If It's Not You: A Stepbrother Romance by Zarah Bentley

Author:Zarah Bentley [Bentley, Zarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“S

o, tell us about this boy.”

Rahel has been expecting her mom’s question since she mentioned her dinner plans—the real surprise is that it took until lunch on the actual day of her date. She chases some peas on her plate and is about to answer when Janosh does it in her stead, smirking around a forkful of broccoli.

“He’s got beady eyes.”

“He does not.” Rahel gives up on the peas in favor of shooting Janosh a glare. “I thought we’d agreed that you wouldn’t automatically hate any guy I maybe sort of like.”

“We did no such thing.” Janosh shakes his head with a superior expression, that damned smirk still in full effect. “We agreed I wouldn’t punch anyone without due cause.”

“Good boy,” Georg says, and Jesus, Rahel is surrounded by cavemen. She pointedly ignores them by addressing her mom, and her mom only.

“His name’s Vivaan. Indian background, but he and his sister grew up in Germany—Cologne and other places. They moved here last summer, and he wants to study medicine, like me.” Rahel chews and swallows. “I met him through his sister—she’s on my basketball team. He’s doing a volunteer year at the hospital right now because he didn’t want her to be alone in having to move schools at fifteen.”

“He sounds like a very nice boy,” Mom says with a smile, and Janosh pretends to gag. Rahel kicks him under the table.

“Nice of him to stay for his sister,” Georg allows grudgingly. “Just for that, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“Hey,” Janosh protests. “How come I never got any credit for picking Heidelberg so Rahel would have an easier start once she follows? I don’t expect a standing ovation, mind, but a Family Member of the Month medal would be nice.”

“You, uh.” Rahel sits up a little straighter, an odd tightness around her chest. “You moved to Heidelberg for me?”

“You thought it was a coincidence that I applied right after we decided it would be the best university for you?” Janosh’s surprise seems genuine, like it never even occurred to him that she would need a pointer on something this obvious. “Elementary, Watson.”

“Okay.” Rahel places her fork on the plate, no longer hungry. She’s vaguely aware of her mom and Georg watching, but Janosh is all she sees. “If that’s the case, then why are you moving away now, when I’m not that far off from applying?”

Janosh’s gaze doesn’t waver. “But I’m not.”

He’s not.

“You’re not?” The kitchen is quiet, expanding with each breath Rahel takes. She feels off-kilter, as though she spent the weekend studying for an exam only to learn it’s been canceled. “I thought you and Jule—”

“We broke up,” Janosh says, matter-of-fact. As though it means nothing.

“Oh, Janosh.” Mom leans across the table to grasp his hand, eyes wide with concern. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”

Janosh sends her a smile that is very close to the real thing. “I’m fine.”

“What happened?” Georg asks, voice gruff like it gets when he’s forced to talk about emotions, and still Rahel’s just.

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