Chapter 4
four
Mitchell
“Are you doing okay?” I ask Kendall for the third time since we walked into the ice arena.
“I’m fine. You didn’t need to come in with me.”
“About that.” Benton opens his mouth to explain, but before he can say more than a couple of words, we’re caught off guard by a confused-looking woman who appears to be a slightly older version of Kendall and Benton’s son Ledger.
At the same time, the woman says, “Kendall, what are you doing here?”
Ledger says, “Dad, Uncle Mitchell, and Uncle Jefferson, what are you guys doing here? I didn’t think you were going to be here for a few more days.”
I watch the shock appear on Kendall’s face as she realizes the three of us are old enough to be her father. I knew the fantasy of claiming her as our own wouldn’t last.
Who the hell am I kidding? Jefferson, Benton, and I haven’t even discussed sharing Kendall. The poor girl just got out of a tough relationship--she doesn’t need our old asses sniffing around her.
“Kendall, these are my boyfriends, Ledger, Bryer, and Colsen," the older version of Kendall introduces. “Guys, this is my younger sister, Kendall.”
“Three boyfriends, uh.” Kendall’s eyes shift to me, Benton, Jefferson, and then back to her sister. “I knew you were going to hook up with them. I didn’t know they’re now your boyfriends.”
The woman’s cheeks turn a pink tint before saying, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your guys?”
“I’m not sure I really know them. Seems like they’re related your guys.”
“Only one of her guys,” Ledger speaks up. “That’s my dad.” He points at Benton. “That’s my Uncle Jefferson.” He points to Jefferson. “And that’s my Uncle Mitchell.” Finally, he points at me. “This is our girlfriend, Kameron.” He pulls the woman against his side and kisses her temple.
“Wait, what?” Kameron looks confused at this turn of events. “How do your father and uncles know my sister?” She looks at Ledger, and he seems just as confused.
“I have no idea. You want to explain this one, Dad?”
“It’s a long story. She was having car problems, and we stopped to offer her a ride.” Short and to the point—classic Benton.
Ledger was always a good kid. He was the center of our world as we raised him. Truth be told, he still is—or was—until an angel in a wedding gown entered our lives.
“That’s very fortunate that you ran into the three of them when you needed help.
But that still doesn’t explain why you didn’t call me when you needed help or why you’re here wearing a wedding dress.
” Unconsciously, the three of us form a half circle around Kendall.
Jefferson is to her right, I’m on her left, and Benton is directly behind her.
Kameron takes in our new stance with a raised eyebrow.
“It seems like you have a lot of explaining to do.”