Kisses From My Stepbrother
Tiffany Madison
Published by Tiffany Madison, 2015.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
KISSES FROM MY STEPBROTHER
First edition. February 24, 2015.
Copyright © 2015 Tiffany Madison.
Written by Tiffany Madison.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Kisses From My Stepbrother
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About the Author
All characters in this story are 18 years of age or older.
It was only two weeks after my high school graduation when my mom told me that she and my dad were going to be getting a divorce. I was sitting in the kitchen, casually flipping through a magazine, when she burst in the door with tears in her eyes.
“Kelsey...” she said, in between sobs. “I have some bad news.”
My immediate thought was that someone in our family had died or that something had happened to my dog. So I stood up from the chair, dropping the magazine to the table.
“What is it, Mom?” I asked, as I began walking toward her.
My mom wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, causing her mascara to smear.
“Your dad and I are done,” she said. “We just don’t get along any more. He’s packing up right now and he said that he’ll be gone in the morning.”
My stomach dropped and a wave of emotion came over me suddenly.
“Seriously?” I asked, my eyes widening with shock.
My mom didn’t respond. She simply nodded her head. I watched as another wave of tears slowly filled her eyes.
“I’m sorry, honey,” she said. “I know that you just graduated and you want to enjoy the summer. But this had to happen. It was time.”
As she spoke the words, it all suddenly became clear to me. They had been waiting for me, their only child, to turn eighteen and graduate high school before making an official decision to separate. I had guessed that they wanted me to be a full-fledged adult before splitting up.
“How long have you guys been talking about divorce?” I asked, probing a bit further.
My mom stepped toward me and pulled me in for a hug.
“A while now, honey. Your dad and I haven’t really gotten along in some time. It’s going to be better this way,” she said. “There won’t be any more arguments between your father and I.”
I placed my hands onto my mother’s shoulders and gently pushed her away.
“Where is Dad staying?” I asked.
My mom shrugged.
“He said he would stay in a motel until he found his own place,” she explained.
A wave of dizziness came over me.
“I need to sit down.”
I immediately walked back over to the kitchen chair and plopped down. So many thoughts and emotions were going through my mind. It was overwhelming and I needed a few seconds to compose myself.
“Kelsey,” my mom said, breaking the silence. “You knew that this was coming at some point. It’s for the best. I’m sorry it happened now but I don’t want you to let it ruin your summer. This is supposed to be the best time of your life and I want you to live it up.”
I faked a smile, in an effort to support my mother. I loved her so much and it hurt me to see her cry. But I knew that she was right. It was for the best. Most of my childhood memories of my parents were of them arguing anyway, usually about money. The thought of that being behind us was actually a relief. But still, I knew it was going to take some serious adjustment on my part.
“Well, I just want you to know that I’m here for you, Mom,” I said. “And I’m here for Dad, too. It’s all going to be okay. It’s just a transition, you know?”
My mom nodded in agreement. It was the first time that I could remember when it was me that was lecturing her and not the other way around.
“You’re right, Kelsey,” she said, smiling through her tears. “It’s going to be okay.”
***
The year after my graduation flew by quickly. I decided to get a job and stay living at home while attending community college. It was cheaper, plus the ability to work at the same time as going to school allowed me to actually save up some money.
My life was busy, but things had calmed down since my parent’s divorce. My dad had found a place to live just a half an hour away and my mom seemed happier than ever. She danced around the house, humming to herself while she cooked or cleaned. I hadn’t seen her like that in...well...ever, actually. She had never been like that. So I shouldn’t have been too surprised when she came into the house one afternoon with an excited tone in her voice.
“Kelsey!” she called out, her voice echoing throughout the house. “There’s someone here I want you to meet.”
I was sitting in my bedroom, doing some homework and listening to music when I heard her call for me. My stomach dropped a little. I immediately knew that I was about to be introduced to someone she was dating. She had been avoiding the topic with me, but I wasn’t stupid. My mom was gorgeous and I knew it would only be a matter of time before she met another man.
After standing up from my desk, I walked over to the mirror that hung above my dresser. I quickly grabbed a brush and pulled it through my long, blonde hair. Then I slipped on some jeans and a t-shirt, which fit perfectly over my small curves. After that, I glanced at the mirror once more and took a deep breath, readying myself.
“Okay, Kelsey,” I whispered. “No matter what this guy is like, just be nice. Support your mom.”
After my quick pep talk to myself, I stepped out of the bedroom and began making my way downstairs. Once at the bottom, I turned the corner and practically ran into my mother.
“There you are!” she said. “Honey, this is William.”
The smile on my mom’s face was huge, like an excited kid on Christmas morning. It felt like she was playing show and tell or something. Her youthfulness made me smile and it was nice to see her so happy.
I looked past my mother, where a tall man in a white button-down shirt was standing with his hands in the pockets of his black slacks.
“You must be Kelsey,” he said, pulling one of his hands out of his pockets and holding it toward me for a handshake.
I nodded my head in agreement and shook his hand.
“Yes, that’s me,” I said, smiling. “And you must be...my mom’s boyfriend?”
I hated that I had to ask, but my mom hadn’t mentioned him before. A confused look crossed his face as he opened his mouth to respond.
“Actually...” he began to say, but was quickly interrupted by my mom.
“Actually, honey, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” my mom said. “William proposed to me this morning. So he’s technically not my boyfriend any more. He’s my fiancé.”
As she spoke, she slowly lifted her left hand in the air, showing off her new ring. The single set diamond was huge, reflecting the light that poured into the living room windows.
My jaw must have hit the floor, because I was speechless.
“Honey?” my mom said, clearly concerned about my silence on the situation.
How could she do this? Why didn’t she tell me that she was dating someone who she was interesting in marrying? Why did she have to make it such a surprise?
“Mom,” I said, finally picking my jaw up off of the floor. “Can we talk?”
My mom looked back at William, who smiled politely and then nodded, turning to walk back outside.
“I’ll
give you guys a minute,” he said, as he stepped out of the front door.
My mom turned back to me, still smiling.
“I know it’s sudden, Kelsey,” she said. “But I love William and I know this is the right thing to do.”
I crossed my arms, suddenly feeling defensive.
“But Mom, you don’t even know him,” I said. “I’ve never even heard you talk about him before.”
My mom nodded slowly and then shrugged her shoulders.
“I know, Kelsey,” she responded. “But everything I do know about him, I’m falling in love with. And sometimes you just know. Your heart tells you what you need to hear.”
I couldn’t believe what was happening, but as I stood there looking at my mom and seeing a kind of happiness in her eyes that I had never seen before, I began to realize that this had nothing to do with me and that I shouldn’t take it personally. My mother was truly happy for the first time that I could remember. So I did what I knew was right: I smiled wide and held my arms out, pulling my mother in for a hug.
“I’m so happy for you, Mommy,” I said, squeezing her tight. “He seems like a nice guy. It might take me some getting used to, seeing you with a new guy and all, but if it makes you happy then that’s all I care about.”
My mom hugged me for a bit longer and then slowly pulled away, looking me over.
“How did I end up having such an amazing daughter?” she asked.
I shrugged my shoulders playfully.
“You just got lucky, I guess,” I responded, laughing.
Mom and I laughed together for a moment then she placed her hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes.
“Seriously, baby,” she said. “Thank you so much for your support. You mean the world to me, you know?”
An unintentional smile crossed my face as she spoke the last sentence. She had been saying that to me since I was a little girl.
“Thanks, Mom...” I said. “You mean the world to me too.”
We were silently for a moment and then my mom finally spoke up.
“I should go out there and get William,” she said. “He’s just standing out there in the cold.”
I nodded and said, “Yeah, I have a lot of homework to do anyway. So I’ll catch up with you guys in a little bit?”
“Definitely,” my mom responded. “I’ll make dinner for all of us tonight.”
I turned and headed back up to my room, taking a seat in the chair in front of my desk once again. Still in shock, I closed my eyes and tried to put everything together in my mind.
Wow...this is crazy. I can’t believe Mom is getting married again...I thought to myself.
It was a lot to digest. In less than a year, my mom was getting remarried. And despite the fact that I was happy for her, I also felt bad for my dad. I mean he had to feel a little sad that my mom had moved on so quickly.
“Oh well,” I whispered, as I leaned back in my chair. “I guess this is just how it’s all meant to unfold.”
I had to have at least a little faith that everything was going to work out for the best, or else I’d end up slipping into some kind of depression. I needed to keep telling myself that it was all happening for the greater good and that, at some point in the future, I’d know that it was all meant to be.
***
Mom’s wedding day, six months later...
Standing in front of my mirror, I turned to the side to see how my new dress looked on me. William had bought it for me so that I’d have something nice to wear to the wedding. It was dark blue, long and tight, going all the way down to the middle of my calves. The silky material clung to my body, making my curves distinguishable and accentuated. I brought my hands down to my sides, placing them on my hips.
“Wow,” I said, admiring how perfectly the dress fit me. “This is gorgeous.”
I stood up straight, pressing my chest outward slightly. It caused my breasts to press together between the low cut material, making my cleavage look amazing.
Jesus...this dress is incredible...I wonder how much William spent on this thing.
After admiring myself for a moment longer, I opened up the small jewelry box that sat on top of my dresser. I pulled out a pearl necklace, which had been my grandmother’s before she had passed away just a few years prior. I had been waiting for a long time to have an excuse to wear it and I figured that there would never be a better time than my mother’s wedding.
I carefully pulled the necklace out, admiring the way the light reflected off of the pearls. Then I brought it up and around my neck, clasping the small silver buckle together.
After that, I combed out my hair, making sure that it looked perfect. I must have stood there for over an hour, meticulously checking myself out. But after putting the finishing touches on my makeup and impulsively cutting off every split end of hair that I could find, I was finally ready to go. I felt like I looked better than I had in years and I was ready to see my mom get married!
“Kelsey!” Mom called up from downstairs. “It’s time to go, sweetheart!”
I took one last look in the mirror and then sprayed on some of my favorite perfume. Then I slipped on my black high heels, before making my way downstairs.
“You ready, honey?” my mom asked, as she stood next to the front door, holding it open for me.
I smiled and quickened my pace.
“Yes,” I said. “Sorry that took so long. I just wanted everything to be perfect.”
My mom chuckled and put her arm around me, squeezing me tight.
“You and me both, baby,” she said.
William was already in the driver’s seat of the running SUV, waiting for us. We hopped in the car and began driving toward the church for the ceremony.
“This is going to be a great day,” William said, excitedly.
He looked back at me and smiled, then brought his gaze to my mom. I watched as he placed his hand on my mom’s knees, stroking it affectionately.
“The best day ever!” my mom responded.
We drove in silence for a bit and then William looked up into the rear view mirror, bringing his gaze to me.
“Thank you for being here, Kelsey,” he said. “This is going to be fun. You’ll get to meet my son, too. Or, should I say...your stepbrother?”
He chuckled at the end and I felt the strangest sensation inside of me. It was like my stomach had balled up into a knot.
Stepbrother?
It was in that moment when I realized I was no longer going to be the only child of the family. It wasn’t a huge deal; because it’s not like I was a kid any more. But still...I was going to have a brother? I didn’t really want a brother...
“Is that exciting or what?” my mom asked, as she turned around from the passenger seat to face me.
A half-assed smile crossed my face and I nodded slowly.
“Yeah...” I said, hesitantly. “We’ll be just like a regular old family, won’t we?”
I did my best to cover up my sarcasm and I think it worked, because my mom smiled wide and then turned back around.
“Yes,” she said. “A regular old family...”
***
This dress is amazing, but holy shit it’s too hot out here to be wearing such a dark color...
I shifted in my seat, trying to turn in such a way that the afternoon sun was out of my eyes. The wedding was about to begin and I had front row seats. I was excited, yet nervous. I had never been to a wedding before and I never thought that my first one would be my mother’s.
I glanced around behind me, watching as everybody filed in and found a seat. I didn’t really know anybody there. Most of the attendees were relatives of William, except for a handful of my mother’s friends. We had a small family, which became even smaller after the divorce.
This is crazy...my mother is getting married today. I hope I don’t cry.
I turned back around in my seat, facing the flowery gazebo in which my mother and William were about to become married. I had always imagined weddings
happening inside of a church, but I really liked the setting they had picked out. It was a beautiful park on the outskirts of town. You could hear the small creek nearby and birds chirping playfully in the trees. It was pretty serene, almost like something from a dream. It was beautiful and I felt like I could have sat there for hours just taking it all in.
“Is this seat taken?” I heard a man’s voice ask.
It shook me from my daydreaming and I jumped a little out of surprise. I turned to look, but the sun hit me right in the eyes.
“Uh, no,” I said. “I don’t think anybody is sitting there yet.”
The man stepped in front of me, temporarily blocking the sun. I brought my gaze up his body, which was adorned in a tailored black suit.
“Sorry if I surprised you there,” he said, looking down at me.
I looked up to his face and immediately felt my lips part slightly from shock.
“Oh, no problem,” I said. “But yeah, I think that seat is open.”
Holy shit. He’s gorgeous.
I had no idea who this man was. I had only laid eyes on him for a brief moment, but the image of his handsome face was burned into my mind. He had black hair that was combed to the side, complimented by a thick but perfectly trimmed beard. His smile was wide and contagious and the tone of his voice deep and sexy. But none of these things mesmerized me the way that his baby blue eyes did. They were gorgeous and so bright that they were almost fluorescent.
He’s perfect. I thought to myself.
The man sat down in the chair to my right and I glanced over at him. He looked back in an instant and smiled.
“I’m Steven,” he said, holding out his hand.
Out of habit, I glanced down, checking to see if he had a ring on his ring finger. I didn’t have any intentions at that point, but I figured it would be good to know if he was married or not. Luckily, though, there was no ring.
“I’m Kelsey,” I responded, shaking his hand.
Steven nodded slowly and looked me over. I immediately got lost in his eyes, hypnotized by the exotic color.
“You’re very pretty. I really like that dress,” Steven replied.
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