Forbidden Jocks [the step-brother series]

MARIA POV I never thought my life would be packed into cardboard boxes and crammed into a U-Haul, barreling down the highway from Tampa to Lexington. Especially not now, when I should have started attending USF. The scent of salty air and sun-drenched sand faded away, replaced by the lush, rolling hills of Kentucky. It felt like a bad dream, leaving everything I knew behind. My scholarship, my friends, my water polo team. All sacrificed on the altar of my mother's happiness. My mother sat next to me, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and excitement. Crazy woman still believes in love at first sight! Even after all the s**t she went through. She hummed softly to the tune of the oldies station playing on the radio, her fingers tapping against the steering wheel in rhythm with the music. "Isn't this song just the best, Maria? It reminds me of the summer I met your father," she said, her voice filled with nostalgia. Unfuckingbelievable. Nostalgia, for that scumbag. Just breathe, Maria. Do not lose your cool. It’s going to be futile. Breathe and go with the f*****g flow. "Yeah, it's nice," I replied, forcing a smile. The truth was, I wasn't even listening to the music. My mind was elsewhere, lost in the swirl of thoughts and emotions that had been plaguing me since we left Tampa. I glanced out the window, watching the landscape change from the familiar palm trees and ocean views to endless fields and rolling hills. It was beautiful, in a way, but it wasn't home. "You're going to love Lexington, honey. It's a beautiful city, and the people are so friendly," my mother continued, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "And Robert, well, he's just wonderful. He's been so supportive, and he really cares about us. You'll see." I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. How could I tell her that I was terrified? That I didn't want to be here? That I had given up everything for her, and she didn't even know it? Instead, I kept my mask firmly in place, pretending that everything was fine, as I was used to. Pretending that this was what I wanted, too. "Robert has two sons, you know. They go to the University of Kentucky. Just a couple of years older than you. I'm sure you'll get along great and make lots of friends," she said, her eyes shining with excitement. I wish I knew how to be so damn positive about everything, just like her. "Sure, Mom," I said, trying to sound as enthusiastic as she did. But inside, I was screaming. Two sons. Probably spoiled, entitled brats who had never had to work for anything in their lives. What did we have in common? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. They had a perfect life with their perfect rich daddy. I grew up bringing together the pieces of my mom's broken heart and making sure my scumbag of a father never crossed our path again. "See? You've always wanted siblings, and now you have them," she said, smiling at me. I forced another smile, nodding. "Yeah, it's great, Mom. Really great." As we drove, my mother continued to chatter about Robert and their plans for the future. How they had met at a conference and fallen in love. How he had swept her off her feet and convinced her to leave everything behind. It had taken her two years to pull herself out of the depression that followed her broken heart, and now she was diving headfirst into another relationship. I tried to listen, tried to be supportive, but my mind kept wandering. Who was this man who had managed to turn our lives upside down in just three months? How had he convinced my mother to leave her job, her friends, her life in Tampa? And more importantly, was he really as wonderful as she believed, or was he just another charming manipulator waiting to break her heart? Robert was a high-powered attorney, the majority partner in one of the biggest law firms in Kentucky. He dealt with million-dollar contracts and corporate clients. What could he possibly have in common with my mother, a criminal defense lawyer who had more pro-bono cases than paying clients and dedicated her life to helping troubled youth escape gang life? I couldn't let that happen. I had to protect her, even if it meant giving up everything I cared about. Even if it meant pretending to be happy when I was anything but. I zoomed out maybe for too long, bringing my mind to my happy place—the pool. Imagining being in the water, the only sound around me being the splashes as I swam. Steady breaths between each flip, going on and on, forgetting every crap life put me through. I need to go swimming ASAP. Two days without my happy place are already too much to bear. "Maria, are you okay?" my mother asked, glancing at me with concern. "I'm fine, Mom. Just a little tired," I lied, giving her what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "Well, try to get some rest. We'll be there soon," she said, turning her attention back to the road. I nodded, closing my eyes and leaning back against the seat. But rest was impossible. My mind was too busy, too filled with worries and doubts. As the miles passed by, I couldn't help but think about everything I had given up. My scholarship to USF. My dreams of playing water polo for the Bulls. My friends, my life, my future. All for the sake of my mother's happiness. I loved her more than anything, and I would do anything to protect her. But the sacrifice was almost too much to bear. "You're going to love it here, honey. I promise," my mother said again, her voice filled with conviction. "I know, Mom," I said, forcing myself to sound hopeful. "I know." The truth was, I didn't know. I didn't know if I would ever love Lexington, or if I would ever be happy here. But for my mother's sake, I had to try. As we neared our destination, my mother pointed out various landmarks and talked excitedly about the new life we were about to start. I listened, nodding and smiling in all the right places, but my heart wasn't in it. "Maria, I know you’re taking a gap year to work and save some money, but have you thought about looking into some courses at the University of Kentucky? You might find something that interests you. And Daxton and Henry could help you," she suggested, her voice gentle. "I'll think about it, Mom," I replied, though the last thing I wanted was to rely on her new step-sons for anything. All I could think about was the man who had somehow convinced my mother to leave everything behind for him. The man who had turned our lives upside down. And the two sons who were now, apparently, my new siblings. "Here we are," my mother said finally, pulling into the driveway of a massive mansion in a gated community. "Our new home." I stared at the house, feeling a mixture of dread and resignation. It was impressive, with its sprawling lawns and towering facade, but it had none of the warmth or coziness of our old home. This was it. Our new beginning. A grand, cold beginning. As we stepped out of the car, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I had to be strong. For my mother. For myself. Standing at the front door was Robert. He was tall and impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, with salt-and-pepper hair and an air of confidence that screamed success. His smile was broad and welcoming, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was all an act. How could a man like him, a high-powered attorney who dealt with million-dollar contracts and corporate clients, have anything in common with my mother, who had dedicated her life to helping troubled kids? "Welcome, Maria," he said warmly, extending his hand to me. "It's so good to finally meet you." "Nice to meet you too, Robert," I said, shaking his hand and trying to hide my unease. As we unpacked the car and started to settle in, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change. And not necessarily for the better. But I would face whatever came our way. I had to. For my mother. For us. This was her new beginning. And I was determined to make the best of it, no matter what.