Athena

48. What Are You Doing, Stepbro?

Instantly, Cruz's expression tightens with concern.

Craving comfort, I want to hurl myself into his arms and share everything that's bothering me all at once, but I have to suppress this tide of emotions, I can't give into my instincts, since we're not at home, alone, in the safety of my room. I'm a bomb that's about to explode. Yet, in front of all these people, I have to defuse myself. I have to simmer down and act like I'm no one special to Cruz. That he's no one special to me. 

A pained protest throbs in my heart. The chaos nearly bleeds out. I kill it before the emotions can escape.

He presses quietly, "What's wrong?"

As I struggle to find the right answer for right now, I see, from my peripheral vision, Jonathon approaching us.

Really?

Of all people?

"Dude, you disappeared on us," Jonathon chides Cruz in a good-natured way. "I've been looking for a few more guys from the team for King's Cup. You in, Recker?"

My crap mood dips even lower as I study Suzie's brother with discomfort. Jonathon looks friendly enough. His black hair is spiked up in a preppy sort of way. He has warm brown eyes. He appears outgoing. Laid back. Fun-loving. He doesn't exude an ounce of his sister's hostile attitude.

Is he really a good guy?

I don't know what to make of him yet. First impressions aren't always right. Looks can be deceiving. Once upon a time, I thought Brody was an okay guy as well. Joke's on me.

Cruz briefly side-eyes me before answering, "Sorry, man, I'm kinda busy right—"

"Busy, huh?" Jonathon interrupts with a knowing squint.

He suddenly turns to me, raising his eyebrows with interest, "Hey. Your name's Athena, right?"

"Yeah, I'm Athena."

His gaze darts between Cruz and me. "You two have been hanging out a lot lately. What's going on between you and Cruz?"

My eyes round out. "Um..."

Cruz coughs. "Uh..."

Jonathan's nosiness shouldn't catch me off guard. I was expecting people to pepper me with these kinds of questions, but my brain blanks for a second. I wasn't prepared for Jonathon to bring it up right away.

Luckily, Cruz is somewhat more on top of things. He answers for us, "It's a long story."

Jonathan grins. "I got time. Spill. This tea sounds hot."

"So, um, Athena's aunt recently got engaged to my dad," Cruz explains with a ridiculously calm expression. "They moved in with us a while back."

Oh, gosh.

Cruz told him.

He really told Jonathon.

Jonathon will probably tell the whole soccer team now.

"Holy shit," Jonathon gasps, turning to me for verification. He demands, "Is this for real?"

I gulp slightly.

No going back now.

"Yeah," I mumble. "This is why Cruz started driving me to school and stuff."

"Wait, wait, wait," Jonathan exclaims, half in disbelief, half in fascination, "are you telling me that you guys are gonna be, like, what? Step siblings? Or step cousins?"

"Something like that, yeah," Cruz mutters.

Jonathan chuckles in amusement, shooting me a not-so-innocent leer. "Are you planning to get your ass stuck in Cruz's washer, Athena?"