More Than A Secret (More Than Best Friends Book 3)

by Sally Henson

  He gives us a two-finger salute as he drives by.

  Lincoln laughs. “I like that guy.”

  “You would,” I throw back at him as I step with Lane to his open door.

  “What do you think your brother would do if I kissed you right now?” Lane whispers through my hair as Lincoln rounds the truck.

  I shrug. “I’m a big girl and can kiss whoever I want.”

  Lane grips my waist and spins me around. He leans in for a kiss, and I’m positive my smile is as ornery as his right now. That is until our lips meld together and I forget about my surroundings. My body sighs in response. I love kissing him.

  “Get in the truck before I bust up your party. Damn,” my brother swears. “Have some respect.”

  Lane jerks away. He gives me a goofy look. I bite my lip to keep from laughing and slide across the seat.

  8

  LANE

  The entire drive I can feel Lincoln’s eyes burning my skin like acid. Regan’s the one who put my hand on her leg. I haven’t moved it though. That makes me chuckle. I get some kind of satisfaction that she’s choosing me over her brother. Especially since he just spent the night grilling me about my relationship with his sister.

  With Lincoln as the third wheel, Regan and I don’t get lost on the back roads this time around. I pull into the drive in record time and park behind Sarah’s Jeep. Linc bails out and stretches, checking the place out as if he’s never been here before.

  Regan slides out behind me. “He’s weird about us, huh?” she asks with a grin.

  I blow out a little laugh through my nose. “I’m afraid to turn my back. He’ll have me pinned to the ground like he did the last time he was home.”

  Regan gives me a flirty smile. “You can take him.”

  I take her bag from her shoulder, and we all march into the house.

  Mrs. Stone looks up from her work at the table to see Lincoln and gasps. Her eyes glaze over with moisture automatically. How do girls work up tears at the drop of a hat?

  “Lincoln!” She stands up so fast, the chair wobbles to stay upright.

  Linc swoops in to lift his mom off her feet and twirl her around.

  I can’t help but smile when I see her face glow. Tears stream down her smiling cheeks as she cups his face in her hands.

  Mrs. Stone fawns all over him, saying how she prayed for this day to come. And continues to gush over him.

  Regan tugs my arm and nods her head toward the hallway. We make a quiet escape.

  I drop her bag by the door. She moves inside, away from the door, slips off her coat, and tosses it on her bed. Her back slumps against the closet door, and the back of her hand swipes across her cheek.

  Sadness rolls off of her and hits me in the chest. I ask, “What’s wrong?”

  She lets out a breathy laugh, shakes her head, and draws me closer with her shiny eyes. “It’s stupid.”

  I wrangle out of my coat and throw it behind me on top of hers. Her room is still stark, empty from when she took the posters down. She does have the photos of us and the gang back on her dresser.

  She talks in a hushed voice. “It’s just…” She looks down.

  I plant my feet on either side of hers and lift her chin, hoping to read her like a book. Sometimes I can. I’m not sure right now, but I want to hold her close and kiss her until all she feels is love. I lower my voice as if I were singing to her, “Hello? Best friend here.”

  She flashes me a genuine smile that reaches the sunshine in her eyes. “I forgot there for a minute.” Her smile fades. “I couldn’t take watching Mom and Linc. You know? I wish she’d be a tenth as happy to see me when I come home.”

  My throat tightens. Dang. Things have to get better with her parents. I swallow in hopes I can talk without my voice cracking. I cup her face in my hands and try to speak to her soul. “I’m sorry.”

  My mind races to find the right words, but all I can think of is I love you. I’m not sure Regan would believe me if I said it right now. I say the next thing that comes to mind. “You have me. best friend and lover all in one.”

  She looks away.

  Lover? You’re such an idiot, Cary. Why did you say that?

  I tilt her face back to mine. “I don’t mean it like that. I mean… we’re best friends, we know everything about each other. You and me… we’re closer than family. We have the whole package. Including this.” I lean down and brush her lips with mine.

  It’s a simple kiss. And then we’ll go back to the kitchen before we get caught in here locking lips.

  I pull away, but Regan’s lips reconnect with mine. Her arms slide around my waist, tugging me so close, there’s no space between us.

  9

  REGAN

  Lincoln looks me up and down. “You look like a glow in the dark twiggy stick.”

  I have my hair pulled back in a ponytail wearing my bright orange headband earmuffs, fleece-lined tights, and bright orange hoodie. People drive crazy on these country roads and I don’t want to get hit. “Thanks. You look like a fat, old Rocky.”

  He smirks but doesn’t reply. Dinner last night was not the family love fest I hoped it would be. Dad didn’t say much all night. It’s nothing new. Since my big fight with Dad last semester, it’s been like this. With Lincoln home, the tension scale rose to the next level.

  Linc fills his lungs with a deep breath. It looks like a billow of cigarette smoke when he blows it out. “I’d forgotten how clean the air is here.”

  “Is the air dirty where you’ve been?” I do a few stretches too. It’s been a while since I’ve been jogging or had much physical exercise besides P.E. at school. The only reasons I go outside anymore is to walk from the house to a vehicle.

  “No.” He chuckles and motions to the road. “Ready?”

  I nod and we begin our trek down the driveway to the road. The tiny rock crunches with each of our steps. My head is a jumbled mess of things I want to talk about—ask him about—but I don’t know where to start. “So, where have you been?”

  “Virginia. But I’ve been on a ship in the middle of nowhere most of the time. It sucked at first, but I got used to it.”

  I keep pace with him, jogging side by side. I ask, “What do you do? Track bad guys? Boss people around?”

  He shakes his head. “I read maps and analyze data. It’s a regular job, except I belong to the Navy. I have little free time.”

  “That’s what you wanted to do?” The words are hard to get out and breathe at the same time. “Maps?”

  He shrugs. “I just wanted to get away from here.”

  My lungs burn from the cold air. Lying around for the last few months isn’t helping either. I stop talking to save my breath.

  His pace is faster than I would normally keep. I’m not sure the burning in my lungs is from the cold air anymore.

  The crackle of rocks under the wheels of a vehicle come from behind us.

  “Linc,” I puff out. “Let’s walk. I need a breather.”

  He slows to a walk, moving to the edge of the road to allow plenty of room for the car to pass. We’re close to Mrs. Pearson’s place. No wonder I’m dying.

  The car stops beside us. Miss Braun rolls her window down.

  “Hey, Miss Braun.” I wave in case she doesn’t understand my broken words between gasps for oxygen.

  “Regan, are you coming to see me?”

  “Oh, uh, my brother’s just trying to kill me this morning.” I shove my thumb toward Linc, “This is Lincoln.” I gesture from Linc to Miss Braun. “Linc, Miss Braun.”

  Her smile widens when she looks at my brother. “Jessica,” she says.

  Linc steps forward to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Jessica.”

  “I know you’re out for exercise, but can I offer you something to drink? I’m just up the road here.” She nods toward the top of the hill.

  “Oh, thanks, but—”

  Linc interrupts me. “That sounds great. I could use a bottle of water if you’ve got one.”

/>   I narrow my eyes and shoot him a look. Miss Braun’s nice and everything, but I’m not in the mood for her over break. The last time we talked, she had marine science camps for me to look at.

  “Hop in. I’ll drive you up the lane.”

  Not sure I can handle Miss Cheery this morning. I elbow Linc as he passes.

  He rubs his side and tosses me a scowl.

  I scowl back and open the back door of the Ford to climb in.

  “I run a little,” Miss Braun starts as Linc shuts the passenger door and she puts the car in motion. “I used to. Now I walk.” She snickers.

  “Walking’s not as hard on your joints. As long as your heart-rate stays above one-hundred-twenty, you’re probably better off.”

  So Linc’s a physical fitness expert now?

  I roll my eyes and stare out the window while they play verbal patty cake.

  Miss Braun parks the car beside the barn. “Come on in.”

  I have little time with Linc by myself. When we started out this morning, I’d kept it light, mostly because I was struggling to keep up, but I wanted to talk about Dad and Mom and everything. Hanging out with Miss Braun isn’t part of the plan.

  We step inside the barn and follow her up the stairs to her loft apartment. When she opens the door, it immediately reminds me of Tobi’s parents' barn they refurbished. A strong whiff of sugar and pine fills the air. “Wow, Miss Braun. This place is nice.”

  “Thank you, Regan. Ms. Pearson did a great job converting this hay loft into an apartment. It’s quite a contrast to downstairs, isn’t it?”

  Linc nudges me forward and closes the door behind him. “It has the wow factor for sure, Miss Braun.”

  “Please,” she says to my brother. “Call me Jessica.”

  Linc nods. “Jessica.” Their eyes linger on each other a little longer than necessary.

  Gag.

  She puts on a teakettle of water for tea and brings us both a bottle of water.

  “Thanks,” I say, taking the drink. I step to the side as my brother steps forward.

  A grin lifts the corners of his mouth before he takes the drink and says, “Thank you.” Lincoln’s gaze is glued to her while his fingers twist the cap off.

  I roll my eyes and turn away. I don’t remember my brother being such a flirt.

  “Please sit down,” Miss Braun says.

  I wander toward the white sofa, looking around the open space. It’s similar to Tobi’s barn except this place is more contemporary and girly. Tobi said hers is King Ranch style. Whatever that is. Miss Braun has everything in its place—spotless. Just like she is.

  “Regan, have you thought about the camps I told you about?” she asks.

  Ugh, I figured she would bring this up. “Oh, uh, not really.”

  “I found another one,” she says, snatching her tablet off the coffee table. Her finger taps and slides against the screen. “It’s not my decision, but I think this one is perfect.” She hands me the tablet.

  The words Eckerd College are in large type at the top of the page. It’s like a flashing neon sign that mocks me, laughs, because it knows Eckerd is out of reach. Every time I think I’ve moved on, it finds a way back to me. I scroll through the page in an attempt to be polite.

  “It touches on everything, Regan. Every aspect of marine science.” The words spill out of her like a waterfall as she sits on the edge of her seat. “The hands-on experience with this one surpasses all the others combined.”

  “Hands on experience for what?” Linc asks. He leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees.

  Miss Braun tightens her lips into a line as she tells me sorry with her eyes. She knows my family, specifically dad, isn’t supporting my career of choice.

  I shake my head and tell her, “No, it’s okay.” The whistle from the tea pot draws Miss Braun to the stove.

  I set the tablet on the table and turn toward Linc. “There’s been stuff I wanted to talk to you about, but I didn’t want to dump it all on you at once and short-circuit your brain.”

  He tilts his head and gives me a dry, “Ha.”

  Miss Braun brings us each a cup of tea, settling back in the chair. “I found a few summer camps in the marine science scope. Most are on the coast.”

  I sigh.

  Miss Braun turns her focus on Linc and explains, “There are a few around the Great Lakes. There’s one in Galveston, Texas that would be good. But that one?” She nods toward the tablet. “Hands down, the best.”

  “Yeah?” Linc grabs the tablet and scrolls through it, spurring Miss Braun on.

  “It’s a summer program, not a camp. That means it lasts all summer long. It’s exclusive.” I watch her eyes dance with excitement as she speaks. “And expensive. But the best.”

  I used to be that excited about marine science. Used to being the key. I slump into the sofa and stare out the sliding glass doors overlooking the garden. Even if I was still into marine science, I couldn’t afford it.

  “You should apply,” Miss Braun says. “This will give you experience you could use on your college application, scholarships, even your future resume.” She’s covered the bases.

  Except that’s not my future anymore. Oh, and the tiny fact that I can’t afford it AND my dad would rather die a thousand deaths than to allow it.

  I bite out, “It’s too expensive.”

  Linc whistles. “That’s a hefty price tag.”

  Miss Braun goes on as if she’s defending them in court. She and Linc continue to blabber about the camp or whatever, but I tune them out. I sip the rest of my tea and take the cup and saucer to the kitchen sink.

  It’s on the stuffy side in here. I need some fresh air. “Thanks for the tea, Miss Braun. Merry Christmas.”

  I bolt out the door and down the stairs until I hit the fresh air. The temperature freezes the moisture in my nose the instant I step foot out of the barn. The longer I stand in the cold, the tenser my muscles become—from the cold—and from Eckerd being dangled just out of reach.

  I wait, and wait, but I’m not about to go back in there. If I had my phone, I’d call Lane and have him pick me up. Let my brother hang out with Miss Braun.

  Stiffness settles into my body, so I move around to warm up and stretch.

  The door creaks open. “Sis?” Lincoln’s calls.

  “Finally,” I grumble under my breath. I straighten and step toward the road without meeting his gaze. “You ready?” I ask.

  “Let’s walk back,” he replies and catches up to me, putting an arm around my shoulders. “Tell me everything that’s been going on.”

  10

  LANE

  Regan and I head outside from Cam’s Christmas get-together. I have to admit it felt off without Tobi here. We sent her some photos on what she missed out on. The ones she sent back of her and Rex in the snow had Haylee flirting with Cam. I thought those two were over.

  “Hey, Regan,” Cam calls before we make it to the stairs. He steps out onto his deck with a large white envelope in hand. “Hey, uh, this came in the mail yesterday.”

  Regan looks at the address. “Cam, I meant what I said. If anything else comes, just throw it away. Okay?”

  He takes it back, holding his hands up as he backs away. “Okay, okay. Glad you guys made it on such short notice.”

  “Yeah, thanks, man. Merry Christmas.” I wave and then take Regan’s hand in mine as we descend the stairs and get in the truck.

  Regan’s quiet all the way through town. Cam pushing the Eckerd College stuff is ticking me off. Truth is, I’m not sure if it’s because I think he’s trying to win Regan over or that every time I hear the words Eckerd or Florida, I feel like a piece of crap.

  “You okay?” I ask.

  “Yeah.” She points ahead at the road to Lake Nellie. “Pull in at the lake for a minute?”

  I try to read her expression. She seems like her usual thought-ridden self. “Are you sure everything’s all right?” I ask. We turn off and make our way to the parking on the hill.r />
  The security lights give me a clear look at her face. She looks at me, wearing a soft smile. “Yep.”

  I stop in the empty area under the trees and park, leaving the engine running. We both take our seatbelts off at the same time. Maybe she wants to make out for a while. This isn’t the most private area, but it wouldn’t be the first time we spent time kissing here. I angle in my seat, ready to pull her close.

  She reaches under the seat and pulls out two small wrapped presents. “Merry Christmas.” Her bright eyes and smile cause my stomach to dip.

  I take a gift from her. “You sneak. I didn’t even see you put those in here.”

  She claps her hands together like an excited little girl. “I didn’t know when we’d be able to do this, so I put them in here while you and Lincoln were stuffing your faces with Christmas cookies. Open them!”

  I tear off the red paper and see a foldable music stand pictured on the box. “How’d did you get this? You’ve been grounded forever.”

  “When I bought your guitar.” She tilts her head. “Good thing I did, huh?”

  “This is great.” I lean over and kiss her cheek. “This will be a lot better than looking down at the music sheets scattered on top of my bed all the time.”

  She hands me the other present. “This too.”

  As soon as I grip the package, I can tell this is a pack of guitar picks. I rip off the paper and act surprised. “Thanks.” I press my lips to her cheek again. “These are great. I’m almost out of pics. I think I forget to take them out of my jeans pockets, and they get lost in the laundry.”

  “I might have gotten this stuff a long time ago, but I never doubted you’d be good at it. You found your dream and are living it.” She winds her arms around my neck. “It makes me happy at least one of us gets to. I wish I could hear you play sometime.”