CHAPTER SEVEN

Austin

I don’t remember the exact moment grief stopped feeling sharp and started tasting like guilt. But it’s been stuck in my mouth for days now like a bitter, unshakable taste. I sat on the edge of my bed, head hanging low, my mom’s photo in my hand. She looked like I remembered in this one, smiling softly, a knowing glint in her eye. Her brown curls fell loosely around her face, her blue eyes looking so alive. God, I miss her.

They said time heals. They didn’t say it would twist me into someone I barely recognize. I didn’t cry at her funeral. I didn’t scream. I just stood there like a statue, cold and unreachable. They called me unfeeling and said I was a psychopath for not shedding a tear. But the truth was, I was hurting. Just like my father.

Speak of the devil. My phone buzzed with a message from him. "Dinner tonight. 7 PM. Governor Kalu will be there. Bring Reina. She’s family now."

I blinked. Reina?

We hadn’t spoken in over a week. Not really. We just shared sideways glances in hallways and the occasional polite smile she flashes me when our eyes meet. I wasn’t avoiding her, at least that’s what I told myself. But every time I saw her, something in me twisted my chest and I hated it.

Family. What a damn joke.

Still, I stood, threw on my jacket, and went looking for her.

I found her by her locker, tugging her sports bag onto her shoulder. She was humming softly to herself, completely unaware of me heading her way. I slammed the locker shut, the metal clang slicing through the hallway silence.

She jumped, startled, then turned. And for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

Her new glasses framed her eyes in a way that made them gleam brighter. Her brown hair was tied up in a ponytail, loose strands curling around her face. Her sports outfit was minimal, short shorts and sleeveless top, revealing smooth skin, her soft neck, and those lips. God.

She swallowed, and her throat bobbed. Something primal tugged at me, but I blinked it away.

"You’re coming home with me," I said coolly.

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"It's for dinner. Dad wants to parade you around."

She hesitated, then nodded.

"Meet me at six this evening. I'll be at the Park."

And I walked away before I could second-guess anything.

At 6 PM sharp, I rolled into the park in my car. Rain drizzled from the sky, smearing the world into watercolors. And there she was, already waiting by the curb, arms crossed, drenched but standing still.

I slowed down beside her, rolled down the window. Our eyes met. She looked hopeful. So I smirked.

"Change of plans," I said with a wave.

Then I hit the gas and drove off, splashing a puddle behind me. The look on her face? Absolutely priceless. Maybe I was a monster, but for once, I felt something again. And that had to count for something.

I was still laughing to myself as the rain picked up. The way she looked, mouth open, eyes wide was a little pathetic, but kind of adorable, too.

I shook my head, gripping the wheel tighter. "She deserved it," I muttered, watching raindrops chase each other down the windshield.

Then the engine stuttered once, twice and died.

"Are you freaking kidding me?" I slammed the heel of my palm against the steering wheel.

The lights dimmed, the wipers slowed and my smug satisfaction drained as fast as the battery.

I checked my phone and saw that there was no signal. Of course.

I shoved the door open and stepped out into the rain, cursing under my breath. Wet gravel crunched beneath my boots. Trees flanked either side of the road, thick and silent. Not a soul in sight.

Until I saw movement.

A figure, soaked head to toe, walking down the street like something out of a low-budget horror movie.

I squinted. No. No way. It couldn't have been Reina.

She was drenched, arms wrapped around herself, her soaked sneakers slapping the pavement. Her ponytail had come undone, brown strands plastered to her face and neck. When she spotted me, her lips curled into a smug, sarcastic little smile, the kind that said, karma’s a bitch.

"Keep walking," I called out coolly, folding my arms. "I’m not in the mood for a pity party."

But she didn’t flinch. Instead, she slowed, cocking her head as she approached. "Aw. Did the prince’s chariot break down?"

I was about to snap back when my gaze caught her soaked shirt, clinging tight, nearly transparent. Her hardened nipples pressed against the fabric like they were begging for attention. Her skin shimmered under the rain, lips pink, face flushed.

Damn.

"Wow," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. "You're like... an inbuilt freezer with all that shaking. It's not even that cold."

Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"You're shivering so hard, I could store frozen peas on you."

She scowled, hugging herself tighter. "Glad my misery’s entertaining. At least, it's better than yours."

I smirked, lowering my voice as I leaned in slightly. "Good thing I’m an inbuilt warmer. I could keep you warm."

Her eyes widened and color bloomed in her cheeks like spilled wine. I nearly lost it. Seeing her flustered was better than any punchline.

A clap of thunder broke the silence. We both looked at the car.

"Get in," I muttered, already walking back. "I don’t need you passing out and making this night even worse."

We slid inside, doors thudding shut behind us. She curled up in the passenger seat, arms still wrapped around herself, trembling.

The shaking was unbearable to watch. I hated how small she looked.

"Check in the back seat. My coat’s there," I said gruffly, avoiding her eyes. "Your teeth chatter are giving me a migraine."

"Sure,"she said softly, eyeing me. "It’s not because you can’t stand to see me freeze to death?"

"Don’t push your luck, stepsister."

She rolled her eyes and leaned toward the back, reaching for the coat, brushing my arm in the process. Her chest pressed against me briefly, warm and soft despite the cold.

My body reacted instantly. Damn it.

I shifted in my seat, adjusting my jeans with a quick, frustrated movement. Cold weather. It’s the cold, I told myself. But she saw it.

Her eyes flicked down, then snapped away. Her entire body stilled. We were wrapped in immediate silence.

Great.

"This coat smells… nice," she murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

"Shut the fuck up," I muttered, looking out the window. "Move to the back."

She started to climb over the console but then slipped right into me.

Her thigh landed across mine, brushing against my still hard dick.One hand grabbed my shirt, the other braced against my chest. I caught her instinctively, my palm on her waist, the other landing low on her back.

Her breath caught. Mine did too. And for a second—just one—the rain was quiet, and so were we.

Until I grunted, deep and involuntary.

Holy hell. What was happening to me?