Resist My Twin Stepbrothers

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Abe smacked my shoulder, and I frowned. He was a quarterback on the team, and he was a big guy. He was also one of the guys I regularly hung out with.

Mason, the team's linebacker, grinned as he smacked me on my other shoulder.

"Tell the truth; she's the same girl you've been blowing us off for, right? Tell us her name."

"Would you guys shut up," I grumbled.

I knew people were talking about it, and I guess it was big news. It had been a few days, and I was still picking Anita up and dropping her off at home when she got out late from detention. Considering where she lived, I didn't think it would be safe for her to be out at night, and if she had to walk back every day from deten—tion, then she definitely would have to walk in the dark.

Maybe it was stereotyping, but I found myself wor—rying about her. I didn't like my friends teasing me about her, either.

Should I back off a bit?

I was spending too much time with her, it was why people were talking. We didn't speak much while we were in school. We were in the same year and had some classes together, but we had separate lives and friends in school. I'd seen her a few times around school, includ—ing in the cafeteria, and I'd wanted to approach her, but she was always with someone. It was the same girl every time, and I didn't want to intrude.

Was it true, then? Were we sending too much time together? I wanted to see her more, if anything.

I didn't care what anyone thought about her, so I didn't care what people said, and Anita didn't seem to mind it, either. We talked a bit about books on our drive to and from school, I'd handed over some of mine, and she'd told me what she liked about them and what she didn't. Even our opinions were aligned. She also liked the music I loved to listen to, and I enjoyed some of the stuff she'd played for me during the rides.

There couldn't be someone more perfect for me to get close to, and it had nothing to do with the fact that she was a pretty girl.

"Dude, come on," Mason complained when I didn't answer. I'd forgotten what he even asked. "Her name? Is that too much to ask?"

"It's Anita," I said with a shrug. They'd find out if they asked around, anyway, so there was no problem with telling them.

"And are we ever going to meet her?" Abe asked. "Oh, wait. Probably not, right? Because you're not seri—ous about her. You only ever introduce us to the cheer—leaders you date, so are you just trying something new?"

"It's a huge shift in taste," Mason added. "You could have warned us first."

Immediately, I got irritated.

"Would you two shut up about this already?" I drawled, sounding bored. "Just back off and mind your own damn business, okay? And don't even think of go—ing anywhere near her."

I stared at them, waiting, and they shrugged it off with a chuckle and started talking about last night fun at the movie theater. I knew that wouldn't be the end of it, but I let my body relax.

Anita

My hands twisted together as I stopped outside of the pharmacy. Even with Hayley by my side, I wasn't sure I could do this. Hayley, as always, seemed to be able to read my mind.

"You have to do it," she murmured. "Even if you're scared, it'll be worse if you wait for your stomach to start showing before you start to make plans. It's been a month by now, I think. Better to start planning early."

I bit my lip. I was totally afraid of it, but I knew she was right. What would I do if I had to go to school with a giant belly? People might assume Evan was responsi—ble, especially with all the recent rumors flying around about us, and while it was true, I hadn't told him yet. What would he think?

"Can we just wait out here for a minute?" I whis—pered.

Hayley pursed her lips, but at my pleading look, gave up with a sigh.

"Fine, but we are not turning back," she warned. "Not after I finally got you to come here. Honestly, I almost thought you were running away from me or something."