Page 67 of Beautiful Desire
My gut twists. There’s a part of me that wants to get the conversation over with already so we can enjoy the rest of the night, but there’s a larger part of me that wonders if I shouldwait until tomorrow. He got his presentation done today, and I don’t want to put a damper on the mood. Butwhywould it put a damper on things? It’s not like I’m telling him we’re stopping right this minute. Not to mention, I’m sure he knows it’s coming, and there’s no way he wouldn’t be on the same page. If anything, he’s probably going to think it’s dumb that we’re even having the conversation at all.
It’s for the best.
At least that’s what I tell myself.
“Let’s wait,” I offer, keeping my voice light and pretending like my chest isn’t tight with everything I’m about to say. “There’s actually something I wanted to talk about really quick, just to get it out of the way.”
He quirks a brow. “What’s up?”
I swallow around the lump forming in my throat.
It’s for the best.
“I’ve been thinking, and I know we haven’t outright talked about this, so I thought it would be a good idea to confirm we’re on the same page as far asusgoes.”
“Okaaay… What about us?”
I really feel like I’m going to throw up. This isn’t a big deal. He’s going to agree…so why do I feel so queasy?
Just spit it out, Georgia.
“This…situation is clearly coming to an end soon, so I?—”
“What do you mean ‘clearly’?” he asks, confusion wrinkling his forehead.
My brows furrow. “Well, you’ll be heading back to Charleston in a few weeks.”
“Okay, and?”
“And I think it would be best if we ended things once you graduate,” I say, heart pounding against my ribs.
Folding his arms over his chest, Fletcher cocks his head to the side. “Why would we do that?”
Is there a weird disconnect happening right now? Am I speaking gibberish?“Because you’ll be moving back home in a few weeks?”
His throat bobs as he swallows. “I don’t want that.”
“What?” I huff out a breath. “Yes, you do, Fletcher. You’re graduating, and about to start this new section of your career. Your life is about to look completely different, and you don’t need some weird long-distance booty call with your stepsister to hold you back.”
“Why the fuck would that hold me back, Georgia?” he scoffs. “Where is this coming from? Things have been good—great, actually—and now you suddenly want to end it? No, that’s stupid. I don’t accept.”
“You can’t just ‘not accept’ it,” I say, head shaking. “I’m not saying it has to be over now, but realistically, it has to end eventually, and I think after graduation would be the smartest move. That way, we can still continue to have fun for another few weeks, and then we can have a clean break by the time you move back home.”
Fletcher’s jaw pops, but he doesn’t say anything, and I can’t read the look in his eyes.
“If you think about it, it makes the most sense,” I go on. Whether I’m trying to convince him or myself remains unknown. “You’ll go back to your life, and I’ll stay here, continuing with mine. We both know this was a temporary thing, and we both know it could never go anywhere. I mean, come on, Fletcher.” Breathing out a small chuckle, I say, “I’m your stepsister, and you’re only twenty-four. This was never going to be a long-term thing. And yeah, I’m having fun with you, and enjoy hooking up with you, but let’s be real…this was convenient for the both of us. Us falling into bed with each other never would’ve happened if you weren’t forced to be here. You agree, right?”
Unease fills me as he watches me. There’s no way he doesn’t agree, so why is he acting so caught off guard?
“Right?” I repeat when he doesn’t say anything.
“Sure.” He nods, a blank look in his eyes, then reaches into the fridge and pulls out the tray of meat. “Wouldn’t want a long-distance booty call to get in your way. If we’re done here, I’m going to throw these on the grill.”
“Fletcher…I’m just saying what we both already know. Doesn’t mean things need to be tense or weird between us.”
“All good, Georgia,” he quips, a sardonic smirk tugging on his lips. “And you’re right, I amonlytwenty-four, and since you’re clearly older and wiser, and have thought of it all, what more is there to say?” Fletcher walks out of the kitchen without another word, and I’m left standing here, frozen, wondering what the hell just happened.
Why did he act like that came out of left field?
