My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 91

Gianna

━⊰ ❦ ⊱━

"Where were you last night?"

My mom stood in the doorway. I didn't turn around immediately. I just kept my back to her, slowly setting my hairdryer down on the dresser.

"What?" I asked, trying to keep my voice flat.

She stepped into the room, crossing her arms tight over her chest. As she moved, I noticed a slight, heavy hitch in her left leg, a tiny stumble she tried to hide by leaning against the doorframe. Her fingers twitched against her elbows.

"Where. Were. You," she repeated.

She was using her "Mom voice," the one that usually meant I was in deep trouble.

"I—I was here," I lied.

"Don't you dare lie to me!" she snapped, "You weren't here. I checked this room every hour. I called you a hundred times, Gianna. I was ten seconds away from telling Salvatore. I almost begged him to send his sons out to find you, but I stopped myself because I knew you’d hate it. So, give me the respect of a real answer!"

I looked down at my lap, "I went to a party... with a friend. I just stayed the night because I was tired."

"Which friend?"

"Mom, please—"

"Give me a name, Gianna!" she nearly yelled. Her body gave a sudden, violent shudder, and she had to grip the back of my desk chair to keep her balance. She looked pale, her skin tight over her cheekbones.

Was it her spine again?

"Just some people from college," I added quickly, my heart racing, "You don't know them."

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