Tara cast a sidelong glance at Jackson as they walked side by side up the cobblestone walkway leading to Clay and Samantha’s front porch. They’d left her house in a playful mood, but the closer they’d gotten to Clay’s, the quieter Jackson had become. He was more subdued than she’d ever seen him, and she wanted to be sure that he was okay before they surprised everyone with his presence.
She lightly touched her fingers to the inside of his forearm, just to let him know that he had someone on his side no matter what happened once they entered the house. She wanted to hold his hand in a show of support, but she wasn’t ready to make that kind of bold statement in front of the Kincaid brothers just yet. It was enough that she was surprising them by bringing Jackson. She didn’t need to complicate matters by flaunting the fact that she was dating him.
“Nervous?” she asked as they climbed the four steps leading to the front door.
“No.” If he was lying, his steady voice gave nothing away, nor did his dark brown eyes when they met her gaze. “Are you?”
“Nope. Not even a little.” She gave him a fearless smile that was an authentic and true reflection of her inner confidence. “I’ve known Clay, Mason, and Levi long enough to have learned that their growl is worse than their bite.”
Jackson arched a dubious brow. “I don’t know about that. Mason seemed pretty damn rabid.”
She laughed but couldn’t disagree. “It’s mostly a defense mechanism. They’re very protective when it comes to each other and the people they care about. Mason is just far more vocal about his approach.”
She gave his arm one last squeeze and rang the doorbell, reminding herself that today’s goal was to give all four of them the push they needed to connect beyond the strangers they were. If she accomplished that small task, she’d chalk it up to a victory.
Tara heard Samantha’s feminine voice, along with Katrina’s and Sarah’s laughter as they approached the entry from the other side of the closed door. When it flew open, they all three shouted in unison, “Happy graduation!”
That animated greeting ebbed into silence as three pairs of eyes shifted to Jackson, standing by Tara’s side. Their changing expressions were almost comical as they stared in shock at Clay’s twin. Samantha’s blue eyes were huge, Katrina’s mouth had fallen open as though she couldn’t find the words to speak, and Sarah blinked a few times as if she were seeing a mirage.
Without missing a beat, a charming smile eased across Jackson’s mouth. “Hi, ladies,” he said, amusement lacing his voice despite the reserve Tara detected in his body language.
His greeting was simple but effective and snapped all three women out of their stupor. Prim and proper Samantha was the first to react.
“Oh, my God, where are my manners!” she exclaimed apologetically as she opened the door wider for them to enter. “You must be Jackson. Come on in, please.”
“Thank you,” he replied with a polite nod, and followed Tara into the living room.
A sliver of relief allowed Tara to relax a bit. The Kincaid men had obviously told their women about their brother and Clay’s twin. She wasn’t sure what else they’d told the girls, but considering how excited they seemed to meet him, Tara was grateful that at least they were friendly and welcoming.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Katrina gushed, shaking his hand with genuine warmth. She was the most eccentric one out of the group, with her purple-tipped hair and sleeve of colorful butterfly tattoos covering one arm.
“Yes, finally,” Sarah added just as enthusiastically. “We were just telling the guys that we all wanted to meet you, and here you are. It was so great of Tara to bring you.”
At the mention of Jackson being her guest, Katrina side-eyed Tara with sudden curiosity. Being out of Jackson’s line of sight, the other woman raised a sassy brow that spoke louder than words, how is it that you know Jackson so well that you’re the one to bring him to the party? And what is going on between the two of you?
Tara just smiled, giving nothing away. She had no doubt that Katrina would corner her later, probably along with Samantha and Sarah, to interrogate her when Jackson wasn’t around.
“I can’t get over how much you look like Clay.” Samantha’s creamy complexion blushed as the comment spilled out, and she absently stroked her hand over the small baby bump outlined beneath the cute top she was wearing. “I mean, I know you’re twins, but it’s just so strange to see . . . well, another Clay.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Katrina said, her tone teasing. “I think Jackson might be a better-looking version of Clay.”
Samantha laughed lightly as she gave Jackson an impish look. “Sorry and no offense, but that’s just not possible.”
Jackson chuckled, looking completely at ease with the women. “No offense taken.”
Sarah shook her head and chimed in as the peacemaker. “You two look identical, so I’d say you’re equally handsome.”
“Is the graduation girl finally here?” Clay’s voice boomed from the kitchen area right before he walked into the living room. “Can’t start the party without the guest of honor—”
His steps slowed, as did Mason’s and Levi’s, who’d been following Clay. All three men stopped and stared at Jackson, and the sudden strain in the room was nearly tangible. The silence was deafening.
What the hell was wrong with these guys? Annoyed with their behavior, Tara spoke up. “Don’t be rude, boys,” she said through gritted teeth, trying to sound pleasant when she was suddenly feeling very protective of Jackson. “Say hello to my guest.”
Samantha gave Clay a pointed look, while Katrina jabbed Mason in the side with her elbow hard enough for him to grunt from the impact. The glare he aimed at Katrina didn’t seem to faze his wife one bit. She was one of the few people who didn’t put up with Mason’s shit and could put him in his place.
Levi finally stepped forward, his demeanor reserved as he offered his hand to Jackson. “Good to see you.” His tone, at least, was cordial.
“Likewise.” The two men shook hands, followed by Clay and Mason, who were just as guarded with their acknowledgment.
Good God. There was no way Tara was going to spend the afternoon and evening with all this tension between the guys. Whatever their issue with Jackson, she was determined to find out. Starting right now.
“Samantha, would you mind taking Jackson out on the deck, get him a beer or something to drink while I talk to these guys?” Tara asked as she hitched her thumb toward the three brothers.
The other woman nodded in understanding. “Absolutely. Come on, Jackson. We want to know all about you.”
Samantha, Katrina, and Sarah were more than happy to usher him outside and keep him busy with questions.
“At least someone has the right idea,” Tara muttered irritably as she turned toward the men left behind. “You three. In the kitchen. Now.”
She marched past them and didn’t miss Mason’s smart-mouthed, mocking comment, “Geez, bossy much?” Oh, he had no idea how bossy she was about to become.
Clay’s kitchen was huge and spacious, completely renovated with state-of-the-art appliances and yards of counter space to cater to Samantha’s love of baking. Evidence of her baking passion was set out on the counter—delicious cupcakes, fancy cookies, and decadent pastries. If Tara didn’t have business to take care of, she would have beelined it straight to Samantha’s desserts and indulged.
Once the four of them were all in the kitchen, she spun around to face them as they stood in a semicircle in front of her. “What the hell is going on with you three?” she asked, finally unleashing her frustration. “You’re acting like complete jerks around Jackson and he doesn’t deserve it.”
“Learning about Jackson and the circumstances of his adoption hasn’t been easy to digest,” Clay said quietly as he moved toward the sink so he could look out the window to the deck and watch the girls and Jackson.
“And you think it’s been a piece of cake for him?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “So you’re going to punish him for something your drug-addicted mother did?”
“We’re not trying to punish him,” Levi said, shifting on his feet while Mason stood next to his brother with an obstinate frown on his face.
“It sure as hell feels that way.” Her tone was haughty, and she didn’t care. “You’ve ignored him since he came to the bar to meet you three last week.”
Clay’s gaze was riveted to whatever was going on outside, and he spoke over his shoulder. “We were going to contact him this week and see if he wanted to come by the bar and talk,” he said, the slightest hint of guilt infusing his voice.
“Better late than never, I suppose,” she said sarcastically. “Just keep in mind that there are three of you and one of him. You three have each other, but who does he have?”
“He has a family,” Mason said abruptly. “That’s what Jackson has. We three are the only family we’ve ever had, and it’s not easy to let a virtual stranger in.”
“That’s the problem with the three of you.” Her voice rose angrily as she encompassed all of them with a wild wave of her hand. “You have no idea what his life has been like, how he grew up and how he was treated and what kind of family he had. Are you judging him based on the suit he wore the first time he met you guys? Do you think that defines the man he is and somehow makes him impervious to a shitty childhood? Maybe he had it just as tough as you guys did.”
Clay briefly looked away from the window, his gaze narrowed on Tara. “Why does it sound like you know all about his family and childhood?”
She ignored the slight accusation she heard in his voice. “Because maybe I’ve taken the time to talk to him. To get to know him. Something the three of you should have been doing.”
“Jesus, you’re so defensive,” Mason muttered testily. “What’s going on with you and him, anyway?”
Tara’s heart suddenly beat a whole lot faster, because she knew what she was about to reveal was going to start another heated debate. “I should say that it’s none of your damn business, but I have nothing to hide.” She lifted her chin adamantly. “Jackson and I are dating.”
“Dating?” Levi echoed, dumbfounded by her admission.
Whereas Mason was more vocal in his approach. “You’re fucking dating him?” he asked incredulously.
“Jesus, Tara.” Clay’s lips flattened into a thin line of disapproval. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
She stared at him as if he were an idiot. “Are you seriously asking me that question right now, after the shitty way you’ve acted toward Jackson?”
Clay glanced at both of his brothers, a silent message of concern passing between them—one they didn’t seem willing to share with her. When Clay returned his attention to the women out on the deck with Jackson, a worrisome look straining his features, something inside of Tara detonated.
“Stop staring out the window like Jackson is some kind of mass murderer and you’re worried he’s going to slaughter your wife,” she snapped heatedly.
Clay and Mason looked from her to Levi, that silent communication seemingly flowing between the three of them again.
She didn’t like the uneasy vibe settling in the air. “What’s going on?”
Levi scrubbed his hand along his jaw and expelled a deep breath, as if what he was about to tell her was difficult for him. “Tara, there’s something you should know about Jackson. I know you’re not going to be happy about this, but I had a friend run a background check on him, and he was charged with assault a few years back . . .”
She stiffened, feeling as though she’d been jolted with a live wire. Okay, she hadn’t seen that coming. Granted, she and Jackson were in the beginning stages of getting to know one another, but physical violence and aggression didn’t match up to the Jackson she knew.
“Assault for what?” she asked, giving in to her curiosity.
“The charge was dropped, so the reason isn’t on record.” Levi pushed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, his gaze direct. “But the fact that he might have a temper concerns us.”
Tara stared at Levi in disbelief. This from the brother who was the most sensible and levelheaded of the three. “For God’s sake. Mason has a temper and nobody has shunned him! Have you forgotten that he was the one to beat the shit out of Sarah’s ex?”
“You know what we mean, Tara,” Clay said, trying to be rational.
No, she really didn’t understand. She pursed her lips at Levi. “Did you find anything else on his record that might concern you?”
He hesitated a few seconds before answering. “No.”
She arched a brow. “So it could be an isolated incident?”
“I suppose it could be.”
“But you’d rather think the worst of him?” She looked at each brother and was somewhat gratified to see different degrees of guilt and contrition on their faces.
“We were just being cautious,” Clay said gruffly.
“What happened to innocent until proven guilty?” Her voice grew softer as her anger ebbed away. “We all have a past, and we’ve all done things we’re not proud of. I’m certainly not squeaky clean, and I would hate to think that any of you would judge me for being addicted to prescription drugs six years ago, or because someone I cared about died of an overdose when I was high myself.”
She swallowed past the tight knot gathering in her throat as she brought up that dark time in her life and the shame that came with it, but she had Clay’s, Levi’s, and Mason’s attention, and that’s what mattered to her. “You don’t know the reasons surrounding the assault charge, so how about you give Jackson the benefit of the doubt until he gives you a reason to worry? If you knew what he’d been through in his life, you wouldn’t judge him so harshly.”
“You’re right,” Clay said quietly.
Levi nodded his agreement.
Mason begrudgingly gave her a look of acknowledgement.
“Just . . . be careful, okay?” Clay said, unable to completely let go of that protective trait he possessed when it came to the people in his life.
“I can take care of myself,” she said with a smile. “I’ve been doing it a long time.”
“Doesn’t mean we can’t worry about you,” Levi said.
She’d said her piece and felt as though she could breathe easier now that she’d gotten everything off her chest. “Jackson is your brother. All he wants is to get to know you guys, so at least give him that chance without holding anything against him.”
Clay gave her a sincere look. “Fair enough.”
Tara was hopeful that she’d made headway with the brothers’ stubborn mindset when it came to Jackson, but their cooperation remained to be seen.
* * *
Jackson found himself being entertained by three lively women while Tara was inside the house with Clay, Mason, and Levi—the women’s vibrant personalities an antithesis to his brothers’ more serious demeanors. Then again, he supposed that’s why these ladies meshed so well with Clay, Mason, and Levi. It was a great example of opposites attract, strengths balancing weaknesses, and the philosophy behind all that yin-yang crap. With a dark, turbulent past like his brothers had gone through, these women no doubt provided a much-needed light and playful aspect to the relationships . . . just as Jackson realized Tara had done for him.
He leaned back against the deck railing, and as he took a bite of the most amazing cookie he’d ever tasted—a chocolate ganache French macaroon, according to Samantha—he listened to Katrina regale him with tales of Mason as an unruly teenager that made him laugh. His brother had been a defiant hellion and not much different from the man he detected even now. Jackson loved having insight to his brothers’ past and hoped one day they’d be the ones to share these kinds of amusing stories with him. But for now, at least, he had three allies, and he’d take whatever he could get.
The topic of discussion shifted as Sara asked Jackson about being an architect, and at the same time, the sliding glass door leading onto the deck opened. Tara stepped out with a satisfied smile on her face, looking more relaxed and optimistic than when they’d first arrived. Clay, Mason, and Levi followed her, the wariness they’d initially greeted Jackson with now almost gone.
He had no idea what had transpired inside the house, but clearly Tara had worked some kind of magic. To the point that Jackson actually felt comfortable breaking the ice, so to speak, and initiating a casual conversation with Clay, who’d grabbed a bottle of beer from a vat of ice and came to stand next to his wife.
“You’re a lucky man.” Jackson’s gaze met Clay’s as he filched another macaroon from the tray on a nearby table. “Your wife is a phenomenal baker.”
“Yeah, definitely one of the many qualities that won me over.” Clay slid his arm around Samantha’s waist to pull her close to his side. “But don’t let this sweet, innocent face fool you. She’s been known to bribe me for certain things with her desserts. Isn’t that right, cupcake?” he asked affectionately.
“Bribe you?” Samantha refuted his claim with an amusing eye roll. “You’re such a pushover, Saint Clay, whether you want to admit it or not.”
Clay grinned at his wife, completely smitten, his adoration written all over his face.
“Oh, just wait until the baby is here,” Katrina interjected enthusiastically. “I’m betting Daddy and the three uncles are going to be like giant marshmallows.”
So easily, Katrina had included Jackson in that scenario, and he waited for one of his brothers to denounce his part in the baby’s life, but much to his surprise, and profound relief, it never came.
Levi took a drink of the orange soda he’d retrieved from the cooler. “It’ll be the first Kincaid baby, so of course we’re going to spoil the hell out of the kid.”
Mason smirked. “Even better that we can send that spoiled-rotten kid home for Clay to deal with.”
Clay arched a dark brow at his brother. “You know, Mason, karma is a bitch. Just keep in mind what a hellion you were growing up and that what goes around, comes around, which means you’re probably going to have a boy who breaks every fucking rule there is, and I’ll be the one laughing my ass off.”
Katrina gasped, her green eyes filled with feigned horror. “Oh, my God, if that’s the case, I’m never getting pregnant.”
Mason slung his arm around Katrina’s neck and leaned toward her to whisper something private in her ear. Something lewd, judging by Katrina’s appalled expression.
“I can’t escape your super sperm so don’t even try?” she repeated incredulously, then laughed at her husband’s cocky statement, as did everyone else. “Are you serious right now?”
“One hundred percent serious.” Mason waggled his brows at his wife, his gaze turning salacious as he nodded meaningfully toward the house. “Want to go test the theory?”
“Not in my goddamn bathroom,” Clay barked out adamantly.
Again, everyone laughed, and Jackson knew he was missing a key component in the conversation. A joke of some sort that everyone was privy to except him.
Tara must have seen the confusion on his face, because she linked her arm through his. The intimate gesture wasn’t lost on him or anyone else standing there.
“Clay caught this now reformed man-whore in the ladies’ bathroom at Kincaid’s, with different women, on more than one occasion,” she told Jackson.
“Reformed being the operative word.” Mason nuzzled Katrina’s neck and skimmed a hand possessively over her ass. “Now, my Kitty-Kat is the only woman I want, and all I can handle.”
Katrina gave him a playful shove. “And don’t you forget it.”
Once the lighthearted teasing died down, Clay cleared his throat and glanced at Tara, a fond smile on his lips. “So, I’d like to be the first to formally say congratulations, Tara, on getting your business degree. You worked hard. You were dedicated. You juggled a late-night job, school during the day, and a whole lot of cramming for exams. It’s a huge accomplishment we wanted to celebrate with you, and I couldn’t be prouder that you finally did it.”
She ducked her head in embarrassment, a warm, pink flush suffusing her cheeks. “Thank you. I seriously couldn’t have done it without your support, Clay.”
He shrugged off her gratitude. “You would have done it regardless, because that’s who you are, Tara. A woman who is determined and committed to whatever she sets her mind to.”
Everyone else echoed their agreement, telling Jackson just how much everyone cared about Tara and how much they meant to her in return. Tara had told him she didn’t see her family very often, but shouldn’t they have been at something as important as a party to celebrate their daughter’s college degree?
He realized, for as much as Tara knew about him, he wanted—no, he needed—to know everything about her. Her secrets. Her pain. Her heartache and what made her the happiest. All those things mattered to him. She mattered to him.
Mason clapped his hands, getting everyone’s attention. “Now that all the sappy sentiments are out of the way, let’s get this party started!”
The women cheered in response, and the festivities were on. Over the next few hours, they grilled hamburgers, enjoyed the cake and desserts that Samantha had made, and Clay, Mason, and Levi made an effort to converse with Jackson. They asked where he went to college, where he currently lived, and about his job as an architect and what it entailed. They seemed genuinely interested, and while the topics were mostly superficial and nobody broached the subject of his family and childhood, it felt as though it was a start in the right direction.
After a while, Tara opened the presents that the girls had clearly bought for her, which included bath products, a gift card to her favorite boutique, and a narrow silver cuff bracelet that came in the well-known light blue box that signaled the gift was from Tiffany’s. That last gift caused tears to fill Tara’s eyes as she thanked everyone for being so thoughtful.
The day passed quickly, and to his surprise, Jackson enjoyed it immensely. Not only had his brothers warmed up but they seemed to relax around him as well, and that meant more to Jackson than anything. And he had Tara to thank.
The rapport was developing, the tension no longer a black cloud hanging over them, overshadowing their ability to truly get to know one another. Things weren’t perfect, but their tentative acceptance felt like a solid start to something more.
And that was enough for Jackson. At least for now.
