“Where’s Kevin?” Sighing, I looked up from my gameboy to see Kristin hovering over me.

“And where’s Brian?” Leighanne growled in her shrilly-voice as she bounded into the room.

I didn’t need this. Not right now. I had just gotten off the phone with Jamie. I had comforted her and I felt good about myself. I also liked her a lot, but it had been she who had asked me on a date. Listening to these two right now was not on my agenda. So, I shrugged.

“Beats me,” I said, focusing back on my game. “They just up and left.”

“Where?” Kristin wasn’t playing. Her voice was stony and even bared and icy edge. I kept silent. “He’s with her, isn’t he?” Man, she was not happy. I glanced out of the corner of my eye at Leighanne, who didn’t seem any happier. “What the hell is he doing with her this early in the morning. I specifically told him not to-“

“You told him not to see her, right?” AJ growled as he walked in the room. Kristin turned her glare on him and I was relieved to feel the weight of it coming off my shoulders. “I told you that wouldn’t work, Kristin. You can’t tell Kevin not to see her. He’s been looking for her for too long to give up now.”

“What, is she trying to fuck him or something?” Leighanne snapped. “Well, she can’t. Krissy and I won’t let it happen.” I looked up in time to see Kristin fight the urge to roll her eyes.

It was obvious she didn’t like Leighanne. No one did. She was whiny, demanding, and a constant pest. But, we all kept quiet for Brian’s sake. He was one of our brother’s and we didn’t want to insult his fiancée.

Kristin and Leighanne had grown closer during the time Kevin had found Alex. Neither of them knew the truth, so they both assumed what they wanted to. Obviously, what they assumed was that Alex wanted to steal both Kevin and Brian away from them.

“Don’t ever say that about her!” AJ bellowed. He hadn’t known Alex that long, but he’d come to respect her, knowing everything she’d been through in her life. The girl’s father just died. She deserved respect.

“What, is she f*cking you, too?” Leighanne asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“She’s not f*cking anybody!” Howie yelled as he walked into the room. It was a good thing we had rented the entire floor of the Hilton, otherwise people would have heard their argument. “Why can’t you two just leave her alone?”

“Because –“ Kristin began.

“She’s Kevin’s sister!” Everyone in the room turned their eyes towards me except for Leighanne, who just rolled hers.

“Yeah, right, Nicky,” she said. She knew I hated that nickname. “Whatever!” With that, she turned on heel and left the room. Kristin, however, just stared.

“Damn, Carter! What the hell are you thinking?!?” AJ barked. “Kevin told us not to tell anyone!”

“I-I’m sorry,” I said, meekly. “It just slipped out. I’m sorry. It was just, well, she was bad-mouthing Alex. I didn’t like it.”

“Neither do I, but it’s none of your business which gives you no right to-“

“AJ, be quiet!” The three of us turned to Kristin, who was now sitting on the foot of the bed. Slowly, she tore her eyes away from the comforter and looked me straight in the eye. “Are you serious, Nick?” she asked, her voice small, but firm. “Is she really Kevin’s sister?” I nodded. “But, I thought he only had brothers.”

“His mother had an affair,” Howie said, softly. “Alex was adopted right after she was born. I think you should ask Kevin to explain everything to you.” Kristi nodded, closing her eyes and looking back down at the comforter.

“I can’t believe it,” she said, softly. “All this time, I was mean to her because I thought she was trying to steal Kevin away, but . . . she’s his sister. I – how come he didn’t tell me?”

“He really wanted to get to know her first before he did anything,” I explained. “He wants to introduce her to the rest of his family, but she won’t allow it until she gets to know him . . . and Brian. According to him, you’re already part of the family.”

“That’s why Brian went to Baltimore with you, isn’t it?” she asked. I nodded.

“He didn’t know she was going to be there,” I said, “but in a way, he sort of did.” All three pairs of eyes were, again, upon me. They all looked confused. “She and Brian seem to have some sort of connection. According to Brian, the two of them talk about everything, even personal stuff, and you know how had it is for Brian to open up to someone and trust them like that. He always seems to know when something’s wrong with her, too. Like this morning. He knocked on my door around 5AM because he had a feeling that something was wrong with Alex. A few minutes later, his cellphone rang and it was Claire, Alex’s friend, saying that Alex had just walked out of the house and she couldn’t find her. Claire had asked for him and Kevin to come over and help find her.”

“So, they left,” Kristin said, softly. I nodded. “I can’t believe I was so nasty.” A few seconds later, she got off the bed and straightened her shirt. “I have to go find her and apologize.”

“Wait,” AJ said. Kristin looked at him “Just wait until Kevin gets back. Talk to him first and then go talk to Alex.” Reluctantly, Kristin nodded and left. He looked at me and Howie. “Kevin’s gonna kill us.”