Page 41 of Break Me Gently

“It was a shock,” she said, patting my hand, her thumb tracing small, soothing circles over my knuckles. “But Luke put it into perspective, and that helped. So, Zach, huh?”

I smiled and squeezed her hand.

“It all just sort of snowballed.”

“Hm. That I can understand.” She tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, the way she used to when I was small. “Are you using protection? Those condoms—”

I threw my head back and stared at the ceiling, the lamp’s glow blurring at the edges of my vision.

“Please, Mother. Enough with the condoms.”

“True. You came despite a condom.”

“What?” I gasped, my head snapping back so fast my neck pulled. “You never told me that.”

“I didn’t want to put you off using contraception. Probably best you use them all,” she mused, a faint, wistful smile tugging at her mouth. “You still managed to sneak into my egg.”

I couldn’t prevent the giggle that escaped me.

“That’s gross, Mum.”

“For you it is.”

There was a comfortable silence for a few moments.

“He isn’t my real brother,” I whispered eventually.

“I know, sweetie,” she whispered back. “But I need a minute to process.”

There was silence again before she spoke.

“Hopefully Zach will always be part of our family. This house is in your name, and Zach’s. It’s funny how things work out. Clive always said to leave this house to both of you. I just had to wait until you turned eighteen.”

“What about you?” I said, confused.

“Luke’s planned the next fifty years out,” she said, shaking her head.

“You know, they’re quite similar. Zach’s already planned what uni I’ll be in and where his job will be. I think we’re getting a plant to see if we can keep it alive before we get a pet.”

“Just warn me if you’re planning to make me a granny.”

“Warn me if I’m about to become a big sister.”

“Well, about that…”

Holy fucking shit.

❧ ❧ ❧

It had been a lifelong dream, becoming a sister. Zach had essentially rejected me in more ways than one over the years, but I walked back to my room in a daze, the hallway carpet muffling my footsteps, my own heartbeat loud in my ears. I paused outside my door, one hand resting flat against the wood.

A baby brother or sister.

Omg. This was fucking huge.

Mum had been tired—understandably, given everything—but she’d promised to talk to Zach tomorrow. I still had tonight to sit with it alone.

My door flew open before I could turn the handle, and Zach nearly ploughed straight into me. He caught himself just in time, hands gripping my shoulders hard enough to anchor us both.