Not Yet

I want to find a hole somewhere and jump into it so that I can disappear from this awkward conversation.

“Oh,” she says softly and then looks away. “I’m sure I can ride with Lindsey. It’s not a problem.”

“I can drive her too.” Why am I still talking?

“Okay.” The word comes out slowly as she’s thinking it over. “I can text her and see.”

I don’t say anything else as she gets out of the car and I follow her inside. Dad’s car is gone and then I remember he said he and Mom had date night tonight.

When I get inside I close the garage and set the alarm, knowing they’ll be late. I put my keys on the counter and walk into the living room in time to see Ali heading for the stairs.

“You going to bed?” I ask and she turns around to nod at me.

Just like the first time I saw her, her shocking blue eyes see right through me.

“Goodnight, Drake,” she says softly, and this time it doesn’t hurt when she says my name.

“Goodnight, Ali,” I whisper as she turns to leave.

Chapter Seven

Ali

“Here,” I say as I write out the rest of the math problem for Lindsey. She was almost there but skipped a step because she’s distracted. She’s normally better than me in math.

“You have to come to college with me,” Lindsey teases. “I don’t know how I missed that.” She erases what I wrote and does the problem in her own handwriting to be safe.

“That’s because you’re not thinking straight.” I glance over my shoulder to see Liam sitting in his usual seat in the corner. We don’t have assigned seats, but most people sit in the same place every day.

“Is he looking at me?” I can’t tell where he’s looking, to be honest. He’s watching both of us. If I had to guess it’s her, but he looks like he’s trying to hear what we’re saying.

“Yep,” I answer, looking back to the front of the classroom and waiting for the lesson to begin.

“Is he still looking?” she asks again.

I snort. “It’s been five seconds.”

“I know, but looking is all I can get from him.”

I’m not sure what’s wrong with Liam because Lindsey is beautiful and smart. She’s been hung up on him since he showed up at our school this year. He’s the first guy she ever showed an attraction to and he doesn’t give anyone the time of day. Except Drake. I’m not sure if they’re friends because they actually like each other or because of football. It’s literally Liam’s job to protect Drake on the field. He’s the center and hikes the ball to him before making sure Drake doesn’t get the crap knocked out of himself. That is, if anyone could catch him. I go to all the games since it’s always a family affair and even I’ve noticed how well they work together. They’re a good fit and it shows on the field.

“I want to go to Homecoming with him.” She licks her lips before stealing a glance over her shoulder. Liam might not talk much, but he doesn’t give a shit if you bust him staring. He keeps on looking our way and she snaps her head back. I watch as she blushes and it’s kinda cute seeing her flustered over something. She’s always so chill and unbothered by guys.

“Drake suggested we go together,” I offer and Lindsey’s whole face lights up.

“We could go as a group since they’re always together. Then it would be kind of like we’re on a date.”

“That would mean Drake and I are kinda on a date,” I remind her. Has she forgotten we’re stepbrother and sister?

She rolls her eyes. “You guys aren’t real brother and sister.”

My chest tightens and I’m not sure if I like that response or not. It’s the same feeling I got when Drake came up with the idea of us going together. He didn’t even enjoy being in the car with me but now he wants to do Homecoming together? Oh God, what if Dad put him up to it?

I push my glasses up my nose. “Isn’t that weird though?” I hedge. I think Mom and Dad would be excited about us hanging out and it’s starting to make sense why he suggested we go together.

At home we try and be civil but it’s clear things aren’t like they once were. Drake and I might come from the same home but we live in two different worlds. I know Drake doesn’t want me in his because he keeps his group of friends away from me. Even at the mall I could tell he didn’t want me sitting with everyone. He practically rushed to get us out of there. Not only that, I think he was trying to leave me when we walked to his car. I had to speed walk to keep up with him. If he is so embarrassed to be seen with me or doesn’t want people knowing we live together, why is he doing this whole Homecoming thing? It doesn’t make any sense and I hate when things don’t add up.