love for Stephanie. Julian had met her first. Loved her first. He had to understand.
“Julian, will you be returning to Sydney to collect your things from your apartment?” his father asked.
“I don’t know,” Julian replied and dropped his fork on the plate. Then he glanced up to see a disappointed frown on his father’s face. “I’ve got a lot to figure out here first, Dad. Eventually, I’ll go back and formally quit my job there, but right now, I just don’t know when I’ll return.”
“But you’re staying?” Rob asked, almost frantic.
Julian nodded. “Of course. Can’t leave you two here. You’ve both been miserable for the last four years. Might as well stay and bring joy back into your lives.”
“More like you’re a pain in the ass,” Rob muttered.
Julian reached out, picked up a bread roll, and threw it at his brother. “Heard that!”
“It’s fucking true!” Rob chuckled and brushed the crumbs off his shoulder.
“You were the pain in the ass growing up. What with all your rowing comps and shit,” Julian pointed out. “I was practically your slave.”
“I was a dick. I’m sorry, Julian. I just wanted you to love rowing like Mum did.” Rob sounded sad and that caused a heavy pang of guilt to erupt within Julian’s chest.
“Fuckin’ hell, Robbie. We don’t apologise and shit,” he teased and peered over at his father to see the smirk on the old man’s face.
“No, we don’t. You haven’t called me Robbie in a—” Rob was interrupted by the chime his phone had made. He peeked at the screen and then cleared his throat. “I have to take this.”
“Something wrong with rowing?” Julian asked, curious.
Rob shook his head and rose from his chair. He picked up his phone and said, “Nah, nothing like that. Be right back.”
The moment Rob left the dining room, their father leant forward and smiled like he knew a secret. “It’s that girl from the wedding. The pretty bridesmaid.”
“Which girl?”
“Not your girl. Not Stephanie. Allison. I think that’s her name.”
“Ally? The ash blonde? Slightly shorter than Clara?”
“That’s the one. He likes her,” his father said gently. “His eyes haven’t lit up that way since your mother was alive.”
Julian focused on the doorway and noticed his brother with the most natural smile he’d seen him make in years.
You deserve her, Rob.
“You sure you’re okay with the dishes, Dad?” Julian asked as he made his way to the kitchen door that led to the backyard.
“I’m okay, son. You go see if your brother is all right. He’s been staring at your mother’s tree for some time.”
And with that, Julian opened the back door and stepped onto the deck to see Rob’s back. He then made his way down the steps and stood next to his brother, taking in the pink peonies that had bloomed beautifully. They remained silent as the sounds of the neighbours’ children playing filled the air.
“I know, Julian,” Rob said, breaking their silence.
Julian flinched.
Fuck.
Maybe it’s something else.
“Just take care of her,” Rob added.
Her.
Her as in Stephanie.
“How’d you—”
Rob rested a hand on Julian’s shoulder and in a calm voice said, “It’s not that hard to see, Julian. I realised at the pub. And well, Alex confirmed it. He had me promise that I wouldn’t overreact. But it doesn’t hurt. Not in the way I expected it to. I thought I’d hate you or feel betrayed by you. But I have no right to feel that way. Tell me, is it true? Was Stevie the one you met in Thailand?”
“She’s the one,” Julian confirmed.
Rob let out a loud and heavy exhale. “I mean it, Julian. You hurt her and I will come after you. I care about her. I may not love her the way you obviously do, but she means something to me. I want what makes her happy. I want what makes you happy. You’re my brother and I love you no matter what. I should have known at the wedding. The way you called her Stephanie… I should have known.”
Julian took a step forward and then faced his brother. He took a deep breath to settle his throbbing heart. “I love her, Robbie. I’ve loved her all this time.”
“I know you do. But you shouldn’t have to explain yourself to me. She fell in love with you first. We were never really anything.” Rob gave him a small smile. “Although you’re one annoying little fucker, you’re also one of the best guys I know. But don’t go shoving your love in my face. It’s gonna