Page 20 of The Beautiful Mess

“What happened between you two last night?” Sven pushed.

“None of your business,” Kerry replied, earning a scowl.

“You’re both idiots.” Before Kerry could defend himself, Sven pointed to Kerry’s face. “You should see how mad you are that Keegan is going out with someone else. It’s almost the same response you had to finding out Keegan was hoping to pick up for a guy at the bar on Friday.”

Had that encounter really only happened two nights ago? It felt like at least three lifetimes had passed. “You’re wrong.”

Sven crossed his arms over his chest. “Guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”

Lucinda dashed out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “He’s here!”

Kerry didn’t bother to ask who she was talking about because only Keegan triggered that kind of response lately. “Should we be jealous or offended that our mother is happier to see Keegan than us?”

Sven nudged him with his elbow. “You should see that dorky smile on your face. You adore seeing your mom fret and fuss over Keegan.”

Kerry glanced across the room and caught his reflection in a mirror. Yeah, he was rocking the biggest, dorkiest smile. “Because Keegan deserves the attention. He soaks it up like a sponge.”

Sven’s sigh indicated he thought Kerry was the dullest tool in the shed. “Keep telling yourself that.”

Lucinda didn’t rush onto the porch, but she opened the door before he could ring the bell. She threw her arms around Keegan as if she hadn’t seen him in ages. “I’m so glad you could make it. Family dinners just wouldn’t be the same without you.”

The sentiment echoed in Kerry’s brain, and he nodded before he could stop himself. He hoped everyone was too busy watching his mother squeeze Keegan like a starving python to notice, but he should’ve known better. Sven snorted, and Aunt Deb winked at him. Just great. The announcement that Keegan had met someone hadn’t dampened Kerry’s craving or diminished his family’s matchmaking schemes.

“Honey,” Steven said gently. “Keegan’s turning blue. Maybe you should loosen your hold or let him go.”

Lucinda ignored her husband and, if anything, held on tighter. Keegan didn’t seem to mind and, if anything, hugged her just as tightly. “I made your favorites.”

Keegan pulled back but didn’t drop his arms. “It’s not my birthday.”

“Every day is a reason to celebrate you.” Lucinda patted his cheek before she completely relinquished her grip on him. “Something told me you could use the comfort food. Am I wrong?”

Kerry braced himself for Keegan to do or say anything that would give their conflict away. A simple glance in his direction would be all anyone needed to leap to conclusions. Keegan just smiled. “Everything is fine. I’m just a little tired.”

“Because you stayed up late talking to a guy,” Aunt Deb teased. “Sven told us what he knew about Danny.”

Keegan scanned the room until he found Sven. “Really? Is nothing sacred?” And since the brothers stood together, Keegan’s hazel gaze slid to Kerry next. His expression wasn’t chilly, but it lacked the warmth Kerry had gotten used to and now craved. Keegan looked between the brothers, then narrowed his eyes slightly. Was he still raw from their conversations at the Feisty Bull last night, or did he wonder what Sven had told him? “Hey, Ker.” Keegan’s voice lacked its usual warmth, but Kerry was grateful he hadn’t outright ignored him.

“Hey.” Christ, he sounded like Eeyore. Kerry wanted to get Keegan alone to clear the air, but Lucinda looped her arm through Keegan’s and led him into the kitchen under the guise of getting his help. She wanted the hot gossip on the new man to assess his risk to the happily ever after she envisioned for Keegan and Kerry.

Sven waited until Lucinda and Keegan were out of the room before he turned and glared at him. “You better fix whatever you fucked up.”

“I—” That was as far as he got before Sven cut him off.

“Don’t waste your breath. That special sparkle Keegan gets whenever he looks at you is missing.”

Kerry’s chest felt tight, and regret burned a trail from his stomach to his throat. He wanted something cold to drink to soothe the ache, and he needed Keegan’s warmth again. He could find both those things in the kitchen, but he’d have to go through Lucinda first.Fuck it.Kerry released a low growl and crossed the room.

“What does Danny do?” Lucinda was asking when Kerry stepped into the kitchen.

“Hey, Ma,” Kerry said before Keegan could answer. “Can I borrow Keegan for a few minutes?”

When she turned around, she wore the smuggest smile he’d ever seen on her face. “Take as long as you need, dear.” She set her potholders on the counter and turned off the stove. “Dinner can wait.”

He wanted to ask since when but didn’t dare. Lucinda shot him a warning glare on her way out of the kitchen. Kerry waited a heartbeat before he crossed the room. He wanted to crowd Keegan against the counter and cup his face, so Kerry stopped a few feet away and tucked his hands inside his front pockets. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Keegan bit his bottom lip and shook his head. “I think we already said that.”

Kerry nodded, suddenly at a loss for words. He might not be as vocal as Sven, but he never lacked something to say. “I want to tell you how sorry I am about the way things went down last night.”

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