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“Do you like what you’re doing? I thought you loved being a doctor. If you don’t—”
“This isn’t about me.”
“I’m not talking about Clary. I’m asking why you’re always so unhappy. You’re always complaining about something we do or giving us that grumpy face whenever we’re together. Do we irk you so much?”
“Clary is—”
“I’m not talking about Clary. I’m talking about us—your brothers. Even before Clary came into the picture. You’ve always been like that with us. Aldric can’t stand being around us because—I suppose—we remind him too much of Holly. Or maybe we’re just too boring for him.” But Aldric had stayed this Christmas, and he’d seemed to enjoy himself. “Do we remind you too much of Holly? Or are we too boring for you?”
Elton shrugged.
“Because we do want you around,” Seth said as he thought about what Clary had written in Elton’s note. “We’ve always wanted you around.”
“You guys have always dragged me along like deadweight.”
Seth frowned.
“We all dote on Oliver. We all worry about Aldric. You and Zane get to make all the big decisions.”
“We’ve always voted on the big decisions.”
“You, Zane, and Oliver are always on the same side. By the time we come to the table to vote, the three of you have already had countless conversations and come to a decision. No one ever included me.”
“Because you’re busy. We see how tired you are when we come home.” Seth jerked his chin at Elton’s textbooks. “Then you still have to study. You barely get enough time to sleep.”
Elton sighed. “But I’m part of the family, right?”
“Do you want to be a part of the family?”
Elton blinked.
“Because you’re always complaining about something when you’re with us. It isn’t just Clary. Nothing we do pleases you either.”
His brother poked his tongue into his cheek.
“We want you around, Elton. We’re just not sure if you want to be around us.”
“Of course I want to be around you guys.”
“Then, for heaven’s sake, stop complaining so much.”
Elton rolled his eyes.
Seth stood.
“Do you really think she’ll stay?”
Seth turned back to Elton. “I hope she will.”
“Why would she want anything to do with us?”
“Because … she loves me.”
“And you believe that?”
“Of course.” Seth laughed once. “You don’t? Because why else does she put up with you?”
“For your money?”
