The Professor by Kelli Callahan

Author:Kelli Callahan [Callahan, Kelli]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kelli Callahan Books
Published: 2020-12-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Bryce

“Did you break up with your girlfriend or something?”

My gaze fly to my stepsister, Holly. She’s leaning against the counter of the bar Dad had installed a few years back. “What?”

“You’re having woman trouble, aren’t you?”

Can she read minds now? I stare at the seventeen-year-old with her too intelligent eyes, suspiciously. “Why do you think that?”

“You have that look.” She shrugs. “You’ve been staring intently into your shot glass for five minutes.”

“Don’t you have dolls to play with or something?”

“Don’t patronize me, Bryce. I’m seventeen now.”

“Yeah, old enough to use words like patronize.”

She huffs, and I chuckle. I’ve known Holly since she was ten. She’s always been like this. Too grown and smart for her own good.

“What are you drinking? Can I have some?” She reaches for the bottle of Jack, and I quickly snatch it from her finger.

“No.”

“Come on, just a taste.”

“Diana will kill me.”

“She doesn’t have to know.”

Massaging the bridge of my nose, I ask, “Holly, what are you doing down here?” No one is allowed in Dad’s man cave, except me. I came in here to be alone before dinner. I figured I’d stop by for dinner since I missed breakfast a few days ago. It’s been three days since I left Abby’s place in a foolish bout of temper. I still feel like an idiot. After I calmed down, I realized that I may have overreacted. The last thing I need right now is a meddling teenager invading my pity party.

Holly’s lashes lower to hide her eyes and she shrugs. “I just thought you needed company.”

I’m about to tell her I don’t but detect her dejection. “Are you okay?”

“Not really. Mom and Michael are fighting again.”

I study her closely. “Are they fighting more often than usual?” There’s been many arguments between them since they got married. I honestly don’t know why they’re still married. I’ve always stayed out of their business. Now that I don’t live here anymore, I have no clue what goes on in Marshall mansion.

Holly sighs. “Yeah. I think it’s because of me.”

Giving her my full attention, I swivel my stool around to face her. “Why do you think that?”

“I don’t think Michael has ever liked me much. I’m not his blood.”

“Come one, Holly, you know―”

“It’s true. I’m not stupid.”

No, she’s far from that. Holly is incredibly perceptive. “Look, I’m sure they argue about plenty of other things.”

Her lips twist into a sardonic smile. “That doesn’t make it any better.”

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I let out a laugh. “I know.” I have no idea what else to say to comfort a teenager about her parental insecurities. “Hey, whenever you want to get away from the madness―” and there can be plenty with our tyrant of a patriarch, “― my door is open.”

Her face lights up. “Really?”

I’m starting to think it’s time to pay more attention to Holly. She came along at a time when I was grown and engrossed in my own life, so we haven’t bonded all that much. But, I consider her my kid sister in every way.

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