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Next week Mom begins her new job as the district attorney for the county. Before Lake was born, my mom was a high-profile attorney and her excitement for being back in a courtroom is enough for anyone to cheer on her dreams.
Up until my parents’ divorce, Mom had the cushion of my dad’s money at her fingertips. I don’t fault her for wanting her independence, but I don’t see the reasoning for her rushing into marriage again.
The entire situation blows my mind. It’s not normal—we’re no longer normal. Growing up, we were always the family that had it all together. Now we’ve become people I don’t even recognize.
Mom is about to become Celia Cromwell. Just thinking about her name change makes me want to vomit. No one has stopped to think about how this affects me and my sisters—or even the Cromwell boys. It’s only been a year and a half since they lost their mom, and their dad is already marrying someone new—someone they don’t even know.
Fortunately, I still have both my parents, even if I don’t see my dad as often as I’d like. He’s now six hours away. If we’re lucky, we’ll get to see him on holidays. That’s assuming he’s not traveling the world with his new girlfriend.
My parents have a very odd relationship. They’re divorced, yet somehow they managed to remain friends. I’m pretty sure it’s all a show for us girls, but he was still invited to the wedding, nonetheless. Dad said he couldn’t make it because he’d be in Maui for the weekend, but I’m almost positive Daria, the new girlfriend, talked him out of coming. She’s probably the one who booked the vacation—with his money, of course.
I met Daria once, and I don’t like her. She’s flashy and loud and says things like oh, doll, and that sounds marvelous. Everything that comes out of her mouth is followed by a squeaky cackle. Then again, she’s only twenty-four, so my expectations for her maturity level aren’t very high.
“They’re laughing at us,” Lake whispers, her eyes downcast.
“Who?” I seethe, but I don’t even have to ask. I can see exactly who she’s talking about. The Cromwell boys—Rome and his fraternal twin brother, Wilder, along with Callan, who is Brogan’s age, and Sayer who’s only fourteen. Sayer doesn’t seem to be partaking in their antics, but I’ve got my eyes on him, too. From what I can see, all those boys are going to be trouble.
It doesn’t help that they’re all good-looking. Scratch that, they’re the epitome of perfection on the outside, but by the way they’re acting right now, I’m beginning to think they have hearts of stone.
I narrow my gaze at Rome, making him aware that I know he’s over there cracking jokes about us. I’ve never been very good at sweeping things under the rug. I hold grudges tighter than I’m holding this bouquet, and that says a lot, considering I just snapped two of the stems in half.
The instrumental wedding march begins and I peel my eyes off him, knowing he’s still watching me. I’m not a bit surprised Mom chose this music to walk down the aisle. She’s always been very traditional. From our sit-down dinners as a family to doing chores, even when we had a housekeeper to do them for us.
Family togetherness is important, as is not having children that grow up to be entitled adults.
I really can't complain about my childhood. I had a good upbringing with parents who love me. It's the present that's raging an inferno of anger inside me.
As upset as I am, I’ll admit, Mom is a vision of perfection in her ivory wedding gown. Her flared dress is simple but elegant with off-the-shoulder straps and a dipped V at the front. She’s stunning as she glides down the aisle gracefully.
As she reaches the arch where her groom is standing, her gaze flickers from me to my sisters, and her eyes light up. I’m not thrilled about what’s taking place, but ready or not, this is happening, and I will support her in any way I can.
After Mom and Grant share their vows, and their first kiss, I look back at Rome, catching his stare again. I hold tight to it, challenging him.
I want my mom and my sisters to be happy, but I refuse to let it be at the expense of my own happiness.
You wanna start some shit, Rome Cromwell? Bring it on. I showed you who I was once before, I’ll happily do it again.
CHAPTER 2
ELODIE
One Week Later
“Unbelievable,” I grumble as Brogan and I step into the foyer and are immediately hit with the sound of the boys hollering from the family room downstairs.
The boys being my new stepbrothers, along with their idiot friends, whose names I don’t know because I really don’t care. Okay, I would know their names if I saw their faces because Willow Creek isn’t exactly huge, but I don’t know them by the sound of their loud backchat. If I had to guess, it’s probably Aiden and Luke. They’re the two friends I see at the house most often.
“Get used to it, girl,” Brogan chirps. “This is our life now.”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me.” I rub my temples aggressively, making my way to the kitchen.
“Stop stressing so much. New brothers means new brothers’ friends, and I’d gladly stare at one friend in particular all day, every day.”
“Stop calling them our brothers. It literally makes me sick. As for their friends, don’t,” I stammer, “just…don’t.”
“Whaaat?” Brogan drags out the word, pouting like she’s innocent. “Wilder and Rome’s friends are fucking hot. Don’t even pretend you haven’t noticed.”
It’s true. A couple of them are easy on the eyes, but they’re exactly like Rome, and Rome is the worst of the worst. One week of living with him and my world has already flipped upside down.
