Page 106 of Dreamscape Therapies

“You're fucking kidding me.”

“Nope.”

Shane walks around the table, still grinning, and before I can decide whether to punch him or join in the laughter, he leans down and wraps one arm around both me and his sleeping brother in a surprisingly warm hug.

“Welcome to the family, Vincent Buster Klein," he says, his voice filled with mirth.

I groan.

He gives my shoulder an enthusiastic pat.

I shake my head, still trying to process the fact that I just survived an interrogation disguised as dinner.

“Can you not use my full name?”

Shane pulls away and gives me an innocent smile. “Sorry, Vincent Buster Klein. Sibling privileges apply to you now. I get to make fun of your puppy-dog middle name as much as I want.”

“It's not a puppy-dog middle name.”

“It absolutely is.” He grabs his jacket from the back of his chair and heads toward the door, looking far too pleased with himself. “Have a great night!”

“Goodnight, Shane.”

He opens the door, then pauses and looks back at me.

“Oh, and Vincent?”

“Yeah?”

He points at Jay, still sleeping peacefully against me. “Take care of my brother.”

“I will.”

Shane nods, satisfied, and finally disappears through the door.

The house falls quiet again.

I look down at Jay, who hasn't moved through any of it. He's completely oblivious to the fact that his brother just emotionally assaulted me and then welcomed me into the family in the same breath.

I brush a strand of hair away from his forehead.

“You have a very weird family,” I whisper.

Jay makes a sleepy sound and nestles closer against me.

I lean back in my chair, letting him sleep against my shoulder as I stare at the empty dinner table. After everything I've been through, this is what peace looks like.

An ordinary dinner.

A drunk boyfriend asleep against me.

A brother who apparently conducts psychological warfare for fun.

And the strange, wonderful realization that somewhere along the way, these people are now my family too.

I look down at Jay again and smile.

“Welcome to the family, huh?”