Page 121 of Play It Sinful

He lets out a sigh. “Yes. Before I stopped her from giving me his entire rap sheet, she managed to tell me one important detail about him. My biological father is…” Sean seems to zone out. “He’s a priest.”

My jaw drops to the floor. “You’re not serious.”

“I am.” He meets my stare. “It’s funny though. I said those exact words to my mother.”

I shake my head. “Holy cannoli.”

“Now you know why I don’t want to talk about him with her.”

“Wait, he’s not the priest from our parish, is he? What’s his name again?”

“Father Samuels?” Sean twists his nose. “No.”

“So how did your mother hook up with a priest?” My eyes widen. “I bet he was hot as sin. I mean… look at you.”

Sean narrows his eyes. “You’re getting way too invested in this.”

“Oh come on. I attended a Catholic school. Banging a hot priest was on everyone’s bucket list.”

He puts his hands on his hips. “Excuse me?”

I laugh. “Don’t worry. The only guyIwant to bang is the captain of the hockey team.”

He snakes his arm around my waist. “Better.”

Running my fingers over his chest, I say, “But if you decide dress up as a priest for Halloween, I won’t complain.”

He grabs a fistful of my hair and brings his mouth close to mine. “If I dress up as priest, what are you going to be?”

I bite his lower lip, tugging a little before I reply, “Whatever you want me to be.”

“I think you’re going to be late for your meeting.” He crushes his lips to mine, and I know he’s right. There’s no chance I’ll make it in time. Oh well. Priorities.

CHAPTER 52

ASHLEY

Mom called yesterday after my meeting with the counselor and asked if she and Chris could come over for a visit. I still can’t think of him as my dad. It’s weird, even though he raised me. I was pretty exhausted after going to campus for a few hours, though, so I asked them to come today.

I’m alone when they arrive. My roommates are out, and Sean has training and won’t come over until later. I prefer it this way. This meeting will be super awkward, and I don’t need Sean’s presence making it worse.

Because I get tired quickly, I told Mom the door would be unlocked. She still knocks though, and I tell her to come in from the couch. I’m super nervous, and as Mom pushes the front door open, I grab a pillow and use it as shield.

“Hi, sweetheart.” She greets me with a small smile.

“Hello.”

“Ash, you shouldn’t leave the door unlocked. It isn’t safe,” Chris starts, making me frown.

Mom gives him a meaningful look. “Chris…”

“Right. Sorry.” He hovers by the front door and seems unsure what to do. It’s strange to witness him act like that. It’s so out of character for him.

I study him. I always thought Sean took after him, but now that I know they aren’t related, I don’t see any resemblance after all. Maybe I thought they looked alike because they’re both so tall and have blondish hair.

Mom walks over, clutching her purse strap as if it were a lifeline. “How are you feeling, Ash?”

“Tired.”

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