At home, everywhere smelled like cinnamon and something slightly burnt. Mom was trying a new banana bread recipe, and from the uneven scent wafting through the halls, it wasn't going exactly as planned.
I leaned against the kitchen doorway, with my hands crossed, I watch her fan the smoke detector with a dish towel.
"I swear it said thirty-five minutes," she muttered.
I couldn't help the laugh that came out of my mouth"You sure you didn't read it upside down?"
She turned, giving me a look, then started laughing at her own predicament. "Don't tempt me to throw this towel at you."
It felt good, this moment, normal. Like things weren't unraveling underneath. Like I hadn't just spent the last two weeks trying to figure out where my heart belonged.
Tyler had been different lately. Softer. More present. But also more distant, like he was holding something back. And maybe I was too. It was easier to exist in the now than ask questions we weren't ready to answer.
"You're heading out?" Mom asked as she finally gave up on the smoking loaf and tossed it into the trash.
"Yeah. Just going for a walk."
"Are you seeing someone"
My throat went dry. It took me longer than I want to to reply."No I'm not.where did you get the idea that I am seeing someone?"
"You may not telle things but I am still your mother.And most of the time you either look love sick or like someone who was rejected."
"For Christ sake Mom, I'm not love sick and I'm not seeing anyone. Can't I just have mood swing like every other normal eighteen years old?"
She just stared at me for a second.
"Well if you say so, yes you can but please tone down the mood swing a bit ok"
" See you later mom"
"Alright be back before dinner."
"I will."
That night after dinner I head straight to my room.when I got inside Tyler was already on my bed.
"Well, this is new".I said more to myself.
"What's new Angel?" He said gesturing for me to come to bed.
"You usually sneak in at midnight and this is way before midnight.
"I'm tired and I need to hold you,so come here quickly." He keeps surprising me this days.
I went to him and nudge him playfully."you are you and what have you done to Tyler." He laugh.Not smirk, not chuckle,Tyler actually laughed. Today must really be a good day for him.
We just held each other all night which was really comforting and honestly it was also peaceful.
Then my head started with the thoughts,I just know the peaceful time was too good to be true,because the war in my head is scary.the thought of what mom will say if she finds out about us,how will Mr Morgan react,and of course Brayan also decided to occupy another part to my head.I contemplated telling Tyler but I was not going to ruin this peaceful night.So I keep thinking untill my eyes felt to heavy to stay open.
School feels like background noise. People drift past me, conversations blurring together. I see Dan at lunch, sitting across from me like everything's normal. Like we hadn't spent the last few weeks walking around this weird, invisible wall we keep pretending isn't there.
But today, he nudges my arm and says, "You okay? You seem... out of it."
I stare at him. Dan, who used to finish my sentences. Dan, who once shared every thought like we had some unspoken promise never to keep secrets.
"Yeah. Just tired."
He nods slowly, but I know he doesn't believe me. I don't even believe me.
Tyler slides into the seat beside me, eyes gleaming with his usual confidence.
"Miss me?" he says, leaning close like he wants to kiss me right here in front of everyone.
Dan stiffens across the table, and I pretend not to notice. I laugh and shove Tyler's face away, but not too hard. Not like I mean it.
"You wish," I murmur.
"why are you not sitting with your team mates?"
He shrug and said I can sit where ever I want." The he turned to look me straight in the eyes "you have a problem with that?"
"Of course not,where you sit is your problem don't just cause a scene."
"Can't promise you that."
After lunch one of Tyler's teammate came up to me while I was alone at my locker.I can't seem to recall his name, though Its something with an "O" or "A" but who cares.
"You think I don't know that you have been trying to seduce Tyler that's why he has been protecting you?"
"I don't understand what you're saying"
"Oh but you do.you guys are step brothers is that not enough for you?"
Where the hell is this coming from? Tyler and I haven't done anything outside our bedroom for anyone to find out about us.
"Cat got your tongue or something.anyways I just came to give you a simple advice,Tyler is getting back with Katie,she plans on doing everything to make the both of them Prom king and Queen,so you better back off while I am being nice."
Is it just me or he is dumb,cause how am I suppose to stay away from someone who live in the same house and room next to mine.
I left him hanging without a word and went back to class.
I went back home alone from school that day.The house was empty.Tyler had practice mom and Mr Morgan are probably still at work. After changing into something more comfortable,I head downstairs to get something to eat and found my not so annoying stepbrother shirtless and all sweaty.
"You could have at least shower before entering the kitchen,and lean some decency" I said frowning.
"No hey Tyler how was practice?"
"Hey Tyler how was practice? now can you at least put something on?"
"Does it bother you that much when I'm shirtless,I thought you'd like say thank you for letting me see all this" he said while moving his hand slowly over his abs.
"If you're looking for who to feed your ego you are talking to the wrong person."
"But I think you're just the perfect person for that."he is standing really really close. I am fighting myself real hard not to reach out and touch him.
He brought his face so close to mine like he was about to kiss me,instead he whispered "I know I take your breath away but you should breathe now."
My face heat up. I pushed him away hard but not too hard. I let out a breath I did not know I was holding.i head back to my room without doing what I really came down for,now I have to stay hungry for a little longer, because of my evil hot stepbrother.How could someone be so edible and good looking but evil at the same time.
Argh.
One thing is certain,Tyler will always be Tyler.