Stepbrother Aflame (12 page)

“You mother fucking idiot,” Kelton yells. “You’re lucky I’m even here picking up your dumbass. I was tempted to let your ass rot here for awhile, so you could stew on your stupid ass decision.”

I stop in front of him after walking out from the airport. I sent him a text telling him what time my flight would be landing and then shut off my phone. I still haven’t turned it back on. I’m afraid to. I don’t want to know what she thinks about me now.

I throw my bag into the backseat and slide into his car. “I’m smart. I’m doing the right thing for once.”

Or that’s what I’m telling myself.

“Doing the right thing?” He asks, taking off. “Wrong. You fucked up the one good thing you had going for you in your life.”

“Wow,
best friend
, glad you think the only good thing in my life is the pussy I was hitting.”

“Shut the hell up, you know what I’m talking about. Not to mention, you might be locked up since you’re coming home early.”

My heart starts to hammer. Fuck, I didn’t even think about them finding out I’d left. I’m sure my dad called to rat me out as soon as I walked out their front door and Addison told them the truth about us.

“I guess I’ll have to find out what my consequences are. Either way, I was in fucking jail, anyways.”

I take a deep breath and shrink down in the seat. My phone vibrates when I turn it on. Five voicemails from Addison and ten texts. I’m not opening them until I get home.

Kelton shrugs. “Doubt it. You somehow managed to get your ass out of trouble last time.”

“My dad paid for my lawyer. I’ll be fighting this one on my own.”

Everyone knows your chances of getting out of something are always greater when you have an attorney.

“You’ve always been a fighter, man. You’ve never needed him. Your thing over there was a hiccup. Plus, look at your resume now. You’ve worked with the rich and famous.” He raises his eyebrows and his lip twitches. “We’ll get you a job working with some actor or reality show star now.”

“Fuck that. I’m going back to the tattoo shop.”

I can’t wait to get back to work. It’ll help clear my head, keep my mind off Addison.

He parks in front of his apartment. “Now, back to the stepsister. I take it you left her ass high and dry? What happened?”

“Her mom walked in on us,” I answer, throwing my head back. I knew it wasn’t a good idea to be sleeping in her bed. My intuitions are usually point on. I was just geared off track by looking at Addison’s hot ass legs.

“She walked in on you fucking her?”

“No, we were in bed together.”

He laughs. “And you couldn’t come up with a good story to get out of it?”

“We were naked. I don’t think anything we said would’ve changed her mind. Not to mention, Addison deemed it necessary to tell her the truth.”

He grabs an old water bottle from the backseat and takes a drink. “Eh, I guess you’ve got a point there, but you should’ve tried. I would’ve given you some points for creativity.”

We get out and head into his apartment. “Thank God I’ve never had to come up with an excuse like that at the top of my head,” he continues. “I tend to not screw girls who still live with their parents … amateur.”

“Margo still lives with her parents, dumbass,” I fired back, not in the mood for his bullshit.

“Margo isn’t shit. I was fucking her when we were in high school. There’s a difference. All my lays have their own crib now.”

“And a wide range of venereal diseases.”

***

“You call her yet?” Kelton asks.

I started back at the tattoo shop yesterday. It’s been four days since I left Addison, and the fuck head has asked me about her every single day. He even took the duty to let every motherfucker that works here know about her, too.

“Nope,” I say, getting my table together for my first client.

“That’s fucked up. You’re going to break her heart,” he says, shaking his head at me.

“That’s not fucked up. That’s me putting her needs before my own.”

I’m doing the right thing. I tell myself that every time I grab my phone, feeling weak, and want to call her. But I stop myself. She stopped calling after day two, finally giving up, and it’s time I do the same thing.

Kelton raises a brow, knowing I’m full of shit. “Her needs before your own? She needs you, dumbass. Give her what she wants before it’s too late. If you wait to do this, I guarantee you’ll regret it later down the road. Tell her how you feel. Tell her you want to be with her.”

“She wants a life I can’t give her. She’s steak. I’m chopped liver. It’d never work. It’s best to end it now and move on with our lives. I don’t have the money to be her prince charming.”

“Pleasing girls isn’t expensive,” Yasmin, one of our regulars says. She’s waiting for Kelton to get his station together. I’m pretty sure she’s been fucking him for the last week, but Kelton’s never been one to kiss and tell. “It doesn’t cost a penny for you to not be an asshole and treat her right.”

“And give her pleasure like no fucking other,” Kelton adds. He looks over at Yasmin and gestures to the chair. “Not get your ass here, babe.”

“She was a great fuck, a good time, but it’s over,” I say, grabbing my bag. I need some fresh air.

“Ruin your life then, asshole,” Kelton yells from behind me. “But don’t get mad at me when you realize you’ve made a mistake and it’s too late.”

“You here to haul my ass off to jail?” I ask, coming to a stop in my mom’s living room when I see him sitting on her couch. I look around, but she isn’t anywhere in sight.

I blink a few times. Her apartment looks different – sparse, empty. The only furniture is her couch. Boxes fill up the room. What the fuck?

He doesn’t seem surprised to see me. “Nope,” he answers, relaxing and playing with a beer bottle in his hand.

Confusion runs around me. “Then what the fuck are you doing here, Floyd?”

Floyd was my lawyer. He’s the one who got me out of trouble and shipped away to stay with my dad. The only reason he’d be here is because he found out I broke my plea bargain.

He’s sprawled out on my mom’s couch, looking way to comfortable, with a grey suit on. His receding hairline makes him look old, but other than that, he’s in pretty good shape.

We both look up when my mom comes into the room. She wraps her arms around me and kisses my cheek. “Honey, I’ve missed you so much,” she says in her sweet voice, smiling bright.

“You look good, mom,” I say, kissing her on the top of her head.

And she does. The lines around her forehead and circles under her eyes tell you she’s been working hard all of her life, but they don’t look as dark as before. She must be getting better tips at work. She’s cut her hair – the long, black hair that used to hit the bottom of her back is now cut to her shoulders.

My eyes grow into saucers when I watch her sit down on the couch and grab Floyd’s hand.

My stomach churns and I suddenly feel nauseated. I shake my head, swallowing down the rising bile in my throat. “Mom, please tell me you’re not screwing him to keep me out of trouble.”

He tenses up when I head towards him. I stop a few feet away and throw my arms out in front of him, displaying the back of my wrists. “Come on, call the cops and get the cuffs on because I’m not letting that happen.”

No way am I about to let my mom hoe herself out to save my ass. I did the crime. I didn’t go through with the plan. I’ll accept the punishment.

The guy busts out in laughter. “Zeth, I’m not here for you to go back to jail.” He squeezes my mom’s hand. “And Bonnie isn’t prostituting herself out to me, either.”

“Then what the fuck are you doing here?” I yell, throwing my hand out.

“We’re together,” my mom says.

I shake my head violently. “Ma, you don’t have to do this.”

“We’ve been together for months. We were together when you beat up Pete.”

“So you were dating two guys?”

“No, we’d broken up months ago, but he wasn’t happy about that. That’s why he … did what he did.”

“Is that why you got me off the hook?” I ask, looking back at Floyd. He nods his head. “Not because of my dad?”

“Your dad didn’t hire me. No one hired me. I did it for her.” He looks at my mom. I don’t miss the sparkle in her eye, the happiness on her face. She’s in love with him. And from the way he’s looking at my mom, and put his ass on the line for me, I’d say the feeling is mutual.

I look over at Floyd. “Then why the fuck did you ship me off to Leonard’s?”

“I couldn’t completely get you off the hook for beating a guy to a bloody pulp. You had to have a punishment. I found the easiest one I could without any serious consequences.”

I brush my hands over my face. “Well, shit. Thanks then.” I snap my fingers and point at him. “And you better treat her right.”

My mom raises her hand. I nearly choke on my own spit when I notice the flicker of a diamond in the light. “He’s been amazing to me,” she says.

“Hold up, did you get married?” I ask, my stomach sinking. She wouldn’t get married without telling me, right?

She shakes her head. “In six months.”

I blow out a breath of relief. “I’m happy for you, ma. So what’s up with all the boxes?”

“I’m moving in with him.”

“What’s going to happen to me now? I mean, you can’t get me out of trouble again?” I ask Floyd, nervous to hear his answer.

“I’ve got you community service. Your father has tried to call me multiple times, giving me this ridiculous excuse about you creating havoc there, but I’m not worried about that. I’ve talked to the judge, told him that you were working there, getting your life in order but your dad had his own family issues. So we came up with a new plan.”

“Why the fuck didn’t we come up with that plan first?”

If I’d stayed here, I would’ve never met Addison. I shut my eyes. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. I do know one thing, though. Knowing Addison has made me want to be a better person.

“I wanted you to get to know your dad, but I realize that was a mistake,” my mom says, and then claps her hands together. “Now, let’s get some dinner and you can tell me all about this Addison girl.”

I blink a few times. “Fucking Kelton.” He’s always had such a big ass mouth.

She laughs. “You know that guy can’t keep secrets away from me. Especially when it’s you falling for a girl.”

“Ma, it’s done.”

TWO MONTHS LATER

I double-check the address on my phone, making sure I’m standing in front of the right apartment. I have to remind myself to breathe. I raise my hand, lower it, and then raise it again before tapping on the door.

“Margo! You need to get your crazy ass out of here.”

My stomach goes rock hard at the sound of his voice. This is the right place. I need to turn around leave. I gulp down my breaths, like I’m trying to be quiet in case he can hear me from the other side of the door.

“But you don’t understand,” another voice yells. A feminine voice. An irate feminine voice. A knife stabs through my heart.

“I understand everything,” he fires back.

I’m trying to process everything when the door flies open. I jump as Zeth appears in front of me, standing in the doorway, and a skinny blonde comes stumbling out.

“Sorry,” I mumble, when she bumps into my side. She stops in the hallway, a vicious look in her eyes.

I grip the handle of my luggage, ready to get the hell out of here. I can hear Zeth’s voice behind me. I ignore him, picking up my pace, but don’t make it far when he snags my wrist in his hand. I’m refusing to turn around and look at him. I can’t do it. He’s about to break my heart
again.

Air hits my face when he doesn’t give me the option and whips me around to face him.

“What are you doing here?” He asks, with a raised brow.

I debate whether or not to lie to him. “I live here,” I answer.

He hesitates before speaking. “Here in California?”

“Yes,” I stutter.

He rubs his forehead. “What? How?”

I don’t want to explain myself to him. I want to get out of here.

“I switched schools,” I answer.

The past few months I’ve been dying to call him and let him know I was coming out here. I wanted to tell him I was making a new plan for us, but I stopped myself every time I grabbed the phone. If he told me that didn’t matter to him, I knew I’d back out. And even if he doesn’t want me, I’m still staying here.

“So no Columbia?” He asks.

“No Columbia.” I want to smack off the grin building on his face. “Now, you can go back to your girlfriend and I’ll get out of your way.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? I don’t have a damn girlfriend.”

“The girl you were just arguing with in your apartment. The one standing only a few feet away from us with tears running down her cheeks. Looks like you’re still a man whore.”

I shake my head, trying to fight back my own tears. I’m so incredibly stupid. I knew there was a chance that this would happen. Kelton has repeatedly told me Zeth isn’t seeing anyone, but I guess he’s good at hiding things. Or he’s still having one-night stands. Yeah, that’s probably it.

Thank God I have a back-up plan. If things don’t work out with Zeth, I can still have a life here. I’m going to a new school and I’ll meet new people.

“That is
not
my girlfriend,” he says, looking like I just gave him the biggest insult of his life.

I eye him skeptically, but can’t help my eyes from roaming over him. He looks good. Damnit, too good. My knees are weak, begging me to not walk away from him. I shouldn’t want to jump his bones right now. My breathing stilts and I shake my head. I have to use my self-control.

“Okay, your one-night stand, or whatever,” I say, waving my hand in the air like I don’t care.

He laughs and turns around to look at the girl. “Margo, she thinks I’m stupid enough to be your boyfriend.”

The girl snorts, leaning against the wall. She’s wearing a short skirt with a halter-top. She looks like she just got back from the club, but it’s eleven in the morning. There’s no way she didn’t stay at Zeth’s last night.

“Yeah fucking right,” she says, her tone hostile. “I can’t stand this asshole. I’d rather have my vagina cut out of my body than be with him.”

I cringe, suddenly feeling my vagina ache at her reference.

“She’s Rose’s mom,” he explains.

“And I want to see my goddamn child,” she screams.

“Shut your fucking mouth, Margo,” Zeth yells back. I notice a few apartment doors open, their tenants looking out the hallway to see the commotion. They notice Zeth’s tempered face and slam their doors shut.

“Your ass can go sober up somewhere and then you
might
be able to see her,” he goes on. “Until then, get the fuck out of here and I’ll tell Kelton you’re looking for him.”

She pushes herself off the wall. I notice her ratty hair is pulled into a ponytail. She looks at me before shoving her way around Zeth.

“I’d stay away from this jackass. He likes to keep mothers away from their children,” she says.

“Deadbeat mothers need to stay away from their children,” Zeth corrects.

“Oh screw you!” She looks back at me. “I wouldn’t give him the time of day. Do you know his criminal background? Do you know about how he uses girls and then throws them to the side like they’re nothing? He’s done it to plenty of my friends.”

“Shut the fuck up, Margo. Unlike you and your friends, she’s not easy and willing to give it up to a guy who says fucking hi to them.”

Margo slides in between us, making sure she bumps into Zeth’s side, and disappears down the stairs.

“So no Columbia, huh?” Zeth asks again, a giant smile plastered across those lips. I want to lean up and run my tongue across them.

“No Columbia,” I answer, beaming.

“Doesn’t that mess with your plan?”

“Eh, I decided to do a re-route, change things up. The only plan I want now is one that includes you.”

He licks his lips, his fingers curling around my waist. Heat rips through me when he brings my lips to his. “God, I need to fuck you,” he says, against them.

“I was hoping you’d say that,” I whisper.

He grabs my bag and throws it through his front door. I press against him when he picks me up, gripping the bottom of my ass, and drags me into his apartment next. He pins me against the wall. His body rocks against mine. I can already feel his erection through my dress.

I push my tongue into his mouth, missing the taste of him. He kisses me back urgently.

“I’ve missed you so fucking much,” he says, bucking his hips forward. “You have no idea.”

“Oh, yes I do,” I say around a gasp. “Tell me you’re mine,” I say, role reversing. It’s his turn to confess his feelings before I let him screw me.

“I’m fucking yours, Addison Andrews. Since the day you walked into my bedroom that first night I’ve been yours. And you’re mine. I love you.”

His words set me aflame. “I love you, too.” I arch my hips forward, wanting to feel more of him. He uses his knee to nudge my knees apart and my pussy spasms when I feel his hand dip underneath my dress. My body trembles as he thrusts two fingers upwards, straight into me, and I pulsate around them. I tingle, feeling myself tighten in every muscle, as sensations waver over me.

God, I missed everything about him.

“Fuck, I forgot how much you love it when I play with your tight little pussy,” he whispers in my ear, hitching my leg up around his thigh. “And as bad as I want to taste every damn inch of you, I have to feel you first. I have to take you.”

“Take what’s yours.”

 His fingers speed up, driving me crazy. My panties are torn off my legs and thrown across the room. He wastes no time before pushing his cock inside of me.

He drives in and out of me, nuzzling his face into my neck, and gripping my hips so tight I can’t move. He holds me in place, his cock hammering in and out, and it feels so good. I’ve missed him being inside of me. I’ve been dreaming about this for months, touching myself remembering how good he felt inside of me.