Page 55 of Tempt Me

“Fine.” Sam shrugs and rolls his eyes. “You win.”

“Kids.” My mom smacks her hands together. “Let’s focus.” Her eyes soften. “So, this is serious between you and Dominic?”

“Yes.” I nod and take a sip of the water. “Yes, it’s serious. I’m not saying we’re moving in together or anything.”

“You’re not moving into our place.” Sam slaps his hands on his hips. “It’s a no girls-allowed house.”

“So, you only do men?” I smirk even though the exchange with Brock has my skin crawling.

“Shut up.” Sam glares at me.

“Speak for yourself.” Ben shoves Sam again. “I’ve had plenty of girls over.”

“For one night. And none of them were our sister.”

“Children.” My father’s voice booms throughout the room. “Enough.”

“Yes, Dad.” We all say in unison.

“That’s ridiculous.” My mom’s eyes flash with anger. “I tell you to stop, and everyone keeps bickering. Your dad says one word, and you all hop to attention like he’s a military commander.”

“Mom….” Sam drapes his arm over her shoulders. “We listen to you.” He kisses the top of her head. “We just like razzing each other more.”

“Whatever.” She waves her hand in mock anger. She blusters but doesn’t really worry. We’re one big, loud family, and it’s good that they’re all together.

I swipe my hands on my pants. Here goes nothing. “I’m cutting back on my college classes next semester.”

They all turn to stare at me. Again. This time, there isn’t a decibel of noise in the kitchen, except for the stove timer going off.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Dominic

When I walk into the kitchen at Bella’s house, everyone’s facing each other with angry expressions, and then those expressions flip to me. The hairs on the back of my neck stand. I expected them to be furious about Brock contacting her again, but all the rage seems to be directed toward me.

“Whoa.” I hold my hands up in defense while bracing my legs apart. I’m not sure where the first blow is coming from or what new sin I’ve committed, but from the tension in the room and the looks of horror on everyone’s faces, I’ve stepped in some shit somewhere.

“Before we start with the melee, explain why everyone looks like they want to beat the crap out of me. I expected Mr. Wright’s cold shoulder, but….” I stare at my friends. “I thought we worked everything out last night.”

Sam steps up to me and shoves my shoulder. “That’s before Bella dropped the bombshell that she’s dropping out of school.”

“I don’t know anything about that.” My jaw flexes as I seek Bella out. She walks around her brothers and stands between me and everyone else standing in the kitchen.

“Stop. All of you.” She shakes her head in disgust. “This has nothing to do with Dominic. I hadn’t even told him my decision, and he certainly didn’t encourage me to do this. Not tomention, I didn’t say I was dropping out, I said I was reducing my class load.”

Her mom rakes a hand through her hair. “You need to explain yourself.”

“Yes.” Lee’s eyes flash with anger as his face reddens. “Explain yourself.”

“Everyone takes a deep breath and let Bella explain.” I rest my hand on her shoulder. The man’s blood pressure is up, and the last thing I need is for him to have a heart attack, and everyone blames me.

Bella glances up at me and smiles. The smile that makes my knees weak and my heart sputter. But I’m not stupid. Just because she appreciates my support doesn’t mean anyone else in the room does.

“Fine.” Lee’s eyes narrow into slits. “Spill it.”

“Yeah.” Ben crosses his arms over his broad chest while Sam mimics his same movements.

Bella inhales and straightens her shoulders. “Ruby and I were talking a few weeks ago.”

---