Page 100 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

I walk back inside and kick the balcony door shut behind me, beating them to the door before they can even get to their feet. I unlock it and open it, my heart rate jumping at the sight of Cassidy standing outside with her phone in her hand and her hair notably damp.

“I was in the shower when they called,” she sighs. “I figured I would call back with you guys around.”

I nod and motion for her to come inside, my heart now pounding wildly. We’re about to find out the results.

Oh, shit.

I’m about to find out if I’m a dad or not.

Cassidy heads over to the large couch and sits down between Marcus and Tyler, nervousness filling her face. “Ready?”

I stand in front of them, feeling too restless to sit down. “Do it.”

Cassidy calls the doctor back and puts the phone on speaker mode, the ringing echoing throughout the suite until there’s a slight crackle.

“Dr. Torres’ office. How can I help you?” a woman answers.

“Hi, I just missed a call from you,” Cassidy says, her voice slightly shaking.

“Name?”

“Cassidy Monroe.”

“Yes, Ms. Monroe. I was calling on behalf of Dr. Torres to go over your paternity test results.”

Cassidy’s other hand shakes as it rests on her thigh.

Marcus gently takes it in his and holds it.

“Okay,” Cassidy says.

“Unfortunately, the test came back inconclusive.”

The same look of shock and confusion is on everyone’s face as we stare at the phone.

“What?” I ask. “How’s that possible?”

“We do see this type of outcome from time to time for a number of reasons,” she says. “Sometimes, the samples don’t have enough DNA to be tested or the quality of them isn’t up to par. The test must have a definitive answer in order for the results to not be inconclusive.”

Marcus frowns, but he squeezes Cassidy’s hand to comfort her.

Tyler just hangs his head.

“What can we do?” I ask her.

“You can retest at another time.”

“The wedding is soon. We’re not going to have time for all of this,” I mutter as I cross my arms over my chest.

“Thank you. I’ll call back if I have any other questions,” Cassidy says.

“Please do!”

Cassidy hangs up and sets her phone down on her thigh. She breathes in deeply and swallows hard. “Well…back at square one.”

I watch her closely, seeing her face cycle through emotion after emotion. We thought this would bring us a little more clarity and peace of mind.

But would it really have done that?