Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)(13)

Griffin sniffed and tucked his chin-length hair behind his ears. “We’re family, dude, I don’t need to knock.”

I sighed, not sure if Kellan could argue that point or not—not since Griffin had impregnated my sister. He really was family now. Lord help me.

Kellan opened his mouth to try and argue anyway, but Anna stepped through the door after Griffin and soundly smacked him across the back of the head. “Neanderthal,” she muttered.

Mom and Dad rose from the couch to greet Anna. Dad’s expression darkened as he examined his grandchild’s father. By the way Dad looked at Griffin, I was sure that Kellan was suddenly perfect in comparison, the “golden” son-in-law who could do no wrong.

Recovering from the shock of Griffin’s surprise entrance, I joined my parents in greeting my sister. Anna was one of the most beautiful women I knew. Her face dropped men to their knees; her body made boys follow her around like lovesick puppies. Even pregnant, her curvy figure still drew men’s eyes. She had impossibly silky hair that rippled when she walked and eyes that were so green it was almost hard to stop staring into them. She was a knockout, and growing up with her perfection hadn’t always been easy. But I was starting to be more comfortable in my own skin, and for once her absurd good looks didn’t send a zing of jealousy up my spine. No, all I felt when I hugged her tight was happiness to see her. Even if she had brought the Neanderthal with her.

“Hey, sis.” As I pulled back, my eyes roved over the clingy maternity top she was wearing. I wasn’t sure how my sister had managed to find such provocative pregnancy clothes, but nearly everything she owned was designed to show off her ample cleavage. Griffin must be in hog heaven. God, I really hated having thoughts like that.

Anna was in the adorably cute stage of pregnancy, just rolling into her fourth month. She wasn’t throwing up nearly as much anymore, and her energy level was returning. Not that you would know that by the way she waddled when she walked; Anna played up her condition whenever she got the chance. But I knew she was more active than she let on. I was pretty sure her evening with Griffin had been particularly athletic.

Anna looked over to where Gavin and his children were politely waiting. Her brow scrunched in a way that only made her more attractive. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize you had company.”

Kellan met her eyes. “It’s all right. Come on in.”

Dad walked Anna into the living room, holding her by the arm like she would fall if he didn’t help her. Kellan gave her a brief hug and then introduced her to his family. “Hey, Anna, I didn’t get a chance to introduce you last night. This is Gavin, my . . . biological father.” Scratching his head, he shrugged.

A flash of pride went through me that Kellan had admitted such a profoundly personal thing so easily. He was really getting comfortable with the idea of having a parent in the world again.

Anna’s eyes grew just a bit at Kellan’s admission. She hadn’t known about Kellan’s sordid past. As Anna shook Gavin’s hand, Kellan introduced her to his half siblings. Her wide eyes opened even more with each addition to his family. Gavin made a space for Anna on the couch, and Dad helped her sit down.

Standing, one arm hooked over Hailey’s shoulder, Kellan told Anna, “Gavin, Riley, and Hails are visiting from back east. Pennsylvania.” His focus shifted to Gavin. “Do I have any other family there?”

Gavin smiled; the grin was eerily similar to Kellan’s. “My brother and his family live there, and my parents as well.”

Hailey elbowed Kellan in the ribs. “You’ll love Grandma, Kellan. She’s feisty.”

His face wondrous, Kellan looked over at me. “I have grandparents, Kiera.” He looked back to Hailey. “I’ve never had living grandparents, or an uncle either, actually.” He chuckled, amused and amazed by the information. My heart swelled as Kellan’s family just kept getting bigger and bigger.

Griffin, absorbing the conversation but not understanding any of it, looked around the room. “Wait. Dude, I thought your dad was dead. Who the hell are these people?”

Everyone ignored him.

Anna’s gaze lingered on Gavin just as much as Mom’s did. Griffin, either oblivious or indifferent, didn’t notice. Then again, he was still trying to puzzle out who Gavin was. A pleasant smile on her lips, Anna asked, “So, Gavin, is your wife here as well?”

Gavin looked down at his children sitting on the floor finishing out a board game. “No, I’m not . . . I’m not married.” He looked back to Anna, a sad smile on his lips. “Widower . . . since Riley was two.” Hailey glanced up at her dad, her expression equally glum.

Anna’s small smile fell. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

There was a moment of silence as everyone reflected on Gavin’s statement. Griffin broke it by walking over to Kellan and whispering, “Dude, seriously, who are these people?”

Chuckling, Kellan socked Griffin in the shoulder. “Come on, I’ll get you a beer and draw you a diagram.” Laughter eased the tension in the room as Kellan led his bassist into the kitchen to tell him the truth about his origins. Griffin would be the first band member to officially know that Kellan’s deceased father wasn’t actually his father. Hopefully the imbecile could grasp the concept.

By the time everyone parted ways, it was late into the night, nearly morning. Anna and Griffin headed off to her apartment to make the most of their limited time together. Gavin and his children went back to their hotel; they had a flight in the morning. My parents shuffled off to the guest room to spend yet another night on my old, lumpy futon. Dad sighed when Kellan and I waved good night from the doorway of our bedroom.