Page 186 of The Forbidden Note

“Postpone the clean up. I need to speak with you.”

Mom’s eyes are stern. I haven’t seen an expression that severe since I snuck out to attend a concert with Sloane and got caught climbing back in through the window.

“Let’s talk in the hallway,” mom says stiffly.

Zane gives me a long look and I can tell that he’s ready to jump into the conversation. I shake my head slightly. He’s a wild card. I have no idea if what he’ll say will curb mom’s ire or worsen it.

In an empty corridor outside, mom whirls on me. “Grace Jamieson, explain what I just saw.” She points at the hospital room.

My eyelashes flutter. “What did you see?”

“You’re not…?” Mom barks out a pained laugh. “I can’t believe I’m even asking this. You’re notsleepingwith your step-brother, are you?”

A sharp stab of guilt slices through me.

Mom scans my face for the truth.

As her eyes drill into me, it gets hard to breathe. My nostrils flare as I take in a big gulp.

She lifts a hand. “Answer me. Are you sleeping with him?”

I lick my lips.

“There’s only one right answer to that question.”

I keep staring at the ground, trying to avoid her eyes.

She sees right through me. Her fingers on her head, she stumbles back. I try to stable her with a hand, but she shakes me off.

Black eyes filled with accusation, she stammers, “How long have you two been… doingthat?”

I lick my lips.

“You haven’t… it hasn’t been since the beginning, right?”

I turn away, feeling the weight of the moment. The guilt is staggering.

Her face blanches. A slow, encompassing panic takes over her expression. “Oh my go—you have got to be kidding me.”

Fear and panic swirl like a tornado in my chest.

Mom takes a step back, looking at me as if I’m a monster. “Gracie, how could you… how could you do that?”

I don’t have the words to defend myself so I just clench my jaw.

Voice a cold croak, she orders, “Break it off with him. Immediately.”

“There’s nothing to break off.”

That’s the truth. Zane and I aren’t dating, despite what happened in the classroom last night. He’s… a bad habit, but he’s not going to be in my life forever. We might be drawn to each other now, but this is a phase that will pass.

“That boy had your face in his hands and you weren’t pulling back either. In fact, you seemed to downright enjoy it.”

I glance away.

“No, this won’t do.” Her eyes lift to mine. “I’ll find you a nice boyfriend your own age so you can wake up and stop this nonsense.” She pulls out her cell phone with trembling fingers. “Jarod introduced me to a nice young man last week—”

My reaction is instant. “I’m not going on a date, mom.”