Secret Love (Secrets, #2)

by Ella Goode

“Saving you, saving me,” I mutter and then capture her mouth with mine. She tastes like honey and sunshine, and I know from the first touch of her lips on mine that I’m just like my old man because there will never be another for me but Sadie.

“Where the hell is she?” My eyes spring open at that very familiar voice. One I’ve missed over the past few weeks. Not that I would ever admit that to him. The doctor turns towards the door as the loud steps grow closer. I spot Dunc first. His mouth is in a straight line.

“Hey, can I ask you a question?” Sadie touches my arm. She looks up at me with a sweet, pleading expression, and if she asked me to fly to the moon, I would have jetted off right there powered by her sweetness. “Yeah?” I manage to respond, my voice hoarse, my jeans tight.

“Why didn’t you play football?” The side of my mouth tilts up. “Do I look like I’m a team player? I’m selfish, Sadie. I don’t play well with others. What I want, I take, and I keep it. I don’t ever share.”

Sadie was nearly falling asleep over the pork chops, so Fischl took her upstairs to bed. I wanted to be the one to tuck her in, but since I’m supposed to be keeping our thing between us, I helped clear the table.

hoof it up the stairs and do a pre-bed routine, but this time I shave the stubble that’s pebbling my chin. Sadie’s a soft girl with soft skin. I need to watch out for her. I grab some sweats and a hoodie and make my way to her room. She’s a motionless lump under the covers. I toss my clothes to the side, plug my phone in, and climb into bed. She makes a soft sound and rolls toward me. Gently, I push her until she’s lying on her back again, her slinged arm lying across her chest. I slide my arm under her head and draw her close until her side is flush with my front. One soft leg slips between mine, and she turns to rub her cold nose against my biceps.

“Dunc?” she murmurs. “The one and only.” I stroke a hand down her T-shirt-covered side, careful to avoid touching her arm. “What time is it?” She tries to turn over, but I keep her still. “Time to keep sleeping.” “Why are you here?” “Where else would I be?” That silences her, and soon enough, her even breathing signals she’s fallen asleep again.

I run my fingers through his short hair. His eyes fly open. When they lock on mine, a smile tugs at his lips. It’s not something he does often. It makes my heart flutter. “Morning,” I whisper, suddenly feeling shy. “Morning, beautiful.” He snuggles into me. “I like when you're sweet.”

I finish getting ready for school. When I make it downstairs, Dunc is waiting for me with a breakfast sandwich in his hand and a strawberry milk. My favorite. Without thinking, I press my mouth to his. It’s going to be harder than I thought to keep us hidden.

“You’re sweating.” Sadie reaches up and wipes her finger across my forehead. I quiver like we’re naked and she just palmed my crotch. I’m down so bad.

“So? How is Van with me?” “I’m jealous. All right?” I stare at him. That wasn’t what I thought he was going to say. But I can tell from how his jaw is clenching that he’s not joking. “He’s my brother. I really hope you don’t want to be my brother.” “He acts like you belong to him. You don’t. You’re mine.”

“That you’re always going to be mine.” He leans in, his mouth taking mine in a slow, sweet kiss. I want to be his, but is it really that easy?

“Maybe if you hadn’t pulled me on top of you, it wouldn’t have happened. That was an accident, unlike your two fists to my nose. I think you broke it.” “I wish he’d broken your jaw,” Sadie spits out. “And you.” She points an angry finger at my face. Maybe it’s two fingers. I can’t really tell. “You broke your promise.”

“They’re all far away.” He looks up at me. “You’re trying to leave me.” Gone is any smirk or pleading. I can’t really decipher the look he’s currently wearing. It’s a mix of anxiety and betrayal. “Don’t look at me like that!” My eyes fill with tears again. He snags me around the waist, pulling me into his lap. I end up straddling him. I rest my head on his shoulder.

“Because you’re mine and I’m yours.” “Dunc.” I sniffle. “I promise I’ll spend my life loving you, and that is a promise I will never break.” “I promise to love you too.”

“I love you, Sadie, darling. More today than yesterday and it’ll be more tomorrow than today.” “I love you too, Duncan. You wild, possessive thing.” I chuckle against her cheek. “I can’t control myself around you.” “I love it. Don’t change.”