Page 54 of Caught in Us
“Nope.” He shakes his head. “How ’bout you tell me now so I can leave and not worry about you.”
I hate that he still feels the need to look after me. “You don’t have to worry, Cam. I’m good. I swear.”
“I’m always gonna be your big bro.” He pins me with a serious stare, waiting me out. He raises his brows. “Might as well tell me before I call the rest of the guys over to hassle it out of you.”
Fuck. He’s not gonna let this go. “It’s Alicia.”
“Jill’s friend?” He frowns.
“Yeah, look, you have to promise not to say anything. Not to Jill.” I realize what I am asking is impossible but honestly, does it even matter anymore? She never wanted her friends to know about us—but I consider Jill family and tomorrow she officially will be. I’m not hiding my son’s existence from the people I love and care about. “At least not before the wedding.”
“What’s this about?”
“Her kid.” I swallow hard. “He’s mine.”
A burst of laughter explodes from Cam’s lips. “That’s a good one.” He shakes his head, slapping me on the back. “You had me going there. Fucking asshole.” But when I don’t join in, his amusement fades. “Wait. Are you fucking serious?”
“Yeah, we uh, we had a thing the summer before she left. Down in Kitty Hawk.” We had so much more thana thing, but I don’t think my brother needs all the details. I’m also not ready to admit how much she broke my heart.
“Shit.”
“Yeah.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“What can I do? She lives in London.” There’s a physical ache in my chest at the idea of her leaving with Matthew next week. “I’m with Julia.” But that’s not holding me back, and right there is my answer for where we go next.
He studies my face as if he’s searching for answers. “You like her.”
“Julia?” I frown, because of course I do. I might be hesitant to make a lifelong commitment, but she’s a good woman. The best. I would be a fool to walk away from someone who treats me so well.
“No,” Cam says. His mouth hangs open with surprise. “Alicia.”
I never stopped.“I don’t even know her. Not anymore.”
“But you did,” he challenges. “That summer. Getting sober, she had something to do with that, didn’t she?”
She had everything to do with it.I’m too tired to keep up the lie. “I wouldn’t be standing here today without her.”
“Then she left and had your baby overseas. Damn, Chase.”
“She didn’t know she was pregnant when she left.”
“That’s a little better. I guess.”
“Yeah.”
“What about your kid?” Cam leans back into his chair and rubs a hand along the back of his head. “Fuck, what’s his name again?”
“Matthew.”
“Matthew.” He smiles, nodding. “I have a nephew. Fuck.”
“Yeah.” I exhale a long breath, my shoulders feeling lighter now that my brother knows the truth. “He’s smart and funny, and I know I’ve only known him a few days, but that boy already has a piece of my heart. I don’t know how I’m going to watch them walk away next week.”
“Did you tell Julia?”
“No.” I shake my head.
