In a flash, he left me there still wondering what the heck was going to happen with us.
* * *
I tried to do homework, but my mind wasn’t in it. I kept rehashing what had happened last night, and my mind was still with Greyson when our parents arrived.
Since Brett had some last minute work to do in the study, Mom and I went out for a late lunch. We spoke about my plans for college and what I wanted to do afterwards. I was going to major in psychology and I planned to pursue a Masters degree in psychiatry thereafter.
Even with my scholarship, my tuition fees were still going to be costly. Mom was a dental hygienist, and she and my dad hadn’t put money aside for college, so they both would split the costs until I could afford to do it myself. My plan was to work while studying, but Mom insisted that I should focus in school and not get distracted; so did my dad.
I was grateful for the both of them. I knew we weren’t made of money like the rest of the people around us—like Greyson and Josie—but we were a tight unit, even if they were separated. Mom and Dad always put me first, and I would always be grateful for that. Forever.
My future had been mapped out. As long as I didn’t lose focus, everything would work out in my favor.
Liam left me messages, however I hadn’t gone through them yet because I didn’t know a reply to them. Once I had the answer, I planned to answer his questions accordingly. I wasn’t pushing him away, but I needed time to get used to things, and maybe then I would get the courage to face the questions he had for me.
Liam and I had a passionate relationship. What I liked about us was how we always managed to talk things out without yelling at each other. It was a mature relationship, and I liked that a lot. That was why I knew things would work out with him because we were both alike.
We knew what we wanted in life, and we liked the same things. Once I got back in Sydney, we were going to work things out again just as we had planned.
For the rest of the afternoon, I kept myself occupied. From schoolwork to catching up on my reading materials, cleaning my room and then rearranging my bedroom furniture to make it more… me. By the time I was done, it was time for dinner with Brett and Mom. Greyson was still out.
Brett barbequed some steaks and Mom made cornbread and salad. We were five minutes into the meal when Brett started talking to me.
“How are you finding things, Liv? How’s your room?”
Shit. Why was he grilling me now? What did I do wrong? Maybe he was just being nice? I didn’t fucking know. “It’s great, thanks. My room here is bigger than what I had before, so that’s always great.” I looked over to Mom, asking for her help here—something—but she was too busy with her food.
He nodded. “Good. Good.” He nodded again. “Your mom and I were thinking…” he started, making me think of bad scenarios.Please don’t tell me you’re planning to get married. I’d shoot my own foot if those words came out of his mouth. “…of getting you your own car,” he finished with a kind face.
Shit. Okay. Wait—my own car? What? “I don’t think that’s in our budget right now. My college tuition is a lot—”
He reached out for my mom’s hand, holding it. “Don’t worry; I’ll take care of the costs. Your mom here told me the same thing, but I want to help.” He paused. “I plan to stay, if your mom will let me, and I would love to be a part of your life, too, as well as everything in it—the good and bad—expenses included.”
Jesus. “You guys aren’t saying that you’re going to get married or anything, right?”Please tell me no, I silently begged.
Mom shook her head. “I think we’re both happy with what we have now. Maybe down the road we’ll think about it, but for now, we’re just happy to be…happy.”
Happiness all around, especially me since there was no way in hell that I planned on kissing a stepbrother. Double fucking eww.
As for the car, it was a great thought. “I don’t mind sharing a ride with Greyson, unless it’s cramping his style that is.” Did he say something to his dad? Was this why he was offering me a damn car? Shit. I didn’t consider that angle.
“I’m sure Grey doesn’t mind, but I want you to be comfortable. If buying you a brand new car makes you uncomfortable, how about you use one of my spare cars in the garage?” he offered, taking a bite off his steak.
Okay, I suppose borrowing wasn’t all that bad. “I guess I could deal with that,” I agreed.
He beamed, nodding. “Great, I’ll let my son know. He has all the keys to them anyway.”
I was sure he did. My excitement at getting my own ride, though borrowed, somewhat died when it was past midnight and Greyson was still not home.
I wanted to text him, but my mind willed me to stop acting like a lovesick idiot and stick to my guns. Clingy women didn’t get anywhere, and I sure as hell wouldn’t start being one of those now.
CHAPTER18
Liv
I wasin a dream with clouds, a bed and Greyson right with me. The dream was so vivid that I could feel everything, as if it were real.
“Olivia…” he whispered. “Olivia…” His hand went inside my shirt, reaching for my breast before pinching my nipple, waking me up.