The Step Brother

Chapter Fourteen

It's been thirteen days since Harry and I had sex for the first time, and it's been the best week and six days of my life. Every night, we sneak into each other's bedrooms, staying up all night talking, making love, watching movies, or simply laying together, our legs and arms tangled, just soaking up each other's presence. Every day, we drive to school together after sharing breakfast when our parents leave for work (I even let Harry take us on his motorcycle last friday), we do our homework together once we get home, then we either hang out with his group of friends (who have become just as much my friends over time) or stay home and lock ourselves in my room so we can talk... It's been frightening. It's been thrilling. It's been the breath of fresh air that I needed. It's been amazing.

We decided not to tell anyone at school about us because we were afraid it might get a little weird seeing as we are practically siblings, but Harry didn't want to lie to his small group of friends, and although I was a little nervous, I was grateful we had decided to tell them. Perrie was excited to not be the only "girlfriend" among the guys, and it was nice to hold hands with Harry in front of them. It was getting hard to resist touching and kissing him while we were walking through the halls at school.

It was the thirteenth day of the best days of my life when the streak ended. I knew that since I've had so much shit tossed my way in my life that at one point or another I would have to face some more crap, but I was enjoying the days when all I had to worry about was Harry.

I was sitting at my desk getting some of my lit homework done while Harry was with Zayn working on his motorcycle when my dad came in.

He smiled a little and sat on the bench in front of the window. "Hey kiddo, how's the homework going?"

"Fine." I shrug. "What's up?"

"Chlo..." He sighs, and my stomach tightens. I don't know what he's about to say, but his expression has me nervous.

"What is it, Dad?"

"Look, I understand why you've been so distant from me, and I just want you to know I get it."

What? He knows? And he gets it?

I swallow before setting my pencil down and turning to him. "What are you talking about?" I ask quietly. What if he really does know? Will he end it? Will he make Anne and Harry move out?

"I know you're still upset with me for leaving you and mom, and for dragging you to come live here. I would be angry myself, but you have to understand that I did everything because I care about you so much, sweetheart. You're all I've got, all I've ever had, and I can't lose you again." He looks away from me and scrubs his face with his hands. "It kills me that you've been acting so distant lately and pushing me away when I thought you had finally forgiven me."

A million emotions and thoughts run through me; relief, confusion, sadness... I realize that since Harry and I have been together, I've been spending all my time with him, and that's why my father thinks I've been so distant towards him. I feel bad that he feels this way, but it's better than the alternate knowledge of knowing what Harry and I have been doing.

"Dad... I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to distance myself from you." I tell him honestly.

"Chloe, it's okay, but I need to tell you something. I promised your mother I wouldn't... but it's tearing me apart."

"Tell me." I demand. I'm beyond confused.

He sighs again before grabbing my hands on the desk and holding them in his. "Don't hate your mother, it's not her fault." Pain flashes through his eyes, and my stomach tightens even further. My heart races as I wait for him continue. "I know you thought I just packed up and left you and your mom, but that isn't the whole story."