The Sextet - Dirty Dancing [The Sextet Anthology, Volume 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (25 page)

Julayne bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at Merilee Hilliard’s chastising. The woman had to have stopped right outside the spare room door. Why else would she suddenly go quiet?

“Well, well, well. Women’s clothes in the hallway, two pairs of men’s Levi’s on the floor in here, and a giant lump in the bed. You might as well show yourselves, because I’m not leaving until you do.”

Reese sighed and lowered the blankets. “G’morning, Mom. I didn’t know you were coming over today.”

“I left a message on your brother’s voicemail yesterday. Brand, I’m waiting.”

Another sigh and the blankets on the other side of Julayne almost smothered her. “Hi, Mom. I forgot you called. Can we meet you downstairs in about five minutes?”

“You’re kidding me, right? I want to see who’s under there with my boys. If it isn’t who I think it should be, I’m going to disown you both. Laynie, honey, please tell me you’re hiding in the middle.”

“How the hell—”

A laugh bubbled up and out at the stereo response to Mrs. H’s request. Julayne peeked at her from around the comforter. A huge smile greeted her.

“Thank God! Men can be so daft at times.” Merilee strode into the room, turning the armchair by the fireplace to face the bed. She plopped into the seat. “How are you, Laynie? Did you have a good birthday?”

“You knew when her birthday was and didn’t tell us? We didn’t know until
she
told us the night before last.” Brand adjusted the covers around her neck and shoulders.

“If you wanted to know, why didn’t you ask her?” Merilee rolled her eyes at him. “And don’t interrupt. I was talking to…yours and your brother’s girlfriend? Lover? The best daughter-in-law I could ask for?” She looked at Julayne and smiled. “It’s okay, honey. They won’t interrupt again.”

What had she asked? Oh, yeah.
“Um, I’m…fine. My birthday. Reese and Brand brought me Thai food and a bottle of wine and some truffles. By the way, thank you again for the plant. I’ll try not to kill it.”

“You’re welcome.” Mrs. Hilliard rested her elbows on the arms of the chair and steepled her fingers under her chin. “So…the three of you. I thought maybe… I guess this is a good time to tell you boys about something I’ve had on my mind for a while. Since Laynie moved to town actually. It’s about your father.”

* * * *

“Dad?” Reese’s mind ran through a dozen possibilities. Dad had a fatal disease. Mom was divorcing him. The hardware store was in financial trouble.

“Your father is fine. It’s just that…” She stood, pacing to the window. She pivoted and walked back to the chair. “Both of you boys love Julayne and she loves both of you, right?”

He looked at Brand and Laynie. They all nodded.

“Well, your dad and his best friend, Ned, both fell in love with me. We spent a lot of time together, and I loved both of them. Now, this was thirty-five years ago. We couldn’t just live together without people raising a stink.”

Was she saying what he thought she was saying?

“Yes, we had a relationship like the one you three have. I married Sam, but Ned lived with us. We shared a bed. We were so happy.”

Brand blew out a breath. “So you slept with both of them?”

“Yes, honey, just like you and Reese and Laynie did last night. We were together for almost six years.” She brushed her fingers across her cheek. Was she crying? “Then Ned died in a car accident. A few weeks later, I found out I was pregnant. The doctor said twins, but Sam and I didn’t know if the babies were his or Ned’s—not that either of us cared. We knew we’d love our children no matter what. Then you were born. One with light hair like Sam’s, one with dark hair like Ned’s. By some miracle, I had a son by each of the men I loved.”

Good God, he and Brand had different fathers? Leaning back against the pillows, Reese fought the urge to laugh. Twin brothers as opposite as night and day in a hundred ways. Still brothers, and his biological father was dead.

“Sam cried the first time he held you, Reese. He would’ve sacrificed his life for Ned to be there, but he couldn’t. Instead, he gave you all the love he knew Ned would’ve given you. Sam is as much your father as Ned. Brand, Ned is as much your father as Sam.” Crossing to the bed, she sat on the edge of the mattress. “What you three have is special. Don’t let anyone come between you. Who’s to say what’s right or wrong? You love each other, and that’s all that matters.”

“So Reese and I are half brothers.” Brand’s voice cracked over the words.

“No! You’re brothers, brought into this world with love. I don’t want this changing things between you two. I only told you to help you with your relationship with Laynie.”

Reese looked at the man he’d shared a more than a blood connection with his whole life. “She’s right. This doesn’t change anything. We’re brothers. Dad is
our
dad. I’m okay with this, so you damn well better be.”

Brand nodded.
Brothers.

“I’m so sorry, Merilee.” Laynie reached out, taking his mom’s hand in hers and giving it a squeeze. “I can’t imagine how painful losing Ned must’ve been. I’m glad he gave you a part of himself.”

“Me too, honey.” His mom pulled away and swiped at her face again. She winked at Laynie. “I hear you’re teaching a pole dancing class at Penny’s. Does this mean I get free lessons?”

THE END

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