Stepbrother's Secrets (A New Adult Forbidden Romance) Read Free Page B

building and out to the valet.
    We ride in silence. I don't really know what to say. Pulling up in front of my dorm he looks at me for a long moment.
    "I’m serious," he says leaning in.
    I kiss him but my own passion is reserved now. I don't know if I should believe him or not. I don't know if I should be thankful that this wasn't a one night stand or if I should be angry it wasn't. I just don't know.
    "Okay," I say breaking the kiss.
    I reach for the door handle and let myself out. I listen for him to pull away as I walk to my dorm but he doesn't even start the car until the door is closing behind me.

Chapter four
    "Mom, seriously, I don't have time! I've got a test tomorrow, a paper due, and forty pages of reading for another class. I really can't drop all this and run over! It's a forty minute drive each way."
    "Oh Sheila, you know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't really important. I mean like really important. Can't you please come to dinner?"
    Lace is restraining herself from busting a gut from suppressed laughter. I roll my eyes at her as she starts pantomiming me and my mother with her hands talking to each other. She's being absolutely no help.
    "Mom, I'm sorry I can't."
    "I understand," I can hear it in her voice.
    Poor me. Poor Mom, totally forgotten by her only daughter. Great.
    "Mom, look, can it wait for the weekend?"
    "Sheila-boo, if it has to it will wait. It's just, well," she sobs and my stomach drops to the floor "it's really big and God knows we could use some good news for a change."
    I inhale deeply with my eyes closed. I look at Lace and mime cutting my own throat. Shaking my head my mouth says the opposite. "Okay Mom, I'll make it work," already regretting the sleep I'll lose.
    Mom does this to me all the time. I'm her only child and she's worked hard to allow me to get an education. I appreciate it, I really do, but sometimes she doesn't understand what it takes to keep my grades up.
    "Oh Sheila-boo! I'm so happy. I can't wait to see you. You're going to be so, so excited!"
    "I'm sure I will Mom, I love you."
    "Seven o'clock sharp dear."
    "Yes Mom."
    "I love you!"
    "I love you too," I say hanging the phone up and collapsing onto the bed. "Ugh!"
    "I love you too Sheila-boo!" Lace mocks me from across the room.
    "You're a smart ass," I grouse.
    "You're a push over," she replies.
    "Yeah, yeah I am. But it's my mom. She did everything for me, I feel like I owe it to her."
    "Sure, and you do. Don't mean you're not a push over!" she laughs.
    "Well good, you can ride with me. You need a home cooked meal."
    "What?" she says surprised.
    "You heard me!"
    "I have to study!"
    "So do I, so we'll work it in the car. Please don't make me do this alone. If you come we can take turns driving and at least get some work done on the road."
    Lace closes her eyes and sighs. I know I've got her right then. I sit up and smile at her.
    "Okaaay," she says sighing dramatically.
    I give her a hug by way of thanks. Glancing at the clock I barely have time to get across campus to my next class.
    "See you tonight," I say grabbing my books and bolting out the door.
    *****
    Mom's house is small but nice. She lives in the suburbs in a perfect middle class world. She did all right for us after she left my dad. Nothing amazing, we weren't rich but I never wanted for anything that I can recall. I don't bother knocking, this is still home to me. As I lead the way through the door the smells of roast and herb potatoes hits me full in the face. I stop, inhaling it, and Lace runs into my back.
    "Hey!" Lace says. "Whoa, is that roast? Mmmm."
    "Sheila-boo?" Mom's voice drifts from the kitchen.
    "Sheila-boo," Lace whispers behind me giggling.
    "Shut up," I hiss thrusting my elbow back into her gut.
    It doesn't stop the giggling. I lead the way to the kitchen.
    "Hey Mom, I brought Lace along, she needed a good meal-" The words die in my throat as I turn the corner into the kitchen.
    Jake is leaning against the kitchen sink.
    He looks over at me and