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Zoe removed a napkin from the brown paper bag. “And I thought for sure Cole released the video, too. So, he simply forgot his phone, and someone picked it up and saw it, huh?”
I nodded. “My guess is that it’s one of his friends, Remington, or one of the other guys. They would totally pull shit like that, but I’m thinking they’ll pay dearly if Cole finds out who did it. Maybe he never will.”
Zoe’s nose scrunched up in distaste. “He should! I want to know who did you dirty like that, Shae.”
I plucked off a piece of the hamburger bun and nibbled on it. “Honestly, I’m not sure it’s even worth it. Daddy had the recording removed, so hopefully that’s the end of it. Besides, I have other shit to worry about.”
“Yeah, and the end of your social life as long as Cole is around. Not only are you stuck with him this summer, but I doubt he’s going to leave you alone at college again this year. He certainly has a habit of making sure you don’t date anyone.” Zoe’s big brown eyes cut to me. “Babe.” She reached over and smoothed my hair. “It’s time you consider another idea.”
“What’s that?” I grabbed the Dr Pepper that I’d bought with my dinner and took a sip.
“I think your stepbrother is into you.” Zoe’s tone was gentle, as if she were consoling a small child.
Spewing the soda from my mouth, I immediately broke into a coughing fit.
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry!” Zoe picked up the remaining napkins and began soaking up the drink that had landed on the leather seat.
Once I’d regained the ability to breathe correctly, I faced her, dumbfounded. “You’re wrong.”Was she?
Zoe raised her hands in surrender. “I’m just saying that you shouldn’t dismiss the idea is all. Cole has literally cockblocked you since your dad and Julia got married and he strolled into your life. He’s rude as fuck to you, humiliates you, and is practically obsessed with who you’re with and talk to.” She tilted her head, studying my reaction.
I pursed my lips. “Nope. No. And hell no. There’s no way. Did you hear what he said to me at Harrison’s party? Then he tossed me over his shoulder and carried me out of the house not half an hour before hemurderedsomeone, Zoe. Beat a man todeath.”
Zoe folded her arms across her chest and gave me a pointed look. “And he told you why. He was protecting you and the parents.”
Wide-eyed, I slapped my palm against my forehead. “Oh, yeah. How could I forget? That makes everything okay ... and legal.” Sarcasm dripped from my words.
“I mean, to have a hot as hell badass protect you, yummy. I’m not sure about you, but a guy being a fuckwad to everyone except the girl he loves ... we all want that. It’s why we love the bad boys. Think about it, though. Damon from The Vampire Diaries, Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl, and that serial killer, Dexter.”
I blew out a sigh. “I get it, but that’s not the real world.”
Zoe arched a brow. “Yet, you spent all day with him and the motorcycle dudes. And I want to meet Taco. If he’s as gorgeous as you described him to be ... that’s probably why Cole barged out of the house and jerked you away ... ya know, before Taco licked your snatch.” Zoe burst into giggles. She nudged my arm. “Get it? You’re supposed to eat a taco, not the other way around.” A snort escaped her, and she laughed harder, holding her sides.
Dismayed, I shook my head. “What am I going to do with you?” A grin almost broke free, but I was emotionally too tied up in knots at the moment.
“Several of the bikers were hot, but that doesn’t mean I need to drag you into that world with me. You’re my best friend, Zoe. I get the impression they’re loyal as fuck to the people they love and care about, but other than that, life is a different game to them.”
“Does Cole know that you were going to talk to me about the MC?” Zoe turned in the seat and propped her elbow on the armrest.
“I told him I needed to talk to someone about the situation, and he seemed like he was fine with it at first. But then his text said otherwise.” I rolled my eyes. “In my mind, I’ve nicknamed him Jekyll and Hyde. I never know which one I’m going to get. The man or the monster.”
“I have an idea about that.” Zoe wiggled her brows at me. “I think he’s confused about his feelings for you. You’re his stepsister and off-limits or some bogus bullshit like that.”
“Well, he’s not wrong.” I groaned. “Can you imagine the look on Daddy and Julia’s faces if we got together?” I barked out a maniacal laugh. “I could kiss away any chance of Daddy reinstating my funds. Fucking the stepbro wouldn’t be a show of my maturity in his opinion.”
Excitement flickered in Zoe’s expression. “I bet Cole is so damn good in bed.” She sucked on her bottom lip and moaned. “If you sleep with him, I want all the deets. Every. Single. Inch of the details.” She squealed and grabbed my arm. “Oh my God, this is going to be epic.”
I pried her fingers from my biceps. “Aren’t you forgetting that you’re speculating, and in reality, Cole isn’t interested in boning his sister?”
Zoe pretended to barf. “Stepsister.”
“You, Dani, Sibyl, and Isabel are the only people to see us as stepsiblings. Didn’t you hear all the lewd remarks at Harrison’s party?” Humiliation burned through my body as I recalled Cole’s words, implying that he’d fucked me. “When he gave everyone the impression that we were sleeping together ... why would he have done that?”
“Ugh, Shae! I’m trying to tell you. He wants you. You might be taboo to him, but he let every guy there know you were off limits and that he was in your pants. Wake up, babe.”
Butterflies flip-flopped in my belly. “If, and let me be clearif,you’re right ... do you think that’s why he’s so mean to me?”
Zoe tapped her chin with her finger, a sign that she was pondering my question. “Honestly?”
