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)
“So you’re in love?” I confirm.
Dad looks at me. “We are, and if it’s okay with the two of you, we would like to get married.”
If it’s okay with the two of you… Those words spin through my head like a washing-machine cycle. There’s not a doubt in my mind that they love each other. Casually dating isn’t Dad’s or Nicole’s thing. All I want is Dad to be happy, and in some ways, it’s really fucking cool that he could find that with Taylor’s mom, but still, as much as I want this for him, there’s an ache deep in my chest. He’s spent my whole life loving Mom, and now he loves someone else. It’s a strange thing to get used to. A strange thing to hear.
“Okay,” is all I can say as if it’s okay with the two of you plays on a loop. That’s the thing about our parents. There’s no doubting their love for us. Dad has been alone for so damn long, but despite the fact that I’m a grown-ass adult, if this was going to hurt me, he wouldn’t do it. Nicole hasn’t been able to trust anyone after what the Piece of Shit did, yet she trusts my dad, but if this was going to hurt Taylor, she too would do right by him first. “I’ve always wanted a brother.”
I turn to Taylor, who looks at me. I wink, which in some ways is absolutely ridiculous, but I’m hoping it conveys are you okay and also hey look, now we’re stepbrothers who hook up too.
Taylor grins, offering a small shake of his head that’s just for me. “I’ve always wanted a brother too.”
“Really?” Nicole’s eyes fill with tears, and I swear, I see both their bodies relax, see how much they want this and need us to be okay with it.
“Yeah, Mom. I just want you to be happy.”
“Eh, you’re all right, I guess,” I chime in. “Though I don’t see a ring. Am I going to have to give you pointers on how to treat a lady?” Dad and Nicole laugh, and then he pushes to his feet. Nicole does the same, and I nudge Taylor with my arm.
When we stand too, Dad pulls me into a hug. I look over to see Nicole doing the same with Tay. “I’m sorry for not telling you,” Dad says softly. “But I’m happy, Bren. I didn’t know I could feel this way again.”
My eyes tear up, but I try to fight them back. I don’t want Dad to feel like I don’t want this for him, because I do. I’ve been telling him for years, and apparently every time I’ve said it recently, he must have been afraid to tell me about him and Nicole. “I’m glad you have her. Just…I don’t know, put a sign on the door next time. I’m literally scarred for life.” I swipe at my eyes with the back of my hand as he pulls away.
“We thought you guys were getting burgers. Why did you come back here?”
Well, that’s definitely not a conversation for today…or like, ever. There’s absolutely no reason our parents need to know Taylor and I are hooking up. What we’re doing is just for fun, and the last thing I want is to make things even more awkward than they already are. So, Dad…I know you’re marrying Nicole, but I’m blowing her son so he has some experience with what it’s like to be with a guy. No thanks on that convo.
“Stomach was a little upset,” I lie. “Thank God we didn’t get Thai.”
“Can I have a hug too?” Nicole says to me when she and Taylor part.
I shoot a quick glance at Taylor to make sure he’s okay. “Yeah, of course.”
Just as Nicole’s arms wrap around me, I see Dad do the same to Taylor. “I love your mom. I promise I’ll be good to her.”
Taylor nods, and Nicole thanks me for being supportive. My brain is still spinning, but I know Dad will treat Nicole the way she deserves to be treated. He was so fucking good to Mom. Dad is probably the best person there is at loving someone.
“Do we know when the wedding is?” I ask.
She chuckles. “We’re thinking February but wanted to speak to you first.”
“You know me. I have no patience. Ooh, maybe Tay and I could be wedding planners.”
Nicole’s eyes widen like she’s not sure how to respond to that, and Dad just laughs. “A beer-pong-themed wedding isn’t happening.”
“Come on! It would be fun!” I joke, then wrap an arm around Taylor. “My new stepbro and I got this.”
“I’ll leave the wedding planning up to you,” Taylor says.
“You’d miss out on the fun?”
After another round of laughter, things get awkward and quiet for a moment, maybe all of us remembering what was happening when Taylor and I walked in.