Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family 2)

Since he wanted to talk to Tripp and Drew, he chose a table instead of a seat at the bar and waited for them to join him. He looked at the glass taking up the entire back wall that was lined with liquor bottles, admiring the view.

“Hey.” Jason Dare, one of the club owners, strode over. He owned the club with two of his fraternity brothers, Tanner Grayson and Landon Bennett, and had named it in honor of Landon’s brother, who died years ago during a frat hazing gone wrong.

“Hey, Beck. It’s been awhile. How’ve you been?” Jason asked, walking up to him.

“Busy as usual. You?”

Jason shrugged. “The same. Except…” He paused, a grin on his face, making Beck curious.

“Except what?”

“My wife is pregnant,” Jason said, obviously just waiting for the opening to share the news.

Beck rose from his seat and slapped the other man on the back. “That’s great! Congratulations!”

Jason nodded. “So can I buy you”—he glanced over Beck’s shoulder—“and your brothers a drink to celebrate? I’m feeling generous these days.”

Beck chuckled because he and the guys always argued over Beck’s need to pay, which was ridiculous. He was their landlord and friend, but he ought to pay as much as anyone else who frequented the bar.

Tripp and Drew had joined them at the tail end of the conversation.

“His wife is pregnant,” Beck explained to his siblings.

“Congratulations,” Tripp and Drew said at the same time.

“Thank you. Now, what can I get for you? Your usual Macallan?” Jason asked.

“That’d be great. And give that beautiful wife of yours my best,” Beck said.

“Same from us.” Tripp spoke for himself and Drew.

The guys settled into chairs and Beck sat back down. He and his brothers played catch-up about each other’s work for a few minutes, until a cocktail waitress brought over a bottle of scotch and glasses.

“Mr. Dare said to enjoy. He had to handle something but said he’ll see you later.” She served them and walked away, leaving them alone again.

“Now that we have fortification…” Tripp said, “what’s going on? I’m guessing this impromptu meet has something to do with your houseguest?” He lifted his glass. “To Dad’s health.”

“Amen,” Beck said, touching his glass to theirs while they did the same.

Beck took a long drink as he considered how to reply.

“I bet Chloe’s rocked his world, and he doesn’t know what to do with her. Is that it?” Drew asked, meeting Beck’s gaze.

And Beck already regretted calling these two to talk. It wasn’t like either sibling was currently in a relationship or anything. He should have just figured out his problem by himself.

“Okay, sorry, man. You obviously have something on your mind.” Drew folded his arms and leaned on the table. “Talk.”

Beck frowned but his options were limited. His brothers were all he had. “Fine. Yeah, I slept with her, and now I feel like I’m playing that push-pull game. Which I don’t mean to do. It’s not fair to her. It’s just that she’s different than anyone I’ve been with before.” Needing a drink, he took another sip, savoring the burn as it went down.

“Is she pushing you for more than you’re willing to give?” Tripp, who was just coming off of a breakup, asked.

Beck shook his head. “Not at all. I told her from the start I don’t do relationships, and she said she wasn’t looking to jump into another one.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Drew asked. “Sounds to me like you’re the one making things more complicated than they need to be.”

And wasn’t that a kick in the ass? Beck downed a larger sip of his drink.

“What’s going on?” Tripp pushed.

“She makes me feel things,” he muttered, not in the least bit happy with himself.

A smirk edged Tripp’s mouth. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

“What are you going to do about it?” Drew asked.

Beck rolled his head to ease the tension in his shoulders. “Look, nothing’s changed. I don’t want to get seriously involved with anyone. You both know why and I’m not getting into it again now. But the fact that Dad’s sick? Just reinforces how right I am in my thinking.” He downed the last of his drink.

Drew lifted the bottle and poured him another glass.

Beck shook his head. “I don’t need another. I have dinner plans.” With Chloe.”

“Listen.” Tripp leaned forward and spoke in that calming doctor voice that could get annoying. “Chloe’s not staying with you forever, so just have fun while she’s there. Spell out those terms so she understands. That’ll avoid you overthinking, not to mention the hot-cold thing you don’t want to keep doing.” He shrugged. “Simple.”

More than Tripp knew, since Chloe already planned on moving out.

“The man’s got a point.” Drew placed his glass down on the table. “Not that I necessarily agree with your thinking about forever. Look at Mom and Dad, the things they’ve survived together. Makes me think someone for the long haul might not be so bad.”