Page 35 of Step Brother Bear

Oh my God. Why did I say that?

Chrishell flicks her gaze between us until understanding wells in her eyes. Her face morphs into complete horror—rightfully so.

“I…”

I want to take it back. I keep blinking, hoping the words slipped out during a realistic dream, but the fluorescent lights, the pinging sound from the cash registers, and the smell of industrial-grade floor cleaner all make everything that much more real.

“Damn, Isabella.” Derek laughs and musses up my hair.

Chrishell is still frozen, fumbling for words. This moment can’t get any worse.

Except it does.

“Isabella?”

I spot him at the end of the aisle, arms full of chicken broth, carrots, and celery.

“Jesus Christ,” Derek mutters, running a hand down his face.

“Lewis?”

Goddammit, why is everyone at Willy’s today?

Chapter 15

Icharge into my bedroom, Lewis at my heels. “Isabella, explain what’s going on.”

I twirl to face him, running my hands through my out-of-control curls. He always said I looked crazy when my hair was like this, and for the first time, I’m glad for my natural locks in his presence. “Lewis, there’s nothing to explain. I wanted some time apart. What were you even doing at Willys?”

“I was buying ingredients to make you soup. I wanted to show you how much I care.”

I groan. In the past, all this would have been a dream come true. Now, I’m annoyed.

When he caught me in Willy’s with Derek, right after I made a horrid proclamation to Chrishell in the chip aisle, he was hurt to find I was well enough to be walking around, and from my wet bathing suit underneath Derek’s shirt, enjoying a swim in the spring. Thankfully, he missed my confession, and Chrishell was so mortified that she slipped away without anyone noticing. I think it’s safe to say that will be the last time I ever hear from her.

I told Lewis that I would call him later, but that wasn’t good enough for him. He followed us home, even with Derek continuously slamming on the brakes and running off the road to see just how closely he’d follow us. We argued the whole way here, me trying to grab the wheel away from him, and him telling me I should want to see him pay for the hurt he caused me, but what’s new?

I stormed inside the moment we pulled up the driveway. Thank God our parents' cars aren’t here. The last thing I need is them mudding up this interaction. I half expected Derek to stop Lewis in the driveway, but I was surprised to find he let him pass, and now we stand in my childhood bedroom together. This is where the truth comes out. I can’t run from it anymore.

“Why do you need more time apart? We’ve been apart for two months?” he asks, a whiny tone to his voice.

I ball my fists, stepping closer. “And whose fault was that?”

His brow scrunches as if confused by my question, making me realize how little I called him out on his crap while we were together. Why was I so scared of making him upset? Obviously, all my attempts at being the perfect girlfriend were for nothing. He only wants me now because I’m making it difficult. I’m starting to believe I’m worth more than that—that maybe there’s someone who would want me at my worst. It shouldn’t have taken me this long to realize all this, but I don’t want Lewis. I want someone else.

“I made a mistake," he says.

“Obviously. But your mistake caused me to lose everything I built for myself in New York and move back to my parents' house.”

He snaps, points his finger at me, and steps closer. “I didn’t make you lose your job, and besides, you always said you wished you had more time to spend with your family.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Excuse me?”

“I never said that I wanted more time with my family. If you knew anything about me, you would know I have a horrible relationship with my mom and a nonexistent one with my stepdad.”

“Your parents seem great. Your brother, yeah, I could get why you wouldn’t want to be around him.”