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Josh shrugs “The British royal family have an expression The heir and the spare I’m the spare Patrick was firstborn Dad’s not one of those people who’s willing to dilute his efforts, if you knohat Ione kid too I was a surprise”

“You would have been wanted” I have his cruive him an aard little shake “Look at how much your mom loves you”

“But to Dad, I was not in the plan Patrick has always been his focus, and look where he is now The best son, effectively the only son,day”

He won’tsome old, deep, painful territory here

“Nothing I did rated a mention Dad wouldn’t pay a cent toward my tuition, but Mom did I studiedpleased hi him

My anger has stea but putuntil my arms ache

“I thought if I could become a doctor too, maybe”

“He’d notice you” Just like his mom said

“And , wasabout Patrick is, he’s so nice He’s so goddaet up in the ht and drive over to help me with you Man, can he be any nicer? It makes it impossible for me to hate him And I want to So bad”

“He’s your brother” I linkfor you”

“There’s a perfect son, and then there’s , even if it is being an asshole I’ll never be nice You need to i up with a parent like him I’ve had to make myself this way”

I think of hi to hide his shyness and insecurity behind that mask

“I hate to break it to you Josh, but underneath it all, you’re nice too”

“I’ve got no interest in being the second best at anything I’ain”

His voice is iron-clad with determination I think of the prohs, Oh fuck it