Page 57 of Secret

"We are doing well, better than well. I'm thinking about adding an extension with new rooms for more classes. I’ve had a lot of interest,"he says, giving me a look of relief at the conversation change.

"That sounds like a good plan,"I say.

"I’ll need something to do with Seb and Izzy at college. Luke doesn't need much help considering he does no work and gets straight A’s like Seb. I don’t have to worry, anyway, with Luke’s job at the tattoo parlour waiting for him after school. Luke has told me about his plans to buy his own studio after a few years,"Harley says, looking proud.

"He has it all planned." I grin. Luke may be the baby of the family, but he is the planner all right.

"I'm proud of him, well, of all of them. Despite our childhood and the fighting, they are good men,"he says, flexing his fists on his lap. I know Harley wishes he could change it all.

"Agreed."I nod at him.

"I wish we had found Izzy sooner. Just seeing where she lived makes me wish I could have changed some things,” he says, andI frown not knowing too much about where she is from. I know her foster parents weren’t good people, but she probably didn’t want to relive any of it by telling me.

"She seems happy now and not messed up by foster care,"I reply.

"Yes, I know. Even with all the changes in her life recently, she is doing her exams and has applied for university."

"She is remarkable," I mutter quietly, so he doesn't hear, and shake my head.I drop Harley off and thank him again for his help before heading home. I know Izzy is coming over in about an hour, so I decide to draw in my room after saying hello to my mum.

I flip through the book that is filled with drawings of Izzy. She is all I can draw now, as I can’t go long without thinking of her.

I started drawing a picture of her yesterday at my house when she fell asleep on the sofa. I was looking down at her lying on my chest with her beautiful, golden hair spread across me. Her plump rosy lips slightly open as she snored lightly. She is simply beautiful.

"Hey, you," a sweet voice says from my doorway. I look up from my chair, and Izzy is walking over with a smile meant just for me on her face.

"Hey, beauty," I say, tilting my head to admire her. She is wearing black, skinny jeans and a simple, green vest, which shows off her breasts and lights up her eyes.

"What are you drawing?" she asks, looking at my drawing pad as she stops in front of me. I wrap my other hand around her waist and pull her onto my lap as she giggles. I gently kiss the top of her head.

"Here, have a look," I say and pass her the pad. She looks at every one slowly but never says anything. I'm getting slightly worried she doesn't like them when she wipes a tear away, and my forehead starts sweating. I say quickly, "Sorry if you don't like them, I can throw them away."

She shakes her headat me. "They’re amazing. Do you really see me like this? This woman is stunning. I can hardly believe it's me," she says, looking up at me with vulnerable eyes.

"You are stunning, Izzy. Hell, there aren’t words for how beautiful you are, but I think my drawings capture you well."I place a kiss on her soft cheek.

"Thank you," she says and turns to kiss me slowly. I move the drawing pad to the floor, and she moves to straddle me as our kisses get deeper. I'm about to lift her vest top off when I hear a shout.

"Dude, where are you? The front door was open." We both go silent as we hear footsteps on the stairs getting closer.

"Shit, that's Seb,” I say, and Izzy panics, running for my bathroom and shutting herself in as my door opens.

"Hey, I tried texting. Do you want to go to a party tonight? It's in the next town, but it looks good," he says and collapses on my bed. I quickly notice my pad lying open on the floor, showing a picture of Izzy, and move in front of it so Seb doesn't see.

"Nah, I have to study. Our exams are this week, don’t you have to study too?” I ask.

"You sound like Harley now. Ah well, I’ll see you tomorrow, man," he says, getting up and walking to the door.

"Hey, isn't that Izzy’s bag?" he asks tensely, pointing to the leather handbag near my door.

“Nah, just some girl who left it here," I say, mentally groaning and trying to keep my face neutral.

"I heard you are fucking someone. Who is it?"He leans against my wall, right next to the bathroom door where Izzy is hiding.

"No one you know. She isn't from around here,"I say, hating that I’m lying to him again.

"Good luck. I doubt it will last once you get bored." He laughs, but I don't.

"I won't get bored."