Stepbrother Bestie (A Stepbrother Romance Novel) Read online

  Whatever, I thought as I put my arm around Dalilah and hugged her close to me while we entered the movie theater. I guess that doesn’t matter much. I have the only person in the world that I need right here.

  I kissed the side of her head affectionately as I had the thought, deciding if I continued to have this thought, that maybe one day I would truly believe it.

  I was infatuated with Dalilah. I would be the first one to admit it and the more she talked, convincing me, not just to move out, but the truth of the situation, that I was now a burden on my father and his new family started to make a lot of sense. It hurt to realize the truth, but I would rather realize it and deal with it now, before it manifested in other areas of my life.

  After all, I was still going to school. I was still trying to do my homework and I was still having a good time in my social life. I felt fairly complete and figured that the hole that the loss of my father and Valerie’s family made in my heart would eventually heal. It had to, right?

  “I want popcorn, but make sure they do not put butter on it…and a couple different candies…and a soda…but if they don’t have Sprite, were leaving and going to another theater,” Dalilah was saying as I was caught in a reflection. I tuned back in, just long enough to hear the thing about the Sprite.

  I smiled, wishing that I had a girlfriend that was only joking. She loved Sprite and one time they were out and she made me go to another theater, call ahead to make sure they had the soda of her choice and then buy new tickets, just so that we could go see the movie. She insisted that would have ruined her night, had she had to settle for any other beverage.

  She might be high maintenance, but she’s mine! I thought, trying to be cheerful. “I know, sweetie…” I answered, “I am sure they are not going to run out.”

  Apparently, the sweetie comment was just a little too lovey-dovey for her, because she cringed and began to pull out of my grasp.

  “What’s wrong?” I said as I let her go.

  “Oh God…You’re smothering me! You’re going to ruin my hair.”

  I tried not to roll my eyes as I pulled my arm back. “Sorry.”

  I moved up in line next to someone to stand there for the popcorn and everything else she wanted, when I realized that I saw a familiar face in the crowd. I felt my heart begin to pound and my mouth went dry. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to be angry, or pretend nothing happened. Immediately, our eyes began to lock, as though she had planned this all along. However, before Valerie could secure a look on me, I quickly turned around.

  “What is it?” Dalilah demanded.

  “Nothing…I’m just looking at the new movie posters,” I said, slightly fearful of what would happen if I told her the truth. Dalilah had adopted my anger at Valerie and her family, so I wasn’t completely sure she would not take it upon herself to go over and say something, which would likely ruin everyone’s night but her own.

  Still, as I sat there, trying my best not to turn back around, trying my best not to make even the first glimpse of eye contact with her, I had a silent wish that it didn’t have to be this way. Of course, I would have never told that to Dalilah and was barely admitting it to myself, but I slightly regretted what I had done last week.

  Seeing her made me realize that if I was right and I really had broken the threshold of their care and affection toward me, I should have never pushed it that far. My mother had never cared about me. They had done plenty for me and all I had done was hurt them; hurt Valerie for sure.

  Even though I realized this and had these feelings though, I still wasn’t sure that I wanted to go through the hurt of blatant rejection. Perhaps that was weak, considering that was exactly what I had done to Valerie, but I knew, between my mother and my father, their simple ways of pushing me away in the worst possible methods, I could not take another shove into being alone.

  Therefore, I should keep the distance at my own terms. I should be happy that they are leaving me alone, I thought to myself with a stern nod. Not having to continuously push them away is far better for both of us. They got the hint, which means that I will never have to do it again.

  That was comforting to me and so, I was able to turn back around and completely ignore Valerie and her wonder boyfriend until after the movie.

  Unfortunately, when the movie was over and we were making our way out of the theater, Dalilah decided that she just had to go to the bathroom before we left, despite the fact that I told her I was uncomfortable and really wanted to go.

  “Stop being such a baby,” she teased and then made her way into the bathroom.

  The cynical side to me thought about leaving her there, but I knew that I couldn’t do something like that. It just wasn’t right.

  So, I waited, right outside of the bathrooms, so paranoid, that obviously I actually had no earthly idea what I was doing; because when I turned around, I was completely surprised to see Valerie standing there.

  “Hi,” she said cheerfully, staring directly at me so that if I were to ignore her now, I would, once again, be a total jerk.

  “Hey,” I nodded, wondering what her game was. “Where’s Zachary?”

  She smiled at me and shrugged. “You know me…always forgetting something. I left my purse in the theater. He went back to get it for me.”

  I smiled, knowing full well the extent of her forgetfulness. “Good man…” I said, nodding my head, even though I knew she didn’t need my approval.

  However, before either of us could say anything else, Dalilah returned. Immediately, she began to start trouble. “Well, if it isn’t the traitor…” she mocked, glowering at Valerie in a way that made me feel automatically defensive toward her.

  I spun my head around and glared at Dalilah menacingly, but Valerie was already on top of it.

  “Excuse me?” she demanded. “I don’t believe you were a part of this conversation.”

  “Yes, well, after the other day, I was under the impression that Shawn had nothing more to say to you.”

  “Dalilah!” I exclaimed and then looked at Valerie with an apology in my eyes.

  It was at that time that Zachary showed up. He saw who Valerie was with as well as the distress on her face and was automatically defensive. “What’s going on here?”

  “We were just leaving,” Dalilah spat. “We don’t associate with such two-faced people.” Grabbing me quickly, she pulled me away.

  I couldn’t believe she had actually done that and I was appalled. I turned toward her once we were outside and demanded, “What was that?”

  “That was me, sticking up for you in a time of weakness,” she answered with a bite to her tongue that was sour.

  “What?” I demanded. “No! You were just rude.”

  “Yeah, well it looked like you were cozying up to the enemy and I would hate for you to fall back into her maniacal little trap.” Carefully, Dalilah’s hand rose and she placed it against my face, as though she was trying to make a caring motion. She dragged the back of her hand down my jawline. “I just can’t bear to see you hurt again, when that woman turns around and stabs you in the back. You know she will…” She smiled. “As long as you remember that I’m the only girl for you, then you’ll be okay.” She grasped my hand and pulled me toward the car, saying, “Come on! Let’s go home.”

  While she pulled me away, I thought about what she had said and suddenly, I wasn’t so sure.

  Chapter 13

  Valerie

  I hadn’t said much on the ride home. In addition to being completely angry over what Dalilah had said to me and about us and the fact that Shawn had just stood there and took it, even though there was no way he actually thought that was true, caused me to not only be lost for words, but severely hurt.

  I had said goodbye quickly to Zachary when we arrived at the house and went in after just a brief kiss. I hoped he understood that my sudden plummet in mood had nothing to do with him, but right now, I was even too upset to care what he felt.

  He had done what I had hoped he woul
d and that was to care for me, without engaging with either Shawn or Dalilah and so, I was actually very happy with him. I was just far too upset to show it.

  I raced up to my room as soon as I got in the house, thankful that I didn’t have my mother standing there waiting for me again. I decided that the best thing to do was just to go to bed.

  Another saving grace was that tomorrow was Saturday and therefore, I didn’t have to see anyone if I didn’t want to. I could sleep in, forget about what had happened and hopefully be good to take on another week by Monday.

  However, when I went to plug in my phone, I saw a text message on it from Shawn. I thought that was strange and wanted to ignore it, but my curiosity got the best of me.

  I opened the message, which read: I am so sorry. I don’t know what got into Dalilah. I was in shock and didn’t know what to do…I know it’s a lame excuse, but it’s the truth. I know this is random, but I want to talk to you. I miss you and I think that maybe we can work something out.

  In that moment, I went from feeling like I was drowning in the changing currents of my life, to being able to see a light.

  I knew that I was far from safe and my life was far from going back to what I would consider normal and had considered normal since kindergarten; but at least now, there was hope and that was really all I needed.

  I texted back: Meet you tomorrow at noon. After all, I still wanted to sleep in as much as I could. If he was still anything like the Shawn I grew up with, he wouldn’t have to ask where.

  When I woke up the next morning, I was happy to see that I had not received a text back from him. It made me feel as though, despite the craziness in our lives, I had not completely lost him. I was excited to get ready and meet him.

  Still, I didn’t tell my mother where I was going. I was very aware that everything might not work out and so, I didn’t want to get both of our hopes up. I also knew that if I didn’t say anything, I wouldn’t have to explain myself when I got home.

  I figured if things went really well, I might mention that I saw him and that we were trying to work things out, but that certainly wasn’t a guarantee.

  When I got to the park around the corner from my mom’s old house, where Shawn and I had spent most of our afternoons during childhood, I continued to feel excited, but also nervous. I was scared of what might happen with the two of us and in a way, I didn’t want to go through with the conversation; I didn’t want it to end badly.

  Still, I knew that if things really were going to work out, it would probably rank as one of the best days ever.

  I was happy and encouraged to see that Shawn was already at the park when I arrived.

  He walked up to me awkwardly, though, and smiled in a goofy way. “Hi. How are you?”

  I smiled back at him and wanted to give him a hug, but I resisted. “I’m good…really happy that you texted me.”

  “Yeah, I am so sorry about that…”

  I shook my head. “No…Please…Don’t be. I know that had nothing to do with you. Not after the text you sent last night.” I looked at him seriously. “I know you aren’t really one for conflict.”

  “Yeah…She’s crazy.” He cleared his throat. “Um…Speaking of conflict, I am also sorry about what happened the other day. I was just angry and confused.”

  I thought about this before I answered, “Are you still? Angry and confused?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not really sure. A little…” He paused before he turned back to me. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Anything.”

  He stopped and clasped his hands together, and thought about what he was going to say. Even when he began to speak, he did so slowly. “Please just answer the question, okay? Don’t ask me about it. Just answer.”

  “Sure. I promise.”

  “After the other day…I didn’t hear from any of you. Not you, which I get, but also not your Mom.” Then he rolled his eyes before he added, “And I haven’t heard anything from my father since the day I moved out. So, are you guys…done with me?”

  “What?” I asked genuinely outraged, “Not at all!” I almost asked who put that stupid idea in his head, but then stopped short, remembering my promise. I didn’t particularly like that he had made me promise, because I suspected that it had to do with Dalilah, but I also figured that was a conversation for a very different day. So, I just told him the truth. “We just wanted to give you your space, like you asked us too. Honestly.” Then, without meaning to, I reached out and grasped both of his hands in my own. “We love you! We want what’s best for you, but we also know that you need to find your own path. After what happened the other day, I wasn’t going to continue to bother you and you did hurt me, but that didn’t mean that you were not on my mind every second of the day.” I looked at him with genuine concern and I honestly felt that we were bonding. At least, I hoped so.

  He smiled back, but in a sad manner. “Yeah, I am really sorry. I never meant for any of that and I feel stupid…” He sighed. “I did try to avoid you, but we just kept running into one another.”

  I was pleased that he didn’t recoil his hand from mine, but was surprised when he turned his hands, so that we fit together securely. He gazed into my eyes and I knew that I was not mistaken. We were definitely having a moment. I was sure of it.

  Our eyes locked and while the feeling of friendship was in the air, there was also another, more serious and probably problematic vibe coursing between us. Still, I was just happy for any emotion to be sparked again and so, I let it play out.

  After a long moment of just sitting there, staring at one another, I heard words I had longed to hear for a very long time.

  “I miss you…” he said earnestly, shifting closer to me.

  I beamed with contentment. “I miss you too. You have no idea how much.”

  We took in the moment silently for a little while longer, before he said, “You know, once upon a time, we were more than just friends.”

  I smiled and nodded, knowing well the implications of where this conversation was headed, but just didn’t care. “I remember.”

  His eyes widened at this and I felt his hands squeeze mine before he replied in a sincere tone, “I think…part of the reason I was so angry when our parents finally got married, was because I missed that too…and knew that it would be impossible…given the circumstances.”

  It was about now that I came to my senses. I realized later, that it was only moments before I did something that I would likely regret.

  I didn’t want to push him away, but I did want to set boundaries. “I know how you feel…” I then detached my hands from his grasp and said, “But unfortunately, you’re right. That is impossible.”

  Before he could say or do anything that would change my mind, I added, “I’m sorry, Shawn. I want to be your best friend again. I miss you and I would give anything to have us back, but…” I shook my head, feeling panicked. “I’m just…sorry.”

  Within a second, I found myself turning around and bolting in the other direction, afraid of what would have happened had I stayed even just another moment.

  Chapter 14

  Shawn

  I watched her walk away and immediately was overcome with a sense of anger. I knew that there was a lot more to the feelings that I was having then just simple rejection, but I didn’t want to think about all of that right now; in fact, I knew that I couldn’t think about it.

  If I did, I would go crazy, plain and simple.

  So I watched what could have been walk away and silently steamed from the intense sensation of emotion that I felt.

  Then again, I didn’t have too much time to wallow in my pity, because just as Valerie was eclipsing from my sight, I heard my cellphone ring. It chimed just the right tune to let me know that Dalilah was summoning me.

  I knew that if I didn’t answer, which I really didn’t feel like doing, she would continue to call until I got fed up. That would only equate to more problems and so, I let it ring for a minute before I picke
d it up.

  “Hey baby…” Dalilah answered slowly after I said hello.

  “Hi,” I replied, not in the mood to be lovey, considering I felt as though Valerie had just dangled her affection for me, just close enough so that I would take the bait, before snapping the trap closed on my heart.

  There was dead silence on the other end of the line for a moment, just before she came back and said, “What’s the matter with you?”

  I shrugged, even though I knew she couldn’t see me. “I’m just…tired.”

  Dalilah didn’t care very much for my tiredness, which was readily apparent when she grunted a sigh. “Well…I thought you were going to come pick me up.”

  I scrunched my eyes shut as I tried not to make any noise, which would signal that I had completely forgot. “Yeah…Of course,” I told her when I trusted myself to speak. “I…I was just going to call you. Is it all right if I just hang out tonight? I’m really beat…”

  “Yes, you are,” she answered after another pause. “And no, it’s not.” Her voice suddenly sounded angry, but I couldn’t understand why.

  “What?” I demanded, feeling intensely annoyed. “What are you talking about?”

  “Look behind you…” she answered and I felt a stab of fear run through my heart.

  I turned around quickly to see Dalilah glowering at me. I could have sworn that I felt my heart stop.

  I wasn’t sure what she was up to, but I was sure that whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t a good thing.

  Oh God, I thought. What did she hear?

  “What are you doing here?” I yelled at her through my fear and angst. At that point, I didn’t even care that she was going to probably lash back at me, fully loaded and angry. I was still caught up on the fact that she was following me and that made me livid.

  “I could ask you the same thing.” She glared at me. “You don’t look like you’re too tired,” she moved in closer and added, “and you certainly didn’t look too tired when you were cozying up to your girlfriend over there.”