In Love With Him

Chapter 23

Dominic’s POV

I didn’t even realize how much time had passed. One episode turned into three, maybe four? I forgot how good Euphoria actually was—twisted, intense, kinda brilliant.

I stretched my legs and was about to make a smartass comment about how Rue was spiraling again, but when I looked to my left, the words died in my throat.

Max was passed out, his head resting on Kennedy’s chest, his mouth slightly open—borderline drooling on her. I smirked, about to nudge him and call him a creep, when I noticed her.

Kennedy.

Her head had fallen gently onto my shoulder, her body curled into the side of mine like it belonged there.

She was asleep too.

I stilled.

My eyes slowly drifted down, taking her in—really taking her in.

Up close like this, I noticed things I hadn’t before. Tiny details. Like the lightest dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks—so faint they were nearly invisible unless you were close. Like I was now.

Her skin looked impossibly soft. Creamy. Almost like porcelain but warm and alive. Her lashes were long and thick and naturally curled, casting delicate shadows across the tops of her cheeks. Her lips… Jesus. Full, plush, with the softest curve. Slightly parted in her sleep.

I didn’t even realize I was leaning closer until I was right there—breathing her in.

Vanilla and coconut. Sweet. Familiar. Intoxicating.

I had never cared for that scent before. On other girls, it was cheap. Overused. But on her? It was something else entirely.

Without thinking—like my body moved without permission—I reached up and gently brushed my thumb along the edge of her lower lip. Just a feather-light stroke.

Soft didn’t even begin to describe it.

My stomach twisted. My throat felt dry. I was fighting the stupid, primal, hungry urge to lean in just a little more. Just to taste them. See if they were as sweet as they looked.

Then—

Click.

The front door.

I jerked my hand back, my entire body tensing as I sat upright like a damn soldier being caught doing something I wasn’t supposed to.

Paul’s voice echoed through the front hallway. “Sorry we’re late, got caught at the office.”

My mom followed him in, tossing her purse on the entry table. “Yeah, last-minute meeting ran longer than expected…”

They both trailed off the second they stepped into the living room.

I turned toward them as casually as I could manage.

Paul stopped in his tracks, hand going to his chest like he was about to have a heart attack. His eyes softened instantly as he looked at the couch.

“Aw, they haven’t cuddled like that since they were little,” he said, voice thick with emotion.

My mom smiled too. “So cute.”

She bent down to pick up Max and instantly regretted it. “Oh my God—he weighs a ton.”

Paul was already walking around the couch toward Kennedy.

I quickly stood up, moving out of the way. “I can take her up,” I offered, maybe a little too quickly. “I’m heading that way anyway.”

Paul waved me off gently. “No, it’s fine. I haven’t carried my little girl in a long time. Besides… she had a rough day. I want her to know I’m not mad.”

I pressed my lips into a tight line and stepped back.

He leaned down and scooped her up with surprising ease. She stirred slightly, blinking up at him through sleepy lashes.

“Hi Daddy…” she mumbled, voice soft and innocent.

My stomach twisted again—but this time, not because of lust.

Because of guilt.

Because I shouldn’t feel the way I do when she says that.

Paul smiled down at her. “Hey, baby. Let’s get you to bed, okay?”

She gave a slow, drowsy nod, nuzzling into his shoulder.

I followed behind them silently as they made their way upstairs.

“I didn’t know you were so strong,” Paul said teasing my mom as she half-dragged Max down the hall toward his bedroom.

“Strong? I’m gonna need a damn massage after this,” she groaned. “What do you feed this kid?”

Paul laughed. “Everything but the kitchen sink.”

I helped open the door to Max’s room for her. She finally got him tucked in after some struggling.

Paul started up the next set of stairs with Kennedy still curled up in his arms.

I was about to follow when my mom stopped me briefly. She looked up at me with a soft smile.

“Thanks for picking up Kennedy today,” she said. “You’ve really stepped up, Dom.”

I gave her a slight nod. “Yeah. Of course.”

She kissed my cheek and headed to her room.

I climbed the last steps just in time to see Paul gently lay Kennedy down in her bed. He pulled the blanket up around her, brushing some hair from her face with a tenderness only a father could have.

He stepped out quietly, easing the door closed behind him.

I leaned against the hallway wall as he turned to me.

“Thanks again,” he said in a low voice. “I know it was last minute. She told me—before she knocked out—that she had a panic attack. Said you helped her through it.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, unsure what to say.

“She gets them sometimes,” Paul continued. “Not often, but when they hit… they hit hard. I’m glad you were there for her.”

He gave me a firm, appreciative pat on the shoulder.

“You’re the perfect big brother for my little girl.”

I nodded stiffly.

He walked past me and disappeared down the hall.

And I just stood there.

Perfect big brother.

My jaw clenched.

I wasn’t supposed to feel the way I did. Not about her. Not like this.

But I did.

And every day it got harder to lie to myself about it.

---

Kennedy’s POV

Detention.

The word alone had always sounded terrifying—like a prison sentence for high schoolers. But sitting here now, pen twirling between my fingers, it actually wasn’t that bad.

The teacher didn’t care what we did as long as we didn’t leave the room before four o’clock. He barely even looked up from his newspaper.

I slipped my earbuds in and let my playlist take over, closing my eyes for a second as Devil In Her Eyes by Bryce Savage filled my head. The haunting lyrics and slow, pulsing beat matched the storm of emotions I hadn’t quite sorted through since yesterday.

Fighting Amber. The panic attack. Dominic.

Ugh.

I sank further into my chair and let the music numb me until, before I even realized it, the teacher grunted, “Alright, pack it up. It’s four.”

I blinked.

Already?

I gathered my things slowly, tossing my earbuds into my bag and heading for the door.

The sun was lower in the sky now, casting soft orange shadows across the pavement. It was warm for October, and the breeze tugged gently at my hoodie sleeves as I started to walk home.

That’s when I heard it.

“Kennedy!”

I paused, blinking as a familiar voice called out again. I turned around.

Liam.

He was jogging up the sidewalk toward me, sweaty hair stuck to his forehead, and a wide, easy smile on his face.

I stared.

“Why are you still here?” I asked, half-laughing. “Did you get detention too?”

He chuckled. “Football practice. Big game on Friday.”

“Oh.” I shifted my bag on my shoulder. “That makes more sense.”

“You going?” he asked casually, but there was something in his voice—a quiet hopefulness behind his grin.

I blinked again, caught off guard. “I don’t know… Sports aren’t really my thing.”

Liam laughed softly. “That’s too bad.”

I tilted my head. “Why?”

His smile grew. “Because I was really looking forward to seeing… you in the crowd.”

My brain short-circuited for a second. I was pretty sure I forgot how to breathe.

For years, Liam barely even knew I existed. I was invisible—quiet, nerdy, forgettable Kennedy Smith. And now he was saying he wanted to see me at his game?

I cleared my throat. “Maybe I’ll stop by. For a bit.”

Liam grinned, clearly satisfied. “Great. I’ve gotta head back to practice, but I’ll see you later?”

I nodded, trying to act normal. “Yeah. Maybe.”

He gave me a little wave, then jogged off, disappearing toward the field.

I stood there for a moment, heart racing, my face warm.

That just happened. Right? Like that really just happened?

I turned and started walking home, still trying to process it.

For years Liam had been just some hot upperclassman who never even glanced my way unless I was handing him a paper or bumping into him in the hallway. Now he wanted to see me in the stands?

My stomach fluttered. That kind of attention—it was… nice.

But then, just as quickly, a wave of guilt slammed into me.

Dominic.

I frowned, trying to shove the thought aside. Why did he pop into my head right now?

It wasn’t like he’d done anything to claim me. He was my stepbrother, for God’s sake. There were lines. Boundaries. Logic.

But my chest ached anyway. Like I’d done something wrong.

Why did I feel guilty?

Why did Liam’s smile feel like cheating?

It didn’t make sense.

Dominic was off-limits. Full stop. But…

There was that moment. On the couch. His hand on my leg. The way he looked at me like I was something he wanted to keep.

I squeezed the strap of my backpack tighter.

This was getting complicated. Way too complicated.

I sighed, kicking a small rock as I turned onto our street, the weight of everything settling over me.

I just hoped things didn’t get messier.

But deep down… I knew they already had.