“What the hell is going on here?” Rowan’s voice got deeper too, and the baritone sends shivers down my spine. My nipples bead, responding to him like they always did.
I sigh and tighten my cardigan around myself to hide my breasts, hell, to hide my body. I glance up at him to see Rowan staring daggers at me. His friend is totally oblivious and waves at me. He takes a few strides and holds out his hand. “Hi. I’m Gray. I’m Rowan’s friend and business partner.”
Right. Business partner. Rowan is all successful now.
“I’m Everly.” Right as I reach out to shake his hand, Rowan pulls Gray back and curls his lip at me. Tears burn my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. I look down at my feet, wishing I had somewhere else to go.
Gray gives Rowan a confused look, which tells me his friend doesn’t even know about me. I guess my plan worked. He has officially forgotten all about me.
“What’s she doing here?” Rowan asks coldly, not even looking at me in the eye.
“That’s no way to talk to your family, Rowan.” Mr. Michaels says, wrapping his arm around my mother.
I thought we were here visiting. Just what is going on?
“Oh, you crazy kids. You grew up together, and this is how you treat each other? I thought this would go a lot easier,” my mom grabs his father’s hand, making me gasp.
“Yeah, let’s not talk about how we are supposed to treat each other,” Rowan huffs, and his eyes go down to look at their conjoined hands. “What’s going on?”
“Well, while you were away at school, Barbara and I found each other and fell in love.”
My mom stares up at Rowan’s father with adoration and holds up her other hand. “We are getting married!” she squeals. “I’ll be moving in here!”
And at the same time, my stomach drops. This can’t be happening. The man I lost my virginity to, the man I’ve loved my entire life, is going to be my stepbrother? This day keeps getting worse and worse.
And to add gasoline to already the burning blaze of fire? I still love him. And the worst part? I don’t even feel guilty for loving and wanting him. It isn’t enough to forget that amazing night we shared and the fantasies that one day, we would find our way to each other again.
Now even that fantasy has been shattered.
“You can’t be serious? Bringing them into our family?” Rowan shouts, his face turning red, and the vein bulging in his forehead. “What the fuck, Dad?”
“You will not speak to my soon-to-be wife like that, young man. Where is your respect?” Mr. Michaels stands in front of my mother, protecting her.
“It must have left two years ago when I went to school.”
The words are a sword to the heart, almost making me cry. I know they are directed at me.
“It had better change quick, or you won’t be welcome in this house.”
Rowan doesn’t take his eyes away from his father. “Good because I won’t be here long.”
He finally slides his eyes toward me, and the pain in those beautiful eyes takes my breath.
“Show Everly her room,” his father says to him. “I can’t talk to you right now. I never knew my son could be so disrespectful.”
“I wonder who’s to blame for that.” He never takes his eyes away from mine until he turns away and grabs his bag, “And I think she can find her own way. Let’s go, Gray.” Rowan goes upstairs taking two steps at a time, and Gray follows shortly behind.
“Uh, it was nice to meet all of you, even if it was really awkward.” He waves, throwing his duffel bag over his shoulder.
I rub my temples with my fingers and lean against the marble wall. Yeah, marble. I always felt so uncomfortable coming here because his dad is so rich. My head pounds with all the information, stress, and anxiety I’m feeling right now.
“I’m sorry, dear. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.” My mom wraps me in a hug, and it takes all I have not to cry.
I know exactly what’s gotten into him. “It’s fine. I’m going to go take a nap, though. It’s been a long day.”
“Of course,” she says, but I can see the sadness in her eyes for their children not being happy for them.
“You deserve love, mom. If Mr. Michaels brings you that, then that’s all that matters.”
The little shine to her eyes returns, and she embraces me in another hug. “Thank you.”
I pull away, tuck a piece of my long, brown hair behind my ear, and meander up the steps. I sigh, dragging my feet as I get closer and closer to the upstairs lobby. There are a million rooms in this house, let’s just hope I pick one far away from Rowan. I can’t wait until Christmas break is over. This is all too much.
I drag my bag behind me, the roll of the wheels echoing in the hall. Gold chandeliers hang above me, the crystal dangling from the arms glittering along the walls. Old family photos decorate the wall with expensive wooden frames. I’m even in some of them.
I do my best not to stop and look at them. I’ve seen them a hundred times, but this time is different. This time, Rowan and I aren’t friends anymore, and the only thing waiting in those pictures is pain.
I reach for the silver door handle and twist, opening the heavy wooden door wide to expose a gorgeous room with a canopy bed. There is a Victorian-style chaise
