Paul held his palms up, not quite touching his brother's chest. "Please, Steven, you've got it completely wrong," he said gently. "Holly and I are just friends – really good friends. She's been helping me with something." He lowered his hands, frustrated that he couldn't explain more fully. "I needed someone I could talk to, and you know what a good listener she is."

"Helping you!" Steven barked out. "Oh, I'll bet she's helping you." He rakes his hand over hisa face and snorts. "And since when can't you talk to me about stuff? My whole life we've always told each other everything."

Paul could see the hurt in his...