Page 14 of The Step Dare

Well, that’s definitely not a conversation for today…or like, ever. There’s absolutely no reason our parents need to knowTaylor 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.

“So…I think Tay and I will go now. Let you two kids get back to your…date.”

Dad smiles. “Only you, Bren.”

“Or if you’d rather, the four of us can spend some time together,” Nicole adds. “Or just you and me, Taylor, if you want to talk.”

“No. I’m good. I think Bren and I will really go get that burger now.”

I don’t know if he truly wants food, or if we’re gonna find somewhere else to do what we originally planned, or if he just wants to talk. Whatever it is, I have his back. And honestly, I wouldn’t mind talking this through with him.

5

Taylor

Ididn’t thinkI was actually hungry, but now here I am, scarfing down my burger and chasing it with some fries.

After discovering my mom riding Brenner’s dad like a mechanical bull, we hit up the burger joint, maybe just because neither of us really knew what the fuck we were supposed to do next. Not really a handbook on how to deal with everything they just dumped on us.

Dates.

Messing around.

And now getting married?

As I swallow my food, Brenner says, “Apparently, catching your mom in bed with your best friend’s dad really works up an appetite.”

I tap my finger near his untouched tots.

“Or maybe not,” he amends.

He’s using humor to crack through the tension, but he must know a joke isn’t gonna make it any easier to process all this.

---