Page 51 of Best Wrong Thing

Except, Rex is like a dog with a bone. Once he’s latched on to something, he won’t let go. Fine, I’ll tell him about Archer on my terms.

“It started as a one-night stand.”

Rex grins. “Good on you. Started? So it’s more?”

I lower my voice, “We’re fuck buddies.”

“I didn’t think you had it in you. I thought you wanted commitment.”

I shrug. It’s not something I can have with Archer.

“Well, he must be a good fuck if you’re happy with that arrangement. You are happy with it, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Was that convincing?

Rex puts his mug down and leans on the table. “Why the secrecy?” he whispers.

Since when has this shirt been two sizes too small? The collar is choking me. I run my finger around the inside to ease the imaginary pressure on my throat. Why shouldn’t I confide in Rex? Who’s he going to tell? He’ll be flying to Thailand in a few hours. He might even talk some sense into me. Yeah, right. Rex wouldn’t talk sense into anyone.

“You know Molly?”

“The new Mrs Hart? I know of her. What does that have to do with your secret fuck buddy?”

I stab the egg yolk, bursting it. The thick, bright yellow liquid oozes over the white and onto the plate, soaking into the toast. “She has a son.”

“And? Oh. Oh!”

“Exactly. My secret fuck buddy is my stepbrother.” I brace myself for laughter that never comes.

“He’s an adult?”

“Yes. Barely,” I mutter.

Rex raises an eyebrow.

“He’s twenty-one.”

“Definitely an adult. I don’t see the problem.”

“Did you miss the part where I said he’s my stepbrother?”

“No.”

I push my plate away. I’m not hungry anymore, even though Mary’s cooking is delicious. “It’s wrong. I didn’t know who he was when we first hooked up. I tried to stay away from him, but…”

“You can’t?”

I shake my head.

“He must be one special guy.”

“He is. And now his mum has decided we should go on a family holiday together, which is going to be two weeks of hell.”

“It doesn’t need to be.”

I glower at him.

“Seriously, Jacob. It’s not that big a deal. Tell your dad and?—?”