Page 21 of Secret

“I want you. Your family is part of you. I know they will hate me for this, but I can’t stay away from you. I’ve known them my whole life, and I hope they can see that it’s different with you. You’re not a one night stand,” he replies as he looks back at the house. I spot the slight sadness that goes across his face before he hides it.

“Okay,” I say simply, not wanting to push him. Blake wraps his arms around me, and I lean into him, looking up at the stars.

“I made you another drawing. I don’t know if you will like it, but, hell, here you go,” he says, stumbling on his words. I look over at him as he searches his coat pocket, and he hands me another piece of paper.

I open it to see a close-up of my face. I’m smiling, and he makes me look very beautiful. His drawing is so good, it almost looks real. I stroke my fingers against the paper. There isn’t anything to feel other than the pencil marks, but it looks so much like me that I’m in amazement.

“You’re really good. Thank you for this, but I’m not this pretty,” I say, chuckling.

He laughs and kisses my forehead. “You don’t see yourself the way I do. You’re so beautiful, Elizabeth.”

I look into his eyes, and I decide I love hearing him use my full name. I kiss him gently before cuddling into his side.

“Thank you,” is all I can say, and I enjoy my time alone with him.

Chapter10

IZZY

The following morning, I wake up and do my usual routine, then dress in a lilac top that hangs off one shoulder. It hugs me tightly but doesn’t look too slutty. I decide on some low-rise jeans that show off a bit of my stomach. I leave my hair down, it’s all wavy from the French plait and looks nice with a bit of hairspray.

I bounce down the stairs and make some toast as the boys come into the kitchen. Harley looks even worse this morning, and my good mood quickly goes as I look at his bruised face. He glances at me and then seems to think about something before shaking his head and leaving the kitchen. The twins look at each other and seem to have a silent conversation, and Luke just starts eating cereal, still playing on his phone. I’m actually looking forward to school today, and I know I have to focus on that and not the secrets I’ve walked into.

I ignore them all, not knowing what to say because who am I to talk about secrets? I was up until midnight kissing their best friend. I butter my toast before eating and heading out the door. Just as I unlock my car, I hear Luke shout my name, and I see him running over.

“You all right, sis?” he asks, looking worried.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t bother giving me the ‘no questions’ shit. I’ve heard it from you before. I don’t want to risk upsetting you all and getting kicked out, so I won’t ask,” I say a little too high-pitched to come across as unhurt. It’s because I feel disheartened; I care so much about them all already. But I have no idea how they feel about me.Am I just the unwanted, new sister that Harley feels responsible for until I’m older?

“What? No!” Luke practically shouts before lowering his voice and stepping closer. “You will never be kicked out, we love you. Hell, I love you, sis. It’s just there are things we don’t want to worry you about. Please don’t ever think you need to worry about leaving. I’d never let you,” he says as he pulls me into a hug and squeezes me tight. I nearly cry but hold it in and nod at him before getting into my car, and then driving to school.

What the hell are they hiding? I don’t get it. Maybe I should ask Blake, he might know. I guess I can ask him today when we are alone, which I damn well hope we are. It’s crazy how much I can’t stop thinking about him, even though I saw him last night.

I get out of my car, looking up at the huge, castle-like school before spotting Blake in front of me with a grin.

“Morning, beauty. Are you ready for another day?” he asks, and I blush because, yes, I’m that sort of girl.

I look away to compose myself a little, and I see Sebastian’s car pull up near mine. He hops out then walks over to us. I spot another blonde I haven't seen before getting out of the passenger seat, and she walks off into the school. Sebastian doesn't even glance back. He really is a player, and it worries me about how much of a player Blake is, or was–being his best friend. I look back at Blake, who is watching me, and I take a moment to take in his perfect-fitting black shorts with a light-grey jumper, which makes his chest look even bigger.

“Morning, sis, Blake,” Sebastian says, distracting me from my ogling. I’m guessing Sebastian saw something on Blake’s face because he throws a warning look at Blake before wrapping an arm around my shoulders. Sebastian pulls me into the school, with Blake walking next to us.

“You know, I don't like how well you seem to get along with my sister, Blake,” Sebastian says casually, but you can see his whole body radiates tension. I hold my breath wondering how Blake is going to answer that.

“We’re just friends, so chill, dude. What's wrong with that?” Blake asks casually. Even though I know we agreed to the one month before we tell them, I still feel a little discouraged at the statement. It’s not like I didn’t ask for him not to say anything, but part of me wants to hold his hand and let everyone know he is mine.

“As long as it's just friends, then we are cool. Are you coming to Anna's party tonight?” he asks Blake.

“Erm, yeah, I guess I am,” Blake says awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head and shoots a glance at me before looking down.

“Who's Anna? Is she another one of Sebastian’s conquests like this morning?” I joke, and Sebastian grinsat me like he wanted me to ask that question.

“No, Anna's a regular of Blake’s, not mine,”he states and looks so happy I asked, while Blake looks ready to kill him. Sebastian isn’t stupid, I know he is watching me closely for my reaction. I put on a blank face as much as I can because I know him telling me about Blake’s love life was to try to scare me. Honestly, it hurt me more hearing about his past than I can say.

“Right, well I hope you both have a good night.” I try to put on a fake smile even if I feel hurt and jealous. He is going to a party at his ex's house. Should I be worried? I don't know what to think, but I know I don't like it.

“Yes, we will, the party is always mad and lots of pretty girls,” Sebastian says with a grin at Blake, which I don't like either, but it's not like I can say anything, right? What a mess.

We all go into art class together, where I ignore Blake’s eyes staring at my back and chat a little with Tristan about the work. It seems like forever before we can go to lunch, with Sebastian and Blake leading me. I just play games on my phone and pick at a sandwich as Blake stares me down. Several times, Blake tries to talk to me when Sebastian is distracted, but I just give him one-word answers. I know he hasn’t done anything wrong, but I don’t know how to deal with this now. I go to history–which Sebastian insists on taking me to–and Blake messages me as I walk into class.

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