Chapter 25
Kent
Igot barely any sleep before my alarm woke me in the morning.
Sharing a bed with James was difficult with his mom on the couch only a few feet away.
All night I’d had to pretend that we weren’t close, that I didn’t want to touch him, and that the idea of sharing a bed with him was unappealing at best. But really, all I wanted to do was hug him, kiss him, and tell him he’d done an amazing job with his work.
We were supposed to celebrate, not pretend to be indifferent toward one another.
But his mom wouldn’t be there long thankfully. And he was right to let her stay. I would’ve done the same thing. Still, I couldn’t help counting down the minutes until she’d leave so we could go back to normal.
I forced myself out of bed and into the bathroom for a shower. I shot a quick text to Derek, letting him know the situation and that I wouldn’t be coming into work today. He’d understand, I wasn’t worried about that. I just hoped I could hold it together until Stacey left.
When I finished my shower, I pulled on a fresh t-shirt and jeans, taking a deep breath before heading into the main room.
Stacey was already up, folding the blanket she’d used on the couch.
James was in the kitchen, making coffee with dark circles under his eyes that matched my own. I guess he hadn’t slept much either.
“Morning,” I said, trying to sound casual.
“Good morning, Kent,” Stacey replied with a warmth that made guilt twist in my stomach. She’d always been kind to me, even when I was a complete asshole to her son. “James is making breakfast. Hope you slept well?”
“Yeah, fine,” I lied, avoiding James’s eyes. “How about you? The couch isn’t exactly comfortable.”
“It was better than being in that house another night,” she said quietly.
James handed me a mug of coffee, our fingers brushing briefly. The small contact sent electricity up my arm, and I had to force myself not to react. It was torture having him so close but needing to act like we were just stepbrothers who tolerated each other at best.
“I made eggs and toast,” James said, gesturing to the kitchen counter. “Nothing fancy.”
“Sounds perfect,” Stacey said, taking a seat.
I stood across from her, hyperaware of my body language. Was I standing too close to James? Too far away? Was I looking at him too much? Not enough? Every movement felt calculated and unnatural.
“So,” I said, taking a bite of toast to give myself something to do. “Dad’s been having an affair?”
Stacey’s face fell slightly. “Yes. With his secretary.”
“Classic,” I muttered, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. “I’m not surprised. He’s always been selfish.”
“Kent,” James said softly, and I could hear the warning in his tone. Don’t make this harder for her.
“No, it’s alright,” Stacey said, stirring her coffee absently. “Kent’s right. Your father has always been... difficult. I just kept hoping he’d change.”
“People like him don’t change,” I said, thinking of how I’d been before James. How I’d nearly followed in my father’s footsteps. “I’m sorry, Stacey. You deserved better.”
She looked up, surprised by my words. “Thank you, Kent. That means a lot coming from you.”
I felt James’s foot tap gently against behind the counter. It was a small gesture of approval that no one else could see. I fought the urge to smile.
“So what’s your plan?” I asked, focusing on my eggs. “James mentioned you have a place lined up for today?”
“Yes, my friend Carol has a guest room. I’ll stay with her until I figure out next steps.” She took a sip of coffee. “I’ve already spoken to a lawyer. Your father won’t know what hit him.”
That did make me smile. “Good. Take him for everything.”
“I don’t even care about the money,” she said, her voice hardening. “I just want him to realize what he’s thrown away.”
An awkward silence fell over the table. I couldn’t help wondering what this meant for James and me. With our parents divorcing, we wouldn’t technically be stepbrothers anymore. The thought made something loosen in my chest. It was one less complication, one less reason to hide.
“Have you told Brittany yet?” Stacey asked suddenly, looking at me with concern. “I know you two broke up, but she always liked your father. She might be upset.”
I nearly choked on my coffee. James tensed beside me.
“No, I haven’t spoken to Brittany in weeks,” I said carefully. “We’re completely done.”
“That’s such a shame,” Stacey sighed. “You two seemed perfect together. Maybe once things settle down, you could reach out to her? She called me last week, you know. She misses you.”
I felt James go completely still beside me. I wanted to reach for his hand, to reassure him, but I couldn’t.
“I’m not getting back together with Brittany,” I said firmly. “Ever. That relationship is over.”
“But—”
“Mom,” James interrupted, his voice strained. “Kent’s made his decision. Let’s respect that.”
Stacey looked between us, clearly sensing the tension but misreading its cause. “Of course. I’m sorry, Kent. I didn’t mean to push.”
“It’s fine,” I muttered, even though it wasn’t. The last thing I needed was Stacey playing matchmaker with my ex while the man I actually wanted was sitting right beside me.
James cleared his throat. “What time is Carol picking you up?”
“Around noon,” Stacey replied, seemingly grateful for the change of subject. “I should probably start getting ready soon.”
“Take your time,” James said. “We’ve got nowhere to be today.”
The rest of breakfast passed in strained small talk and long silences where everyone was engrossed with their phones.
When all the food had grown cold, I helped clear the dishes while James showed his mom where the shower was and got her a fresh towel.
When she disappeared into the bathroom, I finally had a moment alone with him.
“You okay?” I whispered, standing close enough to feel his warmth but not touching.
“Yeah,” he replied, though his eyes told a different story. “Just didn’t expect her to bring up Brittany.”
“Well, you don’t have anything to—”
A knock at the door interrupted me. James looked up at me, his brow furrowed. “Do you think it’s your dad?”
“Better not be,” I grumbled. “Or fucking Trevor.”
James gave my hand a squeeze before heading to the door. He got up on his tip-toes, looking through the peephole. The moment he did, he let out a gasp.
“What?” I asked, heading toward him. “Who is it?”
“It… It’s Brittany.”
My stomach dropped like a stone.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hissed, keeping my voice low enough that Stacey wouldn’t hear from the bathroom. “Why the hell is she here?”
James looked as stunned as I felt. “I have no idea.”
Another knock, more insistent this time.
“James? Kent? I know you’re in there. I can hear you talking,” Brittany’s voice called through the door.
“Christ,” I muttered. “This can’t be happening.”
James hesitated, his hand on the doorknob. “Should I let her in?”
I ran my hands through my hair, mind racing. Brittany showing up now, with Stacey here, was the worst possible timing. But I knew Brittany well enough to know she wouldn’t leave until she got what she came for.
“We don’t have a choice,” I said finally. “If we don’t answer, she’ll just keep knocking, and your mom will hear.”
James nodded, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
Brittany stood there looking like she’d stepped out of a magazine cover. She had perfectly styled blonde hair, designer jeans, and that practiced smile that used to make my heart race but now just made my skin crawl. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw James, then flickered past him to me.
“Kent,” she said, her voice softening. “Finally.”
“What are you doing here, Brittany?” I asked, keeping my distance.
She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, her perfume filling the small space between us. “Stacey called me,” she said, as if that explained everything. “She told me about the divorce. She texted me last night to come over this morning and make sure you were okay.”
James shut the door behind her, his face carefully blank. “You could have called first.”
Brittany barely spared him a glance. “I tried, but I guess my messages haven’t been getting through.” The tone in her voice suggested she knew full well that I’d blocked her. Still, she moved closer to me, reaching for my hand. “I’ve missed you so much.”
I pulled away before she could touch me. “Brittany, this isn’t a good time. And we’ve been over for weeks. It was you that kicked me out, remember?”
“I know things ended badly,” she said, her voice taking on that pleading tone I recognized from countless arguments. “But with everything happening with your parents, I thought maybe we could talk. Start fresh.”
Before I could reply, the bathroom door opened, and Stacey emerged, her face lighting up when she saw Brittany. “Brittany? What are you doing here?”
“You sent me a text,” Brittany responded innocently.
“I sent you another one telling you not to come. This morning.”
“Oh no!” Brittany giggled, playing innocent. But I knew better. “I must’ve missed it.” She walked up to Stacey, taking her hand. “I’m glad I did though. You need the support today. How are you holding up?”
“Better now that I’m here with the boys,” Stacey replied. She looked between Brittany and me with barely concealed hope. “Do you two need some privacy?”
“No,” Brittany smiled. “I don’t mind saying this in front of you, Stacey.
You’re family.” Brittany turned, her face cemented into a smile.
“I love you, Kent. And I was stupid for breaking up with you. I didn’t realize how good I had it and I’m sorry for not appreciating you more.
” She paused for dramatic effect. “And I came here this morning to ask you to come home, to move back in with me.”
“Wow,” Stacey said, clearly impressed by Brittany’s performance. “Doesn’t that sound nice, Kent? You two always seemed so perfect together. Isn’t it worth giving it another chance?”
“Mom…” James said, his voice carrying a tone of warning.
“So what do you say, Kent?” Brittany said, holding out her hand. “Do you want to come home with me?”
“I… I don’t—”
Brittany put on her best pouty face. “Is there someone else?” she asked, glancing at Stacey with a horrified look. Then she stopped. “No. Of course not. You’re not like your father, I know that much. You’d never do that to me.”
Stacey nodded. “Kent’s a good boy. He’d never cheat on you, Brittany.”
Brittany was laying a trap and Stacey had taken the bait willingly. Now both women were staring at me, waiting expectantly for my answer. My heart raced, my stomach twisted in knots, and I knew I was caught.
I stared at James, panic rising in my chest. His eyes had darkened, that haunted look I’d seen before when I hurt him.
It was the same expression he wore when I’d bullied him as a teenager, when I’d said cruel things about his sexuality.
I couldn’t bear to see that look again, not when we’d come so far.
But Stacey and Brittany were waiting for an answer, and I felt trapped between the truth I wanted to scream and the lie I might have to tell to protect us both.
“Kent?” Brittany prompted, taking a step closer. “Is… Is there someone else?”
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “Brittany, I—”
“Of course there isn’t,” Stacey interjected, smiling encouragingly. “And even if there was a rebound, it couldn’t possibly compare to what you two had together.”
James flinched almost imperceptibly. Only I noticed because I’d become attuned to his every reaction. He turned away, busying himself with something in the kitchen, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands gripped the counter.
And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to admit the truth, especially not like this. Trevor’s explosion paled in comparison to what Brittany would do if she found out what I’d become and I couldn’t do that to James. I couldn’t put him through that with his mom right there.
Besides, who were we kidding? No matter how we waited, nobody was ever going to accept us. We’d always just be stepbrothers, sexual deviants in their eyes. Maybe it was time this little daydream came to an end. Wouldn’t that just be easier for everyone, anyway?
“No,” I said at last, hating myself the moment the word left my lips. “There’s nobody else.”
Brittany beamed, taking my answer as an invitation. She rushed forward and threw her arms around my neck before pressing a kiss to my lips that I didn’t return. “I knew it,” she whispered when she pulled away. “I knew you’d come back to me.”
I stood frozen, unable to return her embrace. Over her shoulder, I caught James’s expression, the devastation washing across his face before he quickly masked it with indifference. My chest constricted so tightly I could barely breathe.
“This is wonderful!” Stacey clapped her hands together. “I always knew you two would work things out.”
James turned away completely, his back to the room as he pretended to wash dishes that were already clean.
His shoulders were rigid, his movements mechanical.
I’d seen that posture before. It was how he’d held himself through years of my bullying, through every cruel comment I’d ever thrown his way.
I’d promised him I wouldn’t run again. And here I was, doing exactly that.
“Come on,” Brittany said, pulling me toward the living room. “I’ll help you pack your stuff.”