Quite a Spectacle Read Free Page B

Max’s sister, Catherine, came to stand by his side. Out of all the Stewarts, other than Max, she was the one Michael was the most comfortable with and the only one he really talked to.
    She nudged his side with her elbow. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
    He nudged her back. “You’re not the only one.”
    They watched as Max moved on to greet his aunt and cousin. Their voices were loud and bouncing off the walls in their excitement. Max’s brother—Darren—came over and thrust his hand out. “Michael,” he said.
    Michael shook his hand, well aware of just how much Darren resembled Mr. Stewart. “Darren,” he said, “Good to see you.”
    Darren dropped his hand, looking him up and down. Michael withheld his sigh and let him look. “Dad said you threw up in the Jag,” Darren finally said.
    Michael closed his eyes. Catherine hissed, “Darren!”
    Rubbing his temple Michael was about to try and defend himself when Max came over and joined their little group. He shoved Darren out of the way with his hip and gathered Catherine up into his arms. “How’s my favorite sister?” he cooed at her.
    She snorted, squeezing her arms tight around his neck. “I’m your only sister.”
    Max slanted Darren a look and pressed a kiss to Catherine’s forehead. “You’re right. I should have said favorite sibling.”
    “Hey now!” Darren whacked Max’s arm, causing Max to jump away and chuckle.
    He maneuvered himself so he was between Michael and Catherine, an arm around both their waists. “Were you bothering my man?” he asked Darren.
    Darren had the grace to look sheepish as he rubbed his fingers along his jaw. “I asked him about the Jag. Dad said something….”
    Michael watched as Max’s eyes narrowed and his lips pursed. “Dad said something? When did he even have the time?”
    Darren shrugged. “He texted me. Let me know you were running a bit behind.” He turned more toward Michael. “He didn’t mean it in a mean type of way or anything.”
    Michael waved his hand carelessly through the air, doing his best to keep his face blank. “It’s all fine.”
    Going by the tightness in Max’s face, it wasn’t all fine. Michael squeezed Max’s side and leaned his hip into him. Catherine was looking at them both with concern, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
    Oblivious to the tense atmosphere, Max’s aunt and her son made their way over. His aunt was beaming wide as she went up on tiptoes to bestow a kiss on Michael’s cheek. He blinked in shock, his hand coming up to touch the skin of his cheek briefly.
    “Hello,” he said, surprised.
    She was still smiling widely up at him. “You must be Michael,” she said. “It’s so good to finally meet you.”
    Max withdrew his arm from around Catherine so he could motion with it. “This is Mary. My mum’s sister.”
    Michael was more than a little relieved he’d never met her before. Here was someone whom he could make a good first impression on. He took her hand and brought the back of it to his lips, pressing a brief kiss to the slightly wrinkled skin. “Pleasure to meet you,” he said.
    Beside him Max was rolling his eyes and Catherine looked amused, but Mary was blushing and her eyes were crinkling at the corners with her smile.
    Michael beamed at her, and her blush grew even darker as he let her hand go. She swatted at Max. “You’ve got yourself a charmer there,” she tittered.
    Max shot him a sidelong look. “Yes,” he said, “I apparently have.”
    Her son stepped forward, his lips quirked in amusement. He held his hand out for Michael to shake. “I’m Joe. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
    Michael shook his hand, chuckling a little bit. “All good I hope?”
    “Max sings your praises,” Joe assured.
    Turning to Max, Michael pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You sing my praises, huh? That’s good to know.”
    Groaning, Max clapped his free hand over his eyes. “God, why did you have to tell him that? Now his ego is going