by Tia Wylder
“And Emma, I want to make this very clear,” Derek said, lowering his voice when we were almost to the front door. “He’s probably in there with another woman. You sure you feel like you love him?”
Derek’s words stung, but I knew they likely weren’t untrue.
“Yes,” I said. “I feel the same.”
Derek rolled his eyes. “You’re hopeless,” he said. “I can’t believe you, Emma. You really are stupid, and immature.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Just because I don’t want you doesn’t mean I’m stupid,” I shot back. “You can be a real jerk, you know that?”
Derek shook his head. “Whatever,” he mumbled. Then he knocked loudly on the door. “Damien!” Derek yelled. “Get your ass out here!”
Seconds later, I heard heavy footsteps, and the door swung open. When Damien saw me, he narrowed his eyes.
“What the fuck is going on,” Damien asked. “Why are you here?”
Derek shoved Damien in the chest, and he staggered backward, grabbing hold of the wall so he wouldn’t fall. Then Derek grabbed my wrist and yanked me inside, kicking the door shut behind him.
“Hey,” Damien said angrily. “I have neighbors, remember?”
Derek rolled his eyes. “Oh, you’re just the angel of consideration,” he said sarcastically.
“Why are you here?” Damien repeated, crossing his arms over his chest. “Because I don’t have time for another temper tantrum, Derek. I’m busy.”
“With what? Some bimbo in your bedroom?”
“With work, asshole,” Damien growled.
Derek rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right,” he said. “I bet you don’t even know what that word means.”
By the angry gleam in his eye, I expected Damien to punch Derek. Instead, he shrugged and sighed.
“I won’t do this with you, not right now, not with her here,” Damien said. “Stop being a child, Derek.”
“Fine,” Derek said. He turned to me. “Emma, why don’t you tell him why we’re here?”
My cheeks flamed bright red, and fresh tears welled in my eyes. Damien caught my eye and stared at me for a long time. Then he chuckled under his breath.
“Emma, don’t say anything,” Damien said gently. “I think I can guess exactly what my younger brother is doing here.”
“Oh?” Derek asked sarcastically, crossing his arms over his lean chest. “Really, now?”
“Yeah,” Damien said. “Emma must have told you that she and I have been seeing each other for the past few weeks.”
Derek did a double-take.
“And I’m guessing you slept with her, maybe once or twice,” Damien continued. “And now she doesn’t want you anymore because she wants me instead.”
Derek growled under his breath. “Fuck you,” he snarled.
Damien laughed. “Man, chill out. I could practically read your mind as soon as you stomped in here.” He turned to me. “Emma, is that what happened?”
I nodded as a tear ran down my cheek.
“I wanna fight you,” Derek growled. “I want to fight you for her!”
Damien laughed again. “Don’t be a child,” he said. “She made her choice.”
Derek threw a powerful punch but Damien darted to the side, and Derek’s fist landed on the wall, shattering the plaster and forming a large hole.
“Are you done yet?” Damien asked calmly. He crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head to the side. “And before you leave, you can write me a check for the damage.”
Derek glared. “I hate you,” he said under his breath. “You’re a real pig, you know that?”
Damien shrugged. “Like I said, the lady made her choice,” he said.
Derek stared at Damien for a long time before shifting his gaze to me and groaning in disgust. I watched as he turned on his heel and slumped out of Damien’s condo, slamming the door behind him. When he was gone, I was afraid to look at Damien.
“Emma,” Damien said quietly. “Are you all right?”
I nodded. “I think so,” I said softly. Biting my lip, I looked up into his gorgeous eyes. “Do you want me to go, too?”
Damien shook his head. He put an arm around me and pulled me close. “No,” Damien whispered into my ear before pulling me close and kissing me. “I want you to stay.”
Chapter Nine
Damien and I spent the weekend together. I was amazed at how easy being with him was – somehow, now that everything was out in the open, I felt relaxed and happy just to spend time with the man I adored.
Derek tried calling me twice, but I didn’t pick up, and he didn’t leave a message.
“What am I going to do about him?” I asked Damien nervously. “Do you think he’ll tell Mom and Jack?”
Damien shrugged. “I don’t know, honestly,” he said. “He’s a loose cannon.”
I bit my lip and frowned. “God, I don’t want Mom to know! I’d be so embarrassed.”
Damien gave me an odd look. “Emma, calm down,” he said. “You have nothing to freak out about, okay? We’re both consenting adults.”
I blushed hotly. “But…you’re my stepbrother,” I said, frowning. “That doesn’t look right. It’s like incest.”
Damien burst out laughing. “Trust me, Emma, it’s not incest,” he said. “Everything’ll be fine.” He raised an eyebrow and smirked his trademark smirk. “Besides, they’ll find out eventually.”
I bit my lip. “I guess that’s true,” I said softly. “I shouldn’t worry so much.”
Damien put his hands on my shoulders and pulled me close. “It’s okay, Emma – I get it,” he said softly. “Just try to relax, okay? Take a deep breath for me.”
I sighed. “Okay,” I said. “Thank you.”
Damien raised an eyebrow. “You sure there’s nothing else on your mind?”
I frowned.
“You can tell me,” Damien said encouragingly. “I promise.”
“It’s nothing,” I said hesitantly. “It’s just…I don’t know, on the way over here, Derek said something strange.”
“What did he say?” Damien asked, narrowing his eyes. “I hope you wouldn’t listen to that crazy fuck, anyway.”
“He said you were over here with another girl,” I said softly. I swallowed. “I think that was actually why he brought me here, he wanted you to catch me off guard.”
Damien rolled his eyes and snorted. “No, Emma, I wasn’t with anyone else.” He looked at me. “I haven’t been with anyone else since I started sleeping with you.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” Damien said. “I swear, Em, I wouldn’t lie to you.”
I wrapped my arms around Damien, melting with relief. Hearing him say the words that I’d been praying for felt even better than expected.
“Are you okay, now?” Damien asked.
I nodded. “I’m fine,” I said softly. “Thank you.”
When Damien dropped me off at home, I was hoping to sneak inside and up to my room before Mom could notice me. But I hadn’t even left the foyer when she came out of the kitchen with her hands on her hips.
“Emma, where have you been?” Mom asked. “You’ve been gone all weekend!”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I know I should have called or let you know. I’m fine, though.” I yawned. “I’m just exhausted.” Having sex with Damien really wore me out, I thought. I can’t remember the last time I felt so lethargic!
Mom narrowed her eyes. “I know I shouldn’t be so overprotective,” she said. “After all, you are an adult now. Just remember, while you live in my house, I’d appreciate a little heads’ up.”
I nodded. “You’re totally right,” I said. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Mom nodded. “Okay, well, are you hungry? I’m making some lunch for Jack and myself – tuna fish, does that sound good?”
I frowned. Normally, I loved tuna…but somehow, thinking about it made me want to throw up. My stomach twisted with nausea and I swallowed hard, breathing through in nose in a
desperate attempt to feel normal again.
“I’m fine,” I managed to say. “I’m going upstairs – I’m going to lie down for a while.”
Mom nodded. “Okay,” she said. “But I don’t want you sleeping all day! Tonight, we’re having dinner as a family,” she said sternly.
I flushed. “With Damien and Derek?”
“No,” Mom said with a sigh. “Jack doesn’t want me bothering them right now. Did you know Derek spent the weekend in the office? That was why I was worried about you because I knew you couldn’t possibly be with him,” she added. “Personally, I think they need a break and a good, home-cooked meal. You just know they’re living on pizza!”
I flushed hotly, thinking of my weekend with Damien. “Okay,” I managed to say. “Well, I’ll be down in a little bit. And I’ll have dinner with you and Jack.”
Mom nodded, looking satisfied. “Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate that.”
It felt like our short talk had taken an excruciatingly long time. By the time Mom went back into the kitchen, humming under her breath as she fixed the fish, I bolted upstairs. My nausea was worse than ever, and I went into the bathroom and sat on the lip of the tub, waiting to vomit into the toilet. But frustratingly enough, it didn’t come.
I’m probably just exhausted, I thought as I got to my feet. Maybe I’ll feel better after a nap.
The cotton sheets of my bed felt gloriously cool and relaxing, and my eyes closed like iron doors the moment my head hit the pillow. I’ll just sleep for a few hours, I thought, yawning and snuggling under the blankets. I’m sure I’ll be fine when I wake up.
Hours later, I stirred, waking slowly. I felt groggy and disoriented, and my formerly-sunny bedroom was dark. Frowning, I sat up in bed and stretched before swinging my legs over the side and getting to my feet. I was still wearing the outfit I’d worn to dinner with Derek, days ago, so I quickly changed into a pair of jeans and a clean shirt before running downstairs. My nausea was still growing strong, but I was starting to think that maybe it was only because I hadn’t eaten very much over the weekend – Damien and I had been so busy making love that we’d barely come up for air.
Mom and Jack were at the dinner table, having coffee and cake.
“I’m sorry I overslept,” I said with a guilty smile. “I must have been really tired.”
Mom nodded. “It’s fine,” she said. “I checked on you a couple of times, and you were out like a light. Want me to make you a sandwich?”
“Don’t get up, Nadine,” Jack said. “Emma’s an adult, she can make her own dinner.”
“Definitely,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.” I yawned again.
“Honey, are you coming down with something?” Mom asked. “You don’t look well.”
“Maybe,” I said with a shrug. “It’s fine. I’ll just make a sandwich.”
“Clean up after yourself,” Jack called after me. “I don’t want your mother spending all night cleaning the kitchen.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure,” I called over my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it.” What’s gotten into him, I wondered as I went into the kitchen and started fixing myself a sandwich. But as soon as I peered into the fridge to look for cold cuts, the overwhelming smell of tuna hit my senses and I gagged. Whirling away from the fridge, I barely made it to the kitchen sink before spewing vomit all over the shiny, stainless-steel surface.
“Emma?” Mom called from the dining room. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!” I called back loudly, turning on the sink and the garbage disposal. After I’d thoroughly rinsed the sink, I made myself a small plate of plain crackers and peanut butter. I didn’t want to risk opening the fridge and smelling the tuna fish again, so I poured myself a glass of tap water and carried everything upstairs to my room.
Seeing my bed again made me yawn. I’ll just lie down for a second, I thought. And then I can eat some crackers, and I’ll feel better.
As soon as I lay down, I fell asleep.
--
In the morning, I woke up and groaned. The plate of crackers and peanut butter was still there, untouched. I reached for my now-warm glass of water and took a small sip, coughing violently until pain spread through my body. I climbed out of bed and pulled on a robe, then slunk into my bathroom and turned on the water. When it was steaming hot, I undressed and stood under the hot spray. My breasts were surprisingly tender and painful, and I cried out as the pellets of water lashed at my sensitive skin. I turned around and let the spray soak my hair and back, closing my eyes and breathing in the steam.
As soon as I was out of the shower, I called Ana.
“I’m not feeling well,” I said. “I…I think something’s wrong.”
“Like what?” Ana asked. She sounded perplexed. “What’s going on, Emma?”
“I think I need to go to the doctor,” I said. “Can you pick me up?”
“Right now?”
I sighed. “I can call Michael,” I said. “But…I think I might be pregnant.”
“Ohmygod,” Ana gasped. “Emma! How is that possible?”
I flushed hotly. “I…I don’t want to talk about it here, I’ll tell you in the car.”
“I’ll be over in twenty.”
“Ana, you live five minutes away, what’s the problem?”
“I have to pick up Michael, don’t I?”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay. But seriously, get here as soon as you can.”
Ana laughed. “Em, you’ve got a few months to make a decision.”
Her words suddenly made the situation feel even more real, and I shuddered.
“Whatever, just get here,” I said quickly, ending the call and sliding my cell into my pocket.
Thankfully, Mom and Jack were gone somewhere, Mom had left a note saying they’d be back in time for dinner. I scribbled one in return, saying that Ana and I were going out for lunch. No matter what I was going to do, I didn’t want Mom thinking I was sick…I didn’t want to give her any potential reason to worry about me or ask any questions that I wasn’t ready to answer.
Ana pulled up, and I ran out of the house and down the drive. Michael climbed out of the front seat and leaped into the back.
“What are you doing?” I asked with a frown.
“Pregnant lady gets dibs,” Michael said.
I shoved him in the ribs. “Ana, you have such a big mouth!” I said loudly as I got in the car. “I don’t know anything for sure!”
Michael grabbed both seats and pushed himself forward until he was between Ana and me.
“So, dish,” he said. “You have to tell me exactly everything!”
I groaned. “I was so afraid of this,” I said, burying my face in my hands. “I never should have said anything!”
Michael laughed. “Please tell me it was Derek,” he said. “He’s so fine, I swear, I can’t even handle looking at him.”
I bit my lip.
“Oh, god, was it Derek?” Michael asked. “You can’t be serious, Emma!”
“It was worse,” I moaned, burying my face in my hands. “It was so much worse than that!”
“What happened, did someone hurt you?” Michael demanded. “Emma, I’ll kick their ass!”
“Nothing happened like that,” I flushed. “I just…I slept with both.”
“Oh my god,” Michael said. “Ana! Did you hear that?”
Beside me, in the driver’s seat, Ana did a double take. “Oh my god,” she shrieked. “Emma! I can’t believe you!”
“I know,” Michael said. “It’s incredible.” He clapped me on the shoulder and then clasped both hands under his chin, fluttering his eyelashes like a girl. “I’ve never been so proud.”
“Oh my god,” I said. “I actually want to die right now.”
Ana turned to me and raised an eyebrow. “So…the baby could really be either twin’s?”
I flushed hotly. “Stop it,” I said. “You’re making me feel like I live on a daytime TV show!”
Ana giggled. “I’m sorry,
Em,” she said. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just…well, I guess I don’t know how I meant it. Are you going to tell them?”