The table fell silent, all conversation stopping as Beck nodded. “Unfortunately. But I was lucky to get out young. Some of the others, particularly the girls… What you heard on the news is merely a fraction of the horrible truth. And when the FBI finally moved against them at Big Bear?—”
“That’s why you were there?” his mom asked with a gasp. “When you called to tell me you were all right?”
“Yeah, we were all there, even Heavenly.” Seth didn’t dare tell his mom they’d nearly died. She wouldn’t take it well, even now. “It was…a terrible day.”
“My youngest brother Zach helped the FBI take down the compound. Other than him, I don’t have any other family,” Beck finished quietly.
The silence stretched for a moment before Grace’s expression softened with compassion. “Well, as far as I’m concerned, you’re an honorary Cooper now.”
The rest of the family echoed the sentiment.
Seth exhaled in relief. That explanation could have been all kinds of messy, but Beck had handled it deftly, downplaying the violent massacre. What his mother had heard? That Beck was basically an orphan who needed mommying.
Repressing a smile, he sent Beck a glance that said well done.
Beck raised a brow. I’ve got a trick or two up my sleeve.
“Well, Mom,” Matt said with a grin, “looks like you finally got your wish. You always wanted one of your sons to be a doctor.”
The table erupted in laughter, and Grace swatted at Matt playfully, then turned back to Beck. “Do you live close to Seth?”
Beck tensed, then deferred to him with a look.
Seth cleared his throat. “Actually, Heavenly and I moved in with Beck a few months back. LA is really expensive, and Beck has a huge house… Since she’s still in nursing school, and I’d just started the business out West, it made sense.”
He hoped the explanation didn’t sound as clumsy as it felt. The twins’ knowing smirks made him want to slap them upside the head. Thankfully, no one else seemed to notice.
“Oh.” His mother frowned, her maternal concern evident. “Is Cooper Investigations West all right?”
“Great, actually,” Seth assured her. “But it was still new when we first moved in with Beck. Besides, he has a fabulous pool. When he asked if we wanted to move in, there was no reason not to say yes.”
“Beck’s house is sick. Nice neighborhood. And it has everything, especially super sturdy chaise lounges in the backyard,” Jack told their mom with deliberate innocence.
Seth shot him a warning glare. The little shit’s eyes just danced with mischief.
Heavenly smoothed over the awkward exchange, bless her. “Beck’s house is centrally located, so it’s a short commute to the hospital where Beck works and I volunteer. And Seth’s office isn’t far at all.”
Grace still looked a bit confused but smiled politely. “That sounds lovely.”
“It’s great,” Seth assured, then changed the subject before their facade got derailed.
After dinner, Mom brought out dessert—her famous apple pie.
Unfortunately, that signaled the moment Seth had been dreading all evening.
Dragging in a deep breath, he stood, taking Heavenly’s hand and bringing her to her feet. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to them with expectant faces.
Except Beck’s. He stared down at his untouched dessert, white-knuckling a cup of coffee, jaw clenched.
Guilt threatened to crush Seth. This would slice Beck in two. Seth knew that. Heavenly, too.
Even though Beck had agreed to this charade, even though it was temporary, Seth hated it on every level.
Beck lifted his gaze to Seth and gave him an almost imperceptible nod.
Get it over with.
Fuck. He should have rehearsed what he was going to say.
