Algernon flinched.
“Well played,” he murmured, willing his tense body to lean back into his chair.
Algernon might have forfeited the argument, but Henry still stared at him angrily.
“What?” Algernon snapped.
“I know you have difficulty understanding me, brother,” Henry said, “however, you need to know that I have the same difficulty with you. I do not understand you at all. I know our—particularlyyourupbringing—was less than favorable, but you are a man now. You do not have to make yourself so miserable.”
Algernon’s frustration ticked up again.
“You do not know my life,” he retorted.
“Precisely!” Henry shouted, rising from his chair. “I do not understand, but I want to, Auggie!”
“My well-being is not your concern,” Algernon shot back.
“Well, it should be!” Henry insisted then shook his head as he began to pace. Algernon’s eyes narrowed as he watched his brother.
“Something Beatrice has taught me is that I have allowed you to take care of me for far too long,” Henry went on. “I had grown ungrateful for all you have done for me, but that time is over now, Auggie. I remember. I remember more than you think thanks to Beatrice, and brother, what you went through? With Father. With Mother. With keeping me alive. It is no less than traumatizing!”
“Stopsaying her name,” Algernon gritted out as he pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.
He could handle Henry bringing up their past even if he detested the subject… but his heart shuddered every time Henry saidher name.
The room went quiet. Eventually, Algernon dropped his hand away and opened his eyes. He found Henry staring at him curiously. It was only then he realized that he’d actually spoken the plea out loud.
“Beatrice,” Henry said, and Algernon flinched as he closed his eyes.
They flew open again when Henry slammed his hand down upon Algernon’s desk, and he found his little brother leaning over him.
“It is time to tell the truth, brother,” Henry demanded. “You have been denying your affections toward Beatrice from the very beginning, and I think I can now understand why. But now, I need you to confess.”
Algernon flinched again as he heard her name as if it had become a nervous tic. He reached for the anger he’d been clinging to for over a week now, but this time, he felt too weary to hide behind it.
He shook his head, his last attempt at trying to deny the truth.
“I am in love with her,” he confessed.
“Finally!” Henry boomed, clapping his hands together loudly and startling Algernon.
“I knew it. I knew it before you did, I believe. You and Beatrice kept denying it, but I knew!” Henry said in almost gleeful tone.
Algernon looked up at his brother, confused.
“You are happy about this?” he asked.
“Of course, I am, you dolt,” Henry retorted with a chortle. “I mean, yes, it does pose a slight problem for Beatrice’s and my arrangement, but I have grown to love her like a sister as I love you as a brother, and the last thing I want is for either of you to suffer just create a better situation for me. A situation I could make better for myself—andwillbetter as I see now, again thanks to Beatrice, that I have not been as mature with my life as I should have been. I allowed you to take on too much on my behalf, brother. It is time that I take that weight off of your shoulders.”
Algernon peered up somberly at Henry.
“I am your older brother,” he replied with a helpless shrug. “That is what I do. That is what I willalwaysdo.”
“And I love you for it,” Henry answered quickly. “However, it is time for that to change. Start looking after yourself.”
Henry leaned in closer, his eyes begging Algernon to listen to him.
“Brother, that includes allowing yourself to love someone else besides me.”