Ben spots me and stiffens, but he’s overrun with people greeting him. Of course everyone is surprised as fuck to see him with a date for the first time. Nobody comes to a Cocker BBQ unless they’re family, in-laws, or they’re going to marry one of us. It’s an unspoken thing evolved over the years because of a lot of reasons.

So why the fuck is he here with Shelby?

Paige is more shocked than I am. “What happened to Carter?” she asks, as we watch them make the rounds. “She was living with her boyfriend!”

“Guess Carter is in the dust somewhere. You still haven’t talked to her, right?”

Stunned she says, “No, when I quit Jordanna’s studio she was cold to me. I told her to call when she was ready to be my friend again. She never did.”

I say through gritted teeth, “Guess she was busy,” eyeing my tall cousin as he dwarfs the others.

He can’t hide and he’s not trying to.

His green eyes keep locking with mine.

He knows a storm is coming.

Elijah appears in the doorway. For the casual occasion he’s ditched the suit for some grey slacks and a white button-up. He’s got his hands in his pockets, classic Cocker cover for unease. He scans the yard, seeing Ben first and by the look in his eyes that’s why Elijah came outside. He must have heard the commotion from Grandpa’s office where he was working until the absolute last minute.

But now work has to be put on hold.

Searching for me he gives me an almost imperceptible nod.

Ethan stands up, handing his baby to his CEO wife, Charlie, with a tense smile for her that disappears as he looks at me.

So Ben told him about us.

Just like I thought, talking behind my back.

I’m going to fucking kill him.

“Gabriel,” Paige desperately says as I head in their direction. There are at least thirty people scattered throughout the backyard and kitchen. Some by the long food table, some down by the old dolphin fountain that no longer works. Some laughing as they carry out pitchers and dishes.

Grandpa Michael is greeting Shelby with a warm smile as Grandma Nance is chatting her up.

So I wait. Ethan waits. Elijah strolls down the stairs.

As soon as our grandparents step away from Ben he sees me, and Shelby’s nervous smile disappears. I jerk my head to the side of the porch where we can talk. He nods.

My fingers let go of Paige. “Wait here.”

“No!” She grabs on and tightens her hold. “Don’t do anything!”

With my jaw twitching I lead her over. Ethan’s face is cool and collected trying to broadcast to the rest of the family that nothing is happening.

Elijah isn’t even trying to mask it.

He’s as grim as I am.

Shelby is staring at Paige, and her back is extra straight. My girl is about to ask what’s going on but I cut her off, voice low. “You can’t return a fuckin’ phone call?”

He’s just as quiet, but not nearly as angry. Calm motherfucker that he is. “After you ditched me at Ray’s?”

Elijah is on my left, Paige on my right. I let go of her hand and growl at Ben, “You tried to steal my date! You showed up at the fuckin’ restaurant thinking you could take her!”

Glaring at me he growls back, “You hadn’t even met her yet. How was I supposed to know that the one time you’d actually commit to something it’d be now!?”

My fist flies out.

I punch him so hard he reels back.

Shelby yells, “Ben!”

Paige cries, “No!”

And that’s it.

The BBQ goes dead silent.

Ethan gets in between us but Elijah grabs him so I can do what I’ve gotta do. Ben comes at me and we start brawling. Fists landing where they have to. Family shouting at the top of their lungs for us to stop. My Dad and Uncle Jason work to get me off of Ben.

Ben’s dad, Uncle Jaxson growls, “Enough!” and pushes his son back twice as he tries to come at me for more.

Uncle Jake and Uncle Jeremy get in the middle.

My dad and his twin have my arms and are ordering me to stand down.

Grandpa Michael tears Elijah’s hands off Ethan’s T-shirt and rips it. “What is the matter with all of you?” he bellows to the four of us, his patriarchal presence taking up the whole yard just like that. “Will someone tell me what is going on?”

Panting, Ben and I glare at each other.

Everyone waits for an explanation.

It won’t come.

My mom and Ben’s mom, Aunt Rachel, rush in between the two groups of testosterone, their arms out like they don’t want to get hit if someone gets free.

Aunt Rachel says, “Are we going to get an explanation for this?”

“Or are you going to keep acting like animals?” Mom looks at my girl. “Paige, you want to enlighten us?”

Instantly I’m protective of her but as usual she can take care of herself. Shaking her head once she boldly says, “If Gabriel doesn’t want to say, then I won’t force him. This is between them.”

My father huffs through his nose but I know he respects what she just did, despite how much it irritates him not to have the reason.

He and Jason let me go with warning looks.

I shake myself out, adjusting my shirt and cutting a quick glance around the party. Well, it was a party. Not so much one now.

Ben runs his hands through his hair and nods to his father that he’s under control, leave him alone. Jaxson’s nostrils flare but he takes a step back.

My brother’s voice booms out, surprising us all. “Now that it’s over, can we put this behind us? Or is everyone going to whisper all night long? Are we children or are we Cockers?”

Grandpa Michael regards Elijah with a cool expression, a glint of respect in his eyes for taking charge like he just did. The younger cousins take the cue, nodding and saying they’re Cockers.

If Uncle Jett was here this would not be dropped so easily, so I’m glad he’s not. Same with Sofia Sol. She’d be shouting for an explanation.

And a resolution we’re not ready for.

The group disperses but makes sure that Ben and I are not near each other at the table. Hannah tells Elijah to scoot over so she can sit by me, Paige on my other side. Tobias is next to my twin, his mouth tight.

Hannah whispers as everyone tries to have a normal BBQ, “I had to hold Tobias back. He’s a pro fighter — he would’ve hurt Ben more than you wanted him to.”

“Don’t be too sure about that.”

“You need to let this go. You won.” She locks eyes with Paige.

Inhaling patience I say, “Maybe someday I will, Hannah. But not today.”

“Gabriel,” she whispers.

“All he had to do was pick up a phone.”

That shuts her up.