Stepbrother Untouchable(24)

“Oh, that was nice of him,” Allison comments, picking up her own plate. “Wow, I think that guy's a senator…the one in the blue seersucker jacket.”

I glance over. “From Georgia, yeah,” I confirm. “I think he and Pierce served in Congress at the same time.” I start giggling and Allison looks at me with a questioning smile. “Sorry, I just can't believe I'm talking about my stepfather serving in congress.”

“This is your real life!” Allison says, laughing. “When do you think it'll sink in?”

“No idea,” I reply as we head toward a couple empty seats at one of the tables.

“Your mom looks really happy,” Allison observes as we sit. I watch her for a moment, flitting between conversations, so beautiful and animated.

“I think she is. And she's just really good at cocktail-type conversation, too. Like Nate, though he says it doesn't come to him naturally.”

“Brynn…” Allison says, raising an eyebrow at me.

“No, I mean, I'm just, you know…” I reply, trailing off. Definitely not the time to tell Allison that Nate and I kissed, though I don't know if that time will ever come. I love Allison, but thinking in shades of grey is not her strong suit.

“Thought you two could use some drinks.”

I look up to see Greg, the cute intern with the strawberry-blonde hair, standing next to us, three martini glasses carefully balanced between his long fingers.

“Greg, hi! I'm so glad you could make it.” I indicate the chair next to us and help him place down the glasses so that they don't spill their contents. “Greg, this is my friend Allison. We go to college together.”

“Nice to meet you,” Allison says.

“You too. Hope these drinks are OK with you. I forget what the bartender called them…”

“Freedom Martinis,” I answer, rolling my eyes. “The name sucks, but they’re really good.”

“So where are you from originally, Greg?” Allison asks.

“Raleigh, though I hope to move to DC after I graduate.”

I tune out slightly as Allison and Greg talk across me. I've just seen Nate cross between groups of people, seeming to make conversation effortlessly. I look around to see if there's a girl trailing him, but I don't see one. This might be the first time I've seen him without a date at any kind of gathering. The idea that it could be because of me comes to my mind, but I quickly quash it. I can't let myself think like that. Nate doesn't want that kind of relationship with me, probably even if I weren't his stepsister. I bet his date just got a cold last-minute or something.

“Be right back,” Allison says. “I have to get a second helping!”

My attention snaps back to Greg as she stands and leaves. He scratches his cheek and clears his throat. I smile as a blush sneaks onto his freckle-dotted skin.

“You look…um, that's a nice dress,” he finally says.

“Thanks.” I smile, careful not to linger on the subject, “So, you think you'll want to work in politics after school ends?”

“Well, in government,” he says with a smile. “Though I'm learning that one doesn't seem to exist without the other. I guess I need to work on the whole…you know…” he waves his hand vaguely.

“Kissing babies thing?”

“Exactly,” he smiles. “So, ah, I was wondering…”

My attention drifts from him again as I see my mom and Pierce talking urgently by the house. My mom covers her face with her hands and Pierce turns back to the party, his frown turning into a smile as if by magic.

“I'm so sorry, Greg, could you excuse me? I think my mom might need me.”

“Oh, sure,” he replies kindly as I rush toward the door into the study.

My mind runs through the possible scenarios as I hurry through the study and up the stairs. As I climb the second set of stairs up to the master suite on the third floor, I decide it must be my father. The last time I saw my mom look that upset, it was because my dad was back in town and pressuring her for money.

I knock softly on the closed double door of their bedroom. “Mom?” I whisper quietly as I let myself in. “What's wrong?” I gasp as I hurry in. She's curled up on top of the bedspread, like a broken doll.

“It's Pierce,” she murmurs without moving. “His lawyer just called him. A woman has come forward accusing him of sexual harassment. It'll be on the news tomorrow.”





CHAPTER THIRTEEN





“Oh no,” I whisper, sitting next to her on the bed. “I'm so sorry, Mom.”

“Is it…is it me?” she asks, turning her head as a tear drops down her cheek.