“I’m going to go see Kennedy.” I ducked past them and into the cottage, getting a strong whiff of paint from the door on the way. In the living room, Mum, Kennedy, and Summer were clustered on the couch. They all glanced up as I entered, and I met Kennedy’s eyes. The haunted look in them made my soul ache. I went to her, pulled her to her feet, and hugged the crap out of her. My lips ghosted over her temples, and I buried my face in her hair and breathed her in. She whimpered, and a shudder wracked her body.

“I’ve got you,” I murmured. “I’m so sorry this is happening.”

“It’s bullshit,” she muttered against my chest.

“I know, baby.”

We both stiffened. She tilted her face up toward me, a question in her eyes. I didn’t take the endearment back, and we gazed at each other for a long moment before someone coughed loudly.

“Liam.” Blair sounded a little friendlier than he had the other day, but not by much.

I released Kennedy and nodded at him, then forced myself to acknowledge his friend, Tyler. We’d met once before in passing, and he seemed nice enough, but I didn’t like him being around Kennedy. He was a little too handsome, and he’d spent years as a part of her life. Truth be told, even though Kennedy had assured me there was nothing romantic between them, never had been, and that Tyler had a girlfriend, I was envious because the younger man knew Kennedy in ways I didn’t.

“Big day?” Max asked, a smile creasing his face as he offered me a chocolate chip cookie from a platter on the coffee table. I took one. Where Max’s twin was a wall of muscle with close-cropped hair and a rugged complexion from spending time outdoors, Max himself was leaner, and his features were more gentle.

“Not too bad,” I replied, smoothing a hand down Kennedy’s back. “How are you holding up?” I asked her.

“All right.” She glanced around the room. “I can’t believe everyone turned up like this,” she murmured for my ears only. “Last week, they hated me, but now they’re here to help.”

I drew her to my side, erasing as much distance between us as I could. “Learning the truth probably helped on that front, but when it comes down to it, you’re one of us, and we support each other.”

Her smile was hopeful as she looked up at me. “You really mean that?”

“I do.” God, I wanted to kiss her. But now wasn’t the time or the place.

“Kennedy,” Mum called. “You haven’t tried the fudge chunk cookies yet, have you?”

I grinned. My family had rallied around Kennedy regardless of our rocky past, and I loved the hell out of them for it.

Chapter Thirty-Six

KENNEDY