No Regrets (A Stepbrother New Adult Novella) (5 page)

W
eeks turned into a month
, and he still couldn’t stop thinking about her. He knew she was back at school—knew she was safe and sound. That much he managed to get out of her mother the last time he asked.

Liv was avoiding him, and he was clueless as to why. He fell asleep curled up next to her on the couch that night, and the next morning he silently crept out of the pool house to go get coffee and breakfast for them to eat together. He’d felt happier than he had in a long time, maybe ever. Also, he slept better on the worn couch in the pool house that night with Olivia than he did alone in his own bed, which still puzzled him.

When he got back to the pool house, she was gone—vanished. He refused to admit that it hurt him; he always avoided that kind of emotional reaction when a woman moved on. In the past, he’d always known when it was coming and ended things first. But not this time—not with her. That morning, all he’d wanted was to get back to her as quickly as possible.

He’d driven to her mother’s to see if she was there, and he had just missed her leaving for school. It was then that his father had given him a good talking to.

“Son, I’m not sure what’s going on with you and Liv, but…it has to stop.” Parker slumped down in the armchair in the den, while his father sat across from him looking concerned.

“What do you mean ‘going on’? Nothing is going on with us,” he insisted, though the words sounded foolish even to him.
Liv—why did you leave?
He was royally fucked, and he knew it.

“Parker, I know you better than you probably know yourself. I also know you like women. Olivia, however, is not just some girl. She’ll soon be a part of our family. Hell, she’ll be your step sister,” his father reminded him, as if he didn’t already know.

Parker scowled at him. “Please, Dad, don’t even say that.” The thought of Olivia being considered by others as his step sister made him ill.

“Promise me, Parker. I need to know that you realize how important this is. Linda is her mother, and if you hurt Liv, Linda would be devastated.”

Parker felt something deep in his gut, something foreign and unidentifiable. “Fine, Dad. I’ll leave her alone.” He could barely get the words out. His chest ached after he said them, but he couldn’t take them back.

His father patted his knee as he stood. “I love you, Parker. I wouldn’t ask unless it was important. You know, it may do you some good to start thinking about what you want out of life, too. Since I’ll be a newlywed, I’ve been thinking about doing less at the office, and having you shadow me. Take on more responsibility. You’re going to have to get serious about it though, Parker. I worked hard to build the business up, you know.” He gave him another pat as he walked away towards the kitchen, leaving Parker lost in thought.

Parker fought the part of him that wanted to simply drive to her school and ask her for an explanation. Instead, he loaded his own car and headed back to school himself. The drive did him well. His ride was shorter than hers, but he had no doubt they arrived at about the same time. He gave his word to his father, and he would do everything he could to put her out of his mind altogether.

That was four months ago, and he kept his word and avoided her at all costs. What he hadn’t been able to do was stop thinking about her.

It really made no sense to him. She was definitely not his type, had a temper that was maddening, and for all intents and purposes, she was off limits. Even still, a day didn’t go by that he didn’t relive those moments in the pool house, when she relaxed in his arms and opened herself to him. He brought her body to life, and it was more amazing and life altering than he cared to admit.

Soon, next week actually, they would have to face each other. Then he would get the answers he wanted about that morning four months ago. He smiled to himself, remembering how red her cheeks got when she was angry. She was a puzzle to him, and he had a feeling there was much more to her than she let anyone know.

The door to his room opened.

“Hey Parker, we’re going to go grab a bite. Do you want to come?” his roommate asked.

He thought about it for a second before agreeing. A distraction was the only thing that helped him forget her, but it only lasted a short while. He spent more time with his friends lately. He’d also been on two dates. Two—he was almost embarrassed at that number, plus, they were both disastrous. He didn’t even kiss the girls, and afterwards, both times, he wondered why he even went. It was at times like that when a thought so worrisome inched its way into his mind—Olivia had ruined him for all other women.

Something in him shifted, and he found himself more intent on school and graduation in the spring. He wanted to run the business well, and he wanted to help it grow into some new territories.

He still had fun going out with friends, but he didn’t have time to hand-pick women like he once did. And in his weaker moments, he was able to admit that he didn’t want anyone else other than Liv.

His father told him that he wanted Parker to start helping as soon as he graduated. That was the important thing—the thing to concentrate on, and not his unrequited lust or whatever it was he felt for Liv.

All he had to do before he saw her again was wipe from his memory how she had looked while she was naked on that couch. It was simple, really.

T
he days flew by
, and each one presented a new challenge. She was in the home stretch now—graduation was just around the corner. Between her internship at a local hospital and the wedding plans, she was stretched thin. She loved her work and was excited about her future career.

For whatever reason, Drew had been around more and more, ever since the banquet. She had learned that much of his attitude was a front, and that he really wasn’t such a bad guy. She also knew that he was not for her as anything more than a friend, and after a talk with Drew, he accepted it. From time to time they would go out for dinner, as friends. They talked quite a bit and learned more about each other—she even confided in him about her feelings for Parker. Surprisingly, he was supportive, and it felt really good to talk about all of her confusing emotions with someone.

He was also an intern at the hospital, although he was in the Nursing program, and she was in Social Work. They weren’t in the same area, but being in the same place made it easy for her to see him for lunch. They would chat about their day and discuss whomever he was trying to get in bed at the moment. He was a nice guy, but a little immature.

Tomorrow, she would see Parker again, but over the last few months whatever fascination she’d had with him was gone. She was more than a little thankful for that, and thankful to Drew for being a sounding board. The last thing she needed to add to her plate was any more complications. She’d gone so far as to ask Drew to escort her to the wedding, to which he happily agreed. He knew about her former feelings for Parker, and he could shield her if necessary.

They’d agreed that Drew would drive up and meet her there after an assignment he had to complete at the hospital. She still had a few things left to do for the wedding, but otherwise, everything was on track.

A
s she drove home
the next morning, she smiled as the fat drops of rain hit her windshield. There was something calming about the storm, something that made her relax.

The ride was smooth and fairly quick. She pulled into her mother’s driveway just as the rain was easing up. She ran to the door and paused to ponder whether she should knock. Smiling to herself, she shook her head.

Sadly, no one was going to be there, and the only things that were still in the house were now packed boxes, since her mother would move into Richard’s house soon. Still, as she opened the door, she was struck by the overwhelming amount of change. Everything was either gone from its original space, or was in various stages of packing. She walked into the kitchen and ran her fingers gently over the place where all the magnets had once been on the fridge.

Gone was her childhood home, and in its place remained a shell. Only now did she wonder what would become of this house. She would have to ask her mom—the idea of someone else living here ripped at her heart uncomfortably.

She walked up the stairs to her room. It was clear no one stayed at this house anymore, but the solitude would do her well. She would drive over to the other house for dinner as planned. For now, she’d curl up in her old bed with a good book. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Her mother was happy, and that was the important thing.
And I’m getting a new step brother.

She refused to think about why she felt sad when she thought of Parker, and she was only a few chapters into her book when she fell asleep, dreaming about her childhood.

L
iv took
great pains to prepare for dinner. Her dress was made of stretch black fabric and fit her like a glove, emphasizing her curves. She decided to pull her hair up and spent some time putting on her make-up. She tried to convince herself she wasn’t dressing up for Parker.

Soon, she found herself facing the house where it all happened last time. She pulled into the drive and saw Parker’s car. She knew he would be here, and despite the distance of time, she had to remind herself to breathe as she walked up to the door. Before she could knock, the door opened and there stood her mother.

“Livie, I thought I heard a car! Oh, I’ve missed you! Come in, come in. Everyone is here. We waited for you to arrive before we served dinner.” Her mom practically sparkled with joy, and Olivia smiled back at her, genuinely happy for her.

“I missed you too, Mom.”

They rounded the corner and entered the dining room. Her heart pounded so loudly, she thought it impossible that no one else could hear it.

As they entered the room, she saw his back first. He was speaking to his father in hushed tones. It was obvious that the discussion involved business, since Parker was looking at a map spread out on the table. Both men stopped to watch them enter the room. Richard immediately brightened, but Liv didn’t catch Parker’s reaction because she was attempting to avoid his gaze again.

“Liv, how good to see you, dear! Do come in.” He gave her a side hug and then walked toward her mother to slide his arm through hers. “Your mother has been anxious all evening.” He studied at her, and Liv smiled back.

“I would have been here sooner, but I fell asleep at the other house. And then I had to get ready…” Liv knew she was rambling and felt herself blushing.

She finally looked up at Parker, and his dark eyes pierced hers. She could almost feel the heat in his stare, and she felt her heart stutter as he walked over to her.
What was he doing?
She could smell his aftershave the closer he came, and she was unable to move. She watched her mother and Richard as they moved toward the den. Before she could turn to follow them, Parker was there, blocking her path.

“Hello, Olivia.” He dragged out her name slightly, and she did her best to smile up at him.
Pretend everything’s okay
.

“Parker, it’s nice to see you again.” She was pleased when her voice sounded normal.

He reached out and brushed back a lock of hair that had fallen over her forehead. “The pleasure is mine, Olivia.”

Oh, no. I don’t think I can do this
. Obviously, she’d lied to herself that her feelings for Parker were gone.

The next few seconds felt like hours.

“I…I better follow our parents, I think.” She swept past him and left him alone.

They tried to enjoy dinner. Both parents divulged more about their offspring than necessary. Despite the tension between them, Parker and Liv found common ground in being embarrassed by their respective parent. Parker laughed easily, and Liv found herself watching him joke with his father.

“So, Olivia, when will Drew arrive?” her mother asked her sweetly.

She noticed that Parker paid close attention to their conversation. “Tomorrow morning, actually. He’s leaving early so that he can be here by the ceremony at 1:00.”
Don’t look at Parker—let him think Drew is my boyfriend.

“Well good, I’ve been wanting to meet your new friend.” Her mom smiled at her and squeezed her hand.

Silence filled the room, and soon the women excused themselves to clean up from dinner, since the serving staff were apparently relieved for the evening. Liv did everything possible to avoid looking Parker’s way. Even so, he still affected her somehow. As they cleaned, her mother watched her warily.

“So, anything you want to share with me, Liv?” Her mom wiped down the counter tops as she asked, while Olivia loaded the dishwasher.

She hesitated. “Not that I know of. I have a lot to do by May, and I love my internship. Otherwise, not that I can think of.”

“Olivia—I meant about a certain someone.” Her mom tilted her head toward the living room, where the men were in deep conversation about work.

“Mom, I have no idea what you mean.” She hurriedly loaded the dishes, doing her best to avoid the conversation and ignore the erratic beat of her heart. “So, are you crazy excited about tomorrow?”

“No, you don’t avoid my questions, young lady. Something is going on with you two, and I want to know what it is.”

“It’s nothing. He just makes me feel…well, mostly angry, but he…well, he drives me
crazy
.” In a huff, she threw the towel on the counter.

“I can see that.” Her mother crossed her arms. “I know you’re an adult, Livie, and you make your own decisions. That being said, I think getting involved with Parker is a bad idea. From what Richard told me, he’s quite popular with the ladies, and I worry he would only break your heart. Plus, he’s your stepbrother for crying out loud. And besides that, he’s about to become very involved with the company and he needs to keep his head about him in order to stay on top of things.”

Well, that was quite the speech. Guess she’s given a lot of thought to Parker and me not being together.
Feeling a little stung at her mother’s vehemence, she said, “Don’t worry, Mom. I have no intention of letting anything happen between me and Parker Jackson.”

She neatly folded the napkins on the counter and gave her mother a serene smile, while inside, she felt like crying.

T
he next day
, the sun was bright and shining as Olivia drove to the church where the ceremony would be held. Her mother called her over and over, making sure she had everything they needed. Liv felt the excitement in the small dressing room as she entered it. Her mother and her friends were discussing her pretty wedding dress.

“Well Mom, this is it!” Liv hugged her tightly, taking in the image of her mother in the classic dress. It was tasteful, with just enough lace and decorative detail to make it obvious that she was, indeed, the bride.

They laughed a little, and then Olivia slipped into her Maid of Honor dress. It was gold with a sheer overlay, sleeveless, with a heart-shaped neckline. Much to her dismay, the top part of her dress emphasized her ample bosom, while the ball gown skirt fell to the floor. Her hair was an artful array of black curls spilling over her shoulders, with some baby’s breath tucked behind her ear. She barely recognized herself in the mirror. She was still looking over her attire, when she heard her mother.

“Oh, Olivia, you are stunning!” She smiled at her mom, who exclaimed to the friends around her at her daughter’s beauty. Even then, she was ever the mother, proud of her daughter.

“Thanks, Mom.” They heard the music start up, so she took her place in the procession and quietly made her way down the aisle ahead of her mother.

Absolutely nothing could keep her from looking at him as she walked down the aisle—it was as if she had no choice. Parker was in a tux, with a black vest and a white shirt. She knew everything that he was supposed to wear, down to the cufflinks.

As the Best Man, he waited at the halfway point to escort her the rest of the way down the aisle. He offered his arm to her, managing to give her a reassuring squeeze at the same time. The squeeze sent sparks shooting down to her core and she shivered. She glanced up at him and he looked down at her, his eyes lingering on her lips. As they slowly walked down the aisle, she was thankful he was there to keep her going. She always hated to be the center of attention; it was unnerving.

They parted ways at the front of the church, but not before he whispered, “You are beautiful.”