“Oh, look. Let's grab the chairs.” I follow Emily over to one of the lounge chairs by the pool. She puts her purse down before digging out her phone. “My brother is texting me.” She clicks away on her phone. I want to ask about what, but I do not want to draw attention to my interest in him. She drops her phone back down into her purse. “I bet he’s hanging out with Chase.” She rolls her eyes.

“Who’s Chase?” Emily pulls her dress off over her head. She’s got a bright pink bikini on. Cheerleading really must keep a girl in shape. I guess you do need to be small if you’re going to be tossed into the air and caught by people. This is partly why I was not putting on a swimsuit.

“Chase is Asher’s best friend. They’ve been friends since they were kids.”

“Is it a bad thing that they’re hanging out?”

Emily’s lips purse. “They’re probably out at some fancy dinner with a bunch of bimbos.” That sounds oddly specific. I swallow the knot in my throat.

“They do that a lot?”

“I didn’t think so, but clearly I don’t know shit.” Irritation coats her words.

“You don’t know what your brother does in his personal life?”

“I’m starting to think the two of them are just good at hiding what they do.” Emily chugs back her drink. “Another?”

“Sure.” I take a few big swigs of my own. Emily isn’t wrong. Asher is good about hiding who he is. Never in a million years did I think what happened today would. I mean, wasn’t it a bit of blackmail? I give him what he wants, and he’ll be Mr. Nice about our parents being together. I’d be a dirty little secret.

I grit my teeth. I’m not sure if I’m doing it because I’m angry he wants to keep me hidden or because there’s a small dark part of me that gets turned on by the idea of being his dirty secret. I know one thing for sure: I read too many romance books with office affairs or something. I love the ones where they have to sneak around to be with one another. But this isn’t a freaking office. It’s a damn family. And Asher is my stepbrother. I chug back the rest of my drink just as Emily returns holding two fresh drinks for us.

“I’m getting in. Come sit on the edge and put your feet in.” She walks over and sets her drink on the edge of the pool. I follow, the uneasiness I was feeling earlier subsiding some. I’m sure it’s the alcohol working its magic.