My response didn’t brighten Dad’s features any. In fact, he seemed to age right before my eyes. Seeing the sullenness in his frown lines, I clutched his arms. “Did Kellan tell you his father was going to come by for brunch?” Looking back at Kellan, I asked, “Did you get a hold of him?”
Kellan lifted the cell phone in his hand. “Just got off. He’ll be here in a half hour.” Kellan’s deep blue eyes sparkled with joy. Positive feelings for a family member were a new emotion for him, and he’d been reluctant to let himself feel it. I think a part of him was still hesitant, like he was bracing himself for the inevitable emotional implosion that was coming. But, for the moment, he was being optimistic about it.
Still beaming, Kellan pointed at the front door. “My car’s fine, too.” I laughed at his relieved expression. He probably would have tracked Joey down if she’d damaged his baby.
While we waited for Kellan’s family to arrive, Mom asked me about color themes for the wedding; the daggers coming from Dad lengthened with each question she asked. Kellan held my hand with an amused smile on his face as he listened to my mom. I was sure he would agree to whatever outlandish ceremony she proposed. He didn’t mind being the focal point of everyone’s attention, and he certainly didn’t mind watching me be at the center of it either. He was constantly pushing me to be more confident and outgoing. While embarrassing, I loved that Kellan cared enough about me to gently encourage me to grow.
Gavin rang Kellan’s doorbell right on time. Exhaling a slow, controlled breath, Kellan stood and wiped his palms on his jeans. I didn’t see a bulge in his pocket when his hand brushed over it, and I thought maybe Kellan had thrown his sex tape away. I hoped so. I didn’t ever want to see him being with another woman, but I knew, if I came across it, the curiosity would kill me. It was possible that it would drive me crazy enough that I would watch it. And there are some things you can’t ever unsee. Kellan making his ex-fling squeal was not something I wanted burned into my brain. Just imagining it was bad enough.
Kellan was visibly edgy as he walked to his front door. It was adorable; he so very rarely got nervous. But seeing his father was a really big deal to him. I wasn’t sure exactly what he was feeling, but if it were me, it would be a mixture of excitement, apprehension, and terror. So much can go wrong when you hold your heart out to another person, especially one who is related to you. Kellan was being immensely brave right now, and I couldn’t have been more proud of him.
Like he was mentally fortifying himself, Kellan let out another short burst of air as he arrived at the door. Slapping on his effortless grin, he pulled the heavy wood inward. I stood from the couch as Kellan’s father came into view. Gavin was so much like Kellan that their lineage was undeniable. Same build, same height, same shade of sandy brown hair, same deep, midnight blue eyes, same strong, right-angle jaw. Looking at the two of them side by side was like being given a glimpse into Kellan’s future. And from all I could see . . . Kellan was going to age very, very well. Gavin was hopelessly attractive.
From beside me, I heard my mother mutter, “Oh . . . my . . .”
Mom and I exchanged knowing glances as Kellan and his father shook hands. Elation on his face, Kellan gestured inside his house. “I’m glad you’re here. Come on in.”
Gavin nodded and stepped inside. Right behind him were his two children—Kellan’s half siblings. I waved at Kellan’s sister, Hailey. Giggling, she waved back at me. Hailey was close to my age, maybe a year or so younger. She had also inherited her father’s deep blue eyes, but, surrounded in natural light, I could now see that her light brown hair was a just a touch blonder than the boys’. Close on her heels was Kellan’s little brother, Riley. Cute as a button, Riley looked to be around ten years old, just a couple of years shy from the age Kellan was when he’d first experimented with the opposite sex. I really hoped Riley hadn’t yet; he was far too young. With eyes the color of a spring morning, Riley looked up at Kellan with awe on his face. Obviously, Riley already idolized his rock-star big brother.
Kellan rumpled Riley’s hair as he walked through the door. Once the trio was inside, Kellan indicated his small living room. “Please, have a seat.”