Read Stepbrother Romance 2 - Consumed: A New Adult Alpha Billionaire Romance for Free Online Page B

the table. “I don’t think I can do it.”
    “You have to try. For your baby’s sake. So she doesn’t grow up not knowing you.” I left the room.
    It was time to pack.
    I had no idea where I was going. I just knew I couldn’t stay in this house anymore. Ransom was going to hate me for leaving before she’d even come home from the hospital. After I’d promised to help her with the baby. But what else could I do?
    And of course, she’d want to know why. I needed to come up with a reasonable explanation. Something that wouldn’t make her hate John.
    Even though he deserved it.
     

     
    Pulling up to Kent’s property, with all my belongings crammed in my SUV, did not feel like a happy homecoming. It felt like a setback. I couldn’t make it without Kent’s help. Even though I’d graduated from college.
    To think of all those thousands of dollars wasted. It made me sick.
    I did not knock on his door. I wouldn’t stay in his home, even if Mom and her husband told me it was my only option. I’d rather live in my car. And as far as the house in Plymouth went, by now I assumed it had been sold.
    I was greeted at the carriage house’s front door by my bewildered-looking mother, scowling. “The party isn’t for a few days,” she said, giving me the slit-eye.
    “Yes, I know. I’m here because I need a place to stay. Temporarily.”
    Her scowl grew scowlier. She stepped aside. “Come in. Let’s talk.”
    I stepped into the compact but pretty entryway and followed Mom into the cozy living space that housed a small loveseat, a chair, and a television. As I sat on the loveseat, I realized it was too short for even little me to sleep on. It was no wonder Mom had insisted I stay with Kent in his ginormous house. It made sense…except for the fact that he was married and he couldn’t keep his hands off me.
    “Honey, I would never let you live on the streets, but you can see this place isn’t exactly spacious.” She spread her arms and could practically touch the walls on either side of the living room.
    “I see that now.” I inhaled. I exhaled.
    “You could stay in the main house—“
    “No,” I interrupted.
    She leaned closer, placed a hand on my knee and said in her Mommy voice, “Shayne, what happened between you and Kent? Is there something you aren’t telling me?”
    God, she was talking to me like I was ten. “Nothing, Mom. Nothing happened. It’s just that…well… he’s a married man, as you pointed out. And I’m single. It looks bad. Not to mention he’s trouble. You told me that, too. Remember? You were the one who said you shouldn’t have let me stay at his house. Speaking of which, didn’t you tell me his wife insisted I move out? How would it look if I moved back in? I don’t want his wife to think anything is going on...”
    Mom’s brow rose. “Are you sure there isn’t something going on between you two? When I saw him at the house in--”
    My face burned. “Absolutely not.” Crap, I hoped my blush wouldn’t give away the truth. “I told you then that nothing had happened between us.”
    Mom did that thing she did whenever she was trying to figure out if I was lying. She stared at me, eyes piercing, and waited while I tried to pretend like I wasn’t squirming. At last the intensity of her scrutiny eased. “I understand. You’re jealous. Because he’s married. Of course you’re attracted to him. I can’t blame you. He’s a handsome man. And he can be very generous and kind. If I were twenty years younger, I would be too. You’re smart to stay away from him.”
    “No, Mom. It’ not like that. He’s my stepbrother.” I curled a lip in faux disgust. “That’s not even remotely okay. Not to mention he’s bossy and irritating and controlling.”
    She nodded. “Ah yes, all men are controlling to some degree. Why do you think I avoided getting married for so many years? I’m sure he’s just trying to look out for his younger sister.” She smiled. “It’s rather