“What do you mean?”
“I struggle bad with my studies. Barely even passed last semester. I feel so stupid, you know?”
Her face was genuinely concerned. “I don’t think you’re stupid. Anyone who can remember all the plays like you do? That’s not stupid. It’s pretty freaking genius.”
“I’m book stupid.” I took a deep breath, and all the memories of how I felt as kid in special ed class came flooding back to me. “I know what it’s like to feel hidden, not seen for who you are, what you really are.”
She gasped slightly at my confession. “You do? How’s that even possible? You’re like Channing Tatum. Hot. All the girls want you.”
“I have a learning disability. I used to be in special ed classes. At that time, I wasn’t looking like I do now. But those wounds are still with me. I still feel like the dumb kid who can’t even read or add numbers right.”
“Well, I would have never guessed that, Ramon,” she replied. “Sometimes our brains our wired special. Not everyone can throw the ball like you. You just have this last semester left and you’re a free man on the way to your football dreams. They’ll have the best tutors for you. You know that right?”
“Yeah. I’m failing right now though. Math.”
“Well, if you need help. I can help you, you know?”
“You’re funny and smart?”
“Well, I don’t want to brag.”
“And beautiful.”
She rolled her eyes like she didn’t believe me. “You just want to get in my panties. You say that to all the girls. I know alllllllll about you, Ramon Nicholas.”
She rubbed her tummy, which rumbled just loud enough for me to hear. “Man, I’m suuuuuper hungry. Is it just me? Let’s make something in your kitchen. Do you live around here? I mean, you…”
I sobered up real fast, scratched the back of my ear uneasily.
“You don’t want to see my house.”
“Why not?”
“Because. It’s hardly a house.”
“Aw, don’t be shy, Ramon. Does it have a fridge?”
“Yeah.”
“A stove? Plates?”
“Of course.”
“Then that’s all I need. Come on. Aren’t you, like, freaking hungry? God, I’d kill for quesadillas right now. No, nachos. Noooo, pizza.”
“All of those sound good right now.” I confessed. My stomach was threatening to howl with hunger too. Pushing my discomfort to the side, I guided us toward food. “Just follow me then.”
CAT
I followed his lead, ever so careful of where my feet tread. I had quickly become super fearful that I’d accidentally step on a snake or spider. So much so that I grabbed his shoulder and yelped my terror.
“Ohhhh… I’m going to die if I step on a snake!”
“Nah, I already killed this week’s snakes.”
“This week’s!?” My voice screamed out into the night. How could he sound so nonchalant about it?
“Of course. We live in Texas, you know.”
We finally made it to a small trailer, its small light anchoring its location in the darkness. He sighed as he opened the screen door, pausing just in front of the main door. Looking at me once more, he asked, “Are you sure you want to see where I live?”
“Of course. I’m starving. I don’t judge you, Ramon.”
“Alright…” He sang, opening the door to reveal a trailer that looked like it belonged on Breaking Bad or in the ‘90s.
I gasped. I couldn’t help it. There wasn’t an ounce of woman’s touch here.
“Gawd.” I could hear the grimace in his voice. “I can’t believe I’m showing you my trailer. No one has ever seen this. Not even coach.”
“Why not?”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“What is? Your dad works.”
“Yeah, but I don’t know if you’ve looked around or not. My dad is a hippie. As in, a major one. The type that doesn’t believe in money or the monetary system. I’m lucky to even be in school.”
I couldn’t help but to laugh at the thought of Ramon being a hoodlum in the woods.
“But that gym? You know that cost a pretty fortune.”
“Well, Dad’s spirit team encouraged him to foster my gifts of athleticism. I think he felt bad about mom smoking all that pot while pregnant with me. With my, um, learning disability.”
“Ramon, you don’t have to worry about a thing with me. Let me help you as you help me.” She broke out into laughter and I followed suit with her again. “Are you busy tomorrow night?”
“Besides training?”
“Yeah.”
“No.”
“Come to my house. Let me help you in math. I’m a whiz.”
“Okay… okay, let’s do it.”
“Ramon, your dad’s spirit team? What the fuck is that?”
“No clue. No fucking clue.”
We burst into laughter until our sides ached.
Ramon
“Whoa, this is literally the biggest house I’ve ever seen. How are you still zoned to our school?”
I got out of my old Jeep and surveyed the huge three-story house. It was nestled in a swanky gated neighborhood exactly like the ones you’d see on reality television.
“Thanks. My address is at my mother’s salon. So while your dad hated money, my dad clearly loved money. Leaving my mom single, mom refused to change her lifestyle. You know all her country club friends and society pages. She was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.”
“For real? I have to see those pics.” He blushed as he caught himself. “Sorry that sounded weird. Sorry.”
“You’re a guy. I get it.” I waved him off.
“You’re really cool, you know that?”
“Anyway, Mom dove into her business and we’ve stayed afloat, but she’s a slave to making it work,” she explained. “Which means I really don’t know how to cook healthily. I eat a lot of takeout or get dinner from the other ladies at the salon.”
I shook my head. “Come on. Right now. I want to cook something for you and then we’ll hit the books.”
“Ramon, are you procrastinating right now?”
“Totally.” No need to lie.
“I am hungry though.” She conceded easily.
Moments later, I had the pan sizzling in olive oil while Cat looked over my math material. When the door opened and footsteps were heard, I expected it to be Cat’s mom. But when I looked up, I saw Dad with her. What the fuck was my dad doing here?
“Dad?”
“Mom?” Cat looked up, taking in the scene. Her expression was just as shocked as mine. “Why are you with Ramon’s dad?”
“You two know each other?” I asked.
Cat’s mom looked at us sheepishly. She smiled, blushing as she dropped a bomb. “Oh, hi! I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting you to be home yet, love. But um, yes, I have something important to share. We’re getting married.”
RAMON
“Dude, where were you last night? I called you like three times. We had a party at Lucia’s house.” Brent caught up with me in the hallway after second period.
“I was busy.”
“Yeah, doing what?”
“Studying.”
“Oh. I see. Don’t tell me you’re getting in her panties. They’re so big they’d swallow your head.”
I didn’t know what came over me. Hell, I did know: peer pressure to be the star quarterback on and off the field. Pride. I slammed him against the locker. “Quit fucking saying things about people you don’t know anything about.”
I walked away heated.
“So, you are fucking her?”
I spun around and everyone was staring at me. It felt like a slow motion scene, like time had slowed down and suddenly everyone had ears on this conversation. Gossip spread like wildfire in this 3A-sized school; I had to protect myself. I couldn’t handle anymore taunting. Inside I still felt like the 3rd grader leaving class to go to my special ed class.
�
�Like I’d fuck Fat Cat?”
I put on airs and spun around on my heels holding my breath, feeling like shit. I needed to get out of this crowded hallway fast. But standing right in my way was Cat herself, with tears in her eyes.
Present Day
Cat
Loud music pounded in my ears. The world-famous celebrity DJ’s perfect beats had me lost in the rhythm, my thoughts and heartbeat swirling in sea of smoke and lights.
“Sweetheart, baby, you follow me. Don’t get lost in the sea of schmucks. We belong back here. In bottle service.” Lindsey held my hand as she led me through the thick mass of people.
I didn’t have time to object. Heck, I didn’t even know proper protocol for these things. I woke up late from my nap, so I missed the opportunity to get here earlier with the other ladies.
My eyes were wider than the Grand Canyon. This party could have been an open orgy, save for the fact that most people had their clothes on. Is this what money and exclusivity buys you? A bunch of barely dressed people? And the best of the best of women, bottles, clothes, security, and music to let your inner lust and desires come out among a sea of spectators?
Hell. People were cray!
But my inner wild child was aching to come out too. I had worked so hard these past few years to get where I was. And in high school, I was hardly the center of attention for anything other than a good laugh at scenes like this. Maybe for once I could enjoy a night for myself at this party.
“I didn’t think people had bottle service in their own home!” I shouted to Lindsey. She didn’t respond. She just let her pearly whites bling at me with a thousand-watt Aussie smile. Little precious Colgate poster child; she didn’t hear a thing I was saying.
The grove’s music transitioned to a dramatic, needy anthem of desire. It made me feel hungry for something, I just didn’t know what.
Major Clementine.
He was the host of honor, and owner of this $50 million dollar estate located an hour or so outside the hustle and bustle of New York City. Since we were in the city celebrating the SI cover reveal, we were all invited to party at his home. The moment my driver dropped me off, I was surrounded by the most exquisite tastes and sights I’d ever seen.
And now, I was being guided past the crowd to an even more secluded section outside.
Four guys the size of professional wrestlers guarded the entrance of a roped-off section. A swimming pool of naked women was included in the welcoming vision. The glowing lights of dazzling pool illuminating their toned bodies.
What on Earth! Cabanas that rivaled those at the Four Seasons lined the pool’s perimeter, providing a more secretive view of the rolling average of his home. Semi-nude models danced in giant birdcages, and I noticed the music out here was a bit different than the house DJ’s. I never really paid much attention to music and emotion, but the music out here was definitely giving off a sexier vibe.
“Lindsey, what is going on out here? I don’t know if I wanna…”
“Name?” The bouncer asked with the emotion of a rock.
“Uh, don’t you recognize me, love?” Lindsey had that flirting thing down while I still wasn’t quite comfortable with it yet. I was happy being funny, but not used to being the center of all of this attention. I wanted to be a model to prove to other girls that you can change your fate. Heck, I dropped one hundred pounds through sheer will of healthy eating, working out every day, being positive and believing myself. Of course, that wellness resort helped too, as did my father’s money.
But being publicly known, acknowledged, flirtatious, and flirted with as a beautiful woman? A world-class cover girl? Totally wasn’t ready for it.
I still couldn’t get over feeling like fresh meat at a meat market, deliciously placed on display for the highest bidder.
The floods of Instagram comments, the unwanted stares, and touches from men – they all made me feel vulnerable. It felt like they assumed that caring about my body and career made me some instant sex kitten. I wasn’t a whore. I wasn’t going home with any of these men either. When would they understand that?
“Cat Johnson! Right this way,” the Rock barked. “I’m sorry to have you standing there waiting.” Rock number two snapped out of his slumber as he allowed us to pass. “Make way, make way. Come on, ladies. Come with me. He’s expecting you.”
Lindsey spun around with enough light in her eyes to illuminate Times Square. She wasn’t jealous; she truly got a kick out of being best friend of the year. She still gave major stares to the first bouncer that hadn’t recognized her, though.
“Must be gay,” she uttered to me under her breath.
“Um, thank you boys! This is my friend, Lindsey,” I quickly interjected in hopes to not offend anyone with her loose words.
“Girl, get ready.” She looped her arm through mine. “You’re about to be the center of attention. Don’t worry. I’m not going to let you out of my sight.”
We passed the forbidden rope and white tent that separated us from the home. Across this boundary, we entered paradise.
Inside was Sodom and Gomorrah, but out here? This was a place for the crème la de crème. And I felt like a fish out of water.
“Miss Johnson, champagne. Miss Banks?”
A topless server handed us glasses of champagne. I stole a sideways glance at Lindsey and we smiled politely before bursting into laughter at the erotic sight of it all.
“Um, did we not receive the memo, love? Is this Hugh Hefner’s home?” Lindsey giggled.
“Right? I’ve never been to a party like this before…” I agreed, taking a sip of the golden liquid.
“Sweetie, this is vanilla compared to other parties I’ve been to. Just… enjoy it. You’re only twenty-two once, right? And as Taylor Swift so eloquently sang, ‘I’m feeling twenty-two!’”
We both burst into song, revealing our young side, a side that wasn’t used to this mature way of life.
At least, I wasn’t used to it. Lindsey was beginning to surprise me a bit with her worldly knowledge. Then again, I wasn’t that surprised. She had come all the way from Australia to America, the land of dreams. She was far away from home in New York, the city that dazzles and never sleeps. That could make you grow up real quick.
We laughed and sipped our bubbly as we surveyed the Olympic pool. “Linds, oh my gosh! They’re swimming naked. Swimming!”
“Oh my gosh, don’t stare, but if you look at that corner couple over there, I swear…they’re…like, totally fucking.” She said in hushed tones.
“No way.” My eyes sought out the couple in the water. They must be really drunk, high, or something.
A very handsome, tall man with shades and a suit suddenly interrupted us.
“Ladies, Mr. Major Clementine is awaiting your presence. Follow me.”
It was an order, not a request. I shot Lindsey a weird look. She shrugged her shoulders and followed like a hypnotized babe. I felt almost as nervous as I had at the Sports Illustrated reveal. There were so many famous people here; I didn’t want to stare.
Lindsey read my mind as I looked around. “Honey, get used to it. You’re as big in their eyes as they are in yours.”
I didn’t think I could ever get used to these stares.
We were only a few feet from the cabana when another tall figure caught my attention.
Some party planner this guy had. There were top of the line leather couches, down feather couches, and all-white everything. There the man of the hour sat, sporting gold Louis Vuitton shades and about six chains of pure gold bling. Rapper Luke sat next to him, along with a few ladies who looked like they had hired an entire glam squad to get them ready for the night. They were barely clothed, but definitely dressed to kill.
Models called these women WAGs, or “wives and girlfriends.” Many WAGS had children by these men, and some had allowances, yet a good portion of them would never marry, usually because their athlete wanted to keep his options, as well as his fly, open.
A couple close to
us did a line of coke on the table. Watching that, I suddenly felt out of place. I didn’t like being here. I’d never done drugs before. Only smoked that joint one time years ago.
Major Clementine sat there like he was King. Heck, he was worth over $100 million with his Nike shoe endorsement, his various commercials, and other sponsorships. And now, here we were, feet away from the man every boy in America sought to be like. His jersey was sold everywhere.
Clementine. Wide receiver for the New York Jets.
There we were. At his cabana. The WAGS looked at us, death threats hanging in their eyes. Oh fuck. I felt nervous.
“You’re literally the finest piece of asses I’ve ever seen. I’ve been around the block a lot, so I’d know!” Clementine greeted us. His buddies laughed at his joke.
“Ladies, please sit.” The WAGS rolled their eyes and shot telepathic messages of anger. I could feel their hatred spear us without words. He whispered something into both of the women’s ears. Whatever he said made their faces burn. Moments ago, they were on his lap; now they’d been dismissed. As the two girls who surrounded him stood up, he slapped their asses and watched them saunter away.
He stood up and looked me up and down, his eyes leaving me with a creepy feeling I didn’t like. “I’m Major.” He reached for my hand and kissed it slowly.
“I’m Cat.”
“And I’m Lindsey.” She cut in quickly.
“Oh, damn girl. You are lookin’ fine in that dress.”
He held up a small pill.
“And this… is Molly. Would my top models care to party with Molly?”
My top models?
“Don’t you guys have to pass drug tests?” I quickly asserted, already annoyed at his claim on us.
“You’re funny, you know that, Cat?”
“Well, I’m funny fa… Cat.”
“Off season, baby!”
Lindsey surprised me. She reached for it and seductively put it in her mouth. The enticing manner in which she held out her tongue caught his eyes. I knew what she was doing.
He looked pleased and then looked at me, the question hanging in his expression. He waited to see if I wanted in. I shook my head. “No thanks.”
“Sit, sit.”
I wasn’t feeling his vibe. I sat as far away from him as I could, sandwiching myself between Luke, who I had seen dozens of times on shows like the Grammys, and Major Clementine.
HIM—A Stepbrother Romance: With BONUS NOVELLA: PERSONAL Page 19