Free My Shameful Secret (Forbidden Stepbrother Billionaire Romance) by Lana Evers Page B

lying – and that he was right.
    All these years, I had shamelessly relied on him. I had never bothered trying to make friends because I was content with having my brother to talk to. I had never even considered trying to come out of my shell. A part of me figured I could always work for my brother in the future and not have to worry about anything.
    He ruffled my hair. “It’s going to be okay, you know.” When I didn’t answer, his lips twitched once more just before he flicked my forehead. “Brat. Pouting didn’t work for you when you were five. What makes you think it would work now?”
    Turning red because I had been hoping pouting would work, I grabbed my pillow and tried to hit him on the face. “Shut up!”
    My brother laughingly caught my wrist. “Stop it.” He pulled my hand down, sobering. “Promise me you’ll try to make friends this year.”
    I shrugged.
    “Mish,” he said warningly.
    I lifted my shoulders, shamelessly guilt-tripping him.
    He released my hand. “You won’t be my sister if you don’t make that promise.”
    The words had me sniffing. “That may have worked before, but not anymore.” But the way my brother just grinned told me he knew I didn’t mean it.
    Even now, his threat still worked. I really wanted to be his sister.

7

    I was sixteen when a boy asked me out the first time. We had shared a few classes since freshmen year and on a day we happened to walk home together, he suddenly asked if I wanted to attend a party with him.

    The question was a pleasant surprise, but it had me nervous, too. I didn’t know how to react. Since I had always thought myself plain, the idea of having a guy ask me out never crossed my mind.
    “Misha?” Jared prompted.
    He stopped walking, forcing me to stop as well. He took a peek at my face, his proximity making me blush.
    “You heard me, right?”  
    I cleared my throat. “I, umm…I’m not really good with parties.” I gave him a self-conscious look. “And I’m not good with this either.”
    “It doesn’t have to be a party,” he said quickly. “We could just go out and watch a movie or something…” He paused, gauging my reaction, and what he saw made Jared’s lips quirk in an exasperated smile. “You really never knew, didn’t you?”
    “Knew…what?”
    “I’ve had a crush on you since sixth grade, you know.” He laughed, the sound self-conscious. “I would have asked you out sooner if I hadn’t been scared shitless by the thought of your brother beating me into a bloody pulp.”
    I shook my head right away. “My brother wouldn’t do something like that!”
    This time, Jared really laughed. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” He shook his head. “I guess your big bro didn’t tell you, but he made it very clear to every guy who happened to look at you the wrong way that you’re off limits.” He hesitated. “You really didn’t know?”
    “No,” I admitted slowly. “I didn’t.” And now that I knew, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
    When we reached my home, Jared asked, “Tomorrow…?”
    He was a pretty outgoing guy, but right now he was acting really shy. It was kinda cute, and it also made me less nervous about the idea of going on a date for the first time.
    Biting my lip, I asked, “Just a movie, right?”
    He nodded. “Just a movie, and we could have a late or early dinner, too, if you want. It’s your call.”
    “Then…okay.”
    I colored at the hopeful tone of his voice, but I couldn’t help smiling either. “Okay.”
    We agreed on a time and date to meet, and by the time I was inside the house, I felt absolutely dazed. Was I really going out on a date? With Jared?
    The phone rang then, and when I answered, my voice was still breathless with excitement. “H-hello?”
    “It’s me, brat.” Saehan’s voice was a mixture of affection and amusement. “You okay? You sound like you just finished a race or something.”
    I giggled.
    “Did you just giggle, brat?”
    I hesitated then