Page 92 of Strictly Business

"Oh, Michaela, you're here?” Romy asks with a mimosa in hand and a smirk on her lips. Enzo pulls the chair next to Alex out for her. “I didn't think we'd see you.”

"And, why's that?" I ask.

"Well, when you disappeared with Finn last night, I figured you’d be a little indisposed this morning.”

Josh drops his fork catching everyone’s attention. He pushes back from the table without a word. Conversations around the table have paused at the sudden commotion, all eyes on him as he walks out of the dining room.

"What was that about?" Dean whispers.

"I find it best not to ask anymore," Alex groans taking a large gulp of water.

Elizabeth sighs, folding her napkin, and she moves to follow him, but I stop her, "I got it.”

Josh paces the edge of the patio. He tugs on the ends of his hair, shaggier than usual — his entire appearance is a little rougher than he usually keeps it. Has he looked like that all weekend? Did he look like this a few weeks ago? I can’t remember. Have I been so busy worrying about Finn that I didn’t even notice my brother looks like a complete mess?

"Josh—”

“Don’t.” He stops abruptly pointing a finger in my direction. “Don’t you fucking start your bullshit, Michaela.”

“My bullshit? You’re the one acting like a child stomping away from the table like that.”

“Unbelievable,” he scoffs. “You’re like a toddler who can’t decide which toy she wants, so you just take them all until you’re tired of them.”

Yep, he definitely knows about David.

“I didn't mean for any of this to happen, Josh. I thought I was over David. I thought we were done. I mean, we were done, but then–”

“Forgive me if I don’t give a fuck, Michaela Jane. You know, I thought Finn would be the one to hurt you, but turns out I was wrong. You’re the one who ended up breaking his heart.”

“Broke his heart?” I scoff. “Josh, do you hear yourself? A month ago you were pissed at the thought. Now you’re defending him?”

“I’m tired of your shit. Don’t fucking bring David around because I don’t want anything to do with him or your ‘marriage.’”

"He's my husband, Josh! That has to count for something.”

"What makes you think this time will be any different?"

“You’re choosing him over me?” I ask, but he doesn’t say anything. “I’m your sister! Does that mean nothing to you?” He crosses his arms tightly over his chest, and his jaw clenches a little bit harder. “You’re really choosing Finn? I’m back to the annoying kid sister left behind while you once again choose your friends over me. You don’t want to include me in your shit, but you feel just guilty enough to let me stand on the sidelines and watch you with your perfect friends, in your perfect life, having your own perfect marriage… While I’m expected to be the good little girl who is seen and not heard — that’s what you want, right?”

“You didn’t answer the question, Michaela. What’s going to be different?”

I don't know if it will be different. But what if it is? What if we're able to make it work? Doesn't that mean I owe it to our marriage – to the agreement we made – to try and make it work? "He's my husband."

“Y’know, Finn was wrong when he said you were acting stupid.”

“Fuck you, Josh.”

"Hey, can you two wrap it up?” Elizabeth steps out the door looking between us. Normally, she’d be able to calm the situation, bring us back to our senses and make us apologize to one another… Not today. Today, her presence only increases the tension. “Nick and Nina just got here.”

"We're done." My brother finally rips his glare from me allowing it to soften when it lands on his wife. Wait, was that a hint of sadness? Maybe Mom was right. Maybe something is going on between them. His pace is quick as he retreats inside because we both know it's better if Nick and Nina don't know what's happening out here.

Elizabeth gently touches my arm, “You okay?" I nod with a weak smile. “There have been quite a few…changes to digest recently. He's confused, we all are.”

"So am I."

"I believe that." Her smile is genuine. "You need to do what's best for you, MJ. But, that doesn’t make it any easier for your brother to see you go back to someone who hurt you so much. On top of being hurt that you didn’t come to him with any of this.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and try to ignore the stinging behind my eyes. She’s right. I didn’t go to my brother with any of this. I didn’t go to her either. Elizabeth is the sister I always wanted growing up. I loved having my brother, and we were close, but I always wished I had someone like me, someone who could understand what it was like to be a girl. I’m not sure when it happened, but it feels like we’ve all been hiding things from each other.