Daddy Issues (Lee's POV)

“I…I don’t understand Brantley.”

I threw the note in front of him.

I could see his eyes skimming the words and then he looked at EJ. “Where did you get this?”

“I found it in my parents' things,” EJ answered. “And the check you wrote. They never cashed it.”

“I um…look I can explain.”

“Can you?” I asked. “Because last I checked my brother was dead and now he’s sitting next to me and has been in my life for months!”

Scarlett gently squeezed my thigh.

I took a deep breath. “Explain yourself.”

“I thought your mom could make it through, I really did. I was never prepared to lose her,” Dad started. “She had given birth early and for some odd reason I thought that was a sign that things would get better.”

“But I was there when she died,” I pointed out. “I watched it happen, there was no baby.”

“EJ was in the NICU. I didn’t tell you your mom had given birth because it was supposed to be a surprise. I thought she would recover and we could surprise you with your brother. But things took a turn