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"Yeah, well, Mom got married, and now we live withhim," I say.
"Who'shim?"
I sigh heavily. "Bain Huntley."
Brock's eyes widen. "You mean...?"
"Yep, Beau's father…"
"Damn, Ry. I'm sorry to hear that. I get it now. I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions," he says contritely, so I shrug.
"It is what it is…"
"You want to…you know?" he asks hesitantly.
I study him a moment. "Nah, I should probably get back home."
"Okay, but don't be a stranger." He smiles and starts walking away.
"I'm still upset with you from our last run-in," I call after him.
He turns and continues to walk backward. "Well then, you should probably let me make it up to you some time."
I chuckle at him. It's my first real chuckle in a very long time, but that's what Brock does for me; he always has. Maybe, just maybe, we can rekindle our old friendship. My only question is, will I be able to stay clean?
Twenty-Two
When I return to the Manor, Bain isn't around, so I head to his home office to thank him again and let him know I'm back. I should go straight to my room, but I'm finally earning his trust, and if I'm going to get out of here at some point, I need to continue.
I haven't forgotten the promise to my father about graduating. As much as I want to leave and never look back, I will remain here and finish school. It's not like I have anyone, or anywhere to go, at the moment. With Beau enlisted, I can't run to him. So, I'll stay and be the good girl Bain wants me to be just to appease him for the time being.
Bain sits behind his desk, his head bent as he writes something down. I stand in the doorway, watching him momentarily. There is no denying that he is a handsome guy for his age. Beau has undoubtedly gotten his good looks from his father, and that's why Bain looked so familiar when I first saw him. I gather that the different eye color threw me off from putting two and two together, but there is no mistake about the uncanny resemblance now. Looking at my stepfather makes me miss Beau even more.
Lifting my hand, I knock three times on the door with my knuckle, causing Bain to look up from his work. The way he smiles at me creeps me out, and yet I get tingles in places I shouldn't.What the fuck is wrong with me?
"Ah, you're back already? I figured you would go hang out with your friends," he states, as he stands and comes around his desk.
"Didn't my mom tell you? I have no friends. The last friend I had was also my dealer…"
Before placing his hands on my shoulders, Bain briefly studies me. "I'm sure your friend wouldn't push the drugs on you if they know you're trying to stay clean."
My brows knit together. "What are you saying? Do youwant me to remain friends with Brock? You wouldn't have an issue if I hung out with him?"
Bain shrugs. "If he was such a good friend to you, then I think you should remain friends with him. I think you have come far, and you know what the drugs will do to you if you go back to them." He pulls me in for a hug, and I breathe in his masculine scent. "You're an adult, Ryan. I trust you to make the choices best for yourself."
I'm taken aback by his statement, which makes me speechless. My stepfather pulls back, and his eyes wander down the length of me before a slight scowl crosses his face. It's not a pissy one, more like one of confusion.
"I think it's time you return to the land of the living and start dressing like a girl your age. I don't like seeing you in loungewear all the time…and those shoes…" he stares down at my Converse.
"What's wrong with my shoes? They are comfortable…"
Bain sighs. "They have seen better days, Ryan. It's time you start dressing the part of a Huntley."
My eyes widen. "But—I'm not a Huntley."At least not yet. I say to myself as thoughts of marrying Beau in the future dance around in my head.
"You are through marriage, Ryan. Having a different last name does not mean you are not a Huntley. Now." Bain returns to his desk and pulls something out of his drawer. "Here is your credit card. Use it wisely, but I want you to take yourself shopping and buy nice clothes."
I look at his outstretched hand. "But Mom already took me shopping for my birthday…"
