Page 40 of Broken Trust

“I thought for sure you’d blow the dinner off, turd.” She hugged him and tousled his hair as if they were kids.

Kellen’s chest ached at the love in their eyes for one another.

He and Colt used to act that way when their mother wasn’t around, though those times were far and few. Just seeing Atlas interact with his sister had Kellen’s throat growing tight.

“I’m Jacob Havis,” Atlas dad said as he held out a hand.

Kellen shook it. “I’m Kellen Sager, and this is my brother, Colt.”

Jacob shook Colt’s hand in a firm grip. “I’m not trying to be rude, but did Atlas tell us he was bringing two guests?”

Colt glanced at the front door, but one look from Kellen stopped his brother from making a break for it.

“I told Jennifer that I wasn’t coming alone.” Atlas tried to fix his hair after his sister had messed with it.

Jennifer looked their way, as if just noticing Kellen and Colt. “Did you make friends with linebackers?” she asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone as tall as you two.”

Atlas snorted. “There are plenty of tall men in Midnight Falls. I can’t help it if you only notice Craig.”

Jacob chuckled. “You two behave in front of our company. I don’t want them thinking your mother and I raised cheeky brats.”

Kellen wondered what their life would been like if their father hadn’t been killed. Would their lives have been any different? From what few memories Kellen had of his father, he had been loving toward them.

Throughout his miserable childhood, Kellen had told himself that his mother had turned cold because she’d lost her mate. That her heart had been shattered and she hadn’t had one left to give to her sons and nephew.

But the brief interaction with Atlas’s family said the opposite. His mom had been a cruel and merciless person to begin with. She’d just hidden the fact from her mate. Once he was gone, there was no reason to hide what she was.

“How did you guys meet?” Jacob asked Kellen as he invited them to have a seat in the living room, resuming his spot on the recliner.

“I met Kellen at Fearless Fox, and I punched Colt in the jaw when we first met.” Atlas came into the room, his sister nowhere around.

Jacob rolled his eyes. “Save that tall tale for someone who doesn’t know you. My son, thankfully, isn’t a brawler. He has way too much common sense and respect for others.”

“He got me right here.” Colt pointed to where Atlas had slugged him.

Kellen wanted to strangle his brother. Being on his own for so long had dulled his manners.

“Fine, don’t tell me how you met my son, Colt. I’m just being nosy, anyway.” Jacob smiled. “To be honest, you’re not the type of men my son usually befriends.”

“What type do I befriend?” Atlas asked, and Kellen could tell his mate’s spine was getting rigid.

“I meant no offense,” Jacob replied. “And I’m not accusing Kellen or Colt of anything nefarious. You just normally veer toward people who are the same size and build as you are. It’s refreshing to see you expand your choices. I thought you would bring Braylon with you this evening, that’s all.”

Kellen’s hackles rose at hearing that name again and knowing how much it hurt his mate.

“Braylon and I are no longer friends.” Atlas sat on the couch between Kellen and Colt.

“What happened?” Jacob sat forward and grabbed his coffee cup from the table beside him. “You two are inseparable.”

Kellen was dying to slide an arm around Atlas and hold him close. Atlas was his mate and needed comforting, but Kellen had told himself on the drive there that he would follow Atlas’s cues. So far, his mate hadn’t said anything about them dating, so Kellen kept his hands to himself.

Even if it was killing him not to touch Atlas.

“I saw him and Glen together, and not in a friendship sort of way.” Atlas shrugged, clearly trying to hide how badly it affected him. “I found out the two were seeing each other behind my back.”

“I’m sorry that happened, son.” Jacob cleared his throat, as if uncomfortable with the topic. “It’s good to see you’ve made more friends. You always were an outgoing person.”

Atlas chucked a thumb at Kellen. “Ask him about his collection of muscle cars. You didn’t see the car we drove up in.”

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