"There's nothing wrong with my house," I shouted as I headed for the door. "And I don't need anything from any of you!"
"I'm gonna fuckin' deal with you later, but if this has anything to do with that bitch, you'll be sorry!" Alex yelled at Brenna, before coming after me. I had to assume the bitch he referred to was Julia.
He caught me in the foyer before I could get out.
Why does this house have to be so damn big?
"Alex, please," I said. "I just want to go home."
"No, please." He pulled me toward the front staircase. "Come upstairs and talk to me."
"No, it’s okay." I tried to hold back the tears over the humiliation Brenna had caused. "I know what she said isn't your fault." My voice betrayed me as it cracked.
Alex pulled me into an embrace. "She doesn't know anything about you or your circumstances," he whispered, as he led me up the stairs and into his room.
I took a deep breath and stopped the tears. I wouldn't let that rich, spoiled snob get to me. I knew why she was acting this way, and I almost let it work.
Alex handed me a tissue. "I'm so sorry. I'll deal with her later."
"No, I don't want you to fight with your sister. Not over me." I really didn't want to be the cause of any conflict in his family.
"She was rude and out of line," he yelled. "I'll have my father deal with her."
"No." I pleaded with him, hoping he'd change his mind. "Please don't bring your parents into this."
"They won't stand for her behavior," he told me. "Not in this matter."
"Julia isn't the only one who wants you with her," I said. "Do they do this to all the girls you date?"
He shook his head.
"Why me then?" I wondered out loud.
"Jocelyn." He sighed. "You're the only one I've ever invested this much time in.
You're the only one I've ever felt . . . ."
I waited patiently for him to finish his thought.
"I won't allow her to treat you this way," he said, and I saw the anger cross his face again.
"She's nothing like your mom, is she?"
He shook his head. "She wouldn't be."
"I guess not everyone takes after their mother," I said. "I sure don't."
Alex walked over to his dresser and picked up the picture of the woman with the two children sitting in her lap. He sat down next to me and handed it to me.
"I've always wondered about this picture," I told him. "Is she your aunt or something? She resembles you and Brenna."
"This is my biological mother," he said. "Mine and Brenna's."
"What?" I didn't hide my shock very well. "What about Sarah?"
"My father was married before Sarah," he said. "Her name was Alexa Parker Jordan."
"She's beautiful." I smiled, waiting for him to explain.
