Page 35 of The Bad Brother

“Yes.” I say, concentrating on getting the wine bottle open because I have a feeling I’m going to need it. “I’m really a surgeon.”

“Can I see your diploma or whatever?”

“Sera,” River scoffs, dropping her pizza to slap her friend on the arm. “Seriously?”

“Ow.” Sera rubs her arm while dividing awhat did I dolook between the two of is. “What? Jen’s family, Riv.Family—so if you think I’m letting another Hanna the Whore weasel her way in here and?—”

Family.

She saidfamily.

I feel my chest start to loosen. “Who’s Hanna?” I ask, even though I have a feeling I already know.

Looking like she just swallowed a bug, River looks at me. “She’s Jen’s ex-fiancé. She?—”

“She fucked him over—hard,” Sera says, her tone more than a little angry. “She cheated on him with his brother.”

“Sera.” The way River whispers her friend’s name makes it clear that she just crossed a line and told me something Jensen would absolutely not want me to know.

Pulling the cork free, I decide to bypass the standardletting it breathestage and divide the wine equally between the three glasses. Handing Sera her glass, I shake my head.

“I don’t have my diploma,” I tell her, the admission stinging more than I’d like. “It’s on the list of things my ex kept when he kicked me out.”

Glaring at me suspiciously, Sera shakes her head. “Why would your ex want to keep your med school diploma?”

“For the same reason he kept the necklace my mother gave me for high school graduation, or the condo I bought with my own hard-earned money. Because he’s an asshole,” I tell her with a shrug. When I offer River her glass of wine, she holds up her hand like a traffic cop and shakes her head.

“I can’t,” She tells me with a tight smile. “Addict, remember?”

Shit.

“Shit.” Saying it out loud, I shake my head while I yank it back. “I’m sorry, River. That was?—”

“It’s okay.” Giving me a smile, she takes another bite of pizza. “I’ll take a glass of water, though.”

“Of course.” Turning away from the pair of them, I get River a glass and fill it with ice and water from the tap. Handing it to her, I look at Sera who’s still studying me like she’s looking for ways to punch holes in my story.

“You work at Barrett County, right?” she asks, taking a sip of her own wine. “They have a website?”

“Yes.” Already knowing where she’s going with it, I shake my head. “You’ll find my name and credentials but not my picture. The hospital doesn’t post them for any of the staff for security reasons.” Saying it triggers an idea.

“I can show you my badge,” I say reaching for my bag. Digging through it, I pull out the ID card I use to get into the parking garage and other secure areas of the hospital.

Looking at it, Sera frowns before handing it back. “Still doesn’t have your picture on it.”

Picture.

Digging into my bag again, I pull out my cell phone. Flipping through my photos while River eats her pizza andSera watches me intently, I let out a smallwhoopwhen I find it. Handing my phone to Sera, I wait for her reaction to the photo of me on my graduation day from Duke, still wearing my cap and gown, my diploma in hand and proudly on display.

Gaze flipping between me and my phone screen, she even goes so far as to zoom in on the photograph, presumably to read the name on the diploma.

“Huh.” Looking up at me, Sera offers my phone back with a sheepish grin. “Cade and I had a bet going,” she says before taking a bite of pizza. “He believed you. My money was on stripper. I guess I owe him a month of free babysitting.”

“You thought I was a stripper?” Instead of being offended, I find it funny for some reason. “AndCadebelieved me.”

“He says prison time makes it easier to read people.” Turning the pizza box in my direction, she finally offers me a slice.

Lifting a piece from the box I take a bite before setting it on my plate. Chewing enough to clear my mouth, I look at the two women sitting in front of me. “Cade’s been to prison?” Saying it, I expect to feel apprehensive or maybe even a little afraid at the thought of being around him but I don’t. All I feel is curious.

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