Page 22 of Stepbrother Obsessed

“Everything,” I blubber. “I can’t even explain.”

“Shh, it’s okay,” Angie soothes. “Tell me everything.”

In halting terms, I recount what’s happened since we last spoke.

“So Nick knows about Riley,” my buddy says in a low voice.

“Yes, the cat’s out of the bag,” I say in a sorrowful tone. “What were the chances? I mean, of all the auctions in Vegas, he had to come to mine! Nick doesn’t even live in Vegas, so I just don’t get how this could have happened. The probability must be one in a million.”

“Yeah, and he came with your stepdad too,” she murmurs. “I’d think they’d be mortal enemies.”

“No, they’re not. Besides, Steve is getting old, and I think Nick wants to keep things positive as Steve enters his twilight years.”

“Okay, that kind of makes sense,” Angie says in a thoughtful tone. “But it’s been a week now since Nick met the baby, right? Has he contacted you since then?”

“No, and this is the weirdest part. I thought Nick was going to go ballistic, and snatch Riley from my arms. I was seriously ready tocall the police if that happened. But yeah, after I went back into the baby’s room, Nick got a call. I could hear it through the walls, and then he rushed out.”

“Okay, so it sounds like he had an emergency,” Angie muses.

I let out a deep, shuddering exhale.

“I guess so. But I know he’ll be back. That man isn’t going to walk away from his son.”

“Or from you,” Angie adds. “I think that man’s addicted to you, hon. He doesn’t seem to be able to let you go.”

“What do you mean?” I ask in a slow voice. “Nick hates me, Ang, so if you mean ‘addicted’ in the sense that someone’s addicted to drugs or violence, then okay, yeah I guess. Besides, it’s been two years. He definitely let me go.”

“No, no,” Angie muses, her pretty features thoughtful. “I think you’re under Nick’s skin, that’s all. I mean, he’s wanted you since you were seventeen and just a young girl. You’re what now? Twenty-two? Twenty-three? So it’s been six years, and your stepbrother’s still hot on your tail. That’s a long time, Kris. This man has been obsessed by you for years at this point.”

“I’m twenty-two,” I say in a wooden voice. “And it’s not me anymore. It’s the son we share.”

Angie cocks her head at me on the screen, her expression still thoughtful.

“I’m sure Riley plays a part, but I think that this man has never been able to get you out of his bloodstream. He’s addicted to you, like I said.”

I shoot her a wry look.

“Or maybe he’s under a curse, and I’m his kryptonite.”

My friend smiles.

“That’s what I like to hear. Yes, you mean a lot to him, Kris, and he cares. He cares a lot, actually. So don’t be scared, hon. He wants what’s best for your child, and I think he might want what’s best for you too. Just see what happens.”

I let out a shuddering exhale and nod before throwing her a lopsided smile.

“Thanks Ang. I think waiting to see is theonlyoption I have, seeing that Nick’s a wealthy and powerful physician, whereas I’m nobody and no one. He has all the resources, and I have almost none. But what about you?” I ask, changing the subject swiftly. “You’ve made me feel so much better, Ang, and I appreciate it so much. But I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer, and talk only about me. How are things in Austin?”

My pretty blonde friend smiles.

“Things are good,” she says. “Nothing to report.”

I fix her with a look.

“But are you feeling better now? I know Ned’s death was hard.”

She bites her lip and nods.

“I’ve been better,” she acknowledges. “But I’m more or less okay! Actually, I have some interviews lined up, so I’m excited.”

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