Secrets & Surrender 3 by L.G. Castillo Read Free Book Online

or his family. I know you. You’re not afraid of what Nic’s family did or didn’t do. You’re afraid of loving him completely.”
    “No, that’s not it.”
    He folded his arms across his chest and raised an eyebrow.
    And then I realized that I was an idiot. Even Dad knew Nic and I were made for each other. Nic had always been there for me. I was the one who was always pulling or pushing him away. I was the one who had built the wall around myself, and Nic was the one who had taken it down, brick by brick. And even after everything was gone and the only thing left standing was me, the real me, he loved me still.
    “Are you sure?” I glanced outside the window, eyeing the minivan.
    “Yes, I am.”
    “I love you, Dad.” I kissed him on the cheek before I flew out the door.

EIGHT: Mandi
    I t was a minor miracle that the minivan didn’t keel over and die when I finally screeched to a stop in the no parking zone in front of Nic’s dorm. Dashing into the building, I heard someone yell that I’d left the car door open. I didn’t care. No one was going to steal that clunker. All I could think about was getting to Nic.
    When the slowest elevator in the world finally opened its doors on Nic’s floor, I flew down the hall and banged on his door.
    “Nic! Open up! It’s me.”
    “Hey, beautiful.” Steve popped out of his dorm room, heading toward me. “Okay, so I am soooo disappointed in you. This ensemble,” he waved his hand over my pale gray blouse and black jeans, “boring!”
    I rolled my eyes. “Not having a good day, Steve. Have you seen Nic?”
    “Of course. And he’s looking way too sexy today. Now, hon, if you ever get tired of him let me know because I sure would—hey, what’s the matter? Don’t cry! I was just kidding.”
    I wiped the tears from my face. I was sobbing, and I couldn’t control it. “I know. It’s just been a long day. I really need to see Nic.”
    “Aww, honey.” He pulled me into his arms, patting my back. “Tell, Steve-O all about it. Let it all out.”
    “It’s all crazy. His family doesn’t want us to be together, and they’ve been doing everything they can to keep up apart, and it’s just gotten to be too much.”
    He sighed. “I know how you feel. It’s like you’re fighting a war just to be together, and then you forget who you’re fighting against and start fighting each other. Am I close?”
    “Yeah. How did you know?”
    “Honey, been there, done that, and will probably do it all over again tomorrow. Now, you do know that I’m G-A-Y, right?”
    I looked him up and down. He was wearing a fishnet t-shirt and purple jeans so tight, he’d be arrested for indecent exposure the moment he stepped out of the dorms.
    “No! Really?” I feigned shock.
    He pushed me playfully. “Just imagine what it’s like when my dates bring me home to meet their families. Yeah, not exactly welcomed with open arms. In my case, we both get thrown out. Sometimes, in fighting against the prejudices of others, we forget who the enemy really is and accidentally hurt the one we love.”
    “Yeah, I think I forgot that for a while. His parents don’t want me to be with Nic. But I’m done fighting against Nic. I’m ready to fight for him.”
    “Hmm, that would explain the mafia looking hit man that was just here.”
    “What?”
    “Some man in a business suit and dark hair was following Nic down the hall. He had all his bags with him.”
    “Did the man have gray hair around his temples and piercing brown eyes?”
    “Yeah, that’s him.”
    “Shit! That’s his father.”
    “Really?” Steve shivered. “That man was all ice. Hard to imagine a sweetheart like Nic coming from that man’s loins.”
    “Do you know where they went?”
    “After he gave me his waffle iron, I asked Nic if he was finally going to make an honest woman out of you and elope. He gave me a funny look and didn’t say a word. He just mumbled something about family obligations and left.”
    He left! I