Don't Trash the Heartthrob (Rockford High Book 5)

by Victorine E. Lieske

  She ground her teeth. “Are you calling me stupid?”

  “No. I’m calling you out in your lie. You were hurt, and I get that. But you’re making excuses now, and I’m calling out your B.S.”

  Sweat pooled in her armpits, the car suddenly impossibly hot. Brandon didn’t know what he was talking about. She was staying away from him because she knew he was leaving. How could he say that she was lying? She clenched the steering wheel. “Get out.”

  He let out a breath. “Why are you so mad? You get to call it like it is on your show. But I’m not allowed to when I see a load of crap coming from you? That’s hypocritical.”

  Now he was calling her a hypocrite. She didn’t need to take this from him. She pointed, her hand shaking. “I said, get out.”

  “Fine.” He opened the door and paused, turning back to her. “But you know I’m saying the truth. You’re scared of getting hurt again. That’s it. Admit it.”

  “Get out!” Fury swept through her as he waited. Finally, he climbed out of the car and slammed her door shut.

  She didn’t wait to watch him go inside his aunt’s house. She jerked the car into reverse and backed out of his driveway, her headlights sweeping over him as she turned. His eyes widened, and an expression she’d never seen crossed his face. The tires squealed as she stomped on the gas in her attempt to get away from him.

  How dare he? He didn’t know what she was thinking. How could he be so pig-headed? So presumptuous? Why would he say those things? Her pulse pounded in her ears as she drove. She didn’t know where she was going to go. She just had to get away from him.

  Brandon watched Stephanie tear down the street like a possessed woman. He’d really done it now. She was never going to forgive him. He exhaled and ran his hand through his hair. What was he supposed to say, though? She was being totally unreasonable.

  It wasn’t fair for her to string him along like she’d been doing. He was interested in her. If she was never going to let anything develop between them, then it was better to know it now.

  Right?

  He sighed as her taillights disappeared out of sight, already wanting to take back his words. He liked Stephanie, but he’d agreed not to push things between them. And now what had he done? The first night with her and he’d pushed her.

  Oh, man, was he stupid.

  He would wait until she cooled down, and then call her. Apologize. Beg her to forgive him. He’d lost his head for a moment. Yeah, that was it. He’d just forgotten himself. It was an accident. He hadn’t meant to make her angry. Hadn’t meant to push her. He wasn’t like that.

  His shoulders slumped as he walked toward his aunt’s front door. It had been a good night. Until now. Why had he even said anything? All he had to do was nod and get out of the car. Agree with her that yes, he was leaving, after a freakin’ year almost, and shut up about it.

  But no, he had to challenge her. Tell her she was wrong. What an idiot he was.

  He opened the door and froze. His aunt was standing in the living room, talking to the one person he hadn’t expected to see in Rockford.

  His father.

  Chapter 22

  Brandon held back a curse word. What was his father doing in Rockford? He was in California this morning. What did he do, follow him to Rockford? Why? He entered his aunt’s house and closed the door, trying not to slam it shut. His father and aunt turned to him.

  “You’re home,” his aunt said, wringing her hands. “I wasn’t expecting you quite this early.” Her gaze darted to the clock on the wall.

  He stared at her. She seemed flustered. Like she’d been caught doing something. “What’s going on?”

  “Your father wants to talk to you.” His aunt backed away, then quickly ducked out of the room.

  “What’s this about?” He gritted his teeth. He didn’t want to talk to his father. He had nothing to say to him. Heat flashed over his skin. Just seeing him made him sick. “Why are you here?”

  His father took a step toward him. “I need to talk to you.”

  He narrowed his eyes as he worked through what to say. The clock on the wall ticked loudly. “About what?”

  “I need to explain some things.” He motioned to his aunt’s couch. “Please, let’s sit.”

  Brandon opened his mouth to object, but then noticed his father’s forehead was covered in sweat. For some odd reason, this made him pause. His father was many things, but he’d never seen him nervous. He was a prosecuting attorney, constantly under stress. This was new. Mostly from shock, he shuffled over to the couch and sat down.

  His father wiped a hand on his slacks. “Your mother and I have been talking.”

  Brandon couldn’t help the scoff that came out. “You’re talking? Now? After ten years? Am I supposed to thank you for that?”

  His father looked at him with a pained expression. “I’m sorry. I probably deserve that. I messed up big time.”

  “You messed up?” What was he saying? Was he apologizing for leaving them?

  A long sigh came out of his father, and he slumped against the back of the sofa. “I was wrong to break off ties with you.”

  Brandon had waited years for his father to show up and admit he was wrong for leaving. He’d actually had dreams like this, where his father confessed that it was all a big mistake. A misunderstanding. And Brandon would wake up, expecting his father to be home…only to be disappointed. In his dreams, he was always happy to see his father. But right now, all he could feel was anger. He clenched his fists, which caused pain to travel up his injured arm, but he didn’t care about that anymore. “You’re just now realizing that?”

  “You’re right. And I’m sorry. In fact, I’ve wanted to call you. I just felt awkward about it. You’ve become a big name. I didn’t want you to think I was only contacting you because of your fame.” His father hung his head. “Your mother let me know how wrong I was.”

  Mixed feeling arose in Brandon. He had hated his father for the last ten years. But he’d also longed to hear these words. Unfortunately, they didn’t wipe away the hurt he’d felt. The pain. “You were wrong to leave in the first place.”

  His father winced. “You don’t know the whole story, Brandon.”

  “What do you mean, the whole story? I know you left us. You took off, and me and Mom had to fend for ourselves. You abandoned us.”

  Pain flashed over his father’s features, and he shifted his weight on the couch. “I couldn’t stay. Not after…” He frowned. “Not after what happened. But I’ve had a long time to think about it. I should never have caused you the pain I did.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and tears filled his eyes. “I want to try to undo what I’ve done.”

  “You can’t undo it.” There was no way. It was impossible.

  “I know. But I want to have a relationship with you…and your mother.”

  Brandon’s mouth dropped. “Wait, what? You and mom are getting back together?” What in the world? Was his mother insane? What was going on?

  His father pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his forehead. Who even used a handkerchief anymore? “I realized this week I’m still in love with her.”

  “What?” Brandon couldn’t believe what was happening. “And she’s thinking of taking you back? Is she on medication?” He couldn’t stand it anymore and shot to his feet.

  His father jumped up as well. “Listen. Your mother hurt me more than I could stand. I know now it was wrong for me to disappear out of your life. But I was so upset.” He wiped a hand over his neck. “She had an affair. With my best friend.”

  The room began to spin and Brandon’s mouth went dry. “What?” he said, it coming out only as a rasp.

  “I was so in love with your mother. I couldn’t stand the thought of her with another man. And with my best friend? I couldn’t deal with it. I was so upset, I left and didn’t want anything to do with her. And you just reminded me of everything that had happened.” His father’s face grew red. “I’m sorry. You were in the mid
dle of something terrible.”

  Brandon couldn’t breathe. What was his father saying? Was it true? Had his mother done that? How could he believe what his father was saying? He sat back down on the couch, deflated. “I can’t believe that.”

  “I know,” his father said, sitting next to him and patting him on the knee. “You were so young. You didn’t know any of this.”

  Time seemed to slow as the clock on the wall ticked louder and louder. Had this really happened? He couldn’t imagine his mother doing that. But his father couldn’t get away with telling him such lies. He would know Brandon could just check with his mother. It didn’t make any sense for him to lie.

  The room grew hot, and Brandon jumped up and walked into the kitchen. He couldn’t stand it anymore. His arm throbbed with pain. He needed his pain pills. He grabbed a glass from the cupboard and poured some orange juice in. He didn’t realize his hand was shaking until he almost spilled it.

  “I’m sorry,” his father said, walking into the kitchen. He leaned against the counter. “I’m sorry for everything.”

  Brandon popped his pain meds in his mouth and chased them down with a swig of juice. He didn’t want to talk to his father anymore. He didn’t want to think. He just wanted to be alone. “Well, it’s a little too late,” he muttered as he left the room.

  He walked into the guest bedroom where his suitcase was and slammed the door. This was turning out to be one crummy day.

  All he wanted to do was talk to Stephanie. But she hated him right now.

  Chapter 23

  Stephanie sat in bed propped up against her pillows. A movie was playing on her laptop, but she wasn’t really paying attention to it. It was midnight now. She should go to sleep. But she felt so listless. Depressed. Flat.

  And it was all her fault.

  Why had she gotten so upset with Brandon? He was just saying what he thought. He was wrong, but she didn’t need to treat him like he was a criminal. She’d totally overreacted. And now she felt stupid, and embarrassed.

  Why had she yelled at him? He was just trying to make a point. And maybe there was some truth to what he said, if she was being totally honest with herself. She was scared of being hurt again. That was for certain.

  She shut her movie off and closed her laptop. No need to have the movie on if she wasn’t even watching it. All it was doing was depressing her even more. It didn’t help that Brandon was in that movie. Showed how stupid she is. Staring at his face while she feeling like an idiot for getting mad at him.

  Her phone vibrated and she picked it up. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw it was a text from Brandon.

  You awake?

  She quickly answered.

  Yes.

  Her phone rang and she slid to answer the call, her nerves suddenly jangling inside her. “Hello?”

  “Are you still mad at me, Vlogger girl?”

  His voice came through soft, and she had a hard time taking in a breath. For some reason, it made her pulse pick up when he called her that. “No.”

  “I’m glad. Because I need you.”

  The way he said it put her on alert. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Did you hurt your arm?”

  “No.”

  Silence stretched, and she held her breath.

  “My dad’s here.”

  Her breath came out in a whoosh and she gasped. “What?”

  “He just showed up. And you’re not going to believe what he told me.”

  There was a bitter edge to Brandon’s voice. He was really upset. Stephanie gripped her phone, pressing it harder to her ear. “What did he say?”

  “He’s trying to get back together with my mom.”

  Stephanie coughed and waved her hand in front of her face. “He what? How can she take him back after what he did?”

  “Yeah, turns out she’s the one who cheated. And get this…with his best friend.”

  “Oh, Brandon.” Stephanie swallowed, her mind racing. What does a person say to that? She couldn’t think clearly. She pulled her covers over her legs, suddenly feeling cold. “I have no words.”

  “I know. I’m too shocked to even think about it. My mom…how could she? I don’t know what to think anymore.”

  “At least your dad is trying to talk it through with you.”

  “Yeah.” He sounded angry. “The words ‘too little, too late’ come to mind.”

  “I know. He was rotten for leaving you. I understand him leaving your mom, after what happened, but he shouldn’t have broken off contact with you.”

  “You got that right.”

  Stephanie chewed her lower lip. “Are you okay? You sound so angry.”

  “I am angry. I’m furious with him.”

  “I know you are. And you have every right to be.” She paused, picking invisible lint from her bedspread. “I’m just worried that your anger will consume you. It changes a person.”

  Brandon sighed. “I know.”

  Stephanie had the urge to pull him to her. To give him a hug and let him know she cared. Thank goodness he was across town. She’d make a fool of herself if she did that, after what she said earlier. “You want to stay up late and talk?”

  “Yes. Can you come over?”

  She scoffed and looked at the clock. “It’s past midnight.”

  “So?”

  “I’m in my pajamas!”

  “I don’t care.”

  She could almost see his devilish grin. “You pig.”

  His low chuckle came through the line. “I am not. You’re the one with the dirty mind. I just wanted to talk.”

  “I’m not going over there. So, you’ll just have to talk on the phone.”

  “All right, fine. Be cold-hearted.”

  She laughed. “You’re so spoiled.”

  “Yeah, I probably am. So, will you come over for breakfast, then?”

  She heard a quiet pleading in his voice. It kind of melted her heart. “Breakfast? What kind of breakfast?”

  “I only have one arm right now, so it might be pretty lame. I think I could make scrambled eggs.”

  He was going to cook for her? The melting definitely was happening. In fact, she was kind of a puddle of goo right now. She tried not to let him hear the smile in her voice. “Sounds delicious.”

  “Then it’s a date.” He paused. “I mean, only if you’re okay with it being a date.”

  She picked at her bedspread again, her stomach now full of flutters. He was a nice guy. Why was she being so paranoid about dating guys? It wasn’t like Brandon would be like Kyle. In fact, she was pretty sure she could now spot guys like Kyle in a millisecond. She’d learned her lesson. “I don’t mind.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “For sure? Because I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

  Her lips curled up into a smile. He was being sweet. “Do you want to date me or not?”

  He let out a breath. “Yes, Vlogger girl. I want nothing more than to date you. Will you go to the Harvest Festival with me?”

  “You’re working the kissing booth.”

  “Then come visit me there. I promise to make it worthwhile.” He was totally grinning, she could tell.

  “I said I would date you. I never said I would kiss you.”

  “Girl, you’re so mean.”

  She laughed and snuggled farther under her covers. Amanda entered the room and plopped down on her bed. “You still up?”

  “Yeah. Talking to Brandon.”

  “You two are so cute together,” Amanda said, taking off her jacket.

  “Is that your sister? Put her on.”

  “Oh, brother,” Stephanie said, holding out the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”

  Amanda raised an eyebrow but took the phone. “Yeah?”

  Stephanie couldn’t hear what Brandon was saying, but Amanda got a funny look on her face. “Oh, yeah?”

  Another pause, and then Amanda grinned. “Mint.”

  She laughed and then handed the phone back to Stephanie
. “What was that about?” she asked Brandon.

  “Nothing.”

  “Obviously something. Tell me. What did you say to her?”

  Brandon sighed. “It’s late. I’m getting so tired. I think the pain meds are kicking in now. I feel so sleepy.”

  “You nerd.”

  “Goodnight, Vlogger girl. I’ll see you in the morning. Don’t forget to come over for breakfast.”

  She held back a laugh. “All right. See you.”

  “Bye.”

  She hung up the phone, then turned to Amanda. “What did he say?”

  She shrugged. “He just wanted to know what your favorite flavor of gum was.”

  Stephanie wrinkled her nose. “Why?”

  “Because he plans on kissing you tomorrow.” Amanda smirked and walked out of their room and into the bathroom.

  Stephanie couldn’t help the flush of heat that ran through her body. Brandon was such a flirt. And now Amanda would tease her endlessly. She was going to totally kill him tomorrow.

  Chapter 24

  Brandon rushed to open his aunt’s front door, but his aunt beat him to it. Monica stepped aside as Stephanie came in. “Hello. Brandon said he had a friend coming over.” His aunt gave him a look. “I didn’t know it would be a girl.”

  “Come on, Aunt Monica. Stop embarrassing me.” He grinned at Stephanie. “You met my friend Stephanie yesterday, remember?”

  Monica nodded and shut the door. “I remember.”

  “Brandon told me his aunt lived here in Rockford.” Brandon gave Stephanie the signal to stop talking, but she either ignored him or didn’t know what he meant. “I just never thought he’d come to live here.”

  His aunt blinked, and then turned around and stared at Brandon. “Oh, so you knew each other before he came yesterday?”