Series: Peach State Stepbros Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Don’t even think about it,” Dad says, and I’m not sure if it’s because he heard me or just knows me that well.
I turn and stand beside Taylor. Dad’s salt-and-pepper hair is messy. He’s tugged on shorts, and his T-shirt is inside out. I have no idea where Nicole is. “I hope you’re using protection. We haven’t had the talk yet,” falls out of my mouth because I blurt out uncomfortable shit when I’m not sure what to say.
“Jesus, Bren. Come in. Both of you.”
“Do we have to talk in there?” I ask, but I’m looking at Taylor, seeing him studying my dad. I know Taylor better than anyone else, but in this moment, I’m having a hard time reading him. I don’t think he’s pissed. Again, I figure he’s trying to understand what’s happening, how long it’s been happening, and what it means. But then I think back on what we were just talking about: his dad and how much anger Taylor has over how the Piece of Shit treated them; Nicole telling Taylor she’s seen him watching me and Dad. And all I know is that if what Dad and Nicole are doing hurts him in any way, I’ll lose my shit.
Nicole comes out of the bathroom, peeking around Dad, gaze landing on her son. “Taylor, I’m so sorry. We didn’t want you to find out this way. Either of you.”
Hearing his mom seems to snap him out of his trance. “How long?” he asks simply.
“Come in, you guys. We should talk.” Dad steps aside.
Waiting for Taylor to react, I’m caught in this place where I want to support my dad because he deserves this, but Taylor is my boy and I want to have his back too. When he steps toward the room, I walk with him. Dad closes the door behind us, Taylor sits on the couch, and I go down beside him, pressing my thigh against his for support.
Dad and Nic sit on the edge of the bed, which thankfully someone took the time to straighten. “We spent time together earlier this year,” she starts.
“Before Atlas’s party?” Taylor asks, and she nods.
“We’ve run into each other off and on since you boys started college but hadn’t really spent time together, until…January? February? We both ended up out to lunch alone at the same restaurant and decided to eat together.” Nicole’s hands shake slightly, and I watch as my father reaches over and places one of his on top of hers. It’s so odd to see. My dad has never touched another woman in front of me like that except my mom, and it twists me up a little.
“We didn’t plan for anything to happen, but lunch turned into a couple of hours,” Dad adds. “I hadn’t enjoyed talking to someone like that in a long time. It felt…good. I felt normal for the first time in years.”
A sharp pang lands in my chest. I hate that Dad has been so lonely for so many years, that he hasn’t felt normal.
“One lunch led to two, and three, then dinners and hikes or movie nights.” Nicole watches Taylor as she speaks. “We didn’t say anything because at first it was just as friends, but then one day, we realized it was more.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Taylor asks.
“I think because we were afraid. I feel terrible having kept this secret from you, Tay, but I was so happy, and I was scared of losing it…and I was scared of hurting you. What happened with your dad, I know how difficult that was on you. This is the first time I’ve dated since then, and it’s your best friend’s father. I was scared that if something went wrong with Keith and me, it could hurt you and Brenner.”
I can understand that thinking, and really, it’s not like I want my dad to have told me he’s boning Taylor’s mom, but the way they’re talking, I don’t think this is just two friends having some fun together like me and Taylor.
“We messed up,” Dad says. “We didn’t do this the right way. I apologize about that, but Nic…she means a lot to me.” Dad focuses on me, and I know what he’s going to say before the words come out. “I’m in love with her…we’re in love with each other.”
I let that sink in a moment, and I know Taylor must be doing the same.
“I know this feels like a lot,” Nicole says. “I’m sure it seems fast, but we’ve been serious about each other for months, and now that it’s out there, we don’t want to keep anything from you.”
I look over at Taylor, who nods. “I trust you,” he tells his mom. They’ve been through a lot together, and he believes in her. As awkward as this is, we both just want the truth.