Misty muttered, “Jesus.”
“What’s she talking about?” Parker asked.
Misty leaned back and crossed her arms. “There’s something I have to tell you. Both of you. I didn’t want to do it here, like this, but it seems like I have no choice now.”
Parker narrowed his eyes. “Spit it out, Misty. What did you do?”
She straightened and glared at her brother. “What makes you think I did something?”
“Whoa. Relax, Parker,” Gabe said. “Misty hasn’t done anything. She’s had some bad news, and if you’ll just shut up, she’ll tell you what it is.”
Gabe was trying to help, probably thinking she had to tell him about the MS. Boy, was he in for a rude shock.
Misty took a deep breath. “Actually, there are two things I have to tell you, Parker. And one of those things you don’t know yet, Gabe. But you need to.”
Gabe sat up straighter. “What is it?”
Misty’s lower lip began to quiver.Oh no, Misty. Do not cry. Do. Not. Cry.She had to get out the words before she couldn’t talk past the lump in her throat.
“Parker, I have MS. Multiple sclerosis.”
“Damn. You said you were going to the doctor for some weird symptoms. Is that what they found? I don’t know much about it, but it’s pretty serious, right? Are they sure that’s what it is?”
Misty nodded. “Yeah. They did a bunch of tests. They ruled out everything else. The MRI showed a few lesions in certain places in my brain.”
“Why am I just finding out about this now? Did you know, Gabe?”
“Yeah. She didn’t want me to tell you, and it wasn’t my place to do that, anyway.”
Parker reached over and took Misty’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Sis. I should have been here for you. But at least Gabe was. Thanks, buddy.”
Oh boy. Wait until part two of the news…“There’s more.”
“Yeah, what was that other thing that I don’t know about yet?” Gabe asked.
Misty took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and said, “I’m pregnant.”
Parker jumped up so fast, his chair fell over. “What? How the hell? No. Never mind that. Who the hell is the father?”
Misty looked at Gabe. His mouth was hanging open, and he was staring at her, dumbstruck. Parker would probably figure it out at some point, but maybe she could buy Gabe some time.
“It’s none of your damn business, Parker, who the father is. This is my problem, and I’ll handle it.”
Gabe looked like he just swallowed a bug. “Shit.”
Parker glanced from Gabe to Misty and back. “Jesus. Fucking. Christ. Are you telling me my best friend knocked up my little sister?”
Gabe said nothing. He just folded his hands and stared at her.
Parker’s face reddened. He grabbed Gabe by the collar and yanked him out of his chair. “Did you?”
“Yeah. I guess so.”
Parker took a swing at him, and Gabe ducked, narrowly missing his fist. He wasn’t so lucky the next time. Parker aimed for his stomach and hit him hard enough that Gabe doubled over.
Misty jumped up. “Stop!”
“Hell no,” Parker yelled. “I’m just getting started.”
