AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sure.” This sounds like an opportunity for me to sputter and choke, but I plaster a smile on my face and pretend that it’s going to be great. “Beer?”
“I’ll take one,” Griff calls as he sits on the sofa.
“I guess I’ll take water. My brother manipulated me into being the DD.” When Griff flashes Maxon a grin, the older Reed grumbles. “Bastard.”
After I get everyone situated, I turn the game and the TV off and sit in the chair opposite. “What’s up?”
“We talked to Evan yesterday,” Maxon informs me. “Over the phone. His story checks out. I even got brave and called my mother to ask her for information. She confirmed some of the story, so I think he’s legit. We all agree to submit DNA swabs to be sure. The results should come back by the end of the week. But if he’s really our brother…I guess the family just got bigger.”
“Great.” Why tell me?
“Did Evan say anything else to you at the airport?” Maxon quizzes.
“Just that his mom had been your dad’s assistant and that she died when he was five. Your dad wanted nothing to do with him, so he became a ward of the state. I’m guessing he grew up in the foster system.” I shrug. “That’s it.”
“Google confirmed all that, too. But there’s more.”
“Apparently, he’s the founder and CEO of one of the fastest-growing tech infrastructure businesses in the U.S. He’s worth billions.”
“At twenty-five? Impressive.”
“I don’t know a Reed who isn’t ambitious. It’s been bred into us all. We come out wanting to conquer the world,” Maxon says, and he’s only half joking.
“Evan did say something about wanting to move himself and his operations to Hawaii. I’m surprised. This isn’t a high-tech Mecca. Then again, he mentioned wanting family.”
“That he doesn’t know? It seems sudden,” Maxon mused. “But maybe it’s an orphan thing.”
I frown. “When he approached me in the airport, he didn’t explain why.”
“Until we figure it out, we’re approaching him cautiously. Clearly, he doesn’t want money from us, but he wants something. If he’s looking for close-knit camaraderie from the Reed clan, he’s going to be shit out of luck.”
It’s probably none of my business, but if Harlow says yes to my proposal, I’ll be the man who stands up with and for her. I just hope by opening my mouth, I’m not sticking my foot in it. “Your sister certainly thinks so, guys. The fact that you knew about Evan and Bethany but didn’t tell her really upset her.”
Maxon sits up straighter. “We just wanted to protect—”
“I know. She even admitted that in your shoes, she might have done the same.” I feel my brain slowing. My jaw freezing. It’s suddenly fucking hot in here, and I feel sweat breaking out across my neck and chest. But I manage to get a few more words out. “She was pissed.”
Griff sighs, then looks at his brother. “I told you…”
“Fuck. Harlow is so independent. She used to be easygoing and rolled with the punches like a pro,” Maxon insists. “Something changed after she went to college.”
“Yeah, she grew up and realized she had an identity of her own.” Griff shakes his head as if Maxon is an idiot.
“Maybe.” The elder Reed doesn’t sound convinced. “So is that why she’s dodging my calls right now? She’s annoyed that we didn’t loop her in about Evan?”
“Probably.” I refuse to candy-coat the truth. But I have to go for broke here. If I can bring Harlow back together with her brothers and enlist their help at once, I’d score big. Besides, they’re going to find out sooner or later. But to have this conversation I have to talk.
I drag in a steadying breath, wait a few moments, hoping my state will improve.
The brothers exchange a glance.
“It’s cool, man. We’re not mad,” Maxon assures. “You’re just being honest. Relax.”
Griff nods. “Exactly. We did this to ourselves. I can’t blame you at all. Just say what’s on your mind when you’re ready.”
Eyes closed, I nod and feel myself slowly let go of the stress. Finally, I feel everything that tensed up release.
“I asked your sister to marry me.”
