“Just a bunch of bullshit.” I glared at my brother, and he actually withered a little under my look. He sighed resignedly. “He said he had fucked up and wanted to be with you.” After a long pause, he muttered, “And he said he wanted the baby.”

What the fuck? “Anything else?” I fumed.

Beau shrugged nonchalantly as if he weren’t turning my world upside down right then. “He said he would take care of both of you. Put you through med school.” My mouth dropped open at the revelation. “I didn’t believe a word he said, though,” he added, pursing his lips and quirking one derisive eyebrow.

“And you didn’t think this was worth mentioning to me? That perhaps I should be the one to determine whether or not what he was saying was sincere?” I asked in disbelief.

“Blaire, you were so damned wounded and raw. I just didn’t want to give him the chance to hurt you again. I couldn’t stand it.” He frowned a little. “You know you’re my weak spot.”

I took a drink of my beer and contemplated smashing the bottle over my dear brother’s head. “We could have been together all this time, Beau. You knew how much I loved him,” I accused.

“I also knew how much he hurt you. I wanted to take care of you, sweetheart. And I knew if you and the baby were with me, I would never have to see you hurt like that night I came to your apartment.”

“Don’t you ‘sweetheart’ me, goddamm it. I’ve been living without the man I loved for over five years now. I could have a family, a marriage.” I could feel myself breaking inside at the thought of what could have been.

Don’t cry, Blaire. Don’t fucking cry.

“You are married,” he pointed out, tipping the neck of his beer bottle toward me.

Smartass.

“I meant a real marriage. One where I actually get to have sex.” Beau winced at that and closed his eyes against the image. “Yes, Beau. I like to have sex, but do you know how many times I’ve actually done it since Axel and I broke up?” I held up a single finger right in his face. “Once. One fucking time, Beau, and that was years ago. Because I can’t stand being with any other man except Axel.”

“Is your life really so bad?” he shot back.