Chapter Two

Hayden

I was really frustrated. Most days, I wished I could just walk out of that house and never look back. But I couldn’t. Not yet.

The only reason I was still living there was that I was digging for the truth. My father's death definitely wasn’t natural. Something about it felt wrong and fishy. And the two people everyone assumed were “family” to me? I wasn’t buying it. They were my top suspects.

The other reason was that I didn’t have the money to live on my own. Rent was ridiculous, and even with the side jobs I picked up, I was still a few months away from moving out. I was saving, though. One day soon, I’d be out.

I walked over to the field behind school and sat down on the bleachers. The place was empty, just how I liked it. I leaned back, letting the silence settle over me. My whole body felt heavy. The kind of tired that makes you crave something, anything at all, just to take the edge off.

I pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and just as I was about to take a drag, someone snatched it right out of my hand.

“What the fuck—” I turned quickly, only to see her. It was my girlfriend, Jade.

“I thought you quit smoking,” she said, sitting next to me like she hadn’t just pissed me off.

I sighed and looked away.

“You’re thinking about something,” she said.

“Have you heard any rumors about me lately?” I asked.

“Rumors? Not really… but everyone has been talking about your stepbrother today. They’re saying he’s gay. I mean, good for him, right? I’m glad he finally came out.”

I turned and looked at her, just for a second. Then I looked away again.

“You’re not happy for him?” she asked, more cautious this time.

I didn’t say anything. I just stood up.

She stood with me. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Is your roommate home?” I asked.

She smiled, a little confused but not questioning it. “Nope. She left for a family meeting last night. She won’t be back until after the weekend.”

My eyes drifted over her slowly, head to toe.

“Cool,” I said quietly.

***

Jade’s moans filled the whole room, her hands wrapped around my shoulder, nails digging lightly into my skin as I moved inside her, each thrust landing harder than the last. My breath came in ragged gasps, my body tightening with that familiar coil of heat gathering low in my gut. A faint shiver rippled through me, the kind that left my skin hypersensitive, almost aching for release.

“Fuck,” I hissed against her throat, my voice strained, “I’m gonna—”

I pulled out before I lost control, my release spilling across her chest in a hot, pulsing rush that made my thighs tense. My heart hammered as I leaned down to kiss her, tasting sweat and something sweet on her lips. When I finally broke the kiss, I caught my breath, only to have my mind betray me.

Out of nowhere, I saw Kyle’s face flash behind my eyes. That look he’d given me earlier. The words he’d thrown like a challenge: I’d rather turn straight than look at you that way.

My jaw locked. I didn’t know why the hell it bothered me so much.

Without a word, I stood and walked into the bathroom, feeling her eyes tracking me as I went.

“Hay?” Jade called after me, her voice tentative. “Is there a problem?”

I turned the faucet and let cold water pound over my shoulders, ignoring the way it made my skin sting.

“No,” I lied, bracing my palms on the edge of the sink. The water coursed down my spine, but it didn’t wash away the frustration tightening my chest. I wasn’t supposed to care about any of this. About him. And yet here I was, replaying it in my head like some pathetic idiot.

Why the hell am I even thinking about him?

I clenched my fist under the stream.

From the bedroom, Jade’s voice floated in. “Your phone is ringing, and it looks like it’s your brother calling.”

My head snapped up. What? He was the last person I expected to see on my screen, especially right now.

“Should I pick it up or not?” she asked. “It’s the second time.”

I stayed silent a moment, watching the water swirl down the drain.

“No,” I finally said, my voice low.

By the time I stepped out of the shower, the water hadn’t done much to cool me off. If anything, I felt more restless. Jade slipped past me into the bathroom, and while the door clicked shut, I pulled on my jeans and white t-shirt.

My phone was still buzzing on the nightstand. When I picked it up, my jaw tightened. Five missed calls. All from Kyle.

What the hell does he want now?

I scrolled through the messages, each one somehow more irritating than the last.

“Answer your calls.”

The next one made me roll my eyes so hard it hurt.

“Mom wants to see us. She says it’s important.”

“What does the old lady want now?” I muttered under my breath.

I slipped my black jacket off the back of the chair. Jade’s voice floated out behind me. “Hey, are you leaving already?”

“Yeah,” I said, not bothering to hide my annoyance.

“Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

I didn’t wait for more questions. I left her place, crossed the lot, and climbed into my car. The same car my father had handed me when I turned eighteen and finally shifted under the full moon. Back when I thought life might actually stay normal for once.

It was a short drive home, but my head wouldn’t stop buzzing. By the time I parked and stepped into the living room, I’d built up enough irritation to last a week.

Mom was there, sitting on the couch with that weird, satisfied smile she got when she was about to drop some ridiculous news.

“I’m glad you’re here, sweetie,” she said sweetly. “Please, sit.”

I turned to Kyle, who was slouched on the sofa, looking about as thrilled as I felt.

“What’s happening here?” I asked, my voice flat.

He shrugged without meeting my eyes. “She wouldn’t tell me until you showed up.”

I let out a sharp breath and sat down, keeping a healthy distance between us.

Mom took a long sip of water, set the glass on the table, and folded her hands in her lap like she was about to announce she’d won the damn lottery.

“So, boys,” she began, “you’re going to have a new father.”

The words didn’t even make sense at first. I looked at Kyle, and he looked back at me, just as confused.

“What does that mean?” Kyle asked, sounding a little too fragile for my liking.

Her smile only grew wider. She lifted her hand to show off a massive diamond ring sparkling on her finger.

“He proposed,” she said, her voice bright with triumph.

I stared at her, my lips parting.

What the hell is going on?