Page 22 of Bones

“You’re drunk.”

“Not that drunk. I’d never let myself lose control completely. What if something happens, and I need to protect you? I’m always in control. The only time I would ever let go is if my brother was here to watch my back.”

Oh, boy. Why do I like that?

I’ve never felt protected before. I can’t decide if he’s a green or red flag. Maybe a mix of both.

We both stare at each other for a long moment. “Tell me something about you. I feel like all we’ve done is talk about me. I want to know everything about you.”

“Okay, well… I’ll tell you something I don’t talk about much. I’m actually adopted. I’m not very close to my family. I’ve never truly fit in with them. I’ve always felt like an outsider, and I think that’s why I like hearing about your twin and the bond you two have. I don’t have that with anyone.”

His throat works as he swallows. “That doesn’t mean you won’t have that. You definitely will.”

I shrug, playing it off. “I’m used to being pretty independent. I don’t need much. But yeah, I guess one day I’d like to be someone’s first choice. I’d like to belong somewhere. I think that’s why I became a psychologist. I always just wanted someone to understand me, you know?”

He reaches over and runs his thumb across my cheek. “I have a feeling you’re going to get all that and more.”

“Yeah, and why is that?”

His lip twitches.

“If I weren’t adopted, I would have just been put in foster care too,” I say quietly, and we both share a look.

“I hate that we have that in common,” he replies, eyes softening.

We’re about to play the last hand when there’s loud banging on the door. Followed by a, “Bones, let me in, right the fuck now.”

“Who is that?” I ask, standing up and facing the door.

Nate comes up behind me, hands on my hips. “That’s my brother.”

He kisses the top of my head and then walks to the door, unlocking it. “Speaking of the devil.”

Nate steps back, and his twin steps in—his very identical twin. The two of them are the exact same height and build, and their facial features are mirror images of each other. “I’ve been calling you nonstop. And you’re here…” He gestures to Nate’s half-naked body. “…having a fucking party.”

Blue eyes turn to me, and then widen slightly. He takes me in from head to toe, and then scrubs his hand down his face. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was worried about my brother.”

“Pyro came in and checked on me,” Nate grumbles, closing the door and pushing his brother inside. “Where’s Isla and Natalia?”

“I left them to come and find your ass. And why the fuck did Pyro know where you are before me? What’s going on with you, Bones? This isn’t like you.” His voice turns almost pleading.

My eyes go between the two of them, trying to figure out their dynamic.

“He found out from Blade and came. I didn’t fucking invite him,” Bones replies, then turns to me, his eyes softening.

“Doc, this is my brother, Skull. Brother, this is Meredith,” Nate introduces, winking at me.

“Doc?” Skull asks, confusion flickering in his eyes.

“Yeah, she’s my shrink,” Nate replies, smirking.

Skull’s head snaps back to his brother. “You’re fucking your shrink? And since when do you even see a shrink? What the fuck is going on here?”

“Yeah, I needed to talk to someone,” Nate admits, clearing his throat. “Xanthe recommended her. She said she was a good listener.”

I did have a client named Xanthe once, a few years ago. She only came in a few times to see me and talk through some things.

I step forward and offer Skull my hand. He studies it for a moment before taking it. “Your brother came and saw me one time. And then he kidnapped me and brought me here, and then Pyro came and asked me if I wanted to get out of here. But I said I’d stay. So here I am. Lovely to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”