Despicable Desires

Episode 32

Adeline

Mia sets the freshly cooked meal on the table, and the pleasant aroma of roasted potatoes tickles my nostrils. We all sit around the table, enjoying our first meal since returning from Seattle earlier that evening. It has been the hardest trip I have ever had to endure. Even though the boys did most of the driving, being in the same car as Jayden after our... moment of weakness in the fraternity bathroom was torture. Every little thing reminded me of what we had done. The way he ran his hand through his hair, like I had the night before, while he devoured my neck. His throat clearing, which reminded me of his moans of pleasure when I touched his penis. And his voice...hoarse and breathless, whispering that he wanted me until I was consumed from the inside out.

It was an ordeal.

I endured an ordeal. But considering how easily he behaved, chatting with Cameron and the girls without a problem, I'm sure I was the only one troubled by my memories. As if I had completely invented that hidden, forbidden moment. He felt no discomfort. No embarrassment. While I was mortified at the thought of going home and looking his mother in the eye. Mia. My father's partner. My stepmother.

Sitting across from her at the table, I struggle to focus on my plate as the conversation inevitably turns to our trip.

"Adeline?"

I jump at the sound of my father's voice, lifting my head from my potatoes to look at him. He smiles at me, further fueling my guilt for keeping something so serious from him. I involuntarily glance at Jayden, who is also looking at me. My heart tightens and I turn back to my father, my gaze fleeting.

I'm going to have to do better than that if I'm going to keep it... hidden.

"I was somewhere else. What did you say?" I ask him.

My father laughs.

"I see, you've been daydreaming for a while now. Are you dreaming about your new apartment?"

I smile and try to look good, although the apartment is the least of my worries right now.

"Wait a minute, I must have taken some pictures," Cameron says as he hands his phone to my dad, scrolling through some snapshots he took during the lease signing. My father is overjoyed, admiring every square inch of the living space before handing the phone to Mia.

"You must be thrilled to have found a place so quickly, my daughter. The year is off to a good start," she says.

"Yes," I finally manage to say, controlling the tremor in my voice. "I can't wait to move in with Holly and Esther."

"I have a feeling Seattle is going to get a little too much out of this," my stepmother jokes. "Luckily, we'll have a spy to keep an eye on things."

She puts her hand on her eldest son's, who sits next to her, not showing the slightest hint of a smile.

"Don't count on me to babysit," he grumbles.

"As if putting up with us for a few days was a burden," Cameron retorts playfully.

"I'm proud of all of you," Mia continues, filling in for Jayden. "Henri and I are proud of you for going together. Right, honey?"

"Absolutely," my father confirms enthusiastically. "Our kids are finally spreading their wings. That's what family is all about, being there for each other at important times in life, and going to college is one of them. Not everyone gets to share that with their siblings."

I drop my fork, which bounces loudly against the kitchen tile.

Kids.

Family.