Page 58 of Wicked Love

“We didn’t kiss until just now. Sure, the attraction has been there from the start, but we didn’t act on it.” He had to know I spoke the truth. If we excluded the night we first met. But that didn’t count. She was Isla then. Besides, we both paid the price for it. Living in a constant state of lust and not being able to do anything about it was punishment enough.

“Philip, you have to put a stop to it. Your son could be arrested if someone presses charges. He's not allowed to date a minor. Not in the state of Tennessee. And not under my roof either."

My father checked his watch. "Clarissa, it's Christmas Day. Grace is officially eighteen. Nothing we can do about it now." He winked in our direction. "Come on, give them a break. We’ll meet them at the hospital."

"I can’t believe you’re defending their actions. They are kids. They have no idea what they’re doing.”

He pulled her further away.

“Tell me, how did you find me?"

"Same way you found the kids. The GPS on the car."

“Think they’re going to stay married?” Grace asked once they were out of ear reach.

I shrugged. “At this point, I don’t really care. Our future is ours. I won’t meddle in their business if they don’t meddle in ours.” Something moved against my stomach, and I remembered DH in my pocket. “Hey Grace? If you could get your hand down my front, I think you’d like it.”

She slapped my shoulder. “Oh god, you’re such a pervert. This isn’t the time, Joe. No matter how tempting it is now that we’re officially together.”

“I wish. But it’s something else.” I winked, and she cast her eyes down with a smile. She looked adorable with a smoke-streaked face. “A package. Come on, palm it. It’s desperate for your love.”

“Seriously, how can you think about sex when you’re hurt?”

“With you, I’m pretty sure sex will be on my mind all the fucking time. Right now, though, I’m not talking about my dick. I swear. Someone else needs your affection, baby.”

Once she did as I asked, she found our kitten hiding in my pocket. “You got him out? Ohmygod, I thought we had lost him. Forever.”

“He’s our first baby. I would never leave him behind. How bad a dad would I be if I did?”

“Don’t say things like that. I don’t wanna picture you as a dad. Not for another ten years.”

“Ten years? Are you serious?”

“Six?”

“I don’t care. As long as you picture a future with me too.”

14

GRACE

“What did the doctor say?” Philip asked as I joined him and my mother in the waiting room. “Want me to talk to him?”

I tried to not fall apart in front of them but barely held it together now that I wasn’t by Joe’s side. They had sedated him, and he was sleeping. “A mixture of second- and third-degree burns all over both hands. They don’t know the extent yet. He’s got stitches across his ribs due to the lacerations when he jumped through the window.” Philip opened his arms, and I sobbed as he held me. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. He tried to save me.”

“Honey,” Philip said. “Joe will never regret saving your life. Whatever it may cost him. I swear he would agree with me had he been awake. Don’t blame yourself. None of this is your fault.”

“I knew you two running away was a bad idea.” My mother shook her head beside us. “I should have come to get you sooner.”

I stepped back, facing her. “Nothing with you is a good idea, Mom, if it concerns me. You disagree with everything I am, and it’s been eighteen years of your making me feel less. I can’t do this anymore. You and I, we’re over.”

“Grace Marguerite Sullivan, I won’t let you disrespect me. I’m done with your acting like a brat.”

“A brat? Can you hear yourself right now? I’m wondering who’s being difficult here. I did nothing wrong. I just needed to breathe away from you. Because being your daughter is not an easy feat. I can’t live with the pressure anymore.”

“And you think falling in love with your stepbrother is a sign of maturity?”

Was she serious now? “It has nothing to do with maturity. I love him. Enough to give my life for his. And from what I’ve witnessed tonight, he would give his for me too.” I clenched and unclenched my fists at my sides. “I’m sorry, Philip,” I said, returning my attention to him. “I wish you two a Merry Christmas, but I’m not going back home with you. I just can’t. All my life, I’ve been struggling to be accepted by my mother. And for the first time in my eighteen years of existence, I’m unapologetically happy. I love Joe, and he loves me. We’re both adults, and nothing you two say will change anything. I’m done living with unrealistic expectations that don’t belong to me. I’m my own person, and I intend to shine on my own terms from now on.”