I storm into the bathroom with my phone and lock the door. My back hits the wood. I slide down it and attempt to control my breaths. My head throbs in pain, like there’s acid behind my eyes, my dick instantly limp.
In and out. Just breathe in and out.
Stacey knocks on the door, but I can’t make out her soft voice or what she’s saying.
My hands are shaking, my knees bouncing as I fist at my hair and feel the layer of sweat on my face. My vision blurs, and I feel myself losing consciousness.
Fuck. It’s happening again.
Fuck.
13
KADE
FLASHBACK 2
“Slow the fuck down!” my stepbrother Jason bellows, reaching his hands out to slam his palms on the dashboard. “Why am I teaching you to drive if you’re not going to listen to a word I say? We’ve been at this for six months!”
I tut and shake my head. “I’m doing thirty, you dramatic bastard.”
“On a roundabout,” he replies, huffing and sitting back in his chair. He puts down his window, airing himself. “Fuck. I might messageGianaand tell her I might not make dinner tonight.”
“And then she’ll come for me. Keep your dog on her leash.”
He smacks my arm, and I burst out laughing. “You’re not ten years old anymore. I can beat your ass with my eyes closed.”
“I’d love to see you try.”
“I’ll just tell Aria you’re smoking joints in her pool house.”
I roll my eyes. “Could you be any more like your dad?”
He scoffs. “I think you’re too likeyourdad.”
I narrow my eyes at my big brother. Step, but still my brother. We always take the piss out of each other, so we’re used to the dad slander and the occasional brawl.
Ewanis sound. He’s basically another dad for me andLuciella.
“I’m going to intentionally crash,” I tell him, and his eyes go wide. I cut him off before he can speak. “And I’m going tounclipyour seat belt right before we hit a tree.” I press down on the accelerator. “Unless you say you’re sorry.”
He pales when I speed up, not looking at the empty street, keeping my eyes on him.
Adrenaline courses through me as I go over the speed limit, and I know there’s a bend coming up on the road.
“Shit. Okay. Okay!” Jason blows out a breath and mutters, “I’m sorry.”
I smile and slow down, turning up the music. “Pussy.”
He wipes the sweat from his face. “Shut up, you impulsive psycho. Do another parallel park.”
He’s been teaching me to drive for months. Ever since I got my provisional and passed my theory, we’ve been going out when he finishes work if his girlfriend doesn’t have plans with him.
“I think I’m going to askGianato move in with me,” my brother says as I reverse into his chosen spot, do a three-point turn, then head towards LochLomond. “We’ve been together for years. Surely we’re ready for that step, right?”
I raise a shoulder. “You’re asking a guy who doesn’t understand that shit.”
“Oh yeah, the frigid virgin. Got it.”