Page 74 of One Wrong Step
Chapter Twenty-Three
Vivian
The next morning, I’m tired. We didn’t get much sleep. We went several rounds, and now I’m addicted to Jonah’s body. The command in his voice. The way he pulled me in close and held me all night.
But the family vacation must go on. I just hope like hell they don’t figure out their “sons” aren’t acting very brotherly together.
We pile into the van and head to the railroad museum.
The museum has a large area with everything from steam locomotives to vintage cars to old weapons. There’s even, for some reason, a dinosaur display. Maisy and Jonah are excited about that. And it’s cute. He’s such a golden retriever.
I usually love going to museums, but not today. My focus is gone. When I’m not staring at Jonah, I’m replaying our night together. He was so eager to learn everything.
But this gets me in trouble more than once. The others are ahead of me, checking out the model train city. I’ve dropped behind—again—but this time, I’m not alone.
“What’s this about?” Mom asks, gesturing toward my face. The look in her eyes tells me this isn’t about my injury.
But I deliberately misinterpret her words. “We talked about this. A guy at the bar knocked me into a table.” I pat her arm. “Getting old sucks.”
She glares, and it’s so familiar that I almost cry with relief. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Who’s the guy?”
Panic flares in my chest, and now I want her to be clueless again. But that thought leaves a giant pit in my stomach.
No sense in denying it. “Just a guy. It’s fun. That’s all. Nothing serious.”
We walk by an old wagon from the 1800s, and I pretend to be interested.
“I miss us talking about things.”
I laugh. “We don’t talk about things, Mom. You ask. I deny. You make up some story in your head about how I’ve fallen deeply in love. Just like you and George.”
And then I try to convince myself that this is like all those other times. Except, how can it be? I’m risking my relationship with my mom and my stepfather.
What happens when we get to San Diego? If I get this job and move in with Frankie, where will that leave Jonah and me? I never saw him much before. Add a thousand miles to that, and it seems impossible.
That’s not even the biggest hurdle we’d have to get through. Jonah and I can never be together unless we tell our family. And that will never happen.
Which is why this thing between us is casual. Except it doesn’t feel casual.
And if Jonah realizes I haven’t told him everything, will he still even want me?
The smart thing to do would be to call it off. But I can’t do that. If I can only have this time with Jonah, I’m going to enjoy every minute.
Mom nudges my arm and smiles. “I’m ready to listen anytime you want to talk.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I appreciate her offer. I really do. But there is no way in hell I’m talking to her about Jonah.
We catch up to the group. George is holding Maisy’s hand and pointing out the tiny trains in the model train city when she spots us.
“Mommy, hurry up.” Maisy stomps her foot, and I hold back a laugh. She reminds me of me when I was that age. Before my uncle died and my father crushed the joy from our lives.
It’s getting harder to push those memories and the sadness away. Not caring about anything used to be easier.
“What’s wrong?” Jonah asks, his voice and face telegraphing his concern.
Thankfully, Mom and George aren’t paying attention. That won’t last.
“You need to stop.” I’m serious, but it’s hard to snap at him when he’s being so sweet. That should definitely worry me more.
