Dirty Stepbrother

by Alycia Taylor

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “Girlfriend?”

  “No.”

  “Kids?”

  “Just you.”

  I took a deep breath. I hadn’t realized how much I’d wanted him to have those answers until after I’d asked him.

  “Why didn’t you remarry?” I asked.

  “Because nobody could match up to your mother. I’ll be honest with you, Em; leaving your mother was the worst decision of my life. But I was so young, and I was such an idiot. I thought I knew what I wanted. What I didn’t realize was that it had been right in front of my face all along. I know I don’t deserve to have you sitting in front of me right now.”

  “You don’t,” I said honestly. “But I’m sort of glad you are.”

  “You are?”

  “I think so. I don’t really know what I’m feeling right now or what I want, but I’m starting to realize that it’s okay not to be sure.”

  He smiled. “It’s absolutely okay.”

  “You know, you look a lot like me,” I said, and then I laughed. “I mean, I look a lot like you. I think it’s the eyes.”

  “Either that or our fabulous hair,” he said and chuckled.

  “And our impeccable dress sense.”

  “And our incredible sense of humor.”

  “Let’s not forget our intelligence.”

  We laughed and then, just as the laughter subsided, I cried a little. The food arrived at that moment which gave me a chance to compose myself.

  “Sorry about that,” I said. “My emotions are completely out of whack.”

  “That’s okay. I’m just glad we laughed.”

  “Me too,” I said.

  We started eating and turned the conversation over to food, which felt nice and safe. Then, just as we were finished, he asked me about Grant.

  “Where’s your boyfriend tonight?”

  “Oh, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s just a friend. I only asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend in case things went badly, or if you weren’t who you said you were. Sorry about that.”

  He arched his eyebrows in surprise. “He’s not your boyfriend? He sure looked like he was.”

  “Good acting,” I said unconvincingly.

  “Are you sure? Because from what I could see, the two of you were very much in love. I could see it in his eyes. In yours too. I don’t think any amount of acting could do that.”

  I laughed nervously. “No, he’s just a friend.”

  After dinner, John walked me to my car.

  “Thank you again for seeing me tonight, Emily. I had the best time.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, so did I.”

  “You seem surprised.”

  “I am. Look, I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to just call you John. At least for now.”

  “John is great. Does that mean I’m going to see you again?”

  “I’d love that.”

  We shook hands, and I walked away smiling. When I got into my car, I took out the book that he’d given me to look at again. The book was called “The Reason”—a psychological mystery that sounded just like the sort of book I’d normally read. I opened up the front cover and gasped when I saw the dedication on the first page.

  Emily, I miss you.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Grant

  “So, you definitely want to buy this house?” the realtor asked me as we walked through the remains of Emily’s house.

  I nodded. “Yeah, I think it has a lot of potential, actually. What do you think?”

  “Personally, I think it’s great. I love dealing with people that want to restore something old rather than just buy something new. And it will be great for this area if you do something with this space. Also, the deal is amazing. I think you should go for it.”

  “I agree. Also, it’s right by my brother’s place, which is pretty convenient. Well, I say we go for it.”

  “Great. I have the papers right here if you want to sign?”

  “I do. I want to snap it up before anyone else realizes what a gold mine it is,” I said. We walked over to her car and signed the papers.

  “Perfect. It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Grant. I’ll have the papers scanned and sent over to you in the morning. And I’ll be sure to send over the plans of the house to you so that you can give them to your builder. It’s going to look amazing. It’s sad what happened though, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, it’s terrible.”

  “Poor Emily. That girl has been nothing but sweet to everyone in this whole town. It’s not fair that it happened to her. But, I guess, these things just happen. Don’t they?”

  The agent clearly had no idea about what really happened, but I wasn’t going to be the one to tell her. I just nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. Goes to show how appreciative we need to be of the things in our life. They can be gone so suddenly.”

  “Absolutely. Are you and Emily friends?”

  “We’re friends,” I said.

  “And does she know you’ve bought this place?”

  “No. Not yet. And I’d appreciate if you didn’t say anything.”

  “Of course. Your secret is safe with me. I’m sure she’ll be very happy when she finds out. I’ll be in touch, Grant. Have a great day.”

  “You too,” I said and waved her off.

  I still needed to talk to Emily about what I had done. I thought she’d be happy, but judging by everything that had gone on with us, I wasn’t so sure anymore. What if she didn’t want me to own this house? Perhaps I should’ve asked her before going ahead with it. I stood there for a long time, contemplating how different my life now was. A few months ago I was sitting in a day job I hated and wondering if my life had any meaning. Now I was a homeowner in a new town.

  I was just about to get into my car when I noticed a man near the house, peeking through the windows. I thought immediately of the phone call I had received from Brady and figured this was the man that was snooping the last time. I decided to go and talk to him. If he wanted the house, he needed to know that it was no longer for sale.

  “Hi there,” I said as I got nearer. The man turned to look at me and smiled. His face looked vaguely familiar but I couldn’t quite place it.

  “Oh hi,” he said.

  “Can I help you with anything? You seem to be interested in this house,” I said casually. I was still trying to figure out how to broach the subject of me buying the house. If he kept coming to check it out, then he was clearly very interested in buying it.

  “Oh, I’m just looking at the ruins. Spectacular, isn’t it?”

  “Spectacular? That’s an interesting way of putting it.”

  “Oh, I’ve always been interested in fire,” the man said.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” I said. “It’s the most beautiful and yet most destructive thing in the world.”

  “Like women.”

  I looked at the man. Clearly, he had a lot of issues if he was comparing the destruction of fire to a woman. I was just about to console him when he started laughing.

  “You know, the man who did this must’ve been an interesting guy, don’t you think?”

  “Uh, how do you know someone did this on purpose?” I asked.

  He looked at me and smiled. “Oh, I know.”

  “Do you know the person who did it?” I asked. I could feel the hairs on my arm standing up. Something wasn’t right about this man.

  “Oh yeah,” he said and chuckled.

  “Well, that man was a genius,” I lied. I figured the only way I’d get him to confess was to have him on my side. “I mean, it’s incredible.”

  “It was me!”

  I looked at him. That was easier than I thought it was going to be. The man was delusional.

  “You? Why’d you do it?”

  “Well, I’m in love with the woman who used to live here.”

  “You’re in love with E—uh, the woman?” I said, almost blowing my cover by saying Emily’s name.

 
“Yeah. I’m in love with her. And I’m sure she’s in love with me. Although I asked her out three times and . . . and she said no. I’m not sure why. Maybe she’s scared about just how much she wants to be with me. I knew I couldn’t ask her out a fourth time. That would be too weird,” he said. That would be too weird, I thought but didn’t say anything. I just nodded and let him talk. “Also, I know she doesn’t have family to turn to. So I burned this ugly house down so that she could come and live with me.”

  “Did it work?”

  “Nah. I forgot about her best friend. The woman that works with her. So that was a bummer. But it’s okay. I’ll find a way to get her.”

  I turned to him and punched him in the nose. He staggered back and looked at me in surprise.

  “Ow. What was that for?”

  “You could’ve hurt her.”

  “Who?”

  “Emily.”

  “You know her?”

  “You could’ve hurt her. Imagine if she were inside. How can you do something like that?”

  “Whoa, dude. I made sure she was out. I wanted to try and get her, remember? Why would I hurt her?”

  “So you burned her house down? Do you even realize how messed up that sounds? You’re a freaking psycho.”

  “I prefer to think of myself as intelligent, thank you very much. A creative thinker.”

  I couldn’t take it anymore. If ever there was a time that my rage was unstoppable, it was now. I could feel my blood boiling the longer I stood there and looked at his face. I walked up to him and grabbed him by the throat.

  “Listen here. If I ever see you again, I will kill you. You hear me? I will kill you. You’re a good for nothing son of a bitch, and I don’t ever want to see you again.”

  Just then Brady came running out of his house after he’d heard the commotion outside.

  “Grant, what are you doing? Let him go.”

  I held tight.

  “Patriot! Let him go!” he screamed.

  I let him go, and the man scurried off.

  “Run away like the coward you are,” I screamed as I watched him retreat.

  “Whoa, what the hell was that all about? Who was that guy? Hey, I think that was the same guy I saw snooping the last time, actually.”

  “It was.”

  “What the hell was he doing here again? Did you talk to him?”

  I nodded. “He did it. He’s the one that burned the house down.”

  “He actually told you?”

  “Not only did he tell me, but he boasted about it. He was happy about it. Oh, he was delighted at what he had done. I think he’s been bursting to tell someone about it. He obviously had no idea who I was.”

  “But why would he do that? I mean, why would he burn her house down? Did he have a reason?”

  “Because Emily turned him down numerous times. He didn’t want to ask her out a again so he burned her house down in the hopes she’d come and stay with him. Clearly, that didn’t work out too well for him. The guy is messed up man.”

  Grant groaned. “Are you serious? He burned her house down because she wouldn’t go out with him. That man is a psycho. No wonder she turned him down.”

  “Tell me about it. I actually couldn’t believe it when he told me. Look, I’m sorry for losing my cool out there. I couldn’t help myself. He was actually laughing about what he had done. I think that’s what did it for me. The laughter.”

  Grant shook his hand. “Nah, I don’t blame you at all. I would’ve done exactly the same thing if I had been in your shoes. But you need to let him go. The last thing you want is to get into trouble for any of this. He’s the one at fault.”

  “Yeah, you came at the right time. Thanks, man,” I said. I was still visibly shaking.

  “And listen, have you spoken to Emily?” Grant asked.

  “I haven’t since the time we fought. Why do you ask?”

  “Well, clearly you care for her a lot more than you think you do. I think you might be in love with her. Don’t you think it’s about time that you made amends?”

  I sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. I need to make things right with her.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Emily

  I was sitting at work, waiting for Terra to finish up with a late client, when my phone rang. It was my father. Ever since the two of us had gone for dinner, we’d spoken almost daily. The phone calls generally didn’t have a meaning, and most of the time it was just asking me how my day had gone. I called him yesterday first for the first time because I wanted to talk to him about his book. I was already half way through, and I was loving it. I wanted to ask what was going to happen and if my suspicions were correct. But he had only laughed and told me he would not tell me. I told him that there was no point knowing the author if the author wouldn’t give you any information. But he’d only laughed and told me he’d talk to me when it was done.

  “Hey, John,” I said when I answered the phone.

  “Okay time to talk? You still at work?” he asked.

  “I’m still here. Just waiting for Terra and then we’re leaving. So this is a good time. But before we talk about anything, I have to tell you that I finished the book!”

  “What? Already? But you were half way through yesterday.”

  “I know. But you wouldn’t tell me what happened, and I just had to know. So I stayed up until about two this morning finishing it.”

  “Oh no, I’m nervous now.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m always nervous when people I know read my stuff, but it’s even more nerve-wracking with you. Can you just tell me you liked it even if you didn’t?”

  I laughed. “No need for me to lie. I loved it. You’re so talented.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief. “Really?”

  “Really. But did you really have to make Robert die? I liked him!”

  “I know. Me too. I hated writing that scene. But it was important to the story.”

  “You should write a book that happens before all of this, and have him as your main character. I feel like I need to know more about him.”

  “You know, that’s not a bad idea. I might just do that.”

  “Are you serious? Okay, get started soon!”

  He chuckled. “You’re worse than my agent.”

  We spoke a bit more about our day, and what we had done and when I put down the phone, I was smiling. Terra walked in and saw me.

  “What was that all about? I only heard the tail end of the conversation.”

  “Oh, that was John.”

  “Your father?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So, you guys talk often?”

  “Almost every day, really. Feel like some coffee? I thought we could go over to that place across the road before going home.”

  “Sounds great. I’d love that.”

  We grabbed our bags and headed out to the café. We ordered our coffee at the counter and took them back to the table with us.

  “So, things seem to be going well between you and your father then. Have you seen him again?”

  “No, we’ve just spoken on the phone. I also read that book he gave me. It was amazing. He’s so talented.”

  “Can I read it next?”

  “Of course! I’ll drop it off with you.”

  “I’m happy for you, Em. I know it’s not going to be easy and I’m sure you’re going to have your ups and downs, but I’m glad you let him into your life. You deserve this. And, from the sounds of things, he’s not such a bad guy.”

  I sighed. “He’s not. He’s really nice. And he regrets what he did. Sometimes I get so mad at him, but my feelings always soften. I know he wants to be in my life. And he’s trying really hard.”

  “That’s good. I’d love to meet him.”

  “Read the book, and then I’ll organize a meet up with him. We can interrogate him about it.”

  “Ooh, I like that. Hey, remember that book club we used to have together?”

  I chuckled at the memory. It was
a few years ago, and everyone had bailed on us because we really wanted to read books and not just drink wine.

  “We should do that again. Wow, now we actually get to talk to the author of one of the books. That’s cool,” I said.

  “Very cool. It looks like your life is finally getting back on track.”

  “Sort of. Although, I might have gained a father, but I’ve lost a boyfriend.”

  “I thought you and Grant were never going out.”

  “Not officially. But I guess I sort of saw him as my boyfriend. I really liked him, Terra.”

  “I know you did. I’ve never seen you like anyone as much as him. Are you sure you don’t want to just call him? Maybe the two of you just need to talk.”

  “Maybe. But then I get angry and think that he should be the one that calls me.”

  “Oh no, that’s a terrible game to play. What if he’s thinking the same thing about you? It’s an endless game then. Just think about it.”

  “I will.”

  “So, changing the subject,” she said, and I smiled. I wanted her to change the subject. “Have you seen Brett and Wendy lately? Weren’t they supposed to come in this week?”

  “He canceled again. But he assures me that he’s coming in soon. He actually called me this time. He sounded all weird. I don’t know. As much as I miss Wendy, maybe it’s good that he doesn’t come back. I don’t need more drama in my life.”

  After the coffee, I went home to get the book and dropped it off with Terra. Then, instead of going home again, I decided to visit my mother’s gravestone. I tried to go there at least once a month, but with everything that had been going on lately, I missed the month before. I sat down and placed my hand on the stone.

  “I miss you, Mom. I wish you were here. You would know what to do in this situation. Can I tell you something that I haven’t told anyone? I’ve barely even admitted this to myself. I think I’m in love with Grant. I’ve never felt that way about anyone before in my entire life. I always wondered what it felt like to be in love with someone. I wasn’t sure that I’d ever find out what it felt like. And then I met Grant. He’s different from most of the guys I’ve known. I don’t know what it is about him. He’s just different. And now it’s all ruined. Is this what it felt like with you and my father? Did you also just know? I’m so sad thing he left us when we could’ve been such an amazing family together. I met him, Mom. He came back. And he’s amazing. But . . . sometimes it’s hard for me to forget what happened. And then I worry that you’re going to be upset that I’ve forgiven him. And what if Grant is like him? What if he leaves me the way Dad left you? I just wish you were here to talk to me. Sometimes I feel so alone.”