Page 32 of Aiden & Lily

Mathew’s jaw remained clenched tight. Jason, on the other hand, settled back in his chair and sighed. “It’s ridiculous,honestly. She married a guy my uncle hates. It’s a whole big thing.” He gave his brother a look. “It’s none of Uncle George’s business who Penny wants to marry. She’s not his daughter. Now, if Rose or Lily or one of the other girls ended up married to a Meyer, then he could throw a fit all he wants.”

Aiden flinched at Lily’s name. It had to be a miracle that he’d never heard the names of Mathew’s cousins until now. Then again, maybe he had and he hadn’t been paying attention.

“The drama is out of control,” Mathew grumbled. “The wedding shouldn’t have happened, and now with a baby…”

“Hey, at least they’re happy.” Jason turned to the rest of the group. “Penny stood up for herself. Told everyone to mind their business, and then she went on to threaten everyone within an inch of their lives. Only the people willing to be cordial will be allowed to see the baby and be in its life.”

Parker chuckled. “Good for her. I think I’d like your sister.”

Aiden shot his brother a hard look. One he hoped reminded Parker that said sister was taken.

His brother merely smirked.

“Think about it,” Jason said, giving his brother a playful shrug. “The girls should just worry about finding good men and starting their families before they give their father a heart attack or something.”

Aiden’s eyes shot to Mathew.

By the look on Mathew’s face, he knew they were thinking the same thing.

It was too soon for comments like that.

Mathew’s father had passed away from a heart attack, and recently at that. Jason seemed to realize it a beat late. His smile faded, and he rubbed a hand over the back of his neck.

Mathew looked down at his glass and said nothing.

“Wait a minute,” Reese interjected. “Did you say Lily? And Rose?” His eyes volleyed from Jason to Mathew. “As in Lily Taylor?”

Mathew nodded, taking a drink of his own. “She’s our cousin. You know her?”

A smile spread across Reese’s face, and he settled back against his seat. “Know her? I dated her. You know that girl I was talking about?”

Realization dawned around the table, and inwardly, Aiden groaned.

He’d put the pieces together long before now. With Mathew and Reese discovering the same, this could turn out even worse if the truth came out.

For the first time since Mathew had sat down, a smile tugged at his lips. “Small world. I didn’t know she’d been dating.”

Reese shrugged. “It wasn’t something we wanted a lot of people to know about. Mostly because I think she wanted it to stay just us. Probably had something to do with her family. She mentioned they’re a bunch of gossips.” His smile turned fond. “But she’s just as bad.”

Jason and Mathew chuckled. Then Jason shook his head with amusement. “Yeah, we don’t partake, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get wind of stuff when they decide to share.”

“Too bad it didn’t work out with you two,” Mathew mused, picking up his menu.

Aiden gaped at Mathew. His shock morphed into irritation. “What?”

All eyes turned to him. The only one not confused by Aiden’s outburst was his brother, who managed to cover his mouth with his hand in a way that made it difficult to see his reaction.

This was all just a big game to him, wasn’t it?

Aiden fought the urge to glower at Parker as his focus remained on Mathew. “You said no one could date a member ofyour family. Over and over. Like, I lost track of how many times you told me?—”

“Incorrect,” Mathew said, understanding dawning.

Jason smirked, but it wasn’t as bad as Parker’s reaction. Reese still seemed confused.

Mathew had been fiddling with his straw, and now he pointed it at Aiden. “I said thatyoucouldn’t date my family.”

Those words stung far more than Aiden had expected. Even Parker seemed to sober up at his side. The conversation they’d had was likely weighing him down.