Series: Peach State Stepbros Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
My stomach twists, chest tightening, but still, I say the most unexpected thing, “Brownies sound good.”
My mom used to make me brownies. It was one of the things she made really well.
I go inside with Ellie, and we head to the kitchen. It smells like she’s got something in the oven, a roast maybe. The brownies are cooling on the counter.
Ellie cuts a large square, puts it on a plate, and passes it to me. “This is nice, you stopping by today. We don’t get much time alone.”
I nod because I’m not sure how else to answer. I never wanted time alone with her before, but now I feel guilty about that. She’s about to be the next casualty of Glen McCallister.
“I understand things are…difficult between us. The way your father and I got together, and your mom. I apologize for that. I’ve never actually apologized, have I?” The last question is more to herself. I hear the surprise in her voice, the regret that she’s kept that to herself all these years.
I look down at the perfect brown square and shake my head, unsure how to feel or what to think.
“I’m sorry, Atlas. And I’m sure I’m likely not who you want to speak to, but if something is wrong and that’s why you’re here, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
I bite down on my tongue not to tell her, not to blurt it all out. Should I tell her? Everything is getting all twisted up in my head. The last thing I want is for it to be a shock to Troy, though, like I’m betraying him somehow if I tell Ellie first.
I feel even worse than I did yesterday, like if I open my mouth, I’m going to puke all over her brownie.
He’s cheating on you. Glen is cheating on you.
God, I hate my father. How can one person hurt so many?
“I’m seeing someone.” It’s the one thing I can say in this moment.
Her lips stretch into a huge grin. “Well, that’s wonderful news. What’s her name?”
“Him. He’s a him and…it’s complicated. There are a million reasons we’re not supposed to be together, but I love him.”
“Oh, honey.” She reaches over and places her hand on mine, squeezes it in support, and while I wish it were Mom I’m talking to, this is okay too. “Being in love is the greatest feeling. Sometimes it makes us do things we wouldn’t usually do. And sometimes,” she adds wistfully, “it can make us do things we’re not proud of.”
Her eyes dart away. I have no doubt if she turned them to me, I would see guilt there. And while I’m not ready to completely forgive her, I understand how you can get wrapped up in someone. I know Glen is a master manipulator, and he found Ellie when she was already struggling. She’s made a lot of mistakes—with Glen, with Troy, and maybe even with Brandon too. She’s not perfect, but she’s not all bad either. If you really look, most people aren’t.
“Anyway.” She waves her hand like she’s being silly and steps back. “Is he good to you?”
“Yes. The best.”
“Then I have a feeling it will all work out.” She gives me another supportive smile.
“I hope so. I have something to tell him that might hurt him, and I’m scared that even though it’s not my fault, it will be hard for him to be with me…or hell, maybe I’m scared I’ll mess up too. That I’m like G—” My gaze snaps to hers as I manage not to say his name. She knows what I meant, though, and I wonder if she will defend him.
“Life is complicated. I haven’t always done the right thing, your father neither…and there are a lot of regrets.”
“He said that?”
She frowns, then goes back to the pan and plucks a brownie for herself.
That’s what I thought. She has regrets, not him.
“I think you and your young man will be okay. You’re a good boy, Atlas. We should tell you that more often.”
It would be nice, but I can’t bring myself to say that.
Would she think we’ll be okay if she knew?
“You should put Brandon’s things out again,” I say instead. “He’s part of the family too. I feel that way about Mom. Because people are gone, it doesn’t mean we should forget about them.”
Her chin trembles, and I wonder if I shouldn’t have said that, if I went too far, but I know it would mean a lot to Troy.
“Eat up,” Ellie tells me. “The brownies are delicious.”
And while this day isn’t what I hoped it would be, while there is more I wish she would say, I feel a little closer to Ellie than I did before.
I eat the brownie while she talks about a trip she and Glen want to take, but that work is busy and he’s not sure he can get away. They work in different departments, have totally different roles, which gives her a flexibility he doesn’t have, she says, and I figure that’s how he manages to get away with leaving work without her knowing too. “He said I should ask a friend to go with me, which is nice. Could be fun to have some girl time.”