I look down at the shirt I’m wearing, my nipples poking through, then at my plate of food. “Don’t touch my pancakes. I’ll be quick.” I jump out of my chair and run to the bedroom. I have no idea who is here, but I don’t really want to be caught practically naked.
I throw on the dress I wore last night, and by the time I make my way back out to the table, my brother CJ and cousin Alfie are standing in the kitchen.
“What are you two doing here?” I ask them, sitting down and grabbing my fork.
“Picking you up,” CJ says, a disgusted look on his face. “How the fuck did you get Dad to agree to this little sleepover?”
“Stop eating my pancakes,” I tell him.
“You can’t eat all this,” he deadpans.
“Wanna bet?”
“Sure. How much?” My brother smirks, knowing he’s right.
“Never mind. You two can wait outside. You didn’t need to come in,” I grumble.
“Actually, we did,” Alfie says, also shoveling my pancakes into his mouth. “I could smell these from the hall. They’re good.”
“I know, and they’re mine.” I pout.
“Come on, Jazzy. I know your folks taught you to share.” He laughs.
“I’m sorry,” I mouth at Jake, who just shrugs.
“I have to go to my parents’ will reading today,” he says.
“So do I,” I tell him.
“You don’t need to come with me. It will be boring as hell.”
“No, I do actually. Your parents’ lawyer called me and said I was mentioned in the will and should be there,” I explain. It’s odd. I have no idea why they would leave me anything. Whatever it is, I’ll just give it back to Jake anyway.
“I’m not surprised they left you something. I told you they loved you,” Jake says.
“Whatever it is, I’ll just give it back to you,” I repeat what I’m thinking.
“No, you won’t. If my parents left something to you, it’s because they wanted you to have it. It’s yours.”
“What if they left her the entire Westmead fortune?” CJ asks.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I huff.
“I’d be happy to let her have it,” Jake replies, his tone serious.
“That’s not happening, and I don’t want it,” I tell him.
“I’ll take it.” This comes from Alfie.
“You guys are idiots. Jake is obviously inheriting his family’s shit. I’m sure your mom just left me a trinket or a painting or something to remember her by. We were close,” I say.
“I don’t care what they left you, Jazzy. When we get married, it’s all going to be yours anyway.” Jake shrugs.
I start choking on the pancake stuck in my throat. He did not just say that out loud. In front of my brother.
CJ glowers at him. “You’re dreaming if you think my dad is ever going to let you marry my sister. You’re not even close to being good enough for her, Westmead.”
“I know. But I’m going to marry her anyway.” Jake’s clearly not bothered by the anger radiating off CJ.