The Better Brother

“That’s how I felt,” I said. “My head has been spinning since last night. I can barely think straight.”

“Have you talked to Michael?” Andrea asked. “I mean, did he know who you were? Did he know you and Joshua had a history?”

I shook my head. “He says he had no idea,” I said.

“And you believe him?” Andrea asked.

“Why wouldn’t I?” I shrugged. “I didn’t know who he was. We never met. There’s no way he could have known who I was.”

“Unless…” Andrea said slowly.

“What?” I pressed. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing,” Andrea said. She shook her head hard. “I’m just being paranoid.”

“No,” I said. “What is it?”

“Unless this is some sick game,” Andrea said. “Some weird thing he and Joshua cooked up together.”

I was shaking my head before Andrea even finished talking. I’d only known Michael for a short time, but I couldn’t imagine him being so deceitful. What we had was real. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind.

“Michael isn’t that kind of man,” I said firmly. “I know you don’t know him, but I do.”

“And you trust him?” Andrea asked.

“Completely.”

“Then, that’s good enough for me.” Andrea smiled.

I smiled back gratefully and sank farther into the couch cushions. There was still so much I wanted to tell Andrea. Everything about Michael’s company party, everything about the almost-dinner with Joshua, everything. But my head was too busy spinning itself in circles for me to formulate coherent thoughts.

A distraction came seconds later, shaking me back to reality and pulling me out of my head. My phone vibrated on my desk. I frowned and moved over to grab it. Andrea watched my face closely as I opened the unread text message and felt my heart drop into my stomach.

It was Joshua again. He’d texted me the night before to ask why I was with Michael. He even went so far as to insult his own brother, but this? This was something different entirely.

“What is it?” Andrea asked. She pushed herself off the couch to stand next to me. “Is it Michael?”

“No.” I shook my head. “It’s Joshua. He wants to see me.”

“He what?” Andrea grabbed my phone and read the message herself. I could see her growing angrier by the second.

“I guess he wants to talk,” I said. “I mean, it makes sense.”

“No,” Andrea said firmly. “It doesn’t. He’s only doing this because you’re with Michael now. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even think about reaching out to you. You know that.”

“I know.” I nodded. “But that doesn’t change anything. I’m seeing Michael.”

“So?” Andrea asked. “What does that have to do with Joshua?”

“They’re brothers,” I said. “I can’t ignore that fact.”

“But—” Andrea began, but I cut her off with a look.

I knew Andrea didn’t want me to get involved with Joshua again. I couldn’t blame her. After everything Joshua put me through, I never wanted to see him again. And yet, I couldn’t deny the fact that I was dating his brother.

Andrea handed my phone back to me, and I walked over to the couch. Sitting down, I reread Joshua’s text message. It was simple. To the point. Just like Joshua.

“I’d like to talk to you,” it read. “In person. Is that something you’d be willing to do?”