Page 21 of Forking the Billionaire

I’d been labeled a troublemaker my whole life, a rebel, even though I’d done nothing but try my best to follow all of the rules. Finally, this night was my chance to actually do something wild. It was meant to ease the constant pressure I felt to meet my brother’s impossible standards.

And I felt light. It was working.

Until I spun a little too fast, and the floor came rushing up to meet my face. But I didn’t crash, or at least not with the floor. The crash that was coming was far less forgiving and far more enjoyable.

A strong arm caught me, his touch a pleasant fire that rippled across my skin. I wasn’t floating or falling anymore. He held me steady to the earth.

I turned my attention to my hero’s face, to properly thank him for saving me. But he didn’t have a face that I could see. And he wasn’t wearing an animal mask like everyone else, either. My hero wore a big reflective helmet.

Amongst a forest of earthly creatures, the lone astronaut had found the alien.

“Esme?”

My brother’s voice ripped me straight out of the memory.

I hopped off my skateboard, and in a crash course with reality, reoriented myself to my present. I was already back in the resort, having skated here on autopilot. My brother was standing on the sidewalk twenty feet ahead of me. And I was holding onto a bag full of pregnancy tests.

Wholly gnocchi.

I looked both ways, jumped up onto the sidewalk, and used my body to shield what I was doing as I chucked my forbidden bag behind a bush.

“What are you doing?” Gabe asked as he casually approached.

Did he see? Please don’t let him have seen.

“What do you mean?” I asked with a big fake smile.

“It’s well past midnight. Shouldn’t you be resting?”

He didn’t mention the bag or the bush.Yet.Maybe I was in the clear?

“Oh, that,” I chuckled. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Sleep is important,” he said. “Also, while the area does appear to be safe, you should be careful out alone this late, especially if no one knows where you are.”

I rolled my eyes at his dad-ish comment. “I always bring my phone with me.”

That’s when I noticed he had a bag of his own. What kind of secret things did he need to be out after midnight buying? My nerves calmed as I gained the upper hand.

“What areyoudoing out so late?” I asked. “I hear it can be dangerous for someone to be out alone at this hour.”

He lifted the bag. “Layana was in the mood for ice cream.”

I sighed. Of course he was being responsible. Sweet, even. I faked a yawn. “You should get her treat back to her. I need to hit the hay. Catch you in the morning?”

“We’d like to explore the island for possible locations for the ceremony tomorrow.”

“I don’t have to work, so I’ll be there. Plus, I’m sure I can think of a few choice spots, being a local and all.”

Small crinkles formed around his eyes. “We would appreciate that, Esme.”

“Cool. Have a good night.”

“You, as well.”

I waited for him to leave, but he was giving me a look like he was waiting for me to go first. I made a big show of how I was definitely walking away. Then, I waited for him to disappear before doubling back for my bag.

I stared down at the tests.

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