Chapter 11
ELEVEN
“Your silence is driving me bonkers, you do realize this?” Kell glared at his mate from the dining room archway, arms crossed, while Ronin laid out plates and flatware for six.
Emory and Eriq understood that this was a private conversation, and they’d agreed to stay upstairs and try to entertain the triplets in the various bedrooms for the duration, with the promise that food would be saved for them.
“It can’t be helped, little one,” Ronin replied.
He’d been the perfect, annoying enigma since returning from his office two hours ago, with only, “The call went well” to say to Kell.
Kell understood this was an incredibly personal matter for Branson, but he abhorred being out of the loop on something that directly impacted one of his kids.
Kell Cross did not wear impatience well.
But the fact that Isa and Liam had been invited to join them for dinner told Kell this was a huge announcement.
Even bigger than their boys showing up to the Gala together as an official couple.
Kell had a hint of what it might be, but it felt way too soon, and much too big.
Not impossible, though, not knowing Branson’s great big heart.
A great big heart who’d never shown interest in dating before now, and his heart had chosen someone nearly twice his age.
Kell needed to get over that personal quirk and accept that his son knew what and who he wanted, even if Kell would have preferred his choice be closer to Branson’s age than to Kell’s.
Kell strode into the kitchen and fetched a fresh pitcher of sweet tea from the fridge, as well as a half-full two-liter of root beer.
He eyeballed the six-pack of actual beer in the back of the fridge, but he didn’t want to send any bad signals when Branson arrived.
No alcohol while they discussed this. He carried the beverages to the dining table, and he was about to go get cups when the front door opened on a loud knock.
Kell and Ronin stepped into the foyer as a unit. Branson held the door for Tarius, who came in carrying a large paper carryout bag that brought with it the strong scents of tomato and garlic. Both men were smiling and relaxed, and that settled a fraction of Kell’s nerves.
Not all, but a fraction. Like, a tenth.
“That smells amazing,” Kell said, stepping forward to take the bag from Tarius. It put him an arm’s reach from Branson. He briefly met Branson’s familiar eyes; Branson offered a half-smile and partial nod.
It was enough.
“We ordered from that new restaurant on the corner of King and 9th,” Tarius said. “They have delicious stuffed shells and garlic knots.”
“Sound scrumptious.” Kell carried the bag into the dining room, so he didn’t do something to make Branson upset with him—like hug his kid.
Ronin chatted with the pair quietly in the foyer while Kell unboxed the tray of baked shells with a browned, cheesy top, a bag of warm garlic knots, and a container of tossed salad.
A baggie of fixings to go with everything.
Another knock came at the door before anyone joined Kell in the dining room, and then five people were walking in.
Isa had a large bottle of wine in his hand.
After giving Liam a hug, Kell accepted the wine so he could open it.
His fingertips trembled as he worked the corkscrew.
Now that the other parents were here, the entire situation was more real.
A big change was coming to the Cross family tonight.
He finally got the cork out. The floor creaked, and he noticed Liam approaching with a puzzled smile on his face.
“You look nervous,” Liam said in his familiar, raspy voice.
“I was a little surprised we needed a formal dinner to find out the boys are dating, considering the Gala. But Layne also mentioned seeing Branson upset last night.” He left the leading comment there.
Kell was a master of picking his words carefully. “Branson was upset, but he’s working it out, and I believe things will be fine soon.”
“I’m glad. You’ve never had to worry about Branson before. He’s always been the stable kid.”
“Trust me, I know.” More than he’d ever admit.
He had worried about the twins more, once they were born, simply because they were twins.
They’d been major news, novelties, things to be gawked at for the first few years of their lives.
The media attention had never gone fully away, despite dimming for a long time, and then coming back full-force when Emory was kidnapped two-and-a-half years ago.
Maybe it was because Kell had worried so much for Branson while he was gone, taken from Kell and given to unknown (at the time) people to raise.
He’d worried himself sick for his baby boy, and he’d cried joyous tears when Branson was returned three months later.
Branson and Ronin had been his entire life for so long, until the twins were born.
He loved all three of his children equally…
but maybe he hadn’t given Branson the direct attention he deserved these last few years.
That was going to change.
“I’m really glad you and Isa could come for supper,” Kell said. “It’s been too long since we’ve had you both over.”
“Well, you do have a full house right now,” Liam replied with a soft chuckle. “So, I won’t hold it against you.”
“Thank you.” Kell returned his friend’s smile. “Can you grab some wine glasses from the second cabinet on the left?”
Between them, they carried six glasses, the wine, and some serving utensils into the dining room, where everyone else had settled around the table.
Food was served, as were requested drinks, until everyone had a full plate, full glass, and they began to eat.
Predictably, Branson liberally sprinkled his serving of pasta with red pepper flakes.
Isa engaged Ronin in idle chatter about local news, while casting Tarius frequent, curious glances.
Kell’s own anxiety was rumbling through his gut, unhappy that he was eating such a heavy meal, but the shells were delicious.
He balanced the pasta and cheese with a heaping helping of salad, mixed with small sips of the delectable red wine.
Drinking the gift was only polite, but he wanted a clear head when the boys started talking.
About twenty minutes of eating and conversing passed before Liam put his fork down on his mostly-empty plate and said, “Okay, this specific sextet has never had a meal together until now, so before I absolutely burst from curiosity, what’s going on? Tarius?”
Tarius and Branson were seated on one side of the long table, Liam and Isa opposite them. From his spot captaining one end, Kell clearly saw the long, meaningful look Tarius and Branson exchanged, before they both took turns meeting Isa, Liam, and even Kell’s eyes.
“Even though we just came out as a couple last night,” Tarius said, “Branson and I have been seeing each other for a few months. We’ve been falling in love and creating a relationship that makes us both happy, so please don’t think we’re jumping blindly into this.”
Kell’s heart pounded in his ears.
“Jumping into what, son?” Isa asked.
Tarius met his sire’s gaze. “We’re getting married. As soon as possible.”
Kell squawked.
Branson had been a nervous wreck from the moment he climbed into Tarius’s car to pick up dinner.
It hit him like a cold hammer to the solar plexus, making it hard to breathe, and he wasn’t sure where the anxiety was coming from.
He’d never been scared to speak to his omegin, not a day in his life.
He’d never once wondered if this was the choice he made that Dad vehemently disagreed with. If he’d lose Dad’s blind trust in him.
His nerves were why Tarius parked and went inside to get the food, and why Tarius carried the bag up the driveway to the front porch.
A porch Branson had crossed thousands of times, to a door he’d entered and exited just as often.
But never as an engaged man. Never as a man with not two, but three biological brothers.
Everything was different tonight.
Thank goddess, Dad didn’t press right away, and he politely kept his distance by taking care of the food.
A bit of Branson’s heart tore off and followed his omegin into the dining room.
He’d never received such a cool greeting from the man before, but Branson had asked for space. No, he’d demanded space.
Dad was respecting his wishes, even though it had to be eating him up inside—like it was starting to eat at Branson. For all Branson had been furious at the man last night, seeing him again? He couldn’t stay mad. He didn’t like being mad at anyone, especially not his parents.
He didn’t get a chance to speak privately with Dad before the meal started, and he knew he wouldn’t get a chance for a while now. Not after Tarius stated, “We’re getting married. As soon as possible.”
Dad released a high-pitched noise. Branson looked to his left, into Dad’s wide, shocked eyes.
“Married?” Isa repeated.
“Congratulations!” Liam squealed, the least shocked of the trio hearing this news for the first time. He wiggled in his chair. “Oh goddess, this is exciting.”
“What’s this ‘as soon as possible’ business?” Isa shook his head, the elderly alpha perfectly flabbergasted. “I know you’re in your forties, Tarius, but there’s hardly a rush.”
“Actually, sir, there is,” Branson said, finally finding his voice.
Dad’s shock had shifted into a shrewd squint, as if he was already puzzling things out, because he knew about Jeuel and the custody papers.
“And the rush has to do with something I’ve learned in the last twenty-four-hours, and it’s a bit shocking. ”
Liam’s excitement melted into concern. “You aren’t sick, are you, Branson?”
“No! No, I’m perfectly fine. This is something that I’m asking you both to please keep to yourself for a few more days, until I get DNA results back.”