Page 93 of Burden of Proof

Andrew hummed thoughtfully, water swishing in the background. “That sounds like congratulations are in order.”

“Yeah. Thanks. Uhm, the other partners are hosting a little party for me this coming Saturday. My…our brothers will be there, and my boyfriend too. Lincoln.”

“Did you tell me you had a boyfriend?” he asked.

“It’s very new,” I said, clearing my throat. “But I would like you to get to know him. If you…if you want to come up early on Saturday, maybe the three of us could get lunch or something.”

A pause, and then, “I’d like that.”

Relief rolled through me, and I sank back against the well-worn leather of my desk chair. I hadn’t realized how nervous I’d been about inviting him until I actually did it, and now that the hard part was out of the way, we could have a normal conversation, which we did.

We talked about mundane things, the weather and traffic, and we complained about work. He lamented the dating scene in San Diego, which I found impossible to believe could be slim, and then he told me about his mom. About what it was like for him growing up. In return, I offered him my own stories ofwhat it was like to grow up under the punishing expectations of Willem Covington, and then it was time for him to get out of his bath.

“I think I’ve been too hard on the four of you,” he said softly. “Maybe.”

“In what way?”

“I’m jealous sometimes, I think…that the four of you have each other. But it was borne of necessity, wasn’t it?”

I opened my mouth to reply, but not a single sound came out.

“Sorry, that was…” Andrew laughed nervously. “I hate to end the call on that note.”

“It’s fine,” I told him quickly. “I just…it’s fine.”

“I’ll see you Saturday then? And your boyfriend?”

“I can’t wait,” I said, and it was the truth.

We said our goodbyes, and after the call disconnected, I leaned back in my chair and scrubbed a hand down my face. I truly needed there to come a day when I didn’t feel like I was the intermediary between Andrew and my brothers. Andrew was also my brother, but I couldn’t manage the relationships between him and the other three on my own. That was for them to build.

I started a new group text. Adding Marshall, Finn, Smith, and Andrew to the same chain.

Figured now is as good a time as any for all of us to be able to get in touch with each other.

The read receipts filled the screen one after another. Andrew’s being first, then Smith, then Marshall, and lastly Finn. Instead of responding in the thread, he messaged me privately.

Finn

WTF

He’s our brother too.

On a technicality.

He’s as related to you as I am.

He’s a stranger.

Does this have to do with N&A or are you really just this cranky? Because I promise you, there’s more out there than just him.

My phone rang, my brother’s face filling the screen with his name across the top.

“What?” I answered, already annoyed.

“What do you mean there’s more than him?” Finn asked.

“Statistically,” I said. “It’s probable.”