The resemblance. Robert is Oliver’s father.
Wait…does that mean…
I glance at Ella, and the look on her face confirms she’s already piecing it together. Her eyes are wide, but they’re quickly narrowing into something hard, something hurt. My grip tightens on her arm instinctively, trying to ground us both.
“Uh..” I clear my throat and point from Robert to Oliver. “Is…are you…” I don’t finish the question because I can’t.
The words die in my throat, but the implication hangs heavy in the air. If Madeline is Oliver’s mother, then Ella’s only living blood relative has been right here, hiding in plain sight.
Robert blinks at me, then at Ella, and I see the panic flash in his eyes.
“We, uh, we should talk about this later,” he stammers, his gaze flitting to Oliver and then back to his phone as if searching for an escape route. “Maddie wanted to know if you’ll be joining us for dinner tonight. All of you.” He’s almost pleading, as if a family dinner could patch over the years of secrets and lies.
Ella doesn’t move, doesn’t blink, her whole body going rigid as she stares at Oliver.
“We’ll talk about it,” I cut in, flashing him a smile. “I’ll let Oliver know what we decide.”
“Great, okay, uh…” Robert fumbles for something more to say, but when nothing comes, he spins on his heel and darts out of the room, his footsteps echoing in the sudden silence. The door slams shut behind him, and it feels like the air’s been sucked out of the room.
I turn to Oliver, who’s been sitting in stunned silence, his fingers still hovering over the keyboard as if they don’t know what to do next.
“You knew,” Ella says, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and betrayal. She swipes at a tear before it can fully fall, her hand shaky. “You knew, and you didn’t say anything.”
“It’s not what you think,” he starts.
“No,” she cuts him off, her voice sharp. “You don’t get to do that, Oliver. Not after everything that’s happened. You—” Her voice breaks, and she squeezes her eyes shut, trying to pull herself together.
I can’t stand to see her like this, so I step in, putting myself between them. “We need to focus, my love,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “We need to get the guys back. That’s what matters right now.”
“Ella.” Oliver tries again and I shoot him a lethal glare, but he literally shoves me out of the way. I stumble, but he ignores me, grabbing her wrist to get her attention.
I see fucking red.
I charge the fucker, but unfortunately, he says the only words that could stop me before snapping his neck.
“We’re not related,” he rushes out. Her head snaps up, and he gives her a soft, sad smile. “My mom died when I was a kid. My dad, Robert, married your aunt a few years back. She’s my step-mom, so…” He grips his neck and glances away with a shrug. “I guess we’re kind of related, but I didn’t keep it from you on purpose.”
She stares at him for a long moment before her lip twitches. “I think Hunter almost killed you.”
He blanches and she giggles. The sound is literally music to my ears.
Just like that, all the air rushes from my lungs and I drop to my seat with a tired huff. I seriously need some pain meds and a nap. I flick my gaze to Ella, my eyes trailing her stunning features. I grin. Maybe a blow job before my nap.
“So,” I drawl. “Cousins. That’s cool.” She gives me an excited smile, and I return it. “At least you found out before you kissed him or some shit.”
My brows dip and my stomach twists with jealousy.
Why did I just say that?
Oliver chuckles before suddenly paling. His wide eyes snap to me. “Oh, shit. Did you do that with Stone?” He winces. “Please tell me you didn’t fuck your brother.”
Everything in me stills.
“The fuck are you talking about?” I bark, jumping to my feet.
“I’m sorry, Hunter,” he says, shoving his hands between us. As if that’ll save him. Clearly reading the murderous rage on my face, he chokes out, “I thought you knew.”
“Does this look like the face of a person who knows what the hell is going on?” He jolts at my shout, but I can’t find it in me to care. “Start talking, nerd boy!”
