CHAPTER THREE

"DID YOU FINALLY GET WHAT you wanted?" Taylor asked when I returned to Mom and Dad's. He crossed his arms over his chest, his permanent glare fixed on me.

I didn’t know why Taylor hated me so much, or why he tried to steal things from me. Our parents' attention, trying to outplay my every win, Parker. He'd flaunted Parker again and again after my fifteenth birthday. He'd even been cruel enough to tell me he'd intended to break up with Parker after that weekend. But his being something I wanted had made Parker more appealing.

I wondered if Taylor knew that had been only partly true. Unlike the other guys he'd dated, Parker had never seen Taylor as anything but exactly who he was. And Parker had loved him anyway. That acceptance and love had kept Taylor interested. It was why he'd married Parker. Deep down, I knew Taylor realized he'd had something precious. Yet he hadn't been able to stop himself from ruining it. I only wished he'd direct his lashing out at me and leave Parker out of it.

"Yeah, sure, Taylor. I took him home and fucked him. You should at least know Parker better than that."

His eyes turned into glowing slits and he snarled. "I do, little brother. I know him a lot better than you do."

I shrugged and pushed past him. "Then you have absolutely no excuse for losing him."

"I did not lose him!" He grabbed my shoulder and spun me around.

I let myself move with the momentum and leaned against him, my chest out as I pressed forward. "Really? What then? You dumped him? Cause I fucking know who filed for divorce. And who tried to talk who out of it."

Taylor smirked and pushed me back. He didn't have enough force, but I didn't want more contact with him than absolutely necessary, so I stepped back on my own. "He'll come back to me."

I laughed, the sound strangled and pained. "Not unless you change. And even then, I doubt even you can fix that much damage. But please, keep flaunting the guy you want to move in with." I made air quotes, thrilled to see him flinch. "That will definitely convince Parker you want him."

"Maybe I am just tired of him and decided to leave you my scraps."

At the last minute, I opened my fist and slapped him across the face, sending him sideways. "He's not a piece of meat you throw around, Taylor. And even though he lowered himself so much as to date you, he'll never be scraps for anyone. But you know that already. You've lost the best man that ever graced you with his attention."

I turned to leave, and Taylor throttled me. I raised my arms enough to protect my face. The heels of my palms took the brunt of it and I groaned as I exhaled. His bony arms had dug deep into my side and it hurt like a bitch. "Leave Parker alone," he shouted, spit hitting my face.

"Fuck you." I pushed him away. "I won't abandon him after what you've done."

"Van, the hero of the day." He laughed and extended his arms, doing a pirouette. "Watch out, world. He's going to right all your wrongs. Selfless to the bone."

I shook my head, suddenly feeling exhausted. Every interaction with my brother drained me. "Taylor, you're my brother. You're messed up, but I love you. Enough to call your bullshit. But remember one thing. I will never stand by and let you hurt him again. If he's self-destructive enough to take you back, I'll be watching your every move."

I closed the door on his vile comeback and searched for Mom. A hasty goodbye later, I ran out of the house, eager to leave all that tension behind. Fuck, I was glad I was moving back to my own place soon.

***

Taylor's name flashed on my screen and I threw the phone on the couch, as far from me as I could. I didn't have time for his bullshit. I'd had a shitty week with my freelance work, dealing with long hours and stupid people. Now that it was over, I couldn't take a dose of my brother until I'd had a chance to unwind.

My phone chirped with a flurry of texts, then buzzed on the couch as Taylor called again and again. After half an hour, I swore and picked it up.

"What the fuck do you want, Taylor?"

"Where's Parker?"

I took a deep breath, then another. "How should I know?"

"Aren't you all buddy-buddy? He's not at work. Hasn't been there all week."

I leaned back, trying to relax and return my attention to the movie I'd been watching. "Or maybe he avoids you whenever you go there."

"I thought of that, smart ass! He's not in. On vacation. Parker took time off work without being compelled."

I rubbed my forehead and sighed loudly into the phone. "Can you blame him, Taylor? You've fucked up his life."

He said something under his breath which I didn’t hear. "Just check up on him."

I paused, mouth gaping open. Taylor never showed this level of concern. He'd never willingly ask me to spend more time with his ex. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing. Just talk to him."

"Taylor, don't make me beat it out of you." I could hear the eye roll, but we both knew I was physically capable of it. And, when it involved Parker, I definitely would.

"The health insurance company still has his old P.O. box address. I've received a letter from them, summarizing the medical services he's used recently. He's been in a few times."

Parker never went in for anything other than mandatory yearly tests. And even then, he tried to dodge. He wouldn't voluntarily see a doctor unless it was serious. I cursed and held my phone away for a second. "Fine, I'll go see him tomorrow."

Taylor hung up without another word. He was smart enough to know I wouldn't share whatever I found out.