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Echo looks back to Xavian and me hopefully. We both shrug. Why not?
“Or you can join the yoga,” Keeley offers.
“I’d love to. Eryn said your style of teaching and all the poses with the ocean crashing in the background was great.”
“I have to admit, the scenery is awesome.” The redhead winks.
“How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing. I’m just happy to have you here.” Then she calls into the house. “Eleanor?”
A petite woman with graying hair in a pixie cut that accentuates her elfin features emerges, a smile stretching all the way to her blue eyes. “Do you need something, dear?”
“Can you take Kailani?” Keeley pulls the infant from her carrier, then unstraps it. “It’s time to start the class. I think she’ll go down in her crib now without a fuss.”
“Of course.” Eleanor takes the baby. “Oh, Maxon called a minute ago. Your husband said he’s almost to Harlow and Noah’s place. Griff, Evan, and Bethany are already there, conferring. This development…it’s awfully sudden.”
“My husband’s family,” she supplies with a smile, then turns back to the older woman. “They don’t need me for this discussion, but Maxon better keep it together.”
“Well, my daughter wishes you were there.” Eleanor drops her voice. “You know Britta can get drowned out by all the loud voices in this family, and she says everyone showed up with attitude today.”
“Britta is my sister-in-law,” Keeley tells us before she sighs. “I feared everyone would have different opinions.”
What the hell are they talking about? I turn to X with a silent question, but he’s tuned out, staring out at the ocean, a million miles away.
Not knowing the identity of the strangers and what they could possibly want is killing him. Maybe I should ask Keeley if she has something stronger than tea.
“If this is a bad time, I can come back,” Echo offers.
Keeley takes her hand. “You’re fine, sweetie. The rest of the brood has this family stuff under control. Do your friends want to join in the yoga?”
Immediately, I shake my head. “Thanks, but we’re good.”
Keeley cocks her head, then turns back to Echo. “Is this Hayes?”
How the hell does she know my name?
Echo nods. “Eryn mentioned him, too?”
Keeley sends me a speculative smile, then nods Echo’s way. “Oh, she did.”
I can only imagine what Echo’s middle sister said about me. She’s never quite believed that Echo and I are just friends. Lately, she’s convinced I’m secretly in love with my best friend.
Are you one hundred percent sure she’s wrong?
The question is like a two-by-four to the face, knocking my polite smile right off.
“Don’t worry,” Keeley assures. “It was all good. What about your other friend?”
Echo reads X just right. “He’s having a rough day. I think he’d be happy just taking in your view.”
“No problem. You ready to get started?” At Echo’s nod, Keeley motions toward the wide lanai attached to the house and overlooking the water. “If you two want to sit, feel free. Eleanor will bring you something to drink.”
“Thank you.” I head X’s way and stare over the Pacific with him. “You okay, man?”
“Yeah. Sorry. This shit just keeps hitting me, you know? There are people out there with my blood who went out of their way to hunt me down. I don’t know what the fuck they want.” He’s fighting anxiety. “I hate getting my hopes up.”
“I get it. But they don’t know you. If they try to heap shit on you now, it’s not personal. It’s all them.”
“I know. And I don’t want to be a pussy about this. But is it so fucking wrong to wish I had some of what you have? And Echo has? What all my friends have? My mom died so soon…”
“I know. And I know we’re not family, per se—”
“Fuck that, man. You’re my brother.” He turns to me, trying hard to hold back, but tears sheen his eyes.
“You’re my brother, too.” I clap his shoulder.
He pulls me in for a bro-hug full of unspoken words. He needs this moment, so I wait until he’s steady. But when I glance across the yard, Echo stands with her head tossed back and the wind teasing the loose tendrils of her hair. Her arms are wide open to the sun in welcome. Golden light bathes her face.
She really is beautiful.
She reminds me of the other thing I need to say to Xavian. “Listen, Echo and I came to an agreement this morning. I volunteered to, um…pluck her V-card. She agreed to let me.”
“Seriously? Are you going to do it?”
“No. I know she spouted off about wanting to truly be an adult and do all the adult things, but you know she’s a romantic. She’s saved that for someone she’s in love with.”
“You’re right.”
“And that’s not you, man.”
“It’s not.”
Xavian’s easy agreement surprises me. I sigh in relief. “And it’s not me, either.”
