Despicable Desires

Episode 3

Adeline

While the boys discuss and stare at the barbecue, I prepare the plates and cutlery, trying not to pay attention to them.

To him.

- Are we eating outside? I ask.

- Yes, we are. I have already set the table.

With a towel in her hands, Mia opens the oven, from which a small cloud of white, hot smoke escapes, takes out her dish of seasonal vegetables gratin, and while she runs her hand over her forehead to remove the few brown strands that have flattened there, she places the dish on the stove and then closes the glass door.

- It's fine, I think we can sit down. Astrid, darling, let's eat, she adds a little louder.

My sister hurried into the kitchen in half a second, grabbed the glasses and the water, and went out into the garden. I collected the dishes I had taken out and put them on a tray before heading out into the garden. I have barely passed through the French door when Cameron rushes up to me and grabs the tray out of my hands.

- Let me do it, sis. You'll drop everything.

I frown, slightly disappointed at the little trust he gives me to complete this task. He carefully places the contents of the tray on the table and returns to the kitchen to put it away. My father and Jayden move away from the grill, holding a plate of meat in their hands, and then take their seats. Mia and Henri take the ends, facing each other, while I sit between Cameron and my father. My sister, facing me, sits next to Jayden: a place she demanded. Even though the table is small, I'm glad I'm not next to him or facing him. The meal would have been a nightmare if I had to spend it looking at my plate. My stepmother takes care of serving the gratin and my father takes care of the meat. Watching them enjoy serving their little family made me feel happy. I did not expect much from their relationship, which started on a dating website, but I am happy to see that I was wrong. Despite some setbacks in the last few weeks, they complement each other quite well and seem to love each other. At least they have managed to put their differences aside for today and the atmosphere is peaceful.

- So, Jay, how long are you here?

Not thinking of saying anything bad, Astrid nevertheless throws a chill around the table. Mia tenses up, but Jayden doesn't seem bothered by the question. He puts his arm on Astrid's chair and looks into her eyes with a slight smile on his lips. With his cap still on, I can't help but find his profile sexy. He has a square jaw, a beautiful thin nose, brown hair overflowing on his forehead and the visor falling down his neck. He's masculine. And I'm completely stupid for scrutinizing him like a fifteen-year-old girl in the throes of passion. Calm down, he's your stepbrother, and with you he's an idiot: internalize and look away.

- Until early September.

He moves a strand of hair that is blocking Astrid's face to tuck it behind her ear, then turns back to the table.

- And your graduation? Cameron asks, surprised to be out of the loop.

- I'm repeating the year, Jayden adds coldly.

No one answers. Mia puts her right hand on her son's forearm as he fidgets a bit annoyed with a piece of bread on the table.

- We all learn from our mistakes, she says simply.

- But what happened? Cameron replies, still as lost as Astrid and I.

- Nothing happened. I messed up, I don't want to talk about it. Later.

We remain silent for a few seconds, not knowing how to relieve the tense atmosphere. Cameron looks hurt and disappointed to be kept out of information that concerns his brother, but he puts a hand on his neck and then sits up straight, trying not to show anything.