Page 55 of Fast

I open my mouth to repeat my earlier question about the bag’s contents, but she explains.

“It’s some stuff my dad gave me and if Mom finds it, she’s going to either donate it or burn it. She hates my dad, and she purged the house of anything that could remind her of him when we moved. Over the years, she always looked for excusesto throw away any presents or anything he gave me, so I started hiding them from her. I would have put this in the closet in my room, but she filled it with clothes even before I arrived. I don’t think it would be safe in there.”

I understand her predicament, at least in part. Her father isn’t dead, but our family had a similar problem with Mom and, more recently, with Atlas.

The thought hits me that from now on, when I think about “family,” that should include Zara and Kelly.

“You can leave it here,” I offer. “Anyone rarely comes here, unless it’s for spare chairs or Christmas decorations.”

She takes a couple of steps into the garage, stopping a couple of steps away from me.

I close the rest of the distance between us, and grab onto the bag’s handles.

Our knuckles brush against each other and I must have pulled on those handles, because Zara comes crashing down against my chest.

I let go of the bag to grab her biceps to steady her.

Fuck, she’s even more gorgeous than I remembered her.

My hand moves of its own accord. “You have a fair complexion,” I say, tracing her high cheekbone with the pad of my thumb. “You caught some sun today; you should wear sunscreen, or you’ll burn.”

Her throat works as she swallows, and my hand follows the movement, stopping at her pulse point. I can feel the thunderous pace of her heartbeat under my fingers.

“You’re right, I should. If I get sunburn before the wedding, Mom isn’t going to be happy.”

“We should probably get going if dinner is ready,” I say.

She nods, but neither of us moves.

We’re close enough that our chests are touching, and my eyes slip away from hers and down to her lips.

The air in the garage crackles with electricity, and I can’t stop wondering something. If I kissed her now, would she kiss me back?

There are dozens of reasons why this is a stupid idea. Two years ago, she was nothing more than a kid and I felt responsible for her after the way her ex had treated her.

Now that she’s all grown up, I’m the one who’s vulnerable. I’ve been broken since that stupid race. So broken that I have nothing to give to anyone, including my family.

“You can put your bag here, next to our old family photos. No one ever looks there.” I say, but we’re both rooted to our spots.

If I kissed her now, would she even expect it to turn into something?

I guess I’ll never know the answer, because Dad’s voice causes me to jump out of my own skin.

“Ah, here you two are. The Pullins are here and dinner is ready. We can’t sit down without those cushions.”

Dad’s gaze lands on the place my fingers are touching Zara’s neck.

I let go, grabbing her bag instead. “Yeah sorry, Dad. Zara stumbled while was looking for a spot to store some old stuff of hers. I was making sure she’s ok.”

He comes closer, his voice laced with concern. “Zara, are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, Scott. Sorry, these days I’m such a klutz.”

Dad smiles. “You must be getting that from your mom. But don’t tell her, or I’ll be in big trouble. Come on, let’s bring these cushions over before Chance and Lev go against my express orders and eat everything on the table.”

Chapter 13

Stepbrothers

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