“I love you too, Phillip.”
“And remember when we’re in the Hunger Games, I’ll die for you.”
“Thanks,” I say and then I start to laugh so hard it hurts, but I don’t let him go. There was a time when I declared that I would kill him in the Hunger Games, but I think we both knew that wasn’t true. I continue to hold him tight, fighting away the tears because I don’t want to mess up the makeup that took forever to apply. I also know that if I start crying, he probably will too, and I can’t handle his tears. I’ll come undone, and I already don’t think I’ll be able to hold it together during the wedding. There is something about a man crying that guts me, so I’m going to pray that Phillip doesn’t lose it.
Pulling away, he kisses my cheek and says, “You like that kid, don’t you?”
I smile. “Yeah, I do.”
He lets out a long breath, his eyes locked on mine. He’s giving me that “I don’t want to accept you have boobs” look, and I don’t know what to make of it. “The main thing I have to remember is that I want you to be happy, and because of that, I’m gonna be nice to him.”
A grin cracks across my face. “Oh, how sweet of you.”
He sets me with a look. “But the moment he hurts you, Claire, he’s dead.”
I laugh again, nodding my head. “I wouldn’t expect anything else.”
“I hope it doesn’t happen though,” he admits.
“Me neither,” I say, letting out a long breath. “I love him a lot.”
“Just be careful, kiddo.”
“I know,” I say and a knock comes at the door.
Looking over at it, Phillip says, “Come in.”
The door opens and in comes a man about the same height as Phillip. He looks a lot like Phillip – the same blue eyes, blond hair, and bone structure – but I have never seen him before. Looking at Phillip, confused, I’m about to ask who it is, but Phillip’s face is white again, shocked.
“Miles? What are you doing here?” he says, letting me go and walking toward the man.
“Came for the wedding. Reese invited me.”
“Oh shit, it’s great to see you,” he says and then they hug, awkwardly, I might add. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Yeah, me too. I didn’t know if I should come. My dad – our dad – wasn’t too happy about it.”
Our dad? What the hell?
“Phillip?” I ask, and they both look at me.
“Oh, um, Miles, this is my niece, Claire. She was my sister Rochelle’s daughter,” Phillip says, bringing me toward them. “Claire, this is my half brother, Miles.”
Shocked, I meet his gaze and he gives me a half smile. “So are you my uncle?”
“No, he’s my half brother. We have the same dad, not the same mom,” Phillip says, a grimace on his face.
“Oh,” I say, looking back at Miles.
“It’s nice to meet you,
nonetheless.”
“You too,” I say, shaking his hand. “This is weird.”
They both laugh and I smile. “Yeah, a little, but I’m really glad you’re here. Reese will be excited to meet you in person.”
“Yeah, I mainly wanted to stop by before everything got started ’cause I know once you’re married, everything else won’t matter.” He takes in a deep breath and then says, “I wanted to say that I’m sorry for the last few years.”