My First Glance: An On My Own Prequel

on her feet and pulling out the chair, nearly pushing her down onto it before she had a chance to say anything else.
“I’m not that nauseous,” she said, laughing. I just got the results back this morning since I went in for my routine appointment for my migraines. They take a test all the time because of the meds I’m on.”
“What? Are the meds going to hurt you or the baby?”
She shook her head. “No, but my doctor needs to be aware. And now we’re aware. And, oh my God, this is so weird,” she said quickly, and the two laughed before Cameron went down to his knees, cupped her face, and kissed her again.
“Well, kid, it looks like you’re going to be an uncle,” Brendon whispered from my side.
“Yeah, you’re going to be an uncle, too,” I answered, my voice low.
Aiden moved forward, gripped his twin’s shoulder, then pushed the other man out of the way so he could hug Violet tightly. I shook my head, knowing my brothers would be fighting to get to Violet before I even got a chance. I might be as tall as they were, but I wasn’t nearly as muscled yet. I would get there. Eventually. However, seeing how Cameron and Violet looked at each other, I knew I needed to tell them my news, as well. Because there was a reason I was ready to do this, even if they might think I was making another mistake.
“You want to tell me what’s on your mind?” Brendon asked, a brow raised.
I shook my head. “It’s their time. We can talk later.”
“No, tell us,” Violet said as she shoved her way through the twins. “I’m not the only one who’s been cagey. Although I don’t think I would use the word cagey when it comes to me because I was hiding the fact that I wasn’t feeling well, figuring it was a migraine.”
“We’re going to talk about that later,” Cameron warned.
“Whatever you say, babe. Talk to us, Dillon. If you’re worried about the baby changing things, you’re right. It will. But you’ll always have a room at our place. We love you being there. Plus, you can help with nightly diapers and feedings,” Violet said with a wink, and I shook my head, not quite able to smile just then.
“Okay, now you’re scaring me, kid.” Aiden scowled at me.
He and Cameron were identical twins and looked alike. Although, for some reason, Aiden always looked a little edgier to me. Aiden and Cameron were my half-brothers, while Brendon and I weren’t actually blood-related at all. However, the three of them had been raised by the same foster parents, who had eventually adopted them. I hadn’t come along until later and hadn’t been given the gift of meeting Jack and Rose. But through fate and circumstance, we’d come together. Cameron had helped me legally change my last name to Connolly, so now it was the four of us—along with the three women—against the world.
Soon, there would be another soul in the world. Another Connolly. It was time for me to move on.
Only I wasn’t sure they would let me.
“What is it?” Aiden asked, scowling even harder. I hadn’t even thought that was possible.
“Well, I didn’t want to steal your thunder, but since there will be a new baby, maybe you could use my room as the nursery, rather than the smaller room you already use as your office,” I said quickly.
Violet frowned, shaking her head. Tears filled her eyes, and I wanted to kick myself.
“Don’t cry,” I said.
“You don’t want to live with us anymore? Where are you going?” Violet said quickly.
“You’re welcome to live with us,” Brendon said.
“Us, too,” Aiden added. “Although you’d have to compete with the cats. And there are a lot of fucking cats,” Aiden said dryly.
“No. I mean, I love you guys, and wow, I can’t even begin to thank you for all the open doors and all that shit,” I said, stuttering. My heart filled three sizes, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to come up with the words.
“You don’t have to leave,” Violet said, her voice choked with tears.
Cameron moved forward. “You don’t, but don’t make my wife cry.”
“I’m emotional. You’re going to have to let this happen,” Violet said.
“Damn it, I’m going about this all wrong,” I said, cursing myself.
Brendon stared at me. “You’re usually so good with your words. You need to do better right now. Talk to us.”
I sighed and pulled my phone out of my back pocket. I flipped to my emails and gave the cell to Brendon. Brendon’s gaze moved to the screen, and then his eyes widened before he took a staggering step back.
“No shit?” he asked, and Aiden snatched the phone from his hand.
I met Aiden’s gaze, worried.
Two years ago, Aiden had started training me for the career I thought I wanted. Then again, I had thought I’d wanted to be a rock star when I was seventeen and decided not to apply for college. That had led me into my first mess. Now, I was thinking about leaving the idea of becoming a chef alongside Aiden behind. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, even after two years of school to get a business degree so I could help run the pub.
“You got into Denver State.”
“Yes, partial ride, but if I do well the first semester I’m there, I can get a full ride for the rest of the years I need. I’ll be a little bit behind everybody because I was already a semester behind, even with my course load. I’ll be able to transfer nearly all of my credits, but…yes. I got in.”
“Got into DSU,” Violet whispered. “That’s an amazing university.”
She should know, she had a Ph.D. in chemistry and was brilliant. She knew all about school.
“I did.”
“When were you going to tell us you were applying?” Aiden asked, his brows low.
I swallowed hard. “I wanted to see if I could get in.