“We didn’t like each other at all until the night of prom,” Rosie said, her lips curling into a smile as she remembered. “That’s the night you two got together, right?”
“Oh, what a night!” Dad sang, swinging his hips.
“But you didn’t like Dad?” Layla asked, mesmerized.
“Well,obviouslyI did. He was gorgeous, but he had a different woman every night. I didn’t like that.”
“So when did you know?” I asked with interest, leaning forward to gaze at Rosie. She smiled broadly then, and Layla and I exchanged a glance before she answered.
“It was no longer a choice. I had to be with him.”
My mom nodded before rubbing her arm.
“You were so in love back then.”
“Dad still loves you,” Layla blurted out as we all stared at her wide-eyed. “He talks about you all of the time. He misses you.”
It was silent then, and Rosie swallowed.
“Oh,” was all she said before turning to exchange a look with my mother.
“Let’s go and get some wine from the garage,” Mom said, standing up abruptly. Rosie followed her, leaving Dad whispering with Caleb and Jade.
“Are you alright?” I asked Layla quietly, searching her eyes as she shrugged.
“Dad wouldn’t ever tell her, Zane. I see it every day. He fucked up; he made bad decisions. Now he has to live with it,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “Now I’m older, the only time they will speak will probably be at my wedding.” She laughed sadly as I sighed.
“It’s a little out of your control, though, isn’t it? Do you want to go for a walk? I always find it helps clear my head.”
Layla nodded as she swung her legs out from the bench, draining her drink as she stood up.
“We’re going for a walk,” I declared, as Jade smiled at me.
“Okay.”
12
ALICE
I’d agreed to go to dinner with Aiden that night after work, but I’d totally forgotten the family barbecue. I almost canceled—I was exhausted from my first day at work and my feet ached from the heels.
After showing my face at home, I had agreed Aiden could pick me up. I didn’t bother with goodbyes- Dad would only grill me, and Mom would complain I was rude for leaving while Layla and Rosie were there.
But truth be told, I didn’t give a fuck.
I grew bored of watching Layla ogling my twin, despite being engaged to some chump. Whenever Rosie got drunk, she cried over her ex, and I didn’t want to be part of that. Caleb just wound me the fuck up, so I was grateful for the distraction.
I slid into the smooth leather seat, and as I turned to clip my belt on, I caught Zane gazing at me quizzically from the porch. I blew him a kiss while the car sped away, hoping it would pacify him. I turned to see Aiden chuckling softly.
“Boyfriend?”
“What? Oh no, that’s my brother.”
“Ah, older or younger?” Aiden asked with interest, his eyes fixed on mine.
“He’s my twin.”
“Wow.” He whistled, a look of surprise on his face. “So, how was your first day?”
