A faint smile traced my lips. “God, yes. I’m starving. I can’t remember when I ate last.”
“Where did you and Brock go?” Kenna asked, popping a salty chip into her mouth. She had kicked off her shoes under the chair.
I shrugged, feeling my cheeks warm. “Nowhere, really. We just drove around and, umm, talked.”
Grayson choked on a chip and hit his chest a few times with a closed fist, as if that would help the chip go down. His lips curved. “Talked, sure. Since when do Brock and you ever justtalk?”
Sticking my hand into the bag, I pulled out a tortilla chip and dunked it into the cup of salsa. “That, brother, is none of your business.”
“Trust me. I don’t want it to be my business. The idea of you and my best friend….” His lips turned down. “I still can’t fathom it, regardless that I’ve seen far too much with my own eyes.”
“You two seem to have really gotten to know each other. I’m jealous,” Kenna admitted, staring at the tortilla chip she broke in half.
I finished chewing before replying, “It sort of just happened.”
Kenna swiveled her chair back and forth as he reached for her glass of water. “You mean, Carter happened.”
A pause hit the room. Grayson and I looked at each other as we stood frozen, unsure how to proceed. This was a touchy subject, more so for Kenna than me. Carter had done a world of shit to me, but I’d been saved each time. Kenna hadn’t been so lucky. No one had saved her that night.
Brock’s comment about being careful echoed in my head. Had I already fucked up? It would be such a Josie move of me to unconsciously sabotage a good situation before it had a chance to become permanent.
Kenna’s laugh finally broke the silence, and she nearly spat out a mouthful of water. “Oh, my God. You should see you guys’ faces. You would think I died. It’s okay. Seriously. You can say his name.”
“I’d rather not,” I groaned. “I wish I could forget him altogether. Erase his existence from my life completely.”
“I know the feeling well. I wish I could have been able to see his face when he got his first look at you,” she said, a smile still on her lips.
Perhaps Kenna was stronger now, for as I glanced over at her, she didn’t look like a fragile girl about to fall apart. Nor someone who would cower in my stepbrother’s presence. But I knew better than anyone. Looks could be deceiving. “It was instant hate,” I replied. “We can’t stand each other.” I didn’t doubt the prick saw Kenna each time he looked at me.
“I seriously don’t want to talk about the asshole,” Grayson muttered, and I noticed the tightening in his jaw. He had as many reasons to despise Carter as both Kenna and me. Two of those reasons sitting in front of him.
“I got something we can talk about,” Kenna said in a tone I recognized well. It was one I used often. Actually, it was more of a lifestyle for me. Sarcasm. “Like how we promised to tell each other everything.” Her sparkling eyes were directed at Grayson as she folded her arms.
Grayson winced. “How many times do I have to say I’m sorry? I should have told you about Josie.”
“Yes, you should have,” Kenna agreed. “And I’m going to need you to apologize at least a dozen more times. Until I decide to forgive you.” She uncrossed her arms and spun her chair toward me. “Did I tell you how much I like your hair? At least I know I would look good in pink.”
I chuckled. “True. I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed a few of your clothes.”
She shook her head. “Of course not. I can’t tell you how many times I dreamed about having a sister. I can’t believe you’re real.”
The three of us shared a look before busting out into laughter. Who would have thought my life would end up here?
I was afraid it wouldn’t last—that this family I’d stumbled into would be gone if I so much as blinked.