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20 || So clueless
Amelia leaves for Wells today, this morning. We talk, but our relationship isn’t the same. I pick up Mace on my way to her room. She can’t resist the little man.
I knock once and open without waiting for an invitation. Amelia’s back is to me, her body slouched over the box she shoves clothes into. The material of her tank clings to her skin, highlighting how bony she has become. I clear my throat, and she jerks up. Before turning, she throws on a jacket first.
“Hey, Cathy.”
“Hey, Amelia Greene.”
Her walls are adorned with portraits of us. Mace. Mace and her. Mace and me. Mace, me and her. Ashley and Amelia. I breathe through my lips and cover the gap. Mace squiggles in my arms and I drop him to the floor. He rolls onto his back. I think he will start crawling soon. He has been showing signs. I help him onto his knees and hands.
“Come on, Macey. Crawl,” Amelia coos.
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To Tempt My Stepbrother 22 || No breakdowns
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To Tempt My Stepbrother 23 || Grown men cry
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To Tempt My Stepbrother 24 || Deleted account
Amelia didn’t return on Monday like she planned. I kind of expected it, so when she called a month ago to inform me, I was not surprised. The only issue is having to wait for her return, which might not happen soon. Ashley is home, and they have family trips and outings to plan before she leaves.On the bright side, it means I don’t have to mention Mr Dissick. She doesn’t have to know he was here, that he hugged me and my body recognised him before it dawned on me how much I loathed his existence.Jason and I agreed not to mention it to her. By now, he has figured out who Mace’s dad is, but it’s still my choice to tell Amelia about the encounter. How dare him walk in there like it’s a regular date at a pub and hug me? What does he think I am? A doormat who waited for her stepbrother?I click my tongue and turn on my laptop. I don’t care what his story is, I don’t forgive him. My heart pounds when an image of him fl
To Tempt My Stepbrother 25 || Just hair
He deleted his BC account, deactivated his email and his number is still unreachable. I don’t know if to laugh at myself or curl into a ball and cry. I don’t know how to feel. I tug the cover over my head, curling into a foetal position. Everything seems to be in shambles. Amelia doesn’t pick my calls. Ashley doesn’t want me at their house. I’m still pitifully clueless.Jason.Jason might know. I yank the cover off me and dial his number. I haven’t seen him since that night. I didn’t get to see him perform. Mace sneezes. I push a hand into his crib and he accepts it. He has no idea what I’ve done. That I saw his father.Will he forgive me? If we are to apportion blame, Dad will take the highest share, then me. Pushing myself closer to the edge of the bed, I peer into my son’s crib.“Uncle Jason isn’t picking,” I tell Mace. He pushes himself to his knees, and his hand locks around the
To Tempt My Stepbrother 26 || Bestest friend
I pace in front of Amelia’s parents house. I lied. Ten days is too long to wait. Did she really expect me to stay away for that long?The sound of a hiccup draws my attention to my son sleeping in the baby carrier slung to my chest. Even his hiccups sound cute. Still asleep, he suckles the air. I brush the tip of his nose with my pinky finger, and he pouts. I might have brought him as a peace offering. Amelia can’t be mad if she sees her godson.That thought lends me courage to knock for the first time. I’ve been here for ten minutes. But when the door opens, I plaster a fake smile and act like I just got here.“Hey, Cathy.” Ashley steps out. Her face is tired, and she has aged since the last time I saw her. She sizes me up. “You look weird.”“It’s the makeup,” I exclaim. It’s not only the makeup. It’s my entire appearance. I’m also not used to it. She hums in
To Tempt My Stepbrother 27 || Heartbreak sucks
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To Tempt My Stepbrother 28 || Will you sing?
I arrived at Wells a day earlier. Excitement and nervousness lance through me. My steps falter as I rush up the front of Amelia’s house with my bundle of joy. Mace’s pacifier keeps him from making a sound. So far, he has been compliant, but I know he will go on his knees the first chance he gets. Now that he can crawl, no one or nothing can stop him from exploring.The door opens, and Ashley smiles. The rat nest on her head is a testament of the toll this journey has taken on all of us involved. Lucky me never have to worry about hair. All it takes is a brush through it and I’m good.“At this point, you deserve a key,” she says.I laugh it off. Pushing my way in without an invitation, my eyes scan the dim place. The living room is empty. Jason must be in Amelia’s room. Ashley pads in after me. She makes a funny face at Mace, and my son giggles around his pacifier. I turn around to face her.“Do you want to c
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