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That’s all interesting—if a bit personal. I wonder how her husband would feel if he knew his wife was spilling the family tea to three relative strangers. I can’t figure out why she’s bothering, but she keeps on, so I’m guessing she has a point.
“Harlow’s husband is…” Keeley searches for the right words. “Let’s just say Noah knows a lot of people. He was in the airport one day when a stranger approached him. The man said he thought he was Harlow’s long-lost brother. After a little digging, that turned out to be the case. My husband wasn’t totally surprised, but the rest of the family seemed shocked. Thankfully, they’ve gotten over it, and Evan fits right in.”
“So it’s a happy ending.” Echo smiles like she’s glad for them, but isn’t sure why Keeley told the story.
That makes two of us.
“Yes, but it’s not the end. A few months later, Evan was approached by a woman in a parking lot. Bethany—that’s her name—told Evan they share the same father. We were all stunned to learn she was right. Honestly, it’s been an adjustment for each of them to find out they have unexpected siblings. But Bethany fits with the rest of the clan. In fact, they all get along amazingly well, despite having such different upbringings. My point is…the unexpected isn’t always a bad thing.”
From inside the house, a wide-shouldered guy with light brown hair, a sharp jaw, and a thousand-dollar suit approaches us. He looks solemn and resolute. “We’ll take it from here, sunshine.” Then he turns to Xavian, hand outstretched. “Hi, I’m Maxon Reed. Apparently, I’m your oldest brother.”
* * * *
Oh, shit. I didn’t see that coming. I should have, given Keeley’s story and Xavian’s situation…
X stands, gaping as he shakes Maxon’s hand automatically. “You’re…my brother?”
“One of them, yes. I hired Mr. Sakamoto, the private detective who reached out to you.”
“We hired him.” A slightly younger carbon copy of Maxon with darker hair saunters closer, backing him up. “I’m Griffin Reed, also your brother.”
Xavian looks shaken as he takes the guy’s hand next.
A drop-dead gorgeous brunette sidles between them. “And I’m Harlow Reed—well, Weston now—one of your two sisters.”
Even if they didn’t have the blood tests to back them up, I’d know they were telling the truth because they all have piercing eyes in the same unusual shade of green.
Just like Xavian.
“I-I have three siblings?” X stammers out, clearly floored.
He’s still cautious, and I get it. Who knows what these people want? Why are they introducing themselves now?
“Um…remember my story?” Keeley gives Xavian an encouraging smile.
It takes X a few seconds to process that. “Shit. There are more.”
As he’s reeling, another guy jogs in and shoulders his way past the others to Xavian’s side. He’s younger than Maxon and Griff. Taller, too. And somehow sharp and gawky at once. Echo would probably call him nerd-hot. And yep, he has the same green eyes. “Evan Cook. I wasn’t raised with these three”—he crooks a thumb at the Reed siblings—“so if they’re assholes, that’s just them.”
The others laugh, and I’m confused about why that’s a joke until Maxon clears it up. “We all have Dad’s blood running through our veins. So we have to fight the asshole DNA, you included, genius.” He turns to Xavian, brow raised. “You get accused of being a selfish dick often?”
I bark out a laugh. I know X well, so I see through his BS, but… “All the time. I’m his friend, Hayes Elliot. And this is Echo Hope.”
Echo stands to shake Maxon’s hand. “I’m Eryn Quaid’s sister.”
Maxon’s grin widens. “What a damn small world. It’s nice to meet you.” Then he turns his focus on Xavian again. “Between the eyes and the attitude, I’d know you’re a Reed even without the blood test.”
A blonde, a few years older than Harlow, who looks as intelligent as she is beautiful, joins the others. Her eyes are gray swathed with the family green, and a smile plays at her lips. “Bethany Holmes. Just so you know, these guys are all assholes. Harlow and I are angels.”
The others scoff, laughing in good-natured fun. It’s clear they’re a close-knit bunch.
Xavian looks overwhelmed. “So…I have five siblings? Holy shit. That’s a lot.”
Griff clears his throat, then casts a glance to the parking lot. Relief relaxes his features. “Six—that we know of. Here comes the other one.”
A petite blonde carrying a little boy heads our way, backed up by a tall, lanky guy in a Hawaiian shirt with a loose-hipped swagger. As they get closer, I rule him out as a brother since Maxon said he was the oldest, and this guy has him beat by roughly five years. A glance at the woman tells me she’s probably not related to the others, either. Unlike Bethany and Harlow, she’s a waif. And she has striking eyes in an icy blue.
