Living with the Grace Boys

Chapter 6

Rae's POV

Sterling motions  for me to sit down. I obey. I don't know how this is going to play out, but I'm hoping it goes alright.

"We've been looking for you for 2 hours. Where did you go?"

"I was wandering around and I got lost." That's not a lie. It's also not the complete truth. Sterling knows that. I expected he would.

"Everyone go to your rooms." They all turn to leave." Except Isaac and Shane."

They both sit back down. I can tell that they are both nervous. Sterling is really scary at times and I've only known him for 2 days.

"Rae what happened?"

"Well last night after my shower, Shane sort of saw me, um- naked. It was an accident though."

Sterling's eyes grow wide. "He saw what now?"

"Well she bumped into me and her towel fell. I didn't mean to."

"Shane Alexander Grace! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Cause I knew you would react like this!"

"Ugh! Did you tell anyone?"

"I told Isaac." He mumbles.

"Isaac?! You knew?"

"Don't bring me into this one!"

Sterling groans in frustatration. "Go on, Braeden."

I wince at the use of my name. I'm used to being called Rae.

"Um anyway, this morning Shane  and I met in the hallway. We were talking it out when..." I don't want to tell him that Shane kissed me, but if I don't Sterling's going to find out anyway. "When he kissed me."

Sterling's face flares with anger. Shane shrinks low, out of fear.

"HE DID WHAT? YOU DID WHAT?"

"I don't know why I did it, I just did!"

"Shane! That's not an excuse to kiss a girl you just met!"

"STERLING! Calm down. It was just a kiss." Isaac does his best to defend Shane.

"Stay out of this Isaac!"

"No! Your overreacting. Just leave  Shane alone."

"Stop telling me how to deal with him! I'm the oldest, remember?" Isaac stands up. I don't like where this is headed.

"I wouldn't tell you what to do if you weren't such a dick! You act like you're our dad, but you're just a shitty older brother!"

Sterling is really angry now. He walks over to Isaac and slaps him hard across the face. Isaac's eyes grow huge. I know, from the way he looks, that Sterling has never hit him before. Shane has a look of horror on his face. I can just make out the glossiness of tears in his eyes.

"STERLING! YOU'RE SUCH A FUCKING PRICK!" Isaac screams at him. Sterling steps closer to him.

"STOP IT BOTH OF YOU! YOU'RE BROTHERS." I pull them apart before they maul each other. Sterling takes a deep breathe and then he realizes what he's done. Isaac sits on a stool with his hand over his face.

"Isaac, I'm- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you."

"No, I'm sorry. I called you a dick and a shitty brother. And a prick. I'm the one who's really sorry."

They both turn to face Shane. Sterling walks over to him.

"I'm  sorry Shane. I overreacted. I guess I should've listened to you before freaking out. But you're not out if this completely. I'll deal with you later."

Isaac walks over to me. Sterling and Shane follow too.

"I'm sorry you had to do that Rae." Isaac looks so sincere. I nod. I've never really had to do something like that.

"I'm sorry for making you do that. I'm normally not like that." Sterling has a look of disappointment on his face because of what he did.

"I'm sorry I kissed you." Shane's apology is the weirdest apology. He kissed me after he saw me naked. Not only that, it was my first real kiss. I'm furious with him but I shove my anger away.

"It's okay guys. It's gonna take some getting used to having a new sister. For all of us."

"Can we not tell the others about this? I don't want them to know that I lost my temper." Sterling said.

"Of course." I say. Isaac and Shane nod in agreement.

"You can leave now if you want." Sterling walks to the counter and grabs a glass. He pours himself a drink of water and massages his temples.

Isaac and Shane leave; but I stay behind. I still have one more thing on my mind. I sit across from Sterling and he looks up.

"I uh- I saw something happen earlier and I have a question. You don't have to answer it if you don't want to."

"Go on."

"I saw Mr. Pikes whipping Liam with his belt." I blurt it out as fast as I can.

"Oh."

"Does he always do that?"

"There's something you should know. That's happened ever since we got here. We haven't mentioned it to anyone because other than that, this is he best family we've been with. All I want is what's best for my brothers, but I'm putting them in danger for making them stay here. Does that make me a shitty older brother?"

I reach across the countertop and place my hand on his. "You are doing everything you can to keep a roof over their heads. Anyone would want that for their loved ones. It just so happens that the roof you get put under is a little dusfunctional."

"Thanks Rae. You remind me so much of her."

I want to asks who he's talking about, but I don't bother. I know it has to be either his mom or his sister, Lulu.

"I'm going to go lie down. I've had a rough morning."

"One thing. Be careful around the Pikes. Don't get on their bad side; it'll make things a lot worse."

I nod my head up and down and turn to leave. It must be hard for him to take care of his brothers when they live with people like that. I walk upstairs and lie down on the bed. My eyelids feel heavy and I drift off to sleep.

Hey all yall boys and girls! I hope you enjoy this book so far! Leave comments on what you want to happen next and be sure to vote! Thanks darlings!! Peace out losers ✌️!!