grass, so I said under my breath, “Someone’s in trouble.”
Lior
Noah
Whatever you’re doing this weekend, cancel it. West and Drew have keys, and we’re going to start clearing the hospital.
Lior
I had planned on doing you, but since that’s canceled, I guess I could lend a hand.
Noah
Wait! Don’t need to go *that* far. I’m sure they can cope. West has muscles and Drew has West.
Lior
Nope. I’m committed now. Gotta help the kids.
Noah
Ugh. Charity sucks.
Ilaughed at the screen, knowing exactly how excited he was to get his hands dirty and help his friends.
He would be handsomely rewarded for his big heart. I’d make sure of it.
