“You and Kat, huh?”
I look up at my friend who’s standing in the doorway.
“I hope so,” I tell him.
If Kat wants to be open and honest, then so will I.
“It was the Maldives, wasn’t it? All that romance, the beautiful setting. I knew it. Not even my sister could resist.”
Caleb drops into the seat opposite mine.
I don’t know yet whether Kat wants her siblings to know about our previous relationship. The current one, they seem fine with, but the fact that Kat has made her dislike for me over the past sixteen years incredibly obvious, maybe letting them know something happened before, is not the best move.
“We talked,” I say. “Cleared the air.”
There’s another knock at the door.
The door opens, this time revealing Elijah’s enormous frame.
“Hey,” I say, but stop when I see the look on his face.
Oh shit, maybe the cat is already out of the bag.
“You slept with Kat sixteen years ago? I should throw you through the window. I always wondered why my sister hated you so much.”
“Come in, and close the door,” I say, calmly.
Caleb is sitting in the chair, his head swivelling between his older brother and me.
“You slept with our sister sixteen years ago?” he mutters. “And I sent you to the Maldives with her.”
I shake my head.
“Why don’t you both take a seat?” I say.
Elijah enters the room, closing the door sharply behind him.
“I’d rather stand,” he says, his arms folded over his chest.
The door opens again, this time Pen crashes in.
“Sorry,” she says, shooting me a look of apology, as she steps in front of Elijah.
“Slow down, big boy,” she says.
“No, Pen, please come in and join the party,” I say, with a sigh. “I believe we’re just getting warmed up.”
Pen turns on Elijah, who unfolds his arms quickly, dropping them to his side.
“What did I say? Stop, and let me explain,” she says.
Elijah looks over Pen’s shoulder and glares at me.
“I can’t believe you knew he slept with her, and didn’t say anything.”
Pen grips his chin in her hand, re-diverting his gaze.
“How could I?” she says. “Have you forgotten you barely spoke to me for over fifteen of those years? Besides, Kat just told me.”
