“And that’s exactly the problem.”

I wasn’t sure what I expected from this conversation with my brother. Poor communication skills was unfortunately a genetic trait in our family. Still, I itched to talk to him—to vent to the only person who might understand.

Nathan let out a gruff sigh and stood from his couch to pace. “I don’t want me to be the reason there’s a wedge between you two.”

“It’s not you,” I said. “It’s everything.”

“And the problem is you’ve never spoken to her about it,” Nathan said, before Charlie popped into the screen for a moment and waved at me.

“Hey, Char,” I said, before Nathan’s face returned to fill my screen.

“Me and you used to have our issues, too, before we worked them out,” he added. “And we were only able to do that because we finally actually fucking talked to each other.”

I played with a loose thread on the seat of my chair. “It feels different with her. She’s supposed to be the adult.”

“We’re all adults now,” he pointed out.

“You know what I mean.”

“I’m not saying she’s perfect, but she is our mother. And she still deigns to speak to us, which is more than I can say for our other parent.”

“I don’t know how you can be okay with her after how distant she always was with you growing up.”

“I’ve made my peace with it,” he insisted. “Don’t let your relationship be any reflection of me.”

“I guess.” I let out a huff of frustration. Leave it to Nathan to always be the logical one.

“Is there anything else? Charlie and I are about to head out to dinner.”

“Are you two coming camping next weekend?” I asked. “You’ve been skirting my invitation.”

I could see Nathan’s neck tense as he looked off camera, presumably to Charlie. “I haven’t been skirting,” he said.

“Well, you sure as hell haven’t been answering. Are you in or not? Harrison and Lila confirmed the second I asked them.”

Nathan sighed and looked off camera then back at me, seemingly at a loss for words.

“Just tell him,” I heard Charlie whisper off camera.

“It’s too early.”

“He’s family.”

I sat up, on high alert now. What were they talking about?

“What’s going on?” I demanded.

Charlie joined Nathan on screen again, practically beaming.

“We’re trying to wait to tell anyone…” Nathan started.

“We’re pregnant!” Charlie announced, flailing her arms in the air.

A laugh of disbelief escaped me as I shook my head slowly. “No freaking way!”

“Way!” Charlie exclaimed, smiling.

“Congrats. I had no idea.” I clutched a hand to my heart. “I’m going to be an uncle.”

Nathan rolled his eyes. “Way to make it about you. And we aren’t telling anyone so keep this to yourself.”

“You seriously haven’t told Lila?” I pressed.

Charlie looked guiltily from me to Nathan.

Nathan sighed. “She was with Lila when she took the test.”

I grinned. “Of course she was.”