Chapter 41

Julian completely ignored his phone buzzing nonstop. He just let the screen light up, go dark, light up again—and finally, it died on its own. Blessed silence. He headed straight back to the bar. Barely parked his car when someone he really didn't want to see popped up. His lovely half-brother, Joshua Everett. Joshua took more after their father, Bernard, though next to Julian, he still looked pretty average. "Where's your phone?" Joshua asked, hands in his pockets as he walked over. "You just gonna ignore calls now?" From his face, it was crystal clear—he wasn't thrilled to be here either. Honestly, who would enjoy running into their dad's illegitimate kid? Julian had been under constant fire from his stepmother, Caroline Moore, and from Joshua, ever since he was brought into the Everett house. He never fit in. And Joshua? Julian couldn't stand him either. Julian just chuckled, lazy and careless. "Didn't hear it. Guess I dropped it in the bar." He still reeked faintly of alcohol, the