“I’m so excited to be a grandfather and to add a daughter to our family. And because we Holbrooks are all about sharing, here’s Mark to share a few words as the best man.”
“Wes and Liz, congratulations,” I said, looking over at them.
I noticed Brea stand up from her seat and scurry over to the far side of the room. What was she doing?
“I know, Wes, you and I maybe didn’t start off on the best foot, but I’m glad to be able to stand up here to see you on to your next chapter in life. And Liz, it’s great to add a woman to our family! Just try not to be too hard on him.”
“You stupid bitch!” a woman’s voice cut across the room.
I peered through the lights. Brea was furiously shushing someone.
“Wes,” I continued, glancing down at my notes, “it was a surprise when you and Dana showed up, but a welcome one. Your new baby is clearly following in your footsteps. I know you’re going to make a wonderful husband and father. Having been raised by a Holbrook myself, I know that while we can be gruff, we do make pretty good dads.”
Jack smiled at me.
“No, they don’t!” the woman in the back of the room screeched. There were shouts of surprise as Memphis Eve strode to the front of the room, Brea racing after her.
“Stop!” she yelled to Memphis Eve. “Stop it right now!”
“You’re trying to keep him for yourself!” the Instagrammer shrieked in accusation as Brea ran up to the podium and started chasing her sister around. “You were always jealous of me!” Memphis Eve grabbed a pitcher of sangria off of the bridal party table and threw it on Brea.
Brea yelped in surprise as the red liquid dripped down her pink dress.
“You’re not going to cut me out. He’s mine!”
“Memphis Eve,” I snarled, “what is wrong with you? We went ononedate. It didn’t work out. Why are you trying to ruin my brother’s wedding?”
Memphis Eve curled her lip up, then she smirked and turned to Brea. “So you didn’t tell him.”
“Don’t you dare say anything!” Brea hollered at her sister. Dress dripping, she picked up a container of hummus and threw it on Memphis Eve. Her sister dodged the attack, and the garlic-flavored spread splashed on the floor, spattering my shoes. I looked on, dumbfounded, as the sisters went at each other.
“I just want a seat at the table like everyone else,” Memphis Eve declared.
“Don’t!” Brea wailed, throwing a fistful of celery at her sister.
“I think I’m owed it, considering you and I are half siblings, Mark,” Memphis Eve said defiantly.
Brea covered her face with her hands.
I dropped the microphone, though it wasn’t a triumphant moment. The room started spinning.
“Brea?” I croaked.
“Don’t listen to her,” Brea said in a rush. “She’s deranged. Besides, there’s no proof.”
“You didn’t even try to get any proof!” Memphis Eve snapped. “You were just going to take the inheritance and cut me out.”
“We’re half siblings?” I looked to my horrified parents. They seemed as shell-shocked as I was.
“But we can’t prove any of this, right?” Brea gave me a pleading smile. “There’s no paternity test. It’s just the rantings of a crazy woman.”
“But you knew.” My voice didn’t sound like my own.
“I—what?”
“This isn’t a surprise to you,” I said flatly. “You. Knew. And you didn’t tell me.”
“Of course she didn’t tell you,” Memphis Eve said snidely. “We were planning on blackmailing your father. But Brea was going to cut me out.”
