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He nods. “Ruby’s guy is quick. That’s how we found out that Jack Murphy was related to Brendan and Sean so quickly.”
I nod. “Wow.”
“Of course, they don’t know what the results are. Apparently only Aunt Ruby knows, and they asked her to let us all know today at the meeting.”
“This is all kinds of fucked up,” I say.
“You’re telling me, brother.”
Angie walks in then, her dark hair bouncing. “Hey,” she says.
Angie’s quieter than Sage, but she’s usually a little more jubilant than this. Who can blame her, though? All we can think about is Uncle Joe. I don’t think any of us really gives a rat’s ass about who Pat Lamone’s father is and if he’s related to us in some other way.
We already know he’s a Steel, through Lauren. What does the rest matter?
Angie grabs a cup of coffee. “Has Sage come down yet?”
“I’m right here.” Angie’s twin enters. Her eyes are red and swollen.
“Hey, sis.” I grab her in a hug. “You doing okay?”
She wipes her eyes. “Every time I think I am, I start to cry again. What are we going to do without Uncle Joe?”
“We’ll get along, just like we always have,” Henry says. “After all, no one will live forever.”
“I know.” Sage grabs a cup of coffee.
A moment later, Mom and Dad enter.
Dad is still a mess. His eyes look worse than Sage’s. He clears his throat. “Everyone ready?”
“Sure,” I say.
Though none of us are ready for any of this.
A tear drops from Sage’s eye. “Daddy, why does this even matter? Who cares who that guy’s father is?”
“It matters to him,” Dad says, “and like it or not, he’s one of us now.”
“Let’s go,” Mom says.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Maddie
Having breakfast with just Mom and Dad seems so strange. Rory and Jesse are in Europe, of course, and the tour is going really well. We all want them concentrating on that and not the problems back here.
Callie, of course, as Donny’s fiancée, was invited to the big Steel meeting at ten o’clock today.
I have no idea what it’s about. I didn’t ask Dave. I don’t want to horn in on anything, and I know Callie won’t tell me either, unless she’s been told it’s not confidential.
I’m not a member of the Steel family. My three siblings are, but I’m not.
I have to learn to be okay with that.
“More eggs, Maddie?” Mom asks.
I rise and take my empty plate to the sink. “No thanks, Mom.”
