addressed his son. “This is not how I wanted to tell you, but what Jamie says is true. Your father and I were lovers.”
After finally admitting the truth, Thomas’s shoulders slumped as if a weight had been lifted. I could tell he was still holding his breath, waiting for a reaction from his son.
Unfortunately, he got nothing in return.
“Shortly after you were born, Sean left,” Mrs. McNamara informed her silent son. “He was involved with some really bad people, so he decided you’d be better off without him. Safer.”
For the first time since Four entered the room, Ever finally spoke. “You said he died before I was born.”
“I…well…that wasn’t exactly true.”
“Just say the words, Mother. They’re simple to understand. You lied. You fucking lied.”
Thomas’s face looked like a bruised tomato as he glared at his son. “I know you’re upset, son, but you will not disrespect your mother in my home!”
I guess my best friend decided he’d rather leave than submit to either of his parents. Without a word of explanation, Ever rose from his seat and made a beeline for the exit.
Shooting to his feet as well, Mr. McNamara desperately shouted four words in hopes of stopping Ever from leaving. “You have a brother!”
It fucking worked like a charm.
My eyes squeezed shut as Ever paused in front of the doors. This was getting a little too hard to watch. And to think it had been my genius idea to drag Tyra here to hang out rather than to the beach house to make out as I should have done. The worst part was knowing that I could never fully be there for Ever. Hell, for any of my friends. Not unless I wanted to put them all in danger.
When I opened my eyes, my gaze landed on Lou, and I found it interesting that the usually smug pickpocket was suddenly shaking in her boots. In fact, she looked ready to bolt as her gaze met Four’s, and something passed between them. Obviously, the people in this room knew more than they were letting on, which begged only one question. How much did Tyra know?
She slipped her hand inside mine, and when I turned away from the train wreck ahead, I found her looking just as baffled as I felt.
“What did you say?” Ever’s hoarse demand was a telling sign that the tumultuous emotions he was trying to keep at bay were fighting to break free and winning.
“You have an older brother, and he knows about you. He’s here in Blackwood Keep. He’s been here and he—”
“Maybe we shouldn’t do this right now. I think Ever’s had enough.”
The only people in the room who seemed surprised by Lou’s interruption was Tyra and me. It was obvious she was protecting more than just Ever, but who? The only people in this town she gave a shit about were standing in this room. Everyone except—
Somehow, our gazes connected across the room, and the guilty shift of Lou’s feet confirmed what I’d already pieced together.
Wren.
She was protecting Wren.
Holy shit.
“Who is he?” Ever demanded, ignoring Lou’s protest. No one in the room spoke, and for the very first time, I witnessed my best friend lose control. Shoving his fist into the wall—told ya—he shouted at his parents. “Tell me!”
“It’s Wren! Wren is your brother,” Four blurted. Ignoring the dirty look Lou gave her, Four rushed across the room. She reached out for him, but the look Ever gave her stopped her in her tracks. It was one of blind hurt and utter betrayal as he took a step back, rejecting the comfort she offered.
“You knew?”
Those two words hit me like a punch to the gut. I could only imagine how Four was feeling.
“Only for a little while,” Four swore. “I-I didn’t know if I should tell you.”
“How long is a little while?” he pressed through gritted teeth.
Four’s gaze darted to the side, and I filled my lungs with as much air as I could. Whatever the answer, Ever wasn’t going to like it, and knowing my best friend, two seconds was too long. Four never stood a chance at doing the right thing. The situation was too delicate. Too murky.
“Lou and I figured it out after Thanksgiving dinner,” she mumbled. “I showed her the picture on the mantle of Thomas, Sean, and Douglas. Lou recognized Sean and told me he was Wren’s father.” Inching closer and closer toward him, Four continued. “The day you showed me that picture after telling me he was your