Page 35 of Break

She nods and wraps her hands around her belly protectively, as if I’m about to steal them away from her. Her pale, freckled hands cradle it perfectly. “Yeah… twins. I had Brenton write them down last week at my appointment and Nolan and Landon are getting all of the party favors, the cake, and decorations, so it should be unhinged. Only they know. Plus it was a shock, I guess? He just did a quick ultrasound and both babies were in position… So I had him write them down instead of waiting for the twenty-week scan.”

Nolan smiles and chuckles, dancing in his seat. “Landon and I are meeting up in about an hour to finish up the shopping.Once the asshole wakes up from his nap. He had some fun last night.” He chuckles and wiggles his eyebrows up and down.

I clear my throat, feeling more and more uncomfortable here. Left out, even more alone. This isn’t my life anymore, I guess. How have I fucked up so badly in my life? “How far along are you?”

Marie chews on her lip, glancing over to Nolan for support. “Eighteen weeks. I know I look double that, but these will be some big babies.”

Brenton chuckles and nods. “She told me about how large the father is and I’m estimating, even if they come a little early, they’ll be top percentile, or close to it.”

I glance between the two of them, they look so close, almost as close as she’s always been to Nolan, even before they started fucking. My chest is constricting and I feel like I’m going to pass out.

Is the father on my team? Someone from the clinic?

No, Marie wouldn’t sleep with one of her clients.

“Ah. Well, after you’re rested up some more, can we talk?”

Marie nods and sips from her water. “Sure. Maybe after dinner? I’m exhausted and just want to sit for now.”

We all move our gazes to the TV in silence and Nolan ends up leaving after Landon calls, giving everyone hugs goodbye. Landon picked him up without coming into the house, probably because I’m here.

They really are going to go shopping for Marie, for her babies.

Without me.

I’m not involved in any of this, in any of their lives apparently. Was my entire team in on this? Everyone knew except for me?

Landon and Nolan have hidden all of this from me. My team is coming to her party to learn the genders of the babies, and I didn’t know any of it. I feel like a parrot, a broken record.

My brain doesn’t understand, I don’t understand.

I gaze at the TV blankly, not even registering what’s on. Eventually Brenton calls out that the food is ready and I follow the pack to the table.

We all sit around and eat in moderate silence. I’m sitting in between my sisters, who have finally sent me small smiles. Mr. and Mrs. Evans keep up the conversation, talking to the girls about what they want to do after they graduate, which is still well over a year away. I check out of the conversation and focus on my plate.

One of Marie’s famous casseroles. It’s just as delicious as I remember. Shredded chicken, cheese, and plenty of vegetables. It’s even her homemade gravy recipe that’s been slathered on top.

Home. It tastes like home.

After we’re finished, Brenton and I clean up and wash the dishes. He glances over to me a few times but stays quiet. I imagine he has a lot he wants to say but doesn’t want to cause a scene. I have no qualms about that.

After I finish wiping the counters I clear my throat. “So… Are you and Marie…”

He snorts and shakes his head vehemently. “No… just good friends. One, she’s my patient. Two, my parents love her like adaughter, so that would be a little… awkward. Three, not my… type, if you catch my drift.” He shoots a brow at me and my heart drops to a steadier rhythm.

I tilt my head. “Ah. Okay… sorry?”

He shrugs and washes his hands in the sink. “Don’t worry about it. If I swung that way I would have worshipped that woman, she’s pretty perfect.” He winks at me and leaves me alone in the kitchen, stewing in my thoughts.

Yeah, she is perfect. I soak up her lavender scent as I lean against the island and stare at the photos that are on the fridge. There are a few of me scattered about throughout the years, but they’re mostly the girls and Marie. Laughing, happy.

There are ultrasounds, a bunch of Nolan and Landon, hell there are even some of Logan.

I noticed that Alex removed all of the photos from the walls and told me to put them in my office. She claimed it was because she’s a minimalist but then the next day she put up photos of herself. There’s one of me mixed in there that she kept. But none of the girls or Marie.

Fuck, I’ve been so blind… I didn’t even think about how hurtful that must have been to the girls.

What about Nolan and Landon though? She seems too happy to be single. Who’s the father? I’m driving myself crazy. My thoughts are bouncing all over the place.

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