“But you called Dad. You know he told Mom everything. Now Denver is here outside my door, and they are all going to want to know why I moved.”
“You were going to have to tell them about Bradley eventually. You know he still calls Mom,” she says.
Of course he does. The jerkoff doesn’t want to lose his connection.
“What the f—?”
Charlotte holds up Thomas, and I stop myself from cursing as the knock on the door gets louder.
“You are so dead.”
Baby Thomas cries. “You’re scaring the baby.”
“He should know his mother is a traitor.”
Charlotte grins at me. “Okay, well I’m going to go because Thomas needs a feeding and a diaper change. Don’t be mad at me, and don’t be so hard on Denver.”
“I’m not hard on him. No one’s hard on Denver. Not even Denver.”
Our older brother is a nomad. He’s a traveling surgeon who never stays in one place for too long. I blame it all on the structure my mother forced on us growing up. But at least he’s still a surgeon, so my mother doesn’t mind his flighty tendencies.
Don’t get me wrong; Denver is an amazing general surgeon.
He’s traveled all over the world, fixing cleft palates, amputated limbs, and more for adults and children who can’t afford healthcare, and has spent most of his time in war-torn countries giving aid and free medical care. My brother is awesome and has a big heart. But he’s also my older brother, and he drives me crazy. He’s spoiled, messy, and loves to put his nose in my business.
I say goodbye to Charlotte, with promises of murdering her when my nephew turns eighteen, and blow Thomas a kiss. I climb off the couch and make my way towards the uninvited guest knocking on my door.
“One second!” I plaster on a fake smile and tug open the door. “Hello, big brother.”
“Hello, little sister. Heard you were missing, but I must have received the wrong information.” He leans in and gives me a hug.
“Charlotte freaked out. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine. I was just helping my neighbor out and forgot my phone.”
Denver wiggles his eyebrows at me. “This neighbor you speak of, are they…man or woman?”
“You’re such a perv. My neighbor is a man.”
“Bummer. I guess that means I’m crashing with you.” Denver pushes his way into my apartment, chucks his duffle bag on the floor, and makes himself at home in the kitchen, rummaging through my refrigerator.
“You are not crashing here, Den. You can get yourself a hotel.”
He pops his head out from behind the fridge doors and frowns, jutting his lip out. “Seriously, you’re gonna make me get a hotel room. I flew from Belize for you.”
I don’t believe that for one second, but I keep that to myself. “I didn’t ask you to do that. What were you doing in Belize anyway?”
He slams the door shut and pops the top of one of my seltzer waters. “Surgeries, surfing, and the senoritas.”
“Of course.” I roll my eyes at him and snort. “How did you get up here?”
“My charm.” Unfazed as usual, Denver leans back against the counter and sips his drink, using the same charm as he waits for me to cave.
“Ugh, fine. You can stay here, but I have to go to work, so I’m not babysitting you. I’ve got the night shift for the next two days.”
“You’re a gem.”
“You’re lucky I have an extra bedroom. There are fresh towels and sheets. If you need anything else, get it yourself.”
“Geez, what a way to treat your guest.”
