Billionaire Stepbrother: Spring (Our Forbidden Year Book 4) (6 page)

“Seriously, if you don’t tell me, I’m going to chuck you out and go back to bed.”

“OK! Well, you’ll never guess who I got a call from this morning.”

I cocked my head at her, my patience wearing thin.

“Out of the blue, the head of my college, Principal Evans, rang me and, can you believe it, he apologised… to me!” She shook free of my hold on her, and her closed hands went to either side of her temples then exploded outward, splaying her fingers wide. “Boom!” she cried, her mind blown.

“The moment I heard him introduce himself I thought it was all over; I thought I was going to have plead my case all over again and beg him to not kick me out, that I’d do everything I could to improve my grades, but I didn’t have to. It was like I was bloody dreaming.”

“Wait, so they’re going to give you another chance?”

“Not only that, he said that if I was struggling with the workload due to the pregnancy, or if I was getting stressed, to contact him directly, or the Vice–Chancellor, and they’d make sure I was looked after.”

“Woah, that’s crazy,” I said, stunned, but I narrowed my eyes. “I’m so happy for you, but what changed their minds? Is there a catch?”

We drifted over to the couch and sat.

“There’s no catch. But I’m not finished yet.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“No, it’s a good thing, I think.”

“What is it?”

Phoebe breathed in. “My scholarship has been scrapped; my tuition has all been paid for, every last penny of it. Principal Evans also implied that a sizeable donation had been made at the same time. And I can only think of one person that has that type of power… or influence for that matter, not to mention the money to pull it off.”

The realisation slapped me square upon my waking face.

“You think Lex did this?”

“Bingo!”

My mind whirled, trying to figure out if it was Lex, and I determined that was the only reasonable explanation. But what were his reasons for doing something this honourable? Was he just being a nice guy for Phoebe’s sake, or did he have a hidden agenda, like when he’d blackmailed Loretta?

Did he do this purely out of the kindness of his own heart because Phoebe was my best friend… or did he see her as a threat? Was he jealous of her?

Don’t be so fucking silly
.

“Woah,” I said again, letting it all sink in.

This was a good thing. No, it was absolutely fantastic. Phoebe would be able to take all the time she needed to decide her fate and not have to worry about losing her place in a highly sought after University. And if she did decide to go ahead, they’d support her all the way. Of course, it might take her a bit longer to finish her degree, but at least she wouldn’t have to start all over from scratch at another school.

“Tell me about it. I feel like I’ve just won the lotto. Actually, I might grab a ticket from the corner shop later on.”

A light bulb suddenly went off in my head.

“Did the Principal say when your tuition was cleared?”

“Yes, this morning. He said he was given a cheque and called me straight after with the good news. Why?”

My heart soared. “If it was Lex, that means he’s in the country… in Oxford!”

But then why hadn’t he come to see me? At the thought, my shoulders sagged.

“Stop it,” Phoebe warned.

I looked at her with puzzlement.

“Stop thinking the worst – you do it every time.”

“But he hasn’t answered my calls, hasn’t called me back. I haven’t bloody heard from him in days! Something’s wrong, I know. I have this gut–wrenching feeling deep inside telling me that it’s all over. Goddamit, I want to trust him, I really do, but when he gives me the silent treatment, my resolve just crumbles,” I whined.

“Look,” she said and glared at me, “you know I haven’t been his biggest fan, but what can I say? He’s grown on me. Once you scrape away the harsh exterior, you get to see a glimmer of his generosity shining through. And for what it’s worth, I see the way he looks at you when you’re not paying attention, and you don’t have a thing to be worried about. He adores you. There’s no way he’s going to leave you. That man would give you the moon if he could and the stars alongside it.”

Her words struck a thickening cord within my throat, and a cascade of fresh tears dripped down my face.

“Give him the benefit of the doubt, please, for me?” she asked, pulling me into a tight hug.

“When did you become so wise?” I said, skipping over her question.

“Bugger’d if I know… maybe it’s the little bean inside me being a good influence?” She chuckled.

I bit my lip and absorbed her earlier words fully. “Ok, I’ll wait to see what he has to say for himself.”

“Atta girl!”

***

Phoebe’s phone vibrated in her pocket and she let go of me to dig it out.

Unknown caller
flashed upon the screen as she brought it to her face.

“Hello?” she answered.

Phoebe’s eyebrows jumped up high on her forehead, and she got up to move towards the kitchen. Her back faced me as she walked away and left me to eavesdrop from the couch.

“Yes, I can talk now,” she replied, her voice hushed low.

I brought my knees up and hugged them, snuggling into the couch, while waiting for her to return.

“Oooooo–K,” Phoebe said sceptically, drawing the O out. “Sure, I can do that.”

Phoebe ended the call without saying goodbye and turned towards me, her face masked with mystery.

“It’s getting a bit stuffy in here,” she said.

I shrugged. “Who was that?”

She waved the question away. “Nothing important. Fancy going for a walk? I need some fresh air. I feel like a radiator turned up high.”

“Your cheeks are quite flush. I’ll have to go get changed first, though.”

“Good idea,” Phoebe replied, a little too quickly as a smile slid onto her face.

“Where do you want to go?” I called from the bedroom as I got dressed, pulling on some skinny jeans and a rose coloured blouse. I could tell Phoebe was hiding something but couldn’t fathom what it might be.

“Doesn’t matter – anywhere. Let’s see where our feet take us, shall we?”

Chapter Eight

L
uckily the day was much nicer than the previous one. The grey skies had been replaced with a clear blue palette and bright, chunky, fluffy clouds that looked so soft they made you want to touch them. I’d left my jacket at home and enjoyed the occasional waft of warm air as the struggling rays of the sun skimmed my bare arms. It was days like these that made England tolerable. You’d put up with the frigid autumns and even worse winters just for times when the weather would turn for the better – a little brighter, a little warmer, making everything around you shine with a new light, with possibility.

“This was a good idea,” I said as we walked eastward, our arms linked, down the High Street.

“Full of them, I am. Ooh, have you ever been to the botanical gardens? They’re so peaceful and only a little further up the road.”

“Sure, shame we didn’t bring a picnic. We could’ve made a day of it.”

We passed neat box hedges that looked like they’d been cut with precision tools as we turned into the entrance for the Botanic Garden. Already my nostrils tingled as the scent of budding spring flowers drifted up them.

We emerged from under a formidable arch and the farther we walked, the quieter our surroundings became. No longer could I hear the passing of cars from the high street. It was like we’d entered our own private cocoon.

Still linked at the elbows, we ambled towards the quad. Phoebe was being unusually quiet, but her whole body seemed to tremble and vibrate, like a coiled spring ready to explode.

“Are you OK? We can sit down if you want,” I said pointing to the benches that were periodically stationed along the beige, gravelled path.

“No, no. I’m good. Let’s keep going.”

“OK, only if you’re sure.”

As if in answer, she picked up her pace and pulled me along. We skirted alongside a trickling fountain, and I thought to skim my fingertips across the cool surface of the water, but Phoebe wouldn’t let us stop. It was like she were a train, forced to continue on and unable to divert from her predetermined track.

I tried not to think about it anymore. Maybe she was just excited to be here and, like a child, wanted to dash off and explore everything.

Perfectly manicured lawns passed us by as we proceeded deeper into the gardens. There was hardly anyone else about. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen anyone else once we’d entered the place. This place should be buzzing with people on this lovely day, sniffing the flowers.

I breathed in the heady aromas that filled the air and closed my eyes to relish them, trusting in Phoebe to continue guiding us on our path.

My eyes flitted open, letting in hazy beams of light, and I could make out, just off to our left in front of us, the most precious little wooden bridge.

But what I saw beyond that, on the other side of the bridge, took my breath away. My stomach flip–flopped, and my heart pulsed as if it had just run a marathon.

Across the bridge, with his shirt sleeves rolled up, handsome as ever, his tan setting off the white of the material, was my love – Lex.

I glanced at Phoebe. “You were in on this?” I blurted out, but she only nodded and encouraged me to go to him. Lex did the same and we met upon the centre of the bridge.

“Lex? What are you doing here?” I said, not understanding. He put his finger to my lips and I couldn’t help but tremble from the spark that shot into me from his touch.

“Shh. Don’t speak. I’ll explain everything. I promise. But first I have to say something.”

I frowned, but nodded.

“God, I missed you so much,” he whispered, taking me in as his head tilted to one side.

He paused and inhaled. “Sorry it took me so long to get back but I am determined that this will be the last ever time I have to say that horrid word to you. But I am; I am truly sorry, Aimee.”

“It’s OK, you don’t—”

He smiled. “I said don’t talk.”

I beamed at him. I wanted to stick my tongue out but held back, knowing this wasn’t the time for immaturity.

“I also regret not doing this properly the first time round. You deserved so much more, and I want you to know that although it was said in a moment of passion, I truly meant it; you are my everything, and there’s nothing stopping us now.”

Was he talking about what I think he was talking about?

Sound around me became focused as if my body had switched to high alert, and I could hear the beat of tiny wings that flew by and the tinkle of every passing water droplet that swished along in the stream beneath our feet under the bridge.

Lex tilted his strong chin down to look deep into my eyes, as if trying to make me realise how much he loved me, and my legs quivered in response.

Message understood, loud and clear.

I marvelled at how he made me feel, that he had this effect upon me even when he wasn’t touching me. The air between us vibrated, filled with electricity.

Lex took hold of my hands and with a smooth grace lowered himself down onto one knee.

Oh my god. Oh my GOD!

Letting go of one hand he searched inside his trouser pocket.

“Aimee, you have made me a better man; I was a shadow of a person before you came into my life, and whenever I’m around you, everything is made clearer. You give me a reason to be, and there is no other way to say this, but I can’t dream of a life without you.”

He lifted up his hand, and clasped gently between his thumb and forefinger glinted the most magical ring I had ever seen. I gasped; it was beyond perfection.

“Will you do me the pleasure of becoming my wife?”

Behind me I heard a squeal of delight and light rapid clapping, and I imagined Phoebe jumping up and down.

This was it, I thought. He was everything I ever wanted, and this time there was no doubt, I wouldn’t allow myself to second–guess his intentions again. So what if I lacked money, family or status? All that mattered was that he was ready to take me as I was. He didn’t care about my troubled past or my bank balance… he just wanted me.

Lex looked at me, his smile faltering, panicking perhaps. His eyes pleaded with me as if to say
you can’t keep me hanging again.

“Yes! Of course I will marry you,” I said proudly, and I heard a holler of happiness as Phoebe cheered.

People would say you take a leap of faith when you accept a proposal, but not me; I knew exactly what type of man I was getting, and we were made for each other. I knew there would be no one else, for either of us, for the rest of our lives. I was so lucky that I’d found the one I was meant to be with at such a young age.

I gave my trembling hand to Lex, and he effortlessly slipped the large diamond onto my ring finger. It was a perfect fit, and my heart did a little dance; how had he figured out my ring size? Once again, he never ceased to amaze me.

I watched as the light was caught and refracted within the diamond as I moved my hand to admire it; the ring looked like it had already been on my hand for a lifetime.