Page 23 of Stepbrother For Christmas

There’s a sadness in my heart that I can’t tell her about without exposing my complicated, secret feelings for my stepbrother. I knew it was going to end, but why so damn soon? I thought we’d at least have plenty of time to chat on the drive to the bus station. But now he’s not able to drive me.

“Nothing,” I answer quickly.

She shakes her head like she knows that I’m keeping things bottled up inside of me. “Is this about the stuffed teddy bear?”

“What about the bear?” I ask, my brows drawing together.

“Why aren’t you taking the teddy bear with you?” Christina questions.

“I can’t. It’s too big to bring with me to my new dorm.” I pause. “But um...Chase said I can leave him here, and he’ll be fine.”

She gives me a suspicious look, then stands up and puts her coat on. “Well, we should probably get going if we want to make it on time,” Christina says. “Unless there’s something else you need.” She pauses, looking for a reaction, but I steel my emotions.

“No, I’m done. Let’s go,” I reply impassively.

CHAPTER 13

Chase

My dad’s been on the market to buy a boat for a while now. The prices have been going up and down for the past four years. That is, until now.

Much to my dad’s shock, the day after Christmas the price finally dropped to something that he could live with. And now to get a jump on the spring buying season, winter boat shopping is the way to go. Hence, why we’re here, checking out the latest boats for sale at a dealership in Vail, Colorado.

The problem is that I was supposed to drive Emma to the bus station.

Grrr…

Things are taking longer than expected, and now there’s no way I’ll make it back in time.

Emma.

Emma.

Emma.

She’s all I can think about.

I need to kiss her one more time. I need to see her before she leaves.

“I love this blue and white exterior! What do you think?” my dad asks, his voice interrupting my thoughts.

I force a smile. “The blue and white looks great!”

An hour later, we’re on the road home and my dad is in high spirits because he finally purchased a boat of his own.

“What an incredible deal, getting the exterior with the blue and white trim…and the multi-position seating on sale. This must be my lucky day,” my dad says, his face beaming.

Shit.

Emma’s last text to me read: No worries, Christina offered to drive me.

No, no, no!

It was not supposed to go this way.

Tick-tock.

Tick-tock.

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