Stepbrother Inked

by Violet Blaze

  I felt Florian stiffen behind me, but I wouldn't let the moment get away from us, not like this. I stayed in his arms, let his presence comfort me, and took a deep breath.

  “That's not how this works, Dad. This isn't a problem or a mistake or an accident.” I glanced over at River again. “And it's not a tragedy. We … Flor and I didn't want you to lose your baby either.”

  Silence settled on the kitchen and I wondered if I'd said the wrong thing. Had the possibility of a shared sibling been a hardship on Flor and me? Yes, it had. But like I'd told Flor before, you can't wave a magic wand and make that kind of stuff go away. If love had no hardships, if it was easy, then it wouldn't be worth so much.

  “I know,” my father said, voice strangely soft. When he looked at me, I found myself staring into the same shade of blue that I saw in the mirror everyday. My eyes were really the only part of me that looked like him. The rest, I guessed, was from a mother I'd never know. My dad had said she was from Latin America, but that left a lot of countries and a lot of questions that even he didn't know the answers to. I wondered if his mistakes in love were what made him so fearful for me. “You're not cruel, Abi.” He took a deep breath and, reluctantly, glanced up at my stepbrother. “And neither is Florian.” The words rang with truth, even if he didn't look happy to be saying them. “It took me some time, but I realize that what happened was not your fault.”

  I felt a well of hope spring in my chest.

  “But that doesn't mean I'm okay with the rest of it.” My heart dropped as Flor squeezed me tighter, breathed warm against my hair. My dad's eyes narrowed in on us like he was staring through a magnifying glass, studying, analyzing. It was what he did best, after all. “But I'm also not okay with losing my daughter either. Florian, I know I've never really been able to accept you as a son, and I'm sorry for that, but I'm willing to try out a new relationship with you. This time, I'll look at you not as a child, but as a man. You're going to need to prove yourself to me.”

  Flor nodded once, a sharp militaristic movement that made me want to roll my eyes. The man talk was starting. But all I could really do was smile. I felt the expression pull my lips apart in a grin. If my dad was lecturing Florian, then maybe that meant … we could be a family again? A different kind of family, maybe, but still a family.

  “So you accept us?” Flor asked and I saw my dad's lips purse. He looked to River for help and I watched as she finally turned her gaze to me.

  “We love you,” she said, “both of you.” Her emphasis of the word didn't escape me as Flor squeezed me even tighter against his chest. “The acceptance part we'll have to work on.” She held up a hand before anyone could speak. “This is not a commentary on you or your relationship, although that will take some getting used to, but a process, journey. As a family, we'll have to make it together.” River took another deep breath and adjusted the flawless aqua top she had on. She pretended to smooth out a wrinkle although I didn't see one.

  “Mom,” Flor said, his voice cracking a bit with emotion, “you're doing the shrink shit again.”

  My dad gave him a sharp look, but I broke from Flor's arms before he could say anything, and I hugged him like I hadn't done in years, wrapping my arms around him and squeezing tight enough that he grunted and carefully tried to untangle me. My dad was never that good with displays of affection, but he'd been there for me, that was more than I could say for most people's parents.

  “No intimacy in the house,” he grumbled, glaring at Flor the way most fathers probably glare at their daughter's boyfriends. I didn't clarify what he meant. Obviously, it wasn't kissing he was worried about. “And don't disrespect your mother. I won't stand for it anymore now than I did before.”

  “Whatever,” Flor said, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and sliding one between his lips. Nobody else might've noticed, but I'd been studying Florian for most of my life: his hands were shaking and the pulse in his throat was pounding a mile a minute. We stared at each other as a strangely peaceful (although somewhat awkward) silence descended on the kitchen. In that look, I saw a million unspoken truths, a few understandable fears, and a whole hell of a lot of love.

  I moved towards him, deciding that it was better I test our parents' declarations now than wait till later, and pulled the cigarette from his lips so I could press my own against them. Flor took me in his arms and kissed me until my father's growl sounded suspiciously close to something a demon might make on its way out of hell.

  “And I've decided,” River said, trying to break the awkwardness in the room by drawing all of our attention over to her. “That Art and I aren't going to try for another baby. If it'll make it easier for the two of you, I'd do anything.”

  I turned to look over at my shoulder at Florian and saw not a smirk, but a smile. A real smile.

  Three years later …

  “Twenty-one is a big birthday, Abi. I'm not letting you wear jeans from Ross Dress for Less.”

  Addison tossed a short, sparkly dress at me, and I made a face. It didn't matter how hard she tried or how much she pushed, I would never be a fashionista.

  “There's nothing wrong with ten dollar jeans,” I mumbled, pretending I didn't see her plant a hand on her hip and toss a 'mom' look my way. Even Patrick admitted that narrowed gaze was terrifying. Addison was so good at it, she could soothe Max and Rhonda's baby without breaking a sweat. Personally, I was just glad they'd welcomed Flor and me back into their lives. At this point, the hurt feelings and the awkwardness were long gone. Max and Rhonda had a baby, Flor's old place to themselves, and two of the infamous dumpster kittens. And we, we had each other and that was all that mattered. Well, maybe that and our two cats. Bets, the older one, the true love of his life and the only girl that I still feared giving me a run for my money, had just peed all over Addison's Alexander McQueen knit dress, so I guessed I really shouldn't complain about today's outfit. If Addi'd really wanted to, she could've given me something pink to wear.

  I curled my fingers around the fabric and ran my thumb across it, wondering what Flor would think of me in the dress. Flor. It didn't matter how long we were together or how many times I got to kiss him, it never got old. His eyes cut straight into my soul and his hands were like fire, his lips like flame.

  “Abi.”

  My friend snapped her fingers in front of my face.

  “We're gonna be late if you keep spacing out.”

  I rolled my eyes and stood up, turning around and changing quickly into the dress. Underneath, I had a very sultry set of red lingerie on, you know, just in case. Oh, who am I kidding? Flor was a sure thing. That, and I'd found my old shrine box in the trunk of his car. I'd been looking for a jack and hadn't expected to see it, but there it was. And inside, there were more than just pictures and an old hair clipping (God, I'm a creeper); there was a ring.

  No need to wonder what that was for. I sucked in a deep breath and shook out my hands, trying not to get too excited about the prospect. I would save that for the actual moment.

  “Theo and Yuu reserved us a table. We're practically royalty, okay? What's the rush?” I turned back around and held my arms out to the sides like a mannequin. Addison looked me up and down once and then nodded, reaching over to adjust the silver locket that I never took off. I sighed again, but I knew better than to argue with her. Besides, I was spending my twenty-first birthday at a drag club with two of the most fabulous hosts the world had ever seen. It was doubtless that I would be dragged up on stage for some sort of humiliating something or other. And I would have to endure it all in heels. Best I look good doing it.

  I groaned when Addi pushed a box over to me with her foot and leaned down to open the lid with tentative fingers.

  Crap.

  Red heels.

  I knew she was serious now.

  “Little black dress, cap sleeves, knee length hemline. A little sweet, but still sexy. Now, pair it with a burst of slut on your feet, and all eyes will be on you.”

  “I don't need all eyes, j
ust Flor's.”

  Addison shook her head at me and fluffed her head of pink curls. Yes, she was sporting a pink Afro and looked pretty awesome doing it. That bitch.

  “Just put the damn shoes on and let me touch up your makeup. Patrick's waiting in the car.”

  I did as she asked. After all, our friendship had managed to survive and thrive while I dated Flor. I kind of owed her for that.

  “God, Addi, your head looks like a fucking clit with all that pink. I liked it better blonde.”

  Okay, so I owed her big time for that. Especially now that she had to live with him.

  “Screw you, Florian,” she said, rolling her eyes as she sashayed out of the room in three inch purple heels. I stood stone still, nervous with anticipation as Flor moved toward me and wrapped his arms around my waist, leaning in close enough that I could feel his breath on my lips. My blue eyes found his green ones, searching his expression to see what he thought of my outfit. If the glint in his gaze meant anything, he approved.

  “Your dad texted me a picture of his new shotgun. I'm not really sure how to feel about that,” Flor said and I grinned. It'd taken a whole hell of a lot to convince River not to make me a birthday dinner at home for my twenty-first. I think she and my dad were still irked about it. I was terrified to see what he'd do when Flor proposed to me.

  “You should be afraid. Very afraid,” I said, trying really hard not to think about the time my dad had walked in on me and Flor doing it in the living room. That was his own fault for not knocking. It was still technically my apartment. Anyway, I was just glad that Flor wasn't dead yet. It certainly wasn't easy dating your stepbrother; if I hadn't thought family dinners could be anymore awkward, I was wrong. I think the worst part was when River had tried to talk to me about condoms. Shudder. “But don't worry, I won't let him hurt you, even if you're an asshole.”

  “But I'm your asshole,” Flor said and I laughed. But then his lips brushed against mine and my entire body felt like it was coming apart at the seams. Flor kissed me like he'd never let me go. Good thing, too, because I knew I'd never let him go either. “And I love you,” he said again, making my entire body tingle from head to toe. There were some things in this world that you just never got tired of hearing. “Happy birthday, dope.”

  “I love you, too,” I told him, kissing him again to keep from spilling my secret. I found the ring, you idiot. Stop hiding things in your trunk. That was okay, though, because I already knew what I was going to say.

  I was going to say yes.

  Here's some super, super, super shameless self-promo...

  Part 1 of a 2 part series that's about, well, exactly what it sounds like

  by Violet Blaze, Coming Soon

  (and yes, that's really the title!)

  (P.S. this book is just as awesome as Stepbrother Inked, I swear)

  Listen to this playlist for FREE on Spotify by clicking here or visiting: http://goo.gl/9stWEN

  All Time Low – Break Your Little Heart

  All Time Low – Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)

  The All-American Rejects – Swing, Swing

  The All-American Rejects – Dirty Little Secret

  Billy Talent – Surrender

  The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love?

  The Black Eyed Peas – Pump It

  The Black Eyed Peas – Gone Going

  Caliban – Wolves And Rats

  Caliban – We Are The Many

  Caliban – Memorial

  Caliban – This Oath

  Charli XCX – Gold Coins

  Clean Bandit – Real Love

  Clean Bandit – Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne)

  Counting Crows – Accidentally In Love

  Escape the Fate – Let It Go

  Falling In Reverse – The Drug In Me Is You

  Falling In Reverse – Fashionably Late

  Falling In Reverse – Just Like You

  Falling In Reverse – Die For You

  Falling In Reverse – Brother

  Falling In Reverse – My Apocalypse II

  Four Year Strong – Love Song (Sara Bareilles cover)

  Four Year Strong – Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die

  Good Charlotte – The Anthem

  heidi. – Bright

  heidi. – Hyururi

  Jess Glynne – Hold My Hand

  Marian Hill – Got It

  Marilyn Manson – Cupid Carries A Gun

  Marina and The Diamonds – Primadonna

  Marina and The Diamonds – Lies

  Marina and The Diamonds – Sex Yeah

  Marina and The Diamonds – How To Be A Heartbreaker

  Marina and The Diamonds – Blue

  Marina and The Diamonds – Savages

  OneRepublic – Good Life

  Rita Ora – How We Do (Party)

  Rita Ora – I Will Never Let You Down

  Rita Ora – R.I.P.

  RuPaul – Sissy That Walk

  Sara Bareilles – Brave

  Sara Bareilles – Love Song

  The Script – Hall of Fame

  The Script – If You Could See Me Now

  The Script – No Good in Goodbye

  The Script – Superheroes

  The Script – Never Seen Anything "Quite Like You"

  The Script – Breakeven

  SR-71 – Politically Correct

  St. South – Slacks

  A Static Lullaby – The Shooting Star That Destroyed Us

  The Used – Revolution

  The Veronicas – You Ruin Me

  We The Kings – Check Yes, Juliet

  Yellowcard – Only One

  Violet Blaze's Super Interesting Life Story (aka Her Biography)

  Violet Blaze is the best friend you've always wanted, but still love to hate. She embarrasses you at dinner and flatters you at the club. And you're pretty sure her ugly little dog is a 'poochon', even if you have no idea what that means (it's a mix between a Bichon Frise and a Poodle, just in case you wanted to know).

  A California native, Miss Blaze loves the good ol' US of A, and enjoys dressing up in its stars and stripes. She lives in a house with bright pink walls, a chair shaped like a shoe, and a cat named Miranda Rose. Violet's been reading all of her life (often while drinking brightly colored cocktails); her favorite thing about books is that she gets to watch people fall in love over and over again. Really, who doesn't? And if she wasn't a writer, it's likely Violet Blaze would be a pop star who wore too much make up and wore too little clothing.

  This raging feminist likes writing books about strong women and strong men who aren't afraid to express themselves (oftentimes in the bedroom). She hopes you'll join her in reading her debut novel, Stepbrother Inked, and wants to hear your thoughts, questions, and favorite quotes @IAmVioletBlaze #stepbrotherinked.

  (or you can be all old fashioned and stuff and email her at me@violetblazebooks.com)

  www.violetblazebooks.com

  www.facebook.com/violetblazeauthor

  www.twitter.com/IAmVioletBlaze

  www.instagram.com/IAmVioletBlaze

  play.spotify.com/user/iamvioletblaze

  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14114387

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Epilogue

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  About the Author