Page 47 of Secret

Chapter20

BLAKE

"These exams are slowly, bloody killing me," Seb mutters after our business exam. It's the last one and we only have the art finals to hand in now.

"Come on, it couldn't have gone that bad. You’re a straight A student." I laugh.

"Shut up." Sebastian groans, stretching his arms over his head. A girl gazes at Seb as his shirt comes up and he winks at her, making her go red before looking away.

"We’re all going out for a meal at the new Chinese restaurant in town later if you want to come?" he asks, still eye-fucking the girl who checked him out.

"Yeah, what time?" I reply, actually liking the idea. No matter how hard it is to act normal around Izzy and not touch her, I can't help but be happy to see her. I’ll take whatever I can.

"Meet us there at eight,” Seb says before actually looking at me with concern written all over his face. “I’m sure Izzy is dating someone, and I can't figure out who it is. Any ideas?" Seb asks.

I look over at him, and he doesn't look suspicious of me, which is a relief, but I hate that I have to lie now."No idea," I say quietly, wanting to punch myself for being such a shitty friend.

“That’s the problem. She won't bring him home to meet us, and she is off all the time seeing him, using the excuse she is with Allie. Hell, she texted me, when Allie was in the gym with me, that she was at her place. I don't know what to do."He groans.

"She is an adult. I know she's your sister, but I’m guessing she feels like you'll all scare him off,"I comment.

"I just want to meet him and make sure he isn't an asshole. She is sweet and kind. I don't want some loser taking advantage of that,"he says, and I understand why he would worry. Izzy is all those things, but she is stronger than he gives her credit for.

"She can handle herself, and you should trust her," I say. I feel like crap. I need to fucking tell him."Look, I know this is fucking bad, but–" I'm cut off as Seb's phone rings.

He waves, mouthing, “Later.”

He then gets into his car next to mine. I'm guessing that's the boss, to cut off our conversation like that, because I can see how tense Seb is in the car. I groan mentally as I slide into my car, and I realise I was lucky to be interrupted then. I need Izzy to be okay with telling them first. I send a text to Izzy before driving home.

Me: how was your exam? I’ll see you tonight at the meal x

I don't get a reply until I'm walking into my house.

Beauty: I think it went ok. Really? That's great. I will see you tonight x

Me: can't wait x

Beauty: I’ll tell the boys I'm going to get some homework off Allie after the meal and come back to your house ;) x

Me: in that case, I can't wait for the meal to be over ;) X

Beauty: me too ;) x

I want to say I miss her. Well, that, and that I’m sure I am in love with her, but I can't. It's too soon, and I don't want to freak her out. She doesn't seem to have a lot of experience around men, and I don't have any experience about girlfriends, but I'm guessing I'm doing the right thing.It’s not like I can ask my mates about what the fuck to say to her.

My thoughts roam to my best friends, and the guilt sets in. They are like brothers to me. They trust me to be around Izzy when they have threatened every good-looking guy in school not to ask her out.

I know they will hate me after this, but I wouldn't change a thing.I can’t change a thing. I need Izzy more than the next breath I take.

A few hours later, I pull up to the new Chinese buffet in town and see that I'm a little late due to my mum needing help starting her car. The damn car battery keeps going out, but she refuses to buy a new one, or bother taking it to a garage. It's not like we don't have the money, but she is just so stubborn. I shake my head, thinking it’s likely that’s why she gets along with Izzy so well as I walk into the busy restaurant.

I instantly see Izzy’s beautiful, blond hair, but her back is to me. I can see she is wearing a pretty, yellow dress, which shows off her curves, and I can’t keep my thoughts off what I know she looks like under that dress. I can’t wait to take her home.

I walk over, not seeing anyone but her, and I just want to pull her into my arms. I clench my fists and look over to the rest of the boys. There are two seats next to Seb that are empty, and one is straight across from Izzy, so I sit there. Oddly, the seat by Seb has a drink on it, and the one next to me does, too. I'm guessing Seb brought a date, the rest of the brothers are here. Izzy smiles at me, but looks worried, and I have no idea why.

"Finally, you’re here. I’m starving," Seb says with a smile, diverting my attention.

"Sorry, my mum had car troubles," I say with a sigh, taking off my coat.

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