Royal Prick (A Stepbrother Romance)

by J. L. Beck

  As you already know your mother is a raging bitch, and she’s the reason I had to leave. I couldn’t be in the same house with her anymore, not after finding out what she did. I promise I will come back for you, and I will do whatever I can to remove your mom’s evil claws that she has embedded in my father and you. I hope with me leaving she will leave you alone and allows you to make your own decisions.

  I want you to know that if I knew what love was or how to love someone, I would choose to have that with you. I want to be a better person for you, and I hope you never doubt what an amazing person you are.

  I’ll come back for you one day.

  Never forget that.

  Love,

  Royal. Xxx

  I wanted so badly to be angry with him for leaving so abruptly but I couldn’t be. Not after Mark told me what my mother did. She was the reason his life was so fucked up. My mother was the cause of all of his pain, and I couldn’t blame him for wanting to leave because of her. I wanted to leave, and she was my own mother.

  Instead of being angry, I cried because without him I felt lost. So utterly lost. I felt like a piece of me was ripped away, stolen from me. Royal had no idea of the impact he had upon me. Royal opened my eyes and allowed me to see I was perfect just the way I was. I might have changed, but it was because he helped me see it through, to see that I didn’t have to be what my mother demanded me to be.

  I couldn’t muster up the energy or desire to get in and out of bed. I was suffering from a broken heart that I feared would never heal. Royal blew into my life like a raging storm, barreling down on me with hurricane force winds. He turned my entire life upside down, and then walked away because he felt like it was the right thing to do.

  The fact that he could leave even when it wasn’t what he wanted to do, spoke volumes to the type of person that he was. He thought that he was no good and that he didn’t deserve me, but he just proved what a great and honorable person he was.

  Staying here with my mother was killing me. She refused to speak with me unless it was to bitch about something I did, and she was apparently angry with me for the things that I did to her.

  It was just like her to think I was to blame and I wronged her instead of the other was around. She would never take responsibility or acknowledge anything she ever did. She was fucking perfect, inside her own mind.

  Then came the moment when Royal left, and you should’ve seen the glee in her eyes. She was beyond thrilled once she discovered that Royal was going back home. She walked around here like she won something, like she asked him to leave and he just decided to listen to her. I tried to talk to Mark about what happened, why Royal left and what happened between him and Royal’s mother, but he refused to tell me anything. It was his and Royal’s business.

  I stared at the bags that I packed a few days ago. They’ve been sitting next to my bedroom door for the last three long days. I haven’t touched them since I packed them because I wanted to make certain that this was really something that I wanted to do and not something I would regret.

  My eyes roamed over the letter again, and then back over to my waiting bags. I had the flight booked and the plane would be leaving in two hours. I just needed Royal’s address and everything would be perfect.

  Waiting until Mark left his office was harder than I thought it would be. I was eager to get out of here, and all I wanted to do was walk in there and make him tell me Royal’s address. But he wouldn’t and I couldn’t blow my cover and what I was doing just to get the info. As soon as he left the house, I slipped into the study. I didn’t know where to look exactly, but I was certain that he had to have some type of paperwork on his divorce in that office.

  I sunk into his leather office chair, spinning around to face his file cabinet. I wiped my brow realizing that it was thankfully unlocked. Pulling open the cabinet, I sifted through file after file looking for the one I needed. Most of them were clients, their addresses, and contact numbers, shit that I didn’t care about, and most importantly shit that was useless to me. I sighed, about ready to give up on my search, I whirled around in the chair to face his desk. I scanned over the papers that were stacked and covering his desk.

  One of them stuck out more than the others, forcing me to shove from the chair and scatter the papers to get to the one I needed. It looked like some sort of agreement between Mark and Royal. I read the page from top to bottom so fast that I missed Royal’s address that was plastered at the top of the page.

  Anxiety filled my belly as I jotted the address down on one of the sticky notes from Mark’s desk. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of agreement they made and what it was for. It felt like every time I turned around secrets were being exposed, and new ones were being started every day.

  I placed the papers back on Mark’s desk just as they were before I came in and started sifting through them. I knew if this plan was going to work, they couldn’t know where I was going. At least not until after I got there.

  I was a full of nerves. I couldn’t believe that I was finally leaving and flying clear across the United States. What if Royal’s note was nothing but a lie? What if I got there and he was different, or he had someone else back home?

  It had only been a week, but a week was a long time to be away from someone that you cared about; someone that you possibly loved. I needed to see Royal because we had to resolve whatever it was that was taking place between us. The distance and the unanswered questions were driving me mad.

  I headed back into my bedroom and took one final look around. Years of memories rushed back to me at once. If things went the way I hoped they did then I wouldn’t be coming back here. I grabbed the bags from beside the door, walking past Royal’s empty room. The absence of him could be felt throughout the house; at least by me. I hated it. I hated feeling alone, and I hated being here without him.

  Worst of all I hated not knowing what was going on inside of his head? Did he miss me like I missed him? Did he crave my touch like I craved his? I hustled down the stairs my bags in tow, praying that I wouldn’t run into my mother.

  She stayed out of my way for the most part, but she always made her opinions known. I felt as if I was in the clear when I entered the garage, opening my Jeep door so that I could place my stuff in the back seat. Just as I was about to slip into the front seat, the entrance to the garage door opened, and my mother’s face appeared.

  “Where are you going?” she questioned me with accusing eyes.

  “Out. I’ll be back later.” I lied, climbing into my Jeep and starting itt. She continued to watch me, unmoving from her post by the door. I hope she gets a good look because it would be the last would see of me if I had anything to say about it. I wasn’t going to tell her what I was doing just so she could try and stop me. I backed out of the driveway and headed in the direction of the airport. It was less than a twenty-minute drive, and as I pulled into the parking lot I realized that I was actually going to follow through with this. I was actually going to be free and follow my own desires.

  I was going to go to Royal and get the answers I needed. I was a nervous wreck, knowing that I could be walking into something unexpected, but I had to know if he felt the same. I was tired of thinking about him when I wanted to be kissing him. I was claiming Royal as mine own, and I wasn’t letting go this time. I headed into the airport. My heart beating out of my chest. Fear of the unknown and excitement for what’s to come was making me almost giddy.

  I was going to capture love.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  -Royal

  The nights were by far the worst. During the day I had school and other things to distract me. But the night time hours seemed to go on forever. Before the sun would peek up over the horizon and even after, I couldn’t seem to get Noelle out of my mind. Images of her and the time we spent together were on constant replay in my mind.

  No matter how I looked at it, I felt as if I betray her. I made certain that she understood that I needed to get away from it all and
that I wasn’t running from her, but I still felt the distinct ache in my chest from being away from her. The pain I felt was self-inflicted, of course, but knowing that didn’t make it hurt any less.

  It’s only been a week that we’ve been separated, and I already wished I hadn’t left. It took everything in me to not send her a text message, to unblock her number and call her. I just wanted to hear her voice or see words she had written flash across my screen. Something to let me know she was thinking about me as much as I was thinking about her.

  She meant the world to me, and all I wanted was for things to be better for her, for both of us, but especially for Noelle. If putting space between us would do that for either one of us then that was how it needed to be. Which meant I had no other choice but to keep her blocked so I wouldn’t cave into my own wants.

  All I could do was try my best to do the right thing, even if it killed me to follow through with it. That night when Noelle was in the hospital, after I got off the phone with my mom, I tracked my dad down and asked him if we could talk.

  Mark agreed to allow me to fly back home, and we made a deal. He promised that he would watch over Noelle while I was here, and he would also make sure that Viviana didn’t lay a finger on her. He also paid me a lump sum of money so that I could take care of my mom and give her some much needed time off.

  Since they divorced before he started making tons of money he technically didn’t have to pay her a dime in the settlement, but I reminded him of the fact that she gave birth to me and raised me for the last seventeen years. In exchange for Mark’s promise and his money, I agreed that I would do my best to stay out of trouble and be a better son to my mother. All in all, I thought it was a fair deal.

  “Dinner is ready, sweetie,” my mother called from down stairs. I’ve held up in my bedroom for days now. I felt sick to my stomach every time I got up out of bed. I was heartsick. Missing someone what wasn’t even fully mine yet and probably never would be.

  “I’ll be down in a sec.” I replied, forcing myself to get up from the bed. I hated leaving Noelle like I did. I hated myself even more for doing it. I just needed time.

  I hustled down the stairs and into the kitchen, the smell of cornbread and chili smacking me in the face. Forcing a smile onto my face, I stepped over the threshold and into the kitchen, my mother’s face meeting mine.

  “I hope you’re hungry.” She gestured toward the dishes she had set out. I took one of the bowls filling it with a two heaping spoonfuls of the spicy goodness. Walking over to the table and setting my bowl down, I took a quick bite before going to grab a drink. The spices from the chili hit the back of my throat causing a cough to escape me.

  “It’s… spicy,” I commented. My mother’s face lit up with laughter as I took my glass of milk and sat down at our old kitchen table. I hadn’t told her about the money I had gotten from Dad yet, but I would soon. There was so much I planned on doing with this money— all of it for her— after all, she sacrificed so much for me. First on my list was getting her out of this shit hole house we lived in and buying her a good reliable car.

  “Yeah, it’s got a little bit of heat to it,” she responded as I slurped some more of the chili into my mouth.

  “Are you trying to kill me, Mom?” I groaned, swallowing past the heat. Again, another bubble of laughter left her throat.

  “You go to the East coast for six months and turn into the biggest baby ever. Don’t tell me Viviana didn’t know how to cook.” The mention of that bitch’s name completely ruined my mood and my mom could instantly tell. My spoon fell into my bowl, and I pushed it away from me. My appetite was gone.

  Why the hell did I have to let her get under my skin? Why couldn’t I just let it go and enjoy a night with my mom?

  I hated myself for letting so many people down: my mom, Noelle, my father. I couldn’t handle the pain that came with loving people. It hurt way too fucking much.

  “I’m sorry, Royal. I didn’t mean to bring it up. I know you’re working through your emotions on the matter, but talking about it might help.” My mother’s voice was soothing and understanding, and I loved her for it. I loved her for caring enough to let things be as they were, allowing me to come to her when the time was right.

  “It’s okay…” I assured her with a smile.

  “I just feel like I’m at fault for a lot of shit that’s going on right now. I want to make things better for everyone involved, but I don’t know how. All I know how to do is protect myself from the pain and in doing so I hurt everyone I care about.” I was thinking out loud, still my mom just sat there listening, not judging me or lying to me by telling me I was wrong.

  “Time heals all wounds, honey. I learned that back when your father and I ended things. I still loved him, but I had to learn to let go of what happened otherwise the pain would have never eased. It would’ve eaten me up.” There was so much truth and honesty that could be heard in her voice. I wished I was half as strong as my mother. I wished I had even an ounce of the courage she had.

  “Do you ever miss Dad?” I asked without thinking saying the first thought that popped into my head.

  “Every single day. Eventually you learn to deal with change when it’s the only true thing in life. Change occurs no matter what you do. It sucks that your father and I couldn’t have our happily ever after, but that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.” I respected her more now that she was more open about discussing the past and the things that happened with Dad. Maybe it would help get things off my chest if I opened up to someone, then I could move on.

  “I think I’m in love,” I blurted out, knowing that I could tell my mom anything and she would understand. I wasn’t typically one to explain my emotions, but right now I knew I had to. I didn’t know what I was feeling, and I needed help understanding what I was going through. If anyone would get that it would be my mother.

  “With who? A girl back at your father’s?” My mother questioned with excitement. I had never brought home girls, nor did I ever gone on dates. It wasn’t my thing. I fucked them once and moved on. It was the easiest type of relationship. The no strings, no feelings, no complications. I was the I won’t call you later kind of guy. If a girl wasn’t into that then I wasn’t the right guy for her. That was until Noelle came along.

  “Her name’s…” Before I could even finish my sentence a loud pounding sounded on the front door. My mother and I both shoved from the dining room table at the same time, both of us scurrying toward the front door to see who it was. It wasn’t typical for us to have company, especially this late at night. Unless of course my mom made a new friend I didn’t know about yet.

  “Noelle?” Her name slipped from my tongue as I stared at her through the glass window of the front of the door. My heart sank into my stomach. If she was here it could only mean one thing. Something happened at home; something with her mother or maybe even Mark. There was no other reason that she would come all the way here. Was there?

  “Hi!” My mother gently pushed me out of the way so she could open the door and then welcomed Noelle in. I felt self-conscious and embarrassed almost immediately. We didn’t live in the projects or anything, but this house was nothing like hers. Nothing like what she was used to. We didn’t have a lavish staircase, or a finished basement. We didn’t have a huge kitchen with granite countertops. Things here were plain. It was simple and completely unlike anything she ever had growing up.

  “Umm, Hi! Is Royal here?” Noelle’s sweet voice met my ears, and I kid you not the sound of it instantly brightened my day. I wanted her. I needed her. God I’ve missed her so much. We were right back where we started.

  “Yes. please, why don’t you come on in?” It was snowing an hour ago, and I wasn’t even sure how she managed to get here let alone find my address. Suddenly I was overwhelmed with fear. Was her flight okay, did she get sick? Did she just get released from the hospital? I stepped into view, and our eyes collided. The rope I severed between us by leaving started to twine back
together. The fibers forming and pulling me back toward her heart.

  This girl owned me. She had my fucking heart in her hand, and she was squeezing the ever loving life out of me. We stood there for several minutes just staring at each other. There was no one and nowhere else that mattered in this moment. Just the two of us.

  “Are you okay?” I couldn’t help but ask the question that I was dying to find out. I had to know that she was okay, and that she didn’t hurt herself trying to get here. I had to know that she didn’t leave because she was attacked by her mother or someone else.

  “I’m perfect.” Her smile set my body ablaze. A forest fire started at my feet and climbed its way up my body, each look she gave me fanned the flames of my desire.

  “Umm…” My mother stepped in breaking the moment up. I forgot she was even here. It was just like Noelle to distract me from the world causing everything else to fall away.

  “Mom, this is Noelle. Noelle, this is my mom.” I introduced them to one another, my mom being the first to wrap Noelle in a tight hug. Noelle’s face had a small rosy blush creeping its way onto her cheeks. I wasn’t sure if it was from showing up here unannounced, or our staring match, hell it also could be from meeting my mom for the first time. Either way I enjoyed seeing the color highlight her innocent face.

  “It’s so nice to meet you.” My mother’s voice was cheery. I’m sure she had already figured out it was Noelle’s name that I was going to say earlier when I told her that I was positive that I was in love.

  “Likewise, Mrs. Black. I have heard so many great things about you.” Noelle’s eyes locked on mine and then slid up and down my body as if she was trying to burn the image into her mind. I’ve missed her so fucking much. I couldn’t believe that she was actually here standing in the same room as me. Her scent filled my nostrils and forced my heartbeat to slow. She was exactly what I needed to survive.