*gif of old man crying and biting fist*
JD
*gif of The Rock raising an eyebrow*
Ethan
ok ok i see you doc
that’s not half bad
but I’m not just talking about an actual bro
like what if it was your bro’s bro’s feelings you hurt kwim
hypothetically speaking of course
I groan louder before I type out the next apology.
Landry
I would begrudgingly add that I’m also sorry for being a douche to him over the years and especially for disrespecting his wife, which I only did to piss him off. I’d reassure him that I hold her in very high regard, both personally and professionally, and that I would never intentionally cross a line.
Ethan
anything else?
Landry
The truth is that I don’t hate any of them, even though I want to. It’s really myself I can’t stand most of the time.
I hit send on that last message and cringe. Maybe I got a little too honest on that one. My phone rings a second later.
“Why the hell are you calling me right now?” I answer gruffly.
“Because I wanted to prepare you for when my sappy-ass brother calls to accept your weird apology,” Blake answers, though his voice sounds suspiciously thick.
“Gah, what is wrong with you people? He wouldn’t really?—”
The call waiting beep interrupts me. Sure enough, JD’s number flashes on the screen when I pull it back.
“Told you,” Blake says. “No point in trying to ignore him. He won’t leave you alone until you let him do his thing.”
“Ugh,” I groan. “Is it too late to take it all back?”
“Yep, you’re stuck. Hope you like cheesy dad jokes and bro hugs. He’s your problem now.” Blake chuckles when I curse under my breath. “But there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for you, either.”
“I guess that’s why he’s the twins’ godfather, huh?”
Blake laughs shortly. “You know, he asked me to be Jake’sParrainbefore he knew Loren was pregnant. He told me he trusted me more than any person in the world, that he knew I’d be a great father one day. And he was right—Iama great dad. But sometimes I wonder whether I’d have had the confidence to be this good without my brother’s encouragement, because he was the first person to believe in me.”
I swallow hard and try to hide the way his words make my breath hitch in my throat. It’s hard to imagine myself as part of a family like theirs, one so supportive and openly affectionate.
“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize that same opportunity when I had it, Landry. I want you to know that I appreciate your apology, even though I owe you the same. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for Loren and the girls, and there’s no one else I trust more with their safety. You’re an amazing uncle, and you’d make a great father, too.”
I frown. “Did Daisy put you up to this?”
“Absolutely not. But I’m very interested in your reasons for asking that question,” he says quickly, his tone perking up. The call waiting tone sounds in my ear again, and I can feel my stress level rising.
