“Mom’s not feeling well,” I said. “She’s going home.”
“We’ll keep her company and take care of her,” Caleb said with a somber look. “Go home and don’t worry about a thing.”
The fake sincerity in his eyes fooled Mom easily. She gave him a grateful smile and looked toward me.
“Go ahead,” I said, handing her purse to her. There was no way I was going to stand there and argue with them when she was already feeling so sick.
Mom leaned in to kiss my cheek. “I can’t wait to see what you choose!”
“It’ll be the best,” said Corey. “You can trustourtaste in fashion.”
“Thanks, Caleb,” said Mom, easily mistaking him.
Corey didn’t correct her and waved at her with a stupid shit-eating grin on his face. I sighed internally, knowing they were here to unleash hell on me again.
23
Camilla
People stared as our group walked down a sidewalk of the posh neighborhood.
Corey had his arm around my shoulders in a protective embrace while Caleb walked on my other side. Noah walked in front of us, looking back at times to talk to his brothers.
Young women threw awed and sometimes jealous looks at me.
I knew what they were thinking about. How could a plain Jane like me be walking around with three hot-as-sin guys?
“That’s the shop,” I said, rechecking the name on the card Mom left me. I stopped and looked toward Corey. “You guys can go now.”
“Go?” He chuckled and shook his head. “This is the best part.”
I didn’t understand why they’d want to accompany me to shop for clothes. Wasn’t it boring as hell for guys?
“Don’t look like that, Milla,” said Caleb. “We’re here to help you.”
“Why?” I asked suspiciously.
“You need to look your best tomorrow,” said Noah in a deep, grave tone. “Dad’s announcement will make things official. You’ll become part of the family. Personal feelings aside, we can’t let you embarrass us in public.”
I stopped and turned around to face Noah. “If you hate the way things are, why not talk to your dad?”
“Do you think he cares about what we think?” Noah asked. “If that had been the case, he wouldn’t have dated your mother secretly for eight fucking years without a word to us.”
I was reminded of what Mom told me about their relationship with Brian. It was confusing how Brian could be so kind and thoughtful toward me, but be so different with his own sons.
“Come on,” said Corey. “No point in talking about things we can’t change. We’re coming with you and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Noah’s silvery eyes gleamed. “Be a good, obedient girl, Milla.”
Or what?I wanted to spit out, but bit my tongue and stayed silent.
Caleb grabbed my wrist and pulled me alongside him. Wrapping his arm around my slim shoulder, he forced me to walk ahead.
Trapped by the Amhurst brothers, I walked into the glass-fronted boutique store.
A woman in a neat red dress immediately came to meet us. Her heavily done eyes gazed longingly at Caleb and Corey who grinned at her.
Jealousy pinched my insides.