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It’s not long before we pull up outside a quaint, colonial-style house. It’s not as big as ours, but it has its own charm, and besides, it’s not the house that matters. It’s the person inside.
Dad shuts off the engine, gives me one last appraising look, and then nods and climbs out. I follow him, shielding my eyes from the midday sun as we walk up the driveway to the front door. George rings the doorbell, and we wait with our hands in our pockets as the sound of footsteps draws closer. My heart’s racing, and I can hardly believe this is happening. Alpha male Hunter Martin is nervous about seeing a girl again.
Eventually the door opens and Gertie pops her head out, her silver head gleaming in the light.
“Right on time,” she says, flashing us a broad smile and taking Dad by the hand. “Come on in. Frankie’s in the living room. I’m sorry if she seems a little nervous to you,” she says in a hushed voice. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but things are going to be fine.”
My dad pats her arm reassuringly.
“Of course things are going to be fine, Gert. You’re a wonderful mother, and your daughter is just like you. Don’t worry about a thing.”
But as I trail George and Gertrude into the living room, my heart’s racing as my senses flare. I’m going to see Frankie again, and this time, the curvy girl and I are going to talk.
7
Frankie
I guess I should be thankful that I slept well the night after the party, because I spend the following night tossing and turning. I keep going in circles, thinking first of the party, then of seeing Hunter again, and then of what happened in the parking lot after the meal. This is all overshadowed by the knowledge that Hunter is soon going to be related to me – legally, anyway – and that just makes it so much more complicated. All the while, I’m trying to parse through my feelings for the guy, which is difficult, considering how little I know about him, aside from the fact that he’s great in bed and drop-dead gorgeous.
I’ve never been the object of someone’s desires before – at least, as far as I know. I was always the quiet, shy girl back in school. I was never the one boys had crushes on. I was never the popular girl, and even though the same could be said for Jenny, she’s different, somehow. I think maybe her promiscuity and carefree attitude made up for the fact that she wasn’t the queen bee back when we were growing up. Either way, it’s way easier to picture her getting it on with a mysterious stranger at a crazy party, especially considering that she likes to push the envelope in her social life. That was never me.
At least, I thought it wasn’t. But it’s clear that Hunter’s into me, even if I’m not totally sure why. Come to think of it, maybe he’s not totally sure, either. But no one, not even someone as daring as he is, would risk getting caught with his hand in his soon-to-be-stepsister’s panties, especially with his dad mere feet away, unless he thought it was worth it. What was he thinking?
It’s strange, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t dangerously attracted to him as well. My mind keeps returning to the sensations he made me feel, and the way he looked at me. Like I was the only girl in the world. Like he wanted to know all my secrets, as if looking at me long enough would allow him to find out. And for all I know, maybe it does.
I sleep in fitful bouts, my head spinning, unable to get comfortable as I think about the implications of all of this. Hunter and his dad are coming over, and after the dinner last night I can tell that Mom is wondering what’s wrong with me. She’s been married before, and even though I’ve never had a step-sibling prior to this, I’ve always forced myself to be sociable with her boyfriends.
My recalcitrance is out of character, and I know Gertrude senses it, but she can’t possibly know why. Maybe I can just chalk it up to the fact that I’ve never had a step-brother before. But will she buy it? Will she wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that he’s undeniably handsome and successful? The last thing I need is her asking questions, especially when I feel like I might let something slip at any minute.
Normally I sleep in late during the summer, but the next morning I find myself waking up at ten a.m. with a blooming panic in the pit of my stomach. How am I supposed to face another get-together with George and Hunter? The worst part is that this is only the beginning. On the off-chance that Mom actually stays with this guy, I’ll be stuck keeping this secret, possibly forever. How are we supposed to pretend to be normal step-siblings after everything that’s happened?
