Evelyn stood, smoothing her sundress. "I have book club in twenty minutes. There's more food in the kitchen if you get hungry." She picked up the tray, paused. "And Judah? I'm glad you're here. I know this is a lot."
She left before Judah could figure out what to say to that.
Which meant it was just him and Chloe.
Chloe, who had somehow migrated from the window bench to the cushion directly next to him without Judah noticing the transition.
She sat cross-legged now, one knee touching his thigh, close enough that he could count the freckles across her nose.
Seven. There were seven freckles.
Stop counting her freckles.
Stop noticing how her tank top rides up when she moves.
Stop thinking about the fact that those volleyball shorts are shorter than anything you've seen outside of a gym.
She tilted her head, strawberry blonde ponytail swinging. "So! Westlake. You ready for it?"
"Haven't thought about it much."
"Well you should! The school is huge, like actually huge. Three different buildings. The sports complex is insane though. Brand new turf field, weight room that's nicer than most colleges." She shifted closer. "Football team is kind of mid though. Like they're okay but not great. Made playoffs last year but got bounced first round."
"What's the QB situation?"
Chloe's face scrunched up. "Ugh. Tyler Morrison. He's such a tool."
"Tool how?"
"Tool like the only reason he's QB1 is because his dad donates a stupid amount of money to the program. He's not even that good? Like he can throw okay but he panics under pressure and his reads are terrible." She made a dismissive gesture. "He tried to get with me at a party last year too. Total creep. Kept trying to corner me in the kitchen."
Judah's jaw tightened. "What happened?"
"Oh I dumped my drink on him and left." Chloe grinned. "My teammate drove me home. But yeah, Tyler's the worst. The team knows it but nobody says anything because money talks."
"Not for long."
She looked at him, eyes bright. "You're gonna take his spot?"
"I'm gonna earn mine."
"That's hot."
Judah blinked. "What?"
"What?" Chloe's face flushed pink. "I said that's good! That's good that you're confident!"
She absolutely said hot.
Judah filed that away for later examination.
"Anyway!" Chloe bounced slightly, which did things to her tank top situation that Judah tried very hard not to catalog. "You said you like movies right? What's your top five?"
"Top five all time?"
"Yeah!"
Judah leaned back, thinking. "The Dark Knight. Training Day. Inception. Remember the Titans. Friday."
"Oh my god Friday is so good!" Chloe clapped her hands together. "I love that movie! Smokey is hilarious!" She paused. "Okay my turn. Spirited Away, The Princess Bride, 10 Things I Hate About You, Spider-Verse, and Howl's Moving Castle."
"Two Ghibli movies in your top five?"
"They're perfect! Don't judge me!"
"Not judging. Just noting the pattern."
She stuck her tongue out at him.
Judah found himself almost smiling.
When was the last time you almost smiled?
Three weeks. The answer is three weeks.
Chloe stood suddenly, offering her hand. "Come on! Tour time! I'll show you around the house properly since Mom just dumped you in your room."
Judah took her hand.
Her palm was warm and callused. Volleyball hands.
She pulled him up with surprising strength and immediately started walking, still holding his hand, leading him back toward the main staircase.
"Okay so ground floor is basically all common areas. Kitchen, dining room, living room, Mom's office, Dad's office that he never uses." She pointed at each door as they passed. "Second floor is My room and Solange's room. Shared bathroom you've already met."
She started up the stairs to the third floor, finally releasing his hand.
Judah followed.
And yeah.
Don't look.
Don't look at how those shorts fit.
Don't notice the way her hips move when she climbs stairs.
Don't catalog the fact that she has a beauty mark on her left cheek. The back left cheek. On the curve right where—
He looked.
Obviously he looked.
She had a volleyball player's body. Lower half development that came from three years of lateral training and explosive jumps. The shorts were doing absolutely nothing to hide that reality.
Chloe glanced back over her shoulder and grinned. "My little brother needs to stop having wandering eyes."
Judah's face went hot. "What makes you think I'm the little brother?"
"You're seventeen. So am I. When's your birthday?"
"October fourteenth."
"Shit. I'm September seventh."
"So?"
"So that makes you younger! Ha! I'm older!" She reached the third floor landing and spun around, walking backward. "I always wanted a baby sister but a baby brother works too!"
"One month doesn't count."
"It absolutely counts! I'm your big sister now!" She spread her arms dramatically. "You have to listen to everything I say and let me give you advice and—"
Her foot caught on the edge of the hallway runner.
She stumbled backward.
Judah moved without thinking, catching her waist before she hit the floor.
Soft.
She's really—
Chloe's hands gripped his shoulders for balance. They stood frozen like that for three seconds. Her face inches from his. Eyes wide. Lips parted.
Strawberry shampoo. That's what her hair smelled like.
And underneath that, sunscreen and sweat and something sweet.
"Thanks," she said quietly.
"No problem."
Neither of them moved.
Judah became extremely aware of several things simultaneously.
One: His hands were still on her waist.
Two: Her tank top had ridden up and his palms were touching bare skin.
Three: She was looking at his mouth.
Four: He was looking at hers.
This is your stepsister.
Half-sister.
Stepsister.
Whatever the technical term is, this is a bad idea.
Chloe cleared her throat and stepped back. Her face had gone properly red now. "Okay! So! Your room is there!" She pointed at the door Judah already knew. "And that's Noel's room!" She pointed at the door across the hall.
She walked toward his door, pushed it open.
"Can I come in? I want to see what it looks like now that you're here!"
Judah followed her inside.
His room looked exactly the same as when Evelyn had shown it to him. Duffel bags still on the floor. Football still on the desk. Nothing unpacked.
Chloe walked to the window, looking out at the hills. "This is the best view in the house. Noel's room looks at the neighbor's wall and my room faces the street." She turned back to him. "You're lucky."
"Doesn't feel like luck."
Her expression softened. "Because of your mom?"
Judah sat on the edge of the bed. Nodded once.
Chloe came over and sat next to him. Not touching this time. Just close.
"Mom told us what happened," she said quietly. "I'm really sorry. I can't imagine."
"It's fine."
"It's not though."
Judah looked at her.
She was watching him with those red eyes, the Fitzgerald eyes, but where Solange's had been cold and Noel's had been suspicious, Chloe's just looked sad.
Sad for him.
When was the last time someone looked at you like that?
Your mom. At the hospital. Right before—
He shut the thought down hard.
"Talking to you helps," Judah said. Surprised himself by meaning it. "Takes my mind off things."
Chloe smiled. Small but real. "Good. That's what big sisters are for." She nudged his shoulder with hers. "Also I'm excellent company so you're welcome."
"You're something."
"Something amazing?"
"Something loud."
She gasped in mock offense. "Rude! I take back the big sister thing! You're on your own now!"
===
A/N:
Welcome to the end of the chapter.
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