“I was shocked when I saw you. You’re the last person I was expecting to be here, and I asked him who you were. You can imagine my reaction when I found out he was marrying your mom. We’re family now, and I’ve fucked you.” Cain stared at the floor as he scuffed his shoe on it. “He figured something out. We have to talk later.”
“This is...shit, Cain.” Unable to stop himself, Archer stepped closer and slowly reached out to touch Cain’s face. Cain’s eyes widened, but he didn’t step away from his touch. “I didn’t want to go.”
“I know. I felt the same way, but it was only meant to be a fling. We were never meant to end up related.”
“Not by blood though.”
“We can’t.” Cain shook his head and moved away. “It doesn’t matter how we feel.”
“Cain—”
“No, Archer. We can’t. I’m straight, remember.”
Archer kept his mouth shut and watched Cain walk out of the church. He dropped his head and stared at the floor, but he wasn’t really seeing it. In his mind, he and Cain had gone off somewhere else, somewhere more private.
Sighing, he let the image drift away. They’d be no more touching or kissing. They were brothers now.
“Are you coming?” Archer smiled and nodded at Lydia. “Good. While we drive over to the reception, you can tell me what’s going on with you and Cain. You know, your straight stepbrother.”
Oh, shit.
Chapter Eight
“WHAT?”
“I noticed you two looking at each other and the fact you were both talking. You might be a grown man, but you are my son, and I know every move my children make. So, Cain and you.”
“Mom. Just no.”
“I’m sorry. What was that? I’m almost certain you just said no to me.” Lydia arched her brow.
“Mom,” Archer whined. He was not discussing his sex life with his mom.
Hearing her name called behind her, she turned and smiled. “Later, Archer.”
She walked out, and Archer followed meekly behind. He knew his mom too well. When Lydia said something, it happened. He needed to delay the confession though, because a wedding reception wasn’t the place for the reveal, and he was sure Cain wouldn’t want it to happen there either.
But Cain had told Robert, so Robert probably shared the news with Lydia, so yeah, his mom knew.
“Shit.”
Archer dragged his feet until Lydia pointed at him and then the car behind hers. “Today, Archer.”
Jogging, Archer reached the other car and pointedly ignored Lydia’s stare as he got in. Just his luck that Knox and August were both in the car already, and as soon as the car started, so did the questions.
“What did he say?”
“August.” Archer sighed, rubbing his forehead at the slight ache.
“Cain talked to you? Why am I just finding out about this shit?” Knox crossed his arms over his chest.
“Because it’s none of your business,” Archer snapped. “It happened, it’s over with, and it’s time to move on.”
“How can you say that when you’ll be dreaming about his dick? I saw the looks you gave each other. I could feel the heat from where I was sitting, and you know Mom knows something.”
“That’s because Cain said something to Robert, and he told Mom.” Dropping his head into his hands, he mumbled, “I’m so screwed.”
“And not in a good way. Talk about upstaging Mom! She’s gonna be so pissed at you when she finds out all the gory details—and you know she will!” August jabbed Archer with her finger. “She has some Jedi mind trickery shit going on where she will find out everything. On her fucking wedding day!”
“Like I fucking knew!” Archer glared at her. “How the fuck was I supposed to know he was Robert’s son and would be here? Did you not see this shit in the crystal ball you own?”
“Fuck you, or should I say find Cain and fuck him. Release some of that pent up frustration you’ve got going on.”
Archer stared out of the window, pointedly ignoring his siblings and grimacing. What was he going to do?
“You still like him?” August asked quietly.
“Yeah. It only ended because the vacation was over.”
“That’s hard—or too hard.” August and Knox burst out laughing.
“Thank you so much for your understanding about my situation,” Archer muttered. “Why couldn’t I have gotten in the car with Starr or River?”
“Because then you’d have to put up with Starr’s kids. All five of them.” August grinned.
“No, it is hard. You still wanna fuck the dude, and he’s your stepbrother. Didn’t I hear he’s straight too?” Knox leaned forward, bracing himself when the car went over a bump. “However, the key word here is step, Archer. Not blood.”
“So? You think that would make a difference to some people around here. Family is family. I won’t risk that kinda backlash on Mom or Robert. It’s the first time I’ve seen her this happy since Dad died. I won’t ruin that for her. She deserves to be happy.”
“Not arguing with you on that, but you deserve to be happy too.”
Archer slumped back in his seat. “Just not with Cain.”
He felt the car slow and looked out the window. They’d arrived at the hotel where the reception was being held. What if Cain was booked into the same hotel as him? Would they be able to...no, don’t be stupid. Nothing could ever happen between them now.
Releasing the pent-up breath, he opened the door as the car pulled up and stepped out. He took several breaths of fresh air and watched Lydia walk toward the hotel with Robert’s arm over her shoulder.
“They look great together.” August sighed. “I’m so happy Mom found someone.”
Archer hugged August. “Me too.”
Knox read a message on his cell and winced. “Come on, you two. River’s just sent a text. Granddad’s here already, and fuck knows what trouble he’s causing.”
Archer followed Knox with his arm over August’s shoulder. She smiled at him and rested her head on his shoulder. “What will be will be.” Archer snorted then coughed as she elbowed him in the ribs. “Right. Deep breath in. The rest of the family’s already inside along with Mom’s friends.”
“Including those who don’t talk to me because I’m gay.”
“Ignore them. They aren’t worth your time, because you are worth a million—no, a billion—of them.” August tugged him to a stop. “You are better than they are, and don’t you forget it. Plus, just remember, where there’s a party, there’s alcohol.”
Archer laughed and hugged her again. “What would I do without you?”
“Wrong sibling, Archer!” Knox shouted from the entrance of the hotel, a cheeky grin on his face.
Archer slowly raised his middle finger. “Eat shit.”
He walked into the hotel and found the sign for the reception and stood in the doorway watching everyone milling around. He caught sight of Edgar, a distant relative who hadn’t spoken to him since the day he’d come out. Archer grinned and leaned down to August. “You’re right. Let’s have some fun.”