Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family 2)

“And you don’t know whether or not to believe them this time?” She wanted to touch him, to cover his hand with hers and let him know he wasn’t alone, but he gripped the wheel tight and clearly wanted his distance.

“I don’t know your parents, but you’re an adult and I don’t think they’d lie to you.” She blew out a breath. “Did they lie about Whitney? Or did things just take an unexpected bad turn?”

She knew he didn’t like talking about his sister, but asking was the only way not just for her to find out but to help him through things now.

He flipped on the right turn signal and took the exit. “I don’t believe they lied. Maybe they’re more optimistic than me but I don’t understand how. Not after what happened to Whitney.”

“I get it. But anything they did or said was because they love you.” She hesitated and then dove into the deep end. For Beck because she cared about him. She knew her past had not been as tragic as his, but she could draw some kind of parallel in the hopes of making him think about how he viewed life.

“My parents are nothing like yours.” She bit the inside of her cheek. “Don’t get me wrong, my mom loves me, but she lived her life in denial so she didn’t have to rock the boat of her marriage. Oh, she says she stayed for the kids, but let’s face it. How happy are the kids living in a house where the husband is cheating and it’s a known issue as we all grew up? I know it’s not the same as losing a sibling.”

She paused and drew a deep breath. “But what I’m trying to say is that the love you guys have for each other is strong but so is the respect.” Respect her family hadn’t had for one another. Her parents, anyway. “Trust your parents to tell you the truth and gain strength from their optimism.”

His hands curled around the wheel, his knuckles turning white. “That’s easy to say but harder to do when I was given every reason to believe Whitney would survive only to lose her despite the positive outlook.”

She closed her eyes and sighed. He was a stubborn man with a very valid point, and she didn’t know how else to get through to him.

“But Chloe?” He turned toward her before looking back at the road.

“Hmm?”

He reached over and placed his hand over hers. “I appreciate you telling me about your parents, and I know you’re just trying to help.”

She was. Too bad it wouldn’t help him open his heart any time in the near future.

He turned into a driveway of a large colonial-style home in a modern neighborhood that looked fairly new. Since Beck had grown up in the Bronx, she knew this home was one he and his brothers must have helped them buy. The Daniels brothers were good men.

Beck cut the engine. “Ready?”

She picked up the pie from the floor in front of her. Her purse was already hooked on her arm and she met his gaze. “Let’s do this.”

He winked at her, causing her stomach to tumble over. He’d probably meant to calm her. He’d just reminded her of how easily she was falling for him instead. Shoving that thought out of her head, she climbed out of the car, letting him help her, and followed him up the path to meet his parents.

His mom, a pretty woman with wavy light brown hair and Beck’s green eyes, greeted them at the door. Introductions were made while his mother fawned over her son. She led them into the house, which had a modern décor, and they ended up in the kitchen, also modern with gorgeous stainless steel appliances.

She took the pie out of Chloe’s hands and put it on the counter and proceeded to pull her into a hug. “I’m so glad you could join us.”

A loud sound of a man clearing his throat startled Chloe, and she spun to see a handsome man, an older version of Beck, studying her intently. “I’m Kurt Daniels,” he said.

“This is Chloe, Dad.”

He nodded, his gaze zeroed in on her face.

“Kurt, stop staring. You’re being rude,” his mom, who’d insisted Chloe call her Audrey, said to her husband.

He shrugged, not looking sorry. “It’s just that she looks familiar,” he said. “You said your name’s Chloe, right?”

She nodded. “Chloe Kingston.”

Audrey’s eyes opened wide. “Are you Linc Kingston’s sister?”

Chloe nodded. Beside her, Beck stiffened.

“I remember him from your college years,” she said to Beck. “You were roommates, and then at some point, you stopped mentioning him.”

“Things happened,” Beck muttered. “Dad, want to go watch some television?” He was obviously eager to change the subject.

Chloe was still in the dark about her brother and Beck’s history, something she intended to change as soon as she had time alone with Linc, and it was time for her to do just that.