Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-One

He sighed. "That, too."

I sighed and turned to see Teddy, who was staring at me with curiosity. He had no idea of what we were talking about.

"I'll think about it," I said.

"Please do," said Dad.

"But I can't promise anything," I told him.

"I know you can't," he said. "And I don't expect you to."

"I got to go now, Dad. Take care."

I hung up before he could say anything else.

"What did he want?" asked Teddy, curious.

I sighed. "He wants for Brianna and me to visit him so that we can meet our new brother," I said, shrugging.

"Are you going to go?" he asked.

"I don't think so," I said honestly. "I'm not interested in meeting that kid whatsoever."

Teddy grimaced. "Don't be that way, Chris. It's not your brother's fault that your dad acted the way he did."

I nodded. "I know, but I'm not sure I'm ready to meet him just yet."

"You should go," he said. "You never know. You could end up loving him."

I shrugged. "I guess that's true. He's my brother, after all."

"Yes," said Teddy. "You're so lucky you have siblings."

I smiled. "Don't worry, Teddy. I can share Brianna with you. She'll be like the annoying little sister you never had."

Teddy grinned. "Hey! I think Bri is pretty cool!" he exclaimed.

"You must be blind and deaf," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Now, let's go home."

"Sure! Get on the bike!"

I glared at him. "Never in a million years!"

"Please, Chris," he said. "I'll try to brake this time."

I frowned. "So you weren't trying last time?"

He shrugged. "Your beautiful voice distracted me."

I blushed. "You won't get away with this that easily," I told him.

"I think I already did," he mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," he said, smiling innocently.

"We are walking, and that's settled," I said.

"Darn it!"

We walked home, and once we arrived, I told Mom about my father's call.

"Are you going to go?" she asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe."

Brianna smiled. "I want to go," she said shyly.

Brianna had always loved babies, and knowing she had a baby brother, even though he had kind of ended with our family as we knew it, made her excited.

I sighed. "Then I guess I'll go with you so that you don't go alone," I said.

"Really? Asked Brianna, her eyes lighting up.

I shrugged. "Yeah."

"You're the best!" she exclaimed, jumping up and down excitedly.

"What do you think he wants to tell us?" I asked Mom.

"He probably wants to apologize for not having called," she said.

"Probably," I said, staring at the ceiling.

"Whatever it is, you are ready," Teddy said.

Mom smiled. "Theo is right. You are more than ready to finally face your dad."

I sighed. "I don't think I am."

"You are," said Mom.

"I suppose," I said, not fully convinced.

"I'm hungry," said Brianna out of the blue.

"Who wants some pizza?" asked Mom.

"Let's eat something else!" I exclaimed. "How about egg tacos?"

Brianna frowned. "I don't like those."

"That's why," I said, smirking.

Brianna narrowed her eyes. "I hate you!"

I smiled. "I can live with that!"

"Well, egg tacos it is," said Mom, grinning.

Brianna frowned. "You, too, Mom?" she asked, feeling betrayed.

Mom laughed a little. "I'm just joking, sweetheart. What do you want to eat?"

Briana smiled wickedly. "Spinach with ranch!" she exclaimed.

I wrinkled my nose. "Hey!" I exclaimed.

I did not like spinach or ranch.

Brianna chuckled. "Now who's laughing?"

Teddy grinned. "I want that, too."

"I hate you both," I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Well, spinach and ranch it is," said Mom.

I shook my head and sighed.

"I'm very excited to meet Carlos!" exclaimed Brianna happily.

"Well, if you keep teasing me, I am not going with you."

Brianna rolled her eyes. "I know you'll end up going," she said.

"Sadly, you're right," I said, sighing.