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“I don’t mind,” I rush to say

“You should,” he says harshly, his nostrils flaring “I’ to make you understand…it’s difficult forto do my best to stay away”

Panic surges “But not yet, right? You’re not leaving yet” I rest a hand on his leg and he hisses a breath “You’re goin’ to stay for a little while Aren’t ya?”

He exhales shakily “Long enough to teach you how to use the television And then I have to go I have to Please try and understand Hurting your feelings is the last thing I want to do, sweetheart God, you have to believe that But I can’t act on what my body wants”

Because I’m his stepsister Obviously

It’s proof that I’er to break that rule, e But I don’t push for my stepbrother to break the rule, because Tristan doesn’t think I’e his ust, the way that tutor did

“I understand,” I say, forcing a weak s an appropriate distance away on the couch

He watchesfor all the world like he wants to drag me back “There are two buttons at the top of the remote,” he says hoarsely “One turns on the cable box, the other turns on the actual television” He shows uide You use the arrows to scroll through When you find soht it and press enter”

Bitingto memory

“Here” He hands ether “Test it out I’ll o”

My heart sinks, but I try not to let the disappoint the re the top two buttons, one after the other

The television blinks on and I sot it on

Feeling Tristan’s eyes onat the words on the screen, all crowded up in their little boxes Just like I am in this apartht now and it sounds like as good a show as any, so I highlight and hit enter