Page 27 of Shades of You (Calypso Key #4)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Hunter

A sense of surreal happiness filled me as I swept my gaze around the table, where my siblings and I were celebrating in a corner booth of Conch Republic. All five of us. The air was electric with pride and excitement after our semifinal win against the Marathon Manatees.

“To the Stingrays!” Maia’s face was lit with victory as she raised her glass. “One more win and we’re taking home that championship trophy.”

Evan tried not to laugh as he elbowed Stella. “And here’s to our dear sister’s sliding catch in the seventh. Thought for sure you were going to face-plant and cost us the game.”

“Hey now,” Stella protested good-naturedly. “It’s called style.”

As laughter erupted among us, Luke, the bartender, ambled over with his sandy hair falling into friendly hazel eyes. He set down a frosty pitcher of beer and four glasses. “Heard the good news, so this round’ s on the house. And some victory chips and salsa to keep you going.” With a practiced flourish, he added a large bowl of tortilla chips.

“Thanks, Luke!” Stella called as he headed back to the bar. The tangy scent of salsa mixed with hoppy beer as she poured everyone a glass.

My gaze flicked from face to face around the table—Maia’s eyes sparkling with mirth, Evan’s easy smile, Gabe enjoying a rare laugh, Stella’s wide grin. Something unspoken passed between us, an acknowledgment of the significance of this reunion.

The last time only us siblings were gathered around a table, I was a gangly teenager and more focused on immersing myself inside a book or under the water than appreciating family. And then I became a ghost, haunting overseas locations for years at a time. Now I understood just how precious this was. Maia caught my eye and tilted her head slightly, a silent question in the quirk of her brow. I shook my head almost imperceptibly.

Don’t say it out loud. Don’t break the spell.

It felt like we were all holding our breaths, afraid that by pointing out the extraordinary nature of this gathering, we’d somehow shatter the fragile magic that had brought us here. Like naming a fear could make it real.

So we sipped our beers and munched on chips, the conversation flowing around safer topics—the game we’d just won, the best dive spots, Stella’s latest culinary adventures. But an undercurrent of something deeper hummed beneath the easy banter. Our shared history.

A bond bent and twisted, yet now being repaired.

I leaned back in my chair, and warmth bloomed inside me. I wanted to bottle this feeling, to tuck it away somewhere safe and pull it out when needed. Because despite the laughter and camaraderie, I knew it was tenuous. And so did everyone else around this table.

Gabe’s face sobered as he raised his glass. “To family and baseball.”

As five frosty glasses clinked in the middle of the table, we all echoed his sentiment, a ripple of tentative acknowledgment going around. And in true oldest brother fashion, Gabe deflected the heavy moment by bringing the conversation back to baseball. “So, championship game coming up. And against those damn Barracudas.”

Maia’s brow furrowed as she snagged a tortilla chip. “We’ll need to get a handle on their ace pitcher and that big slugger of theirs next time.”

Stella grinned, her eyes dancing. “Oh, I think we match up rather well with them now,” she drawled, her gaze flickering between Evan and me. Pride flared in my chest. Stella had always been our biggest cheerleader, even when we stumbled.

Evan ducked his head, a sheepish smile playing on his lips. “I don’t know. I feel like I chickened out by only pitching the first few innings. Manuel really stepped up and secured the win for us.”

“Hey, none of that,” I said firmly, but I wasn’t ready to give his shoulder a supportive squeeze. One step at a time.

Maia’s smile faded as she stared at him. “Ev, what you did out there was a massive step, and you were your usual lethal self. You were the one who dug their grave. Manuel just hammered in the nails.”

“The Enforcer in action,” I added quietly, bringing up Evan’s nickname when he’d been a holy terror on the mound. The pitches he’d thrown today might not have been in the same league, but he’d gotten the job done.

Gabe’s eyes met mine, a moment of perfect understanding passing between us. We knew the enormity of what Evan had achieved today, the inner battles he’d fought to get here. I’d had my own share of problems, but I wasn’t the one who ended up in a wheelchair.

As Evan’s posture straightened, tentative confidence settled over him. I leaned back against the worn booth, and the peeling vinyl crackled under my shoulder blades. I inhaled the camaraderie and support swirling around our little corner of Conch Republic, hardly able to believe it.

This.

Right here. Sitting in a dimly lit bar and celebrating with my siblings filled a void that had gaped inside me for too long. Well, partially filled.

I took a long swig, savoring the cool amber liquid sliding down my throat. As much as I relished this reunion, my mind drifted to Brenna. I’d asked if she wanted to attend the semifinal game, but she demurred, citing a family get-together. I was a little surprised at her hesitancy over informing her family about us, given that she was the one who wanted to end the Markham-Coleridge feud.

Then again, I understood better than anyone how complicated family interactions could be. But dammit, I wanted to share this win with her, to have her right next to me amidst the celebratory atmosphere. Was now to time to tell my siblings about us?

The chatter around the table faded into the background as her image consumed my mind. The softness of her skin, the warmth of her smile when she talked about a book. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was getting in too deep. And I still wasn’t quite sure how it had happened—I’d tried to make it obvious that I wasn’t the man she needed. But every time I saw her, those doubts crumbled, only to double once I was alone and had time to reflect.

“Hey, Hunter, you with us?” Stella’s voice brought me back to the present, a teasing smile dancing on her lips.

I blinked, forcing myself to focus on her words. “Yeah. Uh, just lost in thought for a moment there.”

“Something wrong?” Gabe asked.

Evan also turned his attention to me, the eyes of all four of them searching mine for answers. The weight of their gazes pressed against my chest, making it hard to breathe. How could I explain the whirlwind of emotions churning inside me, especially when they involved Brenna Coleridge?

“What’s wrong, Hunter?” Maia asked, no trace of teasing now.

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around my beer glass. Condensation dampened my palm. But looking at their faces, I knew it was time to come clean. “Nothing’s really wrong. Well, maybe.” I rubbed my forehead, wondering why the temperature had suddenly shot up.

Gabe gave me a long, evaluating stare. It had been a while since he and I sat in this very bar discussing Brenna, but he could put two and two together. “Let me guess. Is this about a woman?”

My shoulders dropped as I nodded. “Gabe already knows something about this, but I’m involved with someone. Brenna Coleridge.”

Silence descended over the table, broken only by the clink of glasses and the low hum of conversation from around us. As I braced myself for their reactions, my heart thudded against my ribs.

To my surprise, a slow, knowing smile spread across Stella’s face. “Ha! I suspected as much when I visited your apartment. The way you two looked at each other… it was pr etty obvious there was more going on than just the damsel in distress dynamic.”

Relief washed through me, followed quickly by a flicker of brotherly irritation. “There wasn’t anything going on when you barged in. That all happened later. Is this the part where you tell me we’re making a huge mistake?”

Stella’s expression turned thoughtful. “Not exactly. I just want you to be careful, Hunter. I know how deeply you feel things, even if you try to hide it behind that tough exterior. And with Brenna’s family… well, it could get complicated.”

I nodded, unable to refute that. Brenna and I were in uncharted territory, and I knew it wouldn’t be an easy path. But as I thought of how we could talk books for hours or the way her smile made me feel, I didn’t give a shit about any of it. She was worth it.

“I know it won’t be easy,” I said, meeting Stella’s gaze. “But I’m in this. Brenna… makes me want to be a better man.” Heat washed over my face. I felt like a goddamn teenager confessing to his first crush.

Of course, she pretty much was.

Stella reached across the table and patted my hand. “Then I’m happy for you. And I’m here for you, no matter what. We all are.”

Gabe leaned back in his seat, a thoughtful look on his face. “Who knows? Maybe this is what our families need. A Coleridge and a Markham together… it could be the catalyst to finally put this stupid feud to rest.”

I raised an eyebrow, Gabe’s optimistic perspective surprising me. “You really think so?”

Gabe shrugged, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Why not? It’s about time we all moved on from the past. Including me and Ben. We actually managed to have a civil conversation recently. If you and Brenna can find happiness together, then I say more power to you.”

Evan nodded in agreement. “Look at me and Liv. Our relationship was anything but easy at first. But in the end, we fought for each other.” A grin spread across his face. “And now we’re getting married.”

Maia rolled her eyes. “Ah yes, the mythical grand event. Have you managed to pin down a date yet? Or maybe the wedding is just fake.”

Evan burst into laughter, raising his hands in playful defense. “Easy there, sis. We’re ironing out the details as we speak. As soon as Liv and I settle on a date, I promise you’ll be the first one on earth to know.”

Maia huffed and grabbed a chip from the bowl, then tossed it at Evan. He laughed as it bounced off his chest, catching it with lightning-fast reflexes before it hit the table.

I couldn’t help but smile at them. But even as I did, a familiar pang of loneliness struck me. Evan and Maia bantering back and forth reminded me of just how close they were. How much history they all shared. And me? I was the outsider. A youngest son who had finally returned home but still didn’t quite fit in.

Would I ever truly belong anywhere?

Stella turned to me, her expression growing serious. “Speaking of relationships, how does Brenna’s family feel about you two being together?”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, avoiding her gaze. “She hasn’t told them yet.”

Gabe and Evan exchanged a look, and Maia cocked her head. “Really? Why not?”

I shrugged, feeling defensive. “I don’t know. She just hasn’t gotten around to it. ”

Gabe leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Or maybe she’s worried about how you’ll be received.”

I bristled at his words, even though I knew he was right. “Look, I’m only telling you guys about it now, so I can’t get pissed at her for not telling her family.”

Stella sighed, her expression softening. “Hunter, I know this is new for you. But if you and Brenna are serious about each other, you’re going to have to face this eventually.”

Gabe sprawled back in his chair. A slow smile rose on his face, instantly alerting me. “Maybe it’s time to invite Brenna over for a friendly family dinner.”

I groaned, imagining the awkwardness, verging on horror, of that scenario. “That’s the last thing she needs right now.”

Laughter rang around the table. I joined in, trying to shake off the unease that had settled over me. But deep down, I knew Gabe was right. If I wanted this relationship with Brenna to work, we needed to test the waters of this supposed feud and see what was really there.

As the laughter died down, our conversation returned to next week’s championship game. I pictured myself in the batter’s box, staring down the Barracudas’ ace. I glanced around the table at my brothers and sisters, and a swell of gratitude rolled through me at their support. Including Evan.

As the night wore on and the beer flowed, I let myself get swept up in the excitement of the moment. But in the back of my mind, I knew there were bigger battles ahead. Battles that had nothing to do with baseball and everything to do with the wounds of the past.

And I couldn’t help but wonder if I was ready to face them.