Page 57 of Shades of You

This.

Right here. Sitting in a dimly lit bar and celebrating with my siblings filled a void that had gaped inside me for too long. Well, partially filled.

I took a long swig, savoring the cool amber liquid sliding down my throat. As much as I relished this reunion, my mind drifted to Brenna. I’d asked if she wanted to attend the semifinal game, but she demurred, citing a family get-together. I was a little surprised at her hesitancy over informing her family about us, given that she was the one who wanted to end the Markham-Coleridge feud.

Then again, I understood better than anyone how complicated family interactions could be. But dammit, I wanted to share this win with her, to have her right next to me amidst the celebratory atmosphere. Was now to time to tell my siblings about us?

The chatter around the table faded into the background as her image consumed my mind. The softness of her skin, the warmth of her smile when she talked about a book. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was getting in too deep. And I still wasn’t quite sure how it had happened—I’d tried to make it obvious that I wasn’t the man she needed. But every time I saw her, those doubts crumbled, only to double once I was alone and hadtime to reflect.

“Hey, Hunter, you with us?” Stella’s voice brought me back to the present, a teasing smile dancing on her lips.

I blinked, forcing myself to focus on her words. “Yeah. Uh, just lost in thought for a moment there.”

“Something wrong?” Gabe asked.

Evan also turned his attention to me, the eyes of all four of them searching mine for answers. The weight of their gazes pressed against my chest, making it hard to breathe. How could I explain the whirlwind of emotions churning inside me, especially when they involved Brenna Coleridge?

“What’s wrong, Hunter?” Maia asked, no trace of teasing now.

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around my beer glass. Condensation dampened my palm. But looking at their faces, I knew it was time to come clean. “Nothing’s really wrong. Well, maybe.” I rubbed my forehead, wondering why the temperature had suddenly shot up.

Gabe gave me a long, evaluating stare. It had been a while since he and I sat in this very bar discussing Brenna, but he could put two and two together. “Let me guess. Is this about a woman?”

My shoulders dropped as I nodded. “Gabe already knows something about this, but I’m involved with someone. Brenna Coleridge.”

Silence descended over the table, broken only by the clink of glasses and the low hum of conversation from around us. As I braced myself for their reactions, my heart thudded against my ribs.

To my surprise, a slow, knowing smile spread across Stella’s face. “Ha! I suspected as much when I visited your apartment. The way you two looked at each other… it was pretty obvious there was more going on than just the damsel in distress dynamic.”

Relief washed through me, followed quickly by a flicker of brotherly irritation. “There wasn’t anything going on when you barged in. That all happened later. Is this the part where you tell me we’re making a huge mistake?”

Stella’s expression turned thoughtful. “Not exactly. I just want you to be careful, Hunter. I know how deeply you feel things, even if you try to hide it behind that tough exterior. And with Brenna’s family… well, it could get complicated.”

I nodded, unable to refute that. Brenna and I were in uncharted territory, and I knew it wouldn’t be an easy path. But as I thought of how we could talk books for hours or the way her smile made me feel, I didn’t give a shit about any of it. She was worth it.

“I know it won’t be easy,” I said, meeting Stella’s gaze. “But I’m in this. Brenna… makes me want to be a better man.” Heat washed over my face. I felt like a goddamn teenager confessing to his first crush.

Of course, she pretty much was.

Stella reached across the table and patted my hand. “Then I’m happy for you. And I’m here for you, no matter what. We all are.”

Gabe leaned back in his seat, a thoughtful look on his face. “Who knows? Maybe this is what our families need. A Coleridge and a Markham together… it could be the catalyst to finally put this stupid feud to rest.”

I raised an eyebrow, Gabe’s optimistic perspective surprising me. “You really think so?”

Gabe shrugged, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Why not? It’s about time we all moved on from the past. Including me and Ben. We actually managed to have acivil conversation recently. If you and Brenna can find happiness together, then I say more power to you.”

Evan nodded in agreement. “Look at me and Liv. Our relationship was anything but easy at first. But in the end, we fought for each other.” A grin spread across his face. “And now we’re getting married.”

Maia rolled her eyes. “Ah yes, the mythical grand event. Have you managed to pin down a date yet? Or maybe the wedding is just fake.”

Evan burst into laughter, raising his hands in playful defense. “Easy there, sis. We’re ironing out the details as we speak. As soon as Liv and I settle on a date, I promise you’ll be the first one on earth to know.”

Maia huffed and grabbed a chip from the bowl, then tossed it at Evan. He laughed as it bounced off his chest, catching it with lightning-fast reflexes before it hit the table.

I couldn’t help but smile at them. But even as I did, a familiar pang of loneliness struck me. Evan and Maia bantering back and forth reminded me of just how close they were. How much history they all shared. And me? I was the outsider. A youngest son who had finally returned home but still didn’t quite fit in.

Would I ever truly belong anywhere?

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