Page 33 of Damaged Prince
“Really?” She smiles again. “You're going to tell me you're not in love with Logan?”
No. I can’t tell her that. Because I am. That part is new, something we haven’t really had much of a chance to explore because his time and attention have been on Benny. Rightly so. But we’ve told one another how we felt.
“No,” I whisper. “I do. I really do.”
“I can see that now.” She brushes my cheek with her thumb. “Don’t cry, baby.”
I’m still crying?I didn’t even notice. I’m so shell-shocked by what my mom is saying.
Mom knows about my feelings for my stepbrothers. And she doesn’t care.
My stepdad knows about his son's feelings for their stepsister, and he doesn’t care.
What is going on right now?
Is the world really giving me a break right now? Has it decided that it has put me through enough, and now here's a little bit of happiness?
And if that's true, is it going to be ripped out from under me just as I let myself be happy?
Stop overthinking things, Laney. That's not like you. Life is short. Take what you have, when you have it. Don’t take things for granted and live your life to the fullest.
“What's wrong?” Owen’s deep, growly voice makes me jolt in surprise. My eyes snap up to his, and widen in surprise as I see him storming over towards us, concern and anger on his handsome face. “Why are you crying?” He looks between my mom and me.
Mom just smiles, giving me a knowing look. “Just girl talk.” She winks at me. Wrapping her arms around me, she pulls me in for a tight hug. “Be happy. Be safe. That’s all I ask of you, my sweet girl.” She kisses my cheek before pulling back and swinging her gaze at the guys. “Keep my daughter safe.” She points a finger at Owen and Elijah. “Don’t let anything bad happen to her.”
“We would never,” Owen confirms with a scowl, like the idea of anything bad happening to me angers him. “She’s more than safe with us.”
Mom nods. “Good. Now, you boys have fun. See you all in a week. Be safe.” She pats their shoulders as she walks past.
“What was all that about?” Elijah asks, watching my mom walk towards the house, before bringing his attention back to me.
“Ahhh...” I rub at my arms, not really sure what to say. Part of me is still processing. “Mom knows?” I say, but it comes out more as a question because... holy fuck, she really knows.
“Knows about what?” Elijah’s brows furrow together.
“About us, I guess.” My eyes are still glued to Mom, who jogs up the steps to James.
I watch the two of them together. The way he smiles down at her like she hung the moon, her like he’s the sun she rotates around.
I want that. So damn badly it hurts.
Bringing my attention to the two guys who are staring at me like they need more answers than what I’m giving them.
“She knows about how we feel about one another. No details. Not sure how much. But... she knows it’s not just a sibling bond.”
“Holy fuck.” Owen blows out a breath, running a hand over his hair. It’s starting to grow back, the blonde strands peaking through the brown ones.
“Guess your dad knows too.” I throw in there because why not get everything out in the open. I’m so damn tired of keeping secrets. They’re draining on the mind, body, and soul.
“He does?” Elijah’s eyes snap open before he spins around to look at his dad. James waves to us, a big smile on his face.
“You guys have fun!”
“Nope. So not thinking about that right now. We’ll deal with it when we get back,” Owen says, but then he notices the expression on my face. I don’t think I can just put a pin in this and deal with it later, and he must know that because he asks, “So, she knows?” I nod. “And she’s not mad?” I shake my head. A slow, wicked grin takes over Owen’s face, and my stomach flutters with butterflies.
“What’s that look for?” I ask, taking a step backwards.
“Oh, my little Jelly Fish,” he chuckles, taking a step towards me. “If she knows, there’s nothing keeping you from denying what you feel for me now.”
