Keeping It Secret Read Online Free

looked up at him as he stepped up to her and pulled her into his arms.
    "We can still have our weekend together. Maybe they're just passing through," Grant tried to reason with her.
    She could tell by his tone that he didn't believe that was possible, but she nodded in agreement. "Yeah maybe," she grumbled.
    "Alright. Go let them in and we'll figure something out." He caressed her cheek with his thumb and planted a soft kiss on her lips, before pulling away. "Go on."

 
    Chapter 3

    Grant groaned inwardly as he watched Nikki reluctantly trudge over to the door and open it for her parents - his step-brother and sister-in-law.
    "Well it's about time," Audrey huffed brushing past Nikki and into the apartment, followed by Ron. Their scowls were immediately replaced by smiles when they noticed Grant standing by the bed.
    "Grant! What are you doing here?" Her father turned back to Nikki, "Why didn't you tell us Grant was in the country and visiting?"
    Nikki shrugged and gave Grant a defeated look.
    Not bothering to wait for a reply from Nikki, her father turned back to Grant, "Where are you staying? We haven't checked into a hotel yet so we might as well stay where you are."
    Well I was planning on staying here , he thought, but instead shook his head replying, "You know I just got into town and haven't gotten myself settled into a hotel yet myself." He motioned to Nikki, "She didn't even realize I was coming. I just popped in."
    The next thirty minutes consisted of his brother and sister-in-law shooting questions at him in rapid succession, while calling around looking for a hotel room. They soon came to a very disheartening realization that because of a couple large conferences going on in Boston, there was not a single room to be found in the city, or surrounding areas.
    Watching Nikki as she sat next to him on the bed, while her parents sat at the two person table across the small room, he noticed her expression go from defeated to downright depressed . He was aching to take her hand and give it a squeeze, but restrained himself. He also felt a sense of panic rise up within him when his brother came up with a solution.
    "We'll just have to go and buy an air mattress and all sleep here." He looked around the room and frowned. "It will be tight quarters, but I think it's our only choice."
    Nikki shot a panicked look at Grant, which mirrored how he felt at that moment. He was tempted to simply tell his brother the truth. Explain to them that he and Nikki were a couple and get it out in the open. Eventually, it would have to be done. They couldn't keep a secret like that forever. What if they ever decided to get married?
    Married?
    Grant's world froze as the thought ran through his head. This was the first and only time he'd ever considered marriage with anyone; not even a fleeting thought - until now. He looked over at Nikki who was nibbling on her lower lip and waiting for him to come up with a better solution to their problem. He had nothing to offer. His hands were tied; it looked like it would be cozy quarters for the four of them tonight.

    ****

    Grant waited until the sounds of Ron and Audrey's snores became loud and unmistakable. They had had a long drive so they both retired early - 10pm - which meant everyone was forced to go to sleep then. He was lying next to his brother on the air mattress, which they had picked up at a local hardware store, while Nikki shared the single bed with her mother. It was a blessing that both women were small in stature.
    Moving as quietly as possible, and feeling like a teenager again who was attempting to sneak out of the house after curfew, he stood and slowly walked over to where Nikki was lying wide-awake and waiting for him. They had planned earlier in the evening to sneak out once her parents were asleep. Their first thought was to simply tell her parents that they were going out for a while, but they didn't want to risk them wanting to tag along. This was the only way they could