Resist My Twin Stepbrothers

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

"I thought I could walk you back," Evan offered. "Since you said before it wouldn't be safe parking in your neighborhood. This should be fine, right?"

"Um, yes."

We walked in awkward silence, though that could have just been me. Evan looked relaxed as he walked beside me with his hands in his pockets, looking around curiously. When we got to my neighborhood, Evan drifted a little closer, until our arms brushed, and I bit my lip to hold back a gasp. I wasn't sure if he real—ized he was doing it, but I wasn't about to complain.

"This is the building?" He asked and looked up when we got the spot where he dropped me off last time.

"Yes, it's here." I slowed down my steps and glanced at him. "Are you sure you want to come up? Shouldn't you go home instead? Your family might get worried about you. You weren't in detention, but you still waited for me every day."

Evan shrugged. "They won't care, so it's fine. Show me your home."

I led him into the building. It was an old apart—ment building, so there was no elevator, just a narrow staircase, so I walked ahead of him. We went up three floors, and I looked over my shoulder to be sure he was still following. We stopped at the third door to my right in the hallway, and I pulled out my house keys. I had a moment to wonder if I should be embarrassed, but he'd practically invited himself over.

"This is my place."

I pushed the door open, and we walked inside, then locked it behind us. Mom had her key. I didn't hear anyone else inside, so she must be still at work.

The apartment was small, the tiny living room with just enough space to fit a couch and one single seat, a tiny coffee table and a bigger table holding a small TV that we'd had forever. A door to the right led to the small kitchen area, and a short hallway led to two bed—rooms and a bathroom. I pointed out the rooms to him from the living room and had him sit on the sofa.

While it was a small space, it was comfortable with just two people. It was also clean since Mom, and I made sure to take care of it every day.

Evan didn't judge, just looked around curiously, before turning to me.

"Where's your room?"

I led him to the short hall and the door right at the end. The room was big enough to hold a bed, a dresser, and a tiny desk Mom got when another tenant moved out years ago. That's where I usually did my homework, with a tiny window looking out into the street that I'd stare out of sometimes. There was some room to stand, but it felt cramped with two people in it, especially Evan with his big build.

He walked inside, and I closed the door behind us.

Evan

I sat down on the bed, bouncing a little. It squeaked in protest, but I ignored it. The bed felt hard under me, nothing like my own big, soft bed. I almost wished I could take Anita to my room, but that might not go down well with my parents. I didn't want her to see what my home life was like, either.

"There isn't much in here." I'd noted the absence of pictures or the other wall hangings I'd noticed in the bedrooms of others girls I knew. It wasn't like my sis—ter's room at all; hers had been covered with ribbons she'd won for a variety of activities, and other memen—tos from her time in high school.

Anita leaned back against the door and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I don't need a lot of stuff, to begin with. All I ever do in here is sleep or study."

"Hmm."

Our gazes met and held, and the small space be—tween us grew charged.

"Come here," I said, motioning with my hand for her to sit next to me.

The bed was pushed against the wall opposite the door, but there was just enough space that I wouldn't reach her unless I stretched myself forward. She seemed to hesitate, and I wondered if she could tell the change in the room, or if it was just me. Impulsively, when she did come closer, I reached my arms out, and grabbed her by the waist and drug her over to me.