Catherine's POV
"Girl, you don't understand how lucky you are," Tessa leaned closer across the cafeteria table, her voice a dramatic whisper that didn't match the huge grin on her face. "Two hot stepbrothers? Like how is that not a dream come true? I'd die for that."
I scoffed so hard my drink almost came out of my nose. "Be careful what you wish for."
She raised a brow. "What, they're not nice?"
"Nice?" I let out a bitter laugh. "Julian acts like I personally ruined his life by existing under the same roof, and Gabriel…" I hesitated, swirling my straw around the melting ice. "Gabriel is cool. He's quiet but if you piss him off, forget it, he'll freeze you out like you don't exist."
Tessa's eyes sparkled. "Okay, but that's still better than my brother who's not even cute, steals my shampoo, and eats all my fries."
I couldn't help laughing. "Believe me when I say it's not."
"Still though," she said, resting her chin in her hand. "If I had guys that looked like that living with me, I'd have no complaints."
"Tessa," I said dryly, "it's not as glamorous as you think."
She rolled her eyes like she really didn't care. "So tell me…" she started and I knew she was about to say something that would annoy me. "What does Julian look like without clothes?"
WTF?! My eyes flew wide open. Why on earth would she ask me something like that!
"Tessa!"
"Are you crazy?"
"What now?" She asked, giving me an innocent look. "Don't pretend you do not have a crush on him like the rest of us do. Julian is so handsome and hot."
I continued to stare at her in shock.
"Come on, give me an answer. Since I don't stand a chance with him, at least I get to be able to dream about him."
I shook my head and stood up. "I take my question back.."
"Of course, you should," she interrupted.
With a hard glare, I grabbed my snack. "Because, you are in fact crazy," I completed and started leaving but she ran after me. "Don't leave without answering me."
I picked up on my pace, with hopes that she would give up and stop following me. Oh my goodness! She was one impossible human.
—
School ended with me avoiding Tessa and Gabriel still not talking to me, even while he drove me home.
When he parked in the driveway, I hesitated before unbuckling my seatbelt. "Aren't you coming in?" I asked softly, bending toward the open window.
He didn't look at me. "No, I'm going out with my friends. I'll be back later."
I nodded, pretending that the tiny response didn't mean the world. "Okay. Drive safe."
He gave a short nod before driving off, the taillights fading into the street.
For a split second, I smiled at the fact that he didn't ignoring my question. It didn't mean much but it was something.
Inside, Mara greeted me from the hallway. "Welcome home, Catherine. Would you like something to eat?"
I shook my head. "No, thank you. I'm exhausted. I just need to lie down."
"Of course. Dinner will be ready when you want it."
I climbed the stairs, dragging my backpack behind me. The second I entered my room, I didn't even bother with the lights. I threw myself face-first onto the bed and let out a low, muffled groan into my pillow.
Everything felt like too much. I rolled onto my back, staring up at the ceiling fan as it spun lazily. "God," I muttered, "is it too early for a mental breakdown?"
My phone buzzed beside me. Finally, a distraction. I grabbed it and instantly, my network went off.
I groaned louder. "Seriously?!"
Tossing the phone aside, I sat up sharply, hair falling into my face. I needed to get out of this suffocating room. Maybe the hallway would have a better signal.
I stormed out, yanking my charger out of the socket as I went, then bam. I collided with something solid.
No, someone.
Strong hands caught me before I stumbled backward.
"Careful," his calm voice said.
My head snapped up. Julian was standing there, close enough for me to smell the faint trace of smoke on him.
His eyes, which usually held irritation whenever he saw me, looked oddly soft.
I blinked, waiting for the usual insult, the snide comment about me being "clumsy" or "always in the way."
But instead, he quietly said, "Sorry."
I froze. "Huh?"
He released me, straightening his shirt like it was nothing. "I said sorry. You okay?"
And then he walked off, like it wasn't the most shocking thing that had ever come out of his mouth.
I just stood there, staring after him.
Julian Vaughn apologizing to me? No fucking way on earth!
"What the hell," I whispered under my breath.
By the time I snapped out of it, he was halfway down the hall. My brain told me to leave it alone, but my mouth had other plans.
"Julian!" I called, chasing after him before he could close his door.
He stopped, turned halfway, with an unreadable expression. "Yeah?"
My words stumbled out like they were tripping over each other. "I—uh—nothing. I just…"
He tilted his head. "You just what?"
"Don't go in yet."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Why not?"
"Because I… I wanted to apologize."
That earned a soft chuckle. "For what?"
"For what I said at breakfast. I shouldn't have talked about your mom like that. It was cruel and—"
"It's fine." His tone was oddly gentle.
I blinked. "What?"
He took a step closer. "You were right to be upset. If I hadn't disrespected your mother, you wouldn't have said those things. So, if anyone owes an apology, it's me."
No. This couldn't be real. Someone had to wake me up from this dream or whatever this was.
Julian never apologized. He was always ready to attack, provoke or mock but this calm and disarmingly polite version of him felt like a stranger wearing his face.
"You're… not angry?" I asked hesitantly.
He gave a small smile. "No, Catherine. I'm not angry."
Something fluttered in my chest, more like confusion. "Oh," I said, grinning stupidly. "Cool."
I started backing away, smiling like an idiot but too dazed to care. He smiled back.
By the time I turned and hurried to my room, my heart was hammering against my ribs, my mind a mess of disbelief and giddy relief.
Julian had just said sorry and smiled at me.
And for reasons I didn't want to admit, that smile stayed with me long after I closed my door.