Blended Hearts (An Interracial Stepbrother Romance Book) Read online

  “Not tonight. But why don’t we meet at the Japanese takeout place and get some sushi to eat outside somewhere?”

  “You always got some really-out there ideas, you know that?” Gabby said.

  “What can I say? I don’t like it in this house. Any excuse to get out of here is a good excuse. So, are you in or are you staying home watching something on the idiot box?”

  “I’m in like a shot, I. You know me: you mention food and I’m in all the way.”

  Since it was a beautiful evening, balmy and pleasant, Gabby and I chose to eat in the park rather than at one of the outside tables near the sushi place. I loved sushi and I was like a kid with ice cream when it came to Japanese food. As for Gabby she had chosen “cooked things”.

  “Nothing raw for this girl,” she said when we looked at the menu outside the door.

  “Alright then, egg rolls and some noodles with chicken, will that be okay?”

  “Sure. I’ve been good this past week, so my mom said I could have a treat on the weekend. And I guess this is it.”

  “Glad you came with me, Gabby,” I said as we waited for the food. “It’s like when I’m out, I want to be home, but then when I get home and see Daniel, I want to get out again.”

  “If you don’t watch it, you’re going to get truly paranoid.” Gabby leaned against the wall beside the pick-up window.

  “I am paranoid already, I tell you. Every time I see him, I want to run away in the other direction. And it’s not him that’s scares me really, it’s my thoughts. I am afraid of what I’m thinking.”

  When we were eating, Gabby asked, “And you think it wouldn’t be a good idea to talk to him? I mean, it’s not like he’s tried anything with you. I bet he’s not even giving it a second thought.”

  “What are you saying?” I inquired, wondering where my friend was going with this.

  “I guess, I am saying that things do happen – and it’s really no big deal. You saw him naked; so what? He’s not made a move on you. He’s not even trying to talk to you. It’s not like he made something out of it.”

  “But I am, you mean?”

  “Yes, you are, Madison. And I think you should move on. Stop with this thing and stop talking about it all the time. Try not to think about it.

  I had to admit, I was harping on the subject a little too much. “Like you said the other day: I don’t want to have anything to do with him, and the first thing I do is to take a picture of him.”

  “Exactly. Just live your life and try ignoring him for a bit. You’ll feel better for it.”

  “Besides, he’s ignoring me anyway,” I added. “When he’s not at school or having dinner, like that All in the Family thing, he’s out with his buddies.”

  “So, there you are then. And tonight we’re out having a delicious Japanese dinner under the stars – and we shouldn’t spoil the fun by talking about Mr. Gorgeous Abs again.”

  When I got home that evening, and opened my bedroom door, I stopped. I looked at the movers’ boxes still unopened. I shook my head and decided it was about time I started unpacking. There was no use hoping for things that were not going to happen. My mom and step-dad looked happy together. Why shouldn’t I be happy for them? At least if my room was cleaned up and all my stuff put in its rightful place, it would be more like my refuge or my domain. And if I played my cards right, maybe in a year or so, I would be moving to college anyway. “Forget it and move on,” I told myself quietly. Gabby was right, the more I think about him the more devastating the whole incident becomes.

  CHAPTER 9

  Unbeknownst to me at the time and as it turned out, Daniel had gone to catch a movie with Gabby’s brother Gill on Saturday night. He told me about it much later….

  They were sitting at the café near the cinema. They had gone to see that movie, Furious 7 and were still talking and laughing about some of the scenes.

  Daniel hadn’t told Gill what had happened the other night and thought it was about time he did. He saw his chance when Gill asked him how it was going with him living in the same house as me.

  “It’s actually not too bad at all. She is like a cat. You know the type; approach at your own risk. She’s got some moments when she’s acting normal and at other times it’s like I’m a leper or something.”

  “Was she like that before you guys moved in together after your dad got remarried?”

  “No, not really. We didn’t have much to do with each other back then, but something happened the other night that I think is at the root of our problem today.”

  “What happened?”

  Daniel told him.

  “And you’re surprised she’s acting like a cat around you?”

  “Not really surprised, no, I just hoped I would forget about it and turn the page. I am trying to act normal around her, but it’s like I’m walking on broken glass; I never know if I’m going to get cut with the next step.”

  “Did you two talk about it?”

  “There’s nothing to talk about, Gill. What’s done is done. I should have locked that door and now I’m paying the price.”

  “But you shouldn’t feel guilty like that either. Like you said, she should have knocked first.”

  “Okay – we share the blame for what happened – but that doesn’t change what’s going on right now. I don’t want to spend my life pussy-footing around my step-sister…”

  “Are you sure that’s all she is to you?”

  Daniel frowned. It was as if someone had turned up the pilot light in his gut. He then stared at his friend before shaking his head and lowering his gaze down to his coffee.

  “I don’t know, man,” he finally answered. “Madison is gorgeous. Have you ever looked at her? I mean really looked at her.”

  Gill chuckled quietly. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  “I don’t know, Gill. I have been trying not to think about the girl next door so to speak, but every time I get home, Madison is there. And when I’m somewhere else, Madison’s in my mind.”

  “So, in short, you want to get in her pants, right?”

  Daniel shook his head. “No, I want to kiss her and make her feel good but it’s not like I want her for sex; I want her in my arms – that’s all.”

  Gill snickered. “Don’t try going on the merry-go-round with me, man. You want to get between her legs, right?”

  “I told you, it’s more than that, Gill. Don’t make it sound so cheap, okay?”

  “Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” Gill said, before the two young men fell silent for a moment.

  “What about asking her out, like on a date?” Gill suggested helpfully.

  Daniel smiled. “Are you kidding me? Madison is not really the dating kind. She might be eighteen, but I don’t think she’s the sort of girl to go clubbing or have a drink…”

  “Why do you think she’s acting like that?”

  “It’s no act, Gill. Have you seen what’s going on at school with her?”

  “Madison’s been teased by Miss Elise Know-it-all and her gang for years from what I’ve heard. So what?”

  “It’s been going on forever, and I think that’s the reason she won’t go out with anyone. Besides, nobody is trying to help. You don’t want to associate with the kid that’s been bullied, for fear to be mocked or bullied yourself. Right?”

  Gill nodded. “I wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Madison when Elise is around; she’d have my hide for sure.”

  “Exactly my point, Gill. And the other thing is that even with me; they’ve started targeting me.”

  “Who? Just tell me who and I’ll get him between the eyes.”

  Daniel smiled at the thought. Gill was a huge fellow – not an ounce of fat on him – only enormous muscles for his age and the temper of a teddy bear. He wouldn’t hurt anyone as long as you didn’t cross his path or went the wrong way in a one-way street.

  “Not really my style to get anyone in trouble, you know that. Let’s just say that she is even more a target now than
she ever was before my dad married her mother.”

  “And nobody has ever done or said anything about it?” Gill asked, slightly surprised.

  “What are they going to say? That she has been bullied? That she is timid; that she does not get along with anyone because no one wants her as a friend?”

  “I guess you’ve got a point there.”

  They drank their cups until they were empty.

  “Do you want another?” Daniel asked, getting up.

  “No, not me. I want to sleep tonight – unless you’re having one – I’ll have a decaf with plenty of whip cream on top.”

  “You’re just a big baby boy, you know that?” Daniel said, as he walked toward the counter and placed his order with the barista.

  When Daniel came back to the table, Gill said, “Thanks, bud, I’ll get you back for this next week.” He slurped some of the coffee from under the cream. “I was thinking…”

  “Wow, look out, everybody,” Daniel burst out, laughing, “Gill is thinking!”

  “Cut it out. As I said, I was thinking that my sister is very good friends with her and maybe we could go out together, like make it a foursome or something?”

  Daniel shook his head. “She would go and hide under her bed before she’d accept to go out with you and me – even if Gabby was there. I tell you, Madison’s a real recluse and a cat to boot.”

  Gill erupted in loud laughter under Daniel’s stunned gaze.

  “I think I’m going to call your Madison “Puss-in-Boots” from now on,” he declared when he stopped laughing.

  CHAPTER 10

  It was a little past midnight when I heard my mom and Richard come up the stairs to their room. I was glad for them. I knew they were happy. I would have liked for my mother to open my door and see that I had finally emptied all of the boxes and arranged all of my stuff and posters around the room.

  It looked perfect actually. I had to admit that since the room was slightly bigger than the one I had at the other house, it made it easier to decorate. I had my teddy bears in a corner sitting on the lid of a rattan basket – they looked happy there. I had some of my books on the side of the sill beside the bench under the window. I had placed a couple of my favorite cushions on it so it would be comfortable for me to read in the evening. As for my desk and chest of drawers, I had moved those around so that the desk was closer to the outlet, to plug both computer and phone in without having to step over wires and chargers. The chest of drawers was now standing against the far wall where it was an easy distance from my bed to the door, so that I could grab my clothes before going to the bathroom.

  Apart from all that, I now had a nice night table beside my bed with the new lamp my mom had bought for me when we moved in. I even unpacked my new eiderdown and used it as a bedspread. It would be a bit too hot to sleep with it right now, but in a few months I’ll probably be glad to have it.

  I listened through the door to hear if Daniel had come home yet, but I didn’t hear anything. I shrugged and decided to call it a night. I didn’t want to start tackling anymore homework tonight. Too late to do anything, I thought. I grabbed my night shirt and made my way to the bathroom.

  Same as I did since the unfortunate incident, I made sure I locked the bathroom door these days. Because of all the moving I had done that night, I felt a shower was in order.

  I turned on the tap and let the water warm up while I undressed. I then walked into the spacious stall and luxuriated under the rain-water showerhead. I was toweling myself dry and planned on drying my hair when I heard a knock at the door.

  I froze. I didn’t know what to say.

  “It’s Daniel,” he said quietly. “Will you be long?”

  “Oh… no… not really… I’ll be just two ticks…”

  “Don’t worry, sis, I’ll use the one downstairs,” I heard him say before his footsteps disappeared down the stairs.

  I exhaled a sigh of relief. I then hurried to dry my hair. I hated going to bed with wet hair. One day, when I was just a kid, I didn’t dry my hair and I got such a bad cold that my mom thought she would have to get me to the hospital. Since then, I never went to bed with wet hair.

  As I came out of the bathroom, I looked around me to see if there was any sign of Daniel – but no one was in sight.

  I hurried to my room, opened the door, rushed in, closed it and leaned against it. My heart was beating a heavy drum as if I had been faced with a terrible ordeal. Gabby is right, I thought, I am paranoid, which is totally ridiculous. You’re an adult now; you better act like one, for pity sake.

  Nevertheless, scolding oneself would not amount to anything unless one did something about it. I wondered what I could do, though. Confronting Daniel was out of the question. Talking to my mother would only serve the purpose of worrying her for nothing. As for talking to Gabby again – what else was there to say? The subject was closed. I would have to live with my problem; that’s all there was to it.

  The next morning – Sunday – everyone seemed to be sleeping in. I, however, was up early. I went to the bathroom, freshened up, and put on my track suit. I knew the club was open on Sunday and thought I would jog to the gym and maybe get on the espaliers for a change. I even put my swim suit underneath my clothes so that I could go for a swim after my gym session.

  From the upstairs bedroom, Daniel watched me leave the house at a trot. He caught up with me halfway to the club, but he knew that if he started jogging beside me, I would stop and probably run home. Of course, he wouldn’t want me to do that. He just wanted to get close and jog with me – like brothers and sisters do.

  When I sensed that someone was jogging behind me, I chanced a look over my shoulder. When I saw Daniel, I almost tripped and fell. Fortunately, I caught myself and watched him run past me, saying, “Hi, sis! Nice morning for a jog. See you later.”

  I, once again, felt like a fool. As Gabby had said, Daniel was behaving totally normally, so why shouldn’t I?

  Keeping that in mind, I continued jogging to the gym where I stopped in front of the door. I didn’t know if Daniel was already in there – doing what? – or if he went to the park to continue his jog. I caught my breath, relaxed my muscles and went in. Whether he’s here or not – not my problem, I thought.

  He wasn’t. Although I kept on scolding myself for my incessant paranoia, I completed my entire calisthenics session watching the door. I truly thought Daniel would come in and join me at any minute.

  I had been wrong. I was doing some laps in the pool when he dove beside me. I shrieked from surprise.

  “What the heck are you doing here?” I yelled over the echoing noise bouncing off the walls around the pool.

  “Sorry, sis, just in for a swim. Just go ahead. I’ll move to the other side of the pool. Not to worry. I’ll keep as far away as possible from the scaredy cat.” He laughed as he swam away from me.

  He was mocking me now. That’s all I needed. But this was no time to show him how he affected me. I resumed my swimming and paid no real attention to him. As Gabby suggested, I ignored him. Such as I did with Elise at school, I would ignore Daniel from now on. This thing – trying to avoid him or hide from him – was ridiculous. I had better things to do. While I continued swimming, I reminded myself that in a year or so, I would be in college and as far away as possible from that house, Daniel and that family thing.

  An hour later, I was home standing in front of the grill, making French toast for everyone. Daniel was back, and my mom and Richard were probably going to come down in a few minutes.

  It wasn’t long before Daniel tumbled down the stairs, and slid on his socks to come to a stop on a seat at the kitchen table.

  “How many?” I asked.

  “How many what?” Daniel looked up at me.

  “French toasts, silly. How many?”

  “Make that four, please,” he replied, getting up. He went to the fridge, got the orange juice out and the butter, fruit baskets and yogurt.

  “Do you want coffee?” I asked. />
  “Yeah, that will be nice… But I’ll help myself, don’t worry.”

  He served himself and poured I a cup, which he placed on the counter beside the stove. “Thanks,” I said, cracking a sliver of a smile.

  Daniel had obviously decided that he should be nice for the rest of the day at least. What he had told me at the pool wasn’t anywhere near what he truly felt I gathered.

  He decided he should apologize. “Listen, Madison, I’m sorry about what I said at the pool. I don’t want to be a bother. But I shouldn’t have said it the way I did. It was nasty.” He was standing beside me, looking genuinely contrite.

  “Okay, I forgot about it already, Daniel. But you’re right; we should stay out of each other’s way, because every time we meet, we collide. So, yes, let’s not cross paths, okay?”

  Daniel hadn’t expected that one. The firmness with which I handled myself and the way I spoke to him really threw him for a loop. I was not the hopeless little kitten he had seen in the last few days, I was a rather aggressive and sure of myself tigress. He truly didn’t know what to do with this sudden change of attitude. Yet, when he would come to think about it, cats did that. Once we felt attacked, we would turn on you and slap you – all claws out.

  CHAPTER 11

  Later that morning, I returned to my room – my domain now – and was beginning to review some of my unfinished homework when I heard a knock at the door.

  “Madison?” It was my mom. “May I come in?”

  I was out of my chair like a shot. I had a broad smile on my lips when I flung the door wide open.

  “Oh, Madison!” Mom exclaimed, “You’ve really done it,” looking around the room. “This looks great, Madison.” She walked to the bed. “You even unpacked the eiderdown.” She smiled. “Come here.” She opened her arms to me.

  I couldn’t have been happier. My mom was finally paying attention to me again. I nestled against my mother’s chest as if I was still a little girl. I then pulled back a little, peering into her eyes.