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“The guilt?” she muttered “No, not really”

Josh dipped his head forward and tried to think of the right thing to say Nobody was closer to hirowing up, as siblings often were, and by the tiot into adulthood, only the friendship was left behind

But then he’d gotten sick, and in ways that only a twin could understand, Jamie had blamed herself when she hadn’t been able to fix him

“You want another pep talk?” he teased “The one where I tell you all the reasons it wasn’t your fault, and talk realllllly slow like Dad when he’s disappointed?”

Jahtened when he saw her eyes atering “I’lad you’re okay,” she whispered

“You and me both,” he said “But it’s your turn to let people fuss over you Why do you think I caht that up,” she said, wiping at her eyes “I’lad But don’t think for one minute that I missed the fact that you have your escape face on”

Josh blinked “A to need a drink for this?”

Jae, booze above the fridge”

“Shit, so that’s a yes, then,” Josharound until he came up with some Maker’s Mark bourbon He poured hi, added a splash of water, and joined his sister onceto shut up until you say your piece, so have at it”

“You’re running fro, and I want to knohat”

“I’ drink

“Please You know that time you wanted to dump Kelly Nicholson because you liked Valerie what’s her naure out how to tell Kelly? Escape face Or that tined baseball to school for show-and-tell and lost it, or the time you broke Grandht, anywaywhenever you’re avoiding soet this look on your face”

“A look”