Page 23 of Drown in You

He flashes me a smirk and winks. “Don’t worry. I will.”

My stomach drops. What the hell is he doing? What if my dad saw him?

But a quick glance at my father confirms he’s entirely oblivious, busy reviewing his gate information with his glasses resting on the tip of his nose. Even if my father saw him, he probably wouldn’t think anything of a friendly wink. Except I’m fully aware that that wink was anything but friendly.

My father looks so different from what I remember. Brown hair lined with wide gray streaks, glasses with thick frames, and a hunch to his shoulders. Like gravity has been weighing him down more than the rest of us. Part of me can’t help but hope that’s the physical manifestation of his guilt.

But he’s trying now. And despite the disappointment I’ve held onto for years, I want to mend our relationship too.

“Have a safe flight!” I squeak, partially wishing they could take me with them so I can get away from Luke and his lingering gaze.

“Thank you so much, sweetie!” Deb throws her arms around me with a big smile. She’s sweet. Genuinely kind and warm. The type of woman I’m lucky to have as a stepmother.

Another reason why I don’t want her to know what happened between me and her son last night. I just met her—I don’t want her already thinking less of me. Already thinking I’m some succubus who lured her son away from her wedding reception to get laid.

Since Mom announced the news that I was moving in with my father, I’ve been playing out all the worst-case scenarios in my head, and none of them were this bad.

None of them involved fucking my new stepbrother before I even learned his name.

God, that was so fucking stupid. I’d blame it on the alcohol, but I was only buzzed. I knew exactly what I wanted last night: a distraction from the shitshow of the day, my life. Living away from my mom, moving in with my estranged father, joining a brand-new family, and being ignored by my best friend since I was fifteen—I needed something to help me forget.

I got what I wanted. At a steep price. Especially if our parents find out what we did and send me packing.

I can’t let them find out.

Deb cups my face, the floral scent of her lotion wafting up my nose. “You call us if there’s anything you need while we’re gone. And Luke will be around if you need a ride anywhere or you want to come home for a weekend. Okay? Our home is your home.”

She’s so nice, my eyes almost sting. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course, honey! You’re family now!” She hugs me one last time, squeezing harder than I’d expect of a woman her size.

“My turn.” Dad steps forward and wraps me in a hug. It’s still uncomfortable, but I can tell he was sincere last night when he said how much he missed me.

Maybe I’ll never understand how he could’ve left me behind after the divorce, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make up for lost time now.

When he pulls back, he hangs onto one of my shoulders while squeezing Deb’s hand with a smile. “A lot of reunions happening lately. I’m a lucky man.”

I smile politely at them. “What do you mean?”

“We dated a few years ago,” Deb explains. “Way back when you kids were still in high school.”

I had no idea. I glance at Luke. Did he know? His face doesn’t give anything away. “That’s so sweet.”

“Why’d you break up?” Luke’s voice is flat. For some reason, he acts like he doesn’t want our parents to be together.

Deb waves her hand at him. “That’s water under the bridge.”

But Dad gives a sheepish smile. “I had a lot of growing up to do.” He nods to me. “And I still wasn’t really over Sienna’s mom. I wasn’t ready to love again.”

Not over Mom? How can he say that when he left us? She’s the one who’s spent the past decade pining for him. But I keep my mouth shut. He’s remarried and about to go on his honeymoon with his new wife. Now isn’t the time to interrogate him about his previous marriage.

Deb opens her arms wide. “Last hugs so we can get through security.”

Dad pulls me into a tight embrace again. “We’ll see you as soon as we get back. Call if you need anything.”

Luke tries to shake his hand like they’re business partners, but Dad wraps him in an awkward hug before Deb throws her arms around him. Luke eventually has to extract himself from her hold and Dad guides her to the escalator. Neither of them stops waving and shouting they’ll miss us until they reach the top.

A heavy palm lands on the small of my back.

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