Free Pretend for Me by Sam Crescent

anything to do with him.”
    “I don’t.” Her anger grew at the audacity of her ex.
How dare he try to manipulate Andy?
    “Good.”
    They began moving toward the door. “And,
Sara.” She stopped to look at him. “That kiss wasn’t for their benefit.”
    He moved past her through the door leaving her
shocked. The kiss had been fantastic. The best kiss of her life. She needed to
make notes on how it felt to finally have him kiss her. Running up to the house
she led the way to her bedroom on the third floor.
    “Where will I be sleeping?” he asked.
    “Mom hasn’t told me where you’ll be sleeping, so I
figure you get to stay with me,” she said. She dropped her bag filled with her
work on the bed and rummaged around for her tatty notebook.
    “Actually, Mr. Green, your room is right across the
hall there. I won’t have any funny business going on in my house,” Harmony
said.
    Sara rolled her eyes and glared at her mother. “Mom, seriously? I’m not a teenager anymore. You’ve got to
stop.”
    “I don’t care, Sara. This is my house.”
    “Certainly, Mrs.
Carroll. Please, call me Andy.” He left Sara’s bags on the
floor then went to his own room.
    “You’re being mean on
purpose.” Sara opened her notebook. Grabbing the first pen she found, she started
writing notes.
    “No, your father wouldn’t like that going on with his daughter.”
    “But he’ll allow his sons? I can’t believe you’re
forcing him into a different room. I bet Bethany and Danny are sharing a room.”
    Her mother sat next to her on the bed. “They’re going
to get married, Sara. They can share a room. I don’t see an engagement ring on
your finger.”
    Huffing, she finished writing down her notes on the
feel of Andy’s tongue plunging into her mouth and how it felt to be possessed
by him. He’d surpassed all of her expectations in that department.
    “Are you writing another book?” Harmony asked.
    “The writing never stops.” Sara closed her book then
placed it back in her bag.
    Her mother reached out and stroked her hair. “You may
not know it, but we’re so proud of you.”
    “I know Dad doesn’t want me writing.”
    “So? Your father didn’t want me to call Danny by his
name. He wanted me to call him Daniel. Sometimes, people, including parents,
need to learn they don’t always get what they want.”   Harmony grabbed the brush from the side of
the bed.
    “Mom, I’m not a kid anymore.”
    “Sara, you’re never too young to have your hair
brushed. You’re my youngest daughter, and you’ll settle your mother’s nerves
before we go downstairs.” Harmony stood behind her and began brushing the
length of her hair.
    She saw her bedroom door was closed.
    “I see the writing makes you happy.”
    “It does. I know you hate to hear it, but moving away
was the best decision I ever made. I’m happy, and being with Andy makes me
happy.”
    Silence met her answer.
    “I want to know the truth about this boy, Sara.”
    “Mom, he’s not a boy.” She let out a sigh. “What truth
are you hoping to find, and why are you constantly saying my name?” she asked.
Her lips still tingled from his kiss.
    “Is it real, or are you just making an excuse not to
be partnered up with Dylan?”
    Sara let out a sigh. Their relationship was pretend even though she wished Andy was
really hers.
    “I like him, Mom. He’s been very good to me, and
what’s between us is real.”
    Harmony grabbed her shoulders and gave them a
reassuring squeeze. “That’s all I need to hear. You’re the baby of the family,
Sara. I know you hate it, but it’s the truth. Your brothers, sister, and your
father and I, are going to make sure you’re protected. Don’t be late for
dinner.”
    “Mom,” Sara said before her mother left.
    “What, honey?”
    “Don’t push him away. He means a lot to me. Please,
talk to Dad. I don’t want to lose him.”
    “I’ll see what I can do.”
    Her mother kissed her head before disappearing out of
her