15
REBECCA
The entire drive back home, I feel as if I’m floating. I feel like I’m the luckiest woman in the world. Last night, sleeping in the blanket fort with Damian and Steven…It felt like fate.
Things should’ve been this way all along, but instead, we are forced to love each other in the shadows because his parents think that I’m just some monster who’s out to ruin Steven’s life. It hurts, but it’s their reality.
I’ve loved Steven since our first night together, but I never dared to tell him. His being my father’s friend, how could I? Not to mention, what if he didn’t feel the same way? I would’ve been devastated.
I always assumed it was just a small fling because he was older than me. That we were both looking to have some fun. Boy, was I wrong.
Last night showed that spending time together, without the sex, is just as magical. Any time I get to spend with Steven makes it harder and harder to leave. And the fact that Damian already loves him is a bonus.
Maybe one day we can actually be a family.
As I pull into my driveway, I see a few lights on through the living room window, telling me that my grandmother is already here. She’d called me earlier, letting me know she would unlock the house for me after apologizing profusely.
“Hey, I’m so sorry again,” Grandma says as Damian runs into her arms for a hug. “Where did you end up sleeping last night? I hope not in the car or something.”
Instead of answering, I feel my entire face turn red hot as I look down at Damian. “No, that’s silly,” Damian says with a giggle. “We made a blanket fort and had popcorn! You should come next time, GeeGee.”
I close my eyes instinctively, wishing that I could disappear from this conversation. They open again when I hear little feet running down the hall, and I know the coast is clear as he is heading toward his bedroom.
The last thing I need is for him to spill all my secrets right out of the gate. To his defense, he has no idea that they are secrets.
“Hmm.” She raises her eyebrow at me, giving me a knowing look.Shit…I’m caught.
“Whose blanket fort wereyousleeping in?” She asks with a knowing smile, and I can’t help the giggle that leaves my mouth. She is far more aware of things than anyone in the family knows. I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t already know what’s been going on between Steven and I all this time.
She watches, she listens, and she also knows practically everyone in the city.
I’m definitely not ready for anyone to know that I’ve fallen for the one man I’m not supposed to. What’s my dad going to do to us if he finds out? Personally, I’ve already been through every possible scenario, even the ones that I know aren’t even a possibility.
That’s the beauty of anxiety, though. Even when, logically, I know something would never happen, good luck convincing my brain of that.
Before that comes out into the light, I’d at least like to inform Steven of the huge, four-year-old secret I’ve been keeping from him.
Waving my hand at her, I step into the kitchen and head for the coffee pot. “Want some coffee while you’re here?” I ask, praying that the change of conversation sticks.
Grandma nods, but a knock at the door has her turning to go answer it, and my heart stops.Please…please don’t be Steven…
She returns a moment later with a large vase in her hands that holds a beautiful bouquet of a mixture of red roses and bright yellow sunflowers. It’s my favorite combination.He remembered. How am I so lucky?
Immediately, I know they are from him. Who else could know my favorite flowers, or know me well enough to want to send me flowers?
Smiling, I grab the card out of them as she sets them on the table. My eyes scan the card, and it instantly confuses me.
Just give me a chance and I can change your life.
I find it odd of him to write this because in my mind, I already gave him a chance when I told him I loved him.
Pulling the phone from my pocket, I send him a quick text, thanking him for the beautiful flowers.
Moments later, he replies.
Steven:I didn’t send you flowers. But that’s a great idea.
“What?” I say it out loud accidentally. Fortunately, Grandma didn’t hear me.
