Page 133 of The Betrayal
“Well, fuck.”
“Maybe you need to have a little chat with Connie before you ask her such a question.” Nate gives a solid nod and turns on his heel before stopping at the threshold. “You shouldn't just assume these things,” he winks then disappears back to his desk.
“So...” I click my fingers, leaning back in my chair, pushing back. “What you going to do?”
“No idea.” he sighs, rubbing his chin, his stubble scratching at his skin. “Fucking Nate.”
“Fucking Nate,” I shake my head from side to side.
Silence rolls through my office, and I take a moment to look at my older brother, by only a couple of minutes may I add. Similarities mark both of us, but we're so different. Eyes slightly different shades of green mixed with hazel, skin tone similar, my lips a little fuller than his. Kaleb has grey scattered down the side of his thick, dark hair. I haven't had a single grey. Both have stubble. I could probably grow a beard, he couldn't. His would look more like bum fluff. He never had stubble when he met Connie. He was cleaner shaved. Killer jaw. High cheek bones. Handsome. Like me. But I was a little rougher around the edges, maybe?
“Looking forward to having Ari back?” Kaleb interrupts my thoughts and I blink a couple of times.
“Yeah, house has been too quiet.”
“Make the most of it, soon you'll have two screaming babies to fill the silence.”
“Yeah,” I half laugh, eyes drawn to the picture on my desk of me and her in the little white chapel. Both smiles wide, eyes glistening with what I think was happiness, maybe a little alcohol and to think my babies were already inside of her. Madness.
And yes, they might not be mine. But I don't care. They're mine. They will always be mine.
“You seem really happy.”
I puff out my cheeks.
“I mean, I could be happier. I'm basically celibate and the woman I love is pushing me away but hey, I'm happy,” and I laugh, no idea why. Nerves? Realization?
“You? Celibate?!” Kaleb roars.
“Wish I was lying. Haven't been with anyone since Ari walked out. Desperate...” I pause for a moment and duck my head to look through my office window to see if Titus is sitting at his desk. “But no, no one but Arizona.”
“Well fuck,” he runs his hand over the stubble on his chin and whistles.
“Are you happy?” I sit up, elbows on my desk.
“Extremely. I never thought I would find love... but then she came into my life like a damn wrecking ball,” he laces his fingers together and chuckles softly.
“The best way man.”
“Did Ari wreck you?”
I sigh. It's not heavy. It's not light. It's not happy and it's not sad. It's just a sigh.
“Completely.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
ARIZONA
It's just past seven and I am home. Home.
Sitting on the sofa, the babies are kicking and Keaton's hands are resting on my bump.
“Wow,” his eyes light up, watching as my stomach morphs and shifts.
“I know, imagine how it feels,” I smile as I watch him.
“Weird?”