Read Online Hard: A Military Stepbrother Romance by Lara Swann - Free Book Online Page B

correctly.
    “What
happened?”
    The
knowing look in her eyes unsettled me, but I just shrugged.
    “Ahh,
Dad wasn’t keen on the idea. You know what he’s like - and he’s probably right.
Maybe medicine made more sense after all.”
    Kaylee’s
bright face scowled instantly and she raised herself out of the water, spraying
droplets all over our things.
    “Hey!”
    I
was in swimming gear, but I exclaimed anyway. She just shot me a look and
plopped down opposite me, picking up her own mostly melted iced coffee with a
suspicious glare.
    “I
thought you weren’t going to do that anymore, Bella - you promised you’d give
your own plans a shot for once.”
    Her
familiar tirade irritated me, and I sighed, gesturing dismissively - but this
time, she didn’t quite seem willing to let it go.
    “Seriously,
Bella - I just listened to you rant for half an hour straight about how you
came home to a new stepmother and brother he never even thought to tell you
about! And now we’re talking about your own career, your own life - and you
shrug and want to go along with what he says, again! God damn, do you really
care so little about what you want?!”
    Suddenly
angry, I jumped up, glaring back at her.
    “Damn
it, Kay - I spend a hell of a lot more time thinking about this stuff than you
ever have. But his advice has always been good - and he’s had a ton more
experience than me. Just because I have a father I can respect doesn’t mean you
need to undermine him the whole fucking time.”
    The
pointed words struck home and I saw the flash of hurt on her face before she
masked it a moment later, taking a deep breath as she stood and looked at me
with a far-too-calm expression.
    “My
god, you really are pissed this time, babe.”
    The
soft, gentle words deflated my anger as quickly as it had sprung up and I just
looked at her, feeling suddenly helpless under the weight of that gaze. She
came forward instantly, wrapping her arms around me and taking me over to the
soft chaise sitting back a little from the pool, the cushions covering the
wicker warmed in the sun. We sank onto it together - and then, against all
belief, I broke down crying.
    Everything
else deserting me, I sobbed uncontrollably against her while every twisted
thought and emotion that had pounded at me the last couple of days came out in
a crazed rush. I was struggling to breathe, but she held on and waited me out
while I gasped and sputtered, cursing and muttering nonsense.
    Part
of me was mortified at the explosive bout of emotion, but I couldn’t help it. It
had just all become too much - the shock, the anger and frustration…every
overwhelming emotion combined with the struggle to remain calm and in control
had affected me far more than I’d thought. This finally gave me an outlet, and
everything I’d been forcing myself to ignore, to keep in, surged out of me in a
crashing wave as Kaylee rocked me gently.
    With
her, at least, I had always had a safe haven. Someone to comfort without
judgment, a shelter for the emotional storms that had only rarely rocked through
my life.
    I
don’t know how long we sat there like that - it felt like forever, but also
just a momentary wrinkle in time. When I finally recovered enough to look at
her, I felt exhausted - but some of the weight and twisting discomfort within
me had eased. I sighed deeply, still hiccuping a little, and felt myself flush.
    “…I’m
sorry…”
    Both
for what I’d said, and for this ridiculous outpouring. She just gave me a small
smile and tucked a stray hair back behind my ear.
    “You
can hold me next time I’m off my face.”
    I
gave her a small grin back and leaned in again, letting her warm arms surround
me. It was sticky with suncream, water droplets and our sun-warmed bodies, but
it didn’t matter as I started breathing easier.
    God.
    I’d
had no idea that had been bubbling up inside, or just how good it felt to let
it all out.
    “Feel
better?”
    “Mmm.”
    “Good
- more ice cream, I