“You couldn’t have said what I think you did,” my brother continues as if I’ve said nothing.
I roll my eyes at his dramatics.
“I haven’t even finished my Ph.D. yet. How the fuck can you make me an uncle?”
“Are you done?” I ask him, sighing.
“No. Hang up. This needs to be a video call.”
Before I can reply, he’s ended his side of the call. Snickering from Annalise’s end of the line fills my eardrum.
“You do remember that you don’t live that far from me, right? I can be over in less than ten minutes to kick your ass.”
“Try it,” she challenges. “Did you forget I have a three day a week standing kickboxing class? Plus, I’m calling Mom andtelling her that you’re threatening me again. You know I’m her favorite.”
“Bullshit. Chloe’s her favorite,” I say of our youngest sister.
“Because she still lives at home. Once Mom hears my voice again, she’ll remember who her favorite is.”
“Anyway, I should hang up and get ready for this video call and watch Tristan lose his shit. I love it when he gets all red?—”
Her last word is cut off by Tristan calling with a video request.
Seconds later, I’m staring into the screen at the two faces I know as well as my own.
“Now say it again and this time slower, because I’m certain you blundered whatever you were trying to tell me.”
“Brother, you have excellent hearing. It wasn’t a mistake. Water didn’t get inside of your ears. I’m going to be a father.”
“Of what?”
My shoulders sink, and I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
“Okay, brother mine,” Annalise starts. “What our sweet, never met a corner he couldn’t conquer, handles the straightaways like they’re his bitch, race car loving third is trying to tell you is, buckle up because you are about to be an uncle.”
“I don’t even like babies.”
“This isn’t about you,” I tell him. “Besides, you’ll like my kid. Or I’ll beat your ass.”
Tristan snorts.
“How is this possible? You don’t even have a girlfriend.”
“Did Mom and Dad not have the birds and bees talk with you?” Annalise asks, and then without stopping, continues, “Apparently, while he was alone in Las Vegas … well, he wasn’t quite alone.”
“So some random bro?—”
“She’s not random,” I snap.
Out of all of my siblings, I figured Tristan would be the one I needed to be the most patient with breaking the news to, but calling Alyssia random is as far as I’ll let him push me.
“She’s not? And what’s her name?”
“Alyssia.”
His eyes roll upward as if he’s taking it in, considering it.
