“Thinking about what?” Jeff asked. “So, she dated someone. That’s not against the rules. Unless you want to wrap her up in a box until she’s thirty.”
“What’s his name?” Liam asked calmly.
“It doesn’t matter what his name is. He’s gone.”
“Who cares if he’s gone?” Jeff snorted. “Good riddance. The guy was obviously no good.”
Liam leaned on the table, getting in her face. “I want a name right fucking now.”
“Hey, back off,” I snapped, pushing him back a step.
“Don’t fucking tell me what to do.”
“She said he’s gone. Just leave it at that.”
“Why are we arguing about this?” Jeff asked in confusion.
“This is none of your business!” Liam shouted. “How the fuck do I know it’s not you?”
“Me?” I laughed. “Because I haven’t been around long enough to knock your sister up!”
Jeff shoved back from his seat, knocking it to the ground. “You’re pregnant? Why the hell didn’t you say so?”
Lizzy let out a loud whistle, getting our attention. “The reason I didn’t tell any of you is that I knew you would react like this. The point is, I’m going to have a baby, and none of this matters to any of you. Be part of my life or don’t, but it won’t change my mind. I’m going to do it, and I’m going to do it on my own.”
“Like hell you will,” Michael snapped. “I’m gonna drag that asshole back here and make sure he does what’s right for everyone.”
“You can’t,” Lizzy snarled. “He’s gone, and I don’t give a shit if I never see him again.”
“He has rights,” Liam protested. “You have to at least tell him.”
“He wasn’t the smartest tool in the box,” she retorted.
“Then why the hell did you sleep with him?” Liam shouted.
“Because he was a g—good time!” she stuttered, completely flustered.
She turned away from her brothers, but this was unraveling way too fast for everyone involved. None of this was helping, and now I understood why she needed me around, even if I didn’t like it.
“You guys know now. Leave her alone and think about what you want to say before you come back next time.”
“I don’t take orders from you!” Michael shouted.
“No, but your sister is obviously upset. Did you want to make things worse?”
All three of them looked at her, but it was Michael who headed for the door first, followed quickly by Liam. Jeff stumbled over, placing a hand on Lizzy’s shoulder.
“Uh…sorry it took me so long to figure out what we were talking about.”
As he left, I walked over to Lizzy and sighed. “You could have told me.”
She swiped a hand under her nose and peered up at me through soaked lashes. “I just did.”
“I meant sooner.”
“Well, that would have been awkward for my brothers. Either way…it’s out in the open now. I’m sure everyone in town will know by five o’clock tonight.”
I didn’t know what to say. Hell, I had never been in the position to have this kind of conversation with anyone. But knowing it was Lizzy, I felt I had to say something.
