Step-Lover (18 page)

“He’s going to be okay,” I say softly.

“Yeah,” he rasps. “I know.”

“I’m so sorry, Blade. For everything.”

He squeezes me tighter. “You tried to save my brother. You have nothing to be sorry about.”

I swallow and close my eyes. “Thank you . . . for being here with me.”

He turns to his side and presses his lips to my forehead. “I’d never be anywhere else.”

And I thank every one of my lucky stars for that.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

We get the call at midnight the following evening. Ripley is awake. Both Blade and I hurry to the hospital, frantic to see for ourselves that he’s okay. When we get inside, we both run down the halls. Jack is just coming out of Ripley’s room with a smile on his face, a real, genuine happy smile. He looks to Blade and I, and nods softly. “He’s been waiting for you, Aria.”

We both skid to a stop and squeeze Jack’s shoulder as we step into Ripley’s room. He’s lying on the bed, propped up. There’s a cup with a straw poking out in his hand, and he’s got a bandage around his head. His arm is in a cast, and his face is black and blue. I hardly recognize him. Just seeing him like this makes me remember him on the floor, bleeding, and I hiccup loudly.

Ripley turns and when he sees me, his face breaks. “Come here.”

Blade doesn’t stop me as I walk over. I stop at his bed and tears are tumbling in what feels like bucket loads down my cheeks. Ripley reaches over for my hand and squeezes it gently. His eyes are puffy, so puffy I can hardly see them. His lips are split, his cheeks are bruised, and he looks awful.

“You fought for me,” he whispers.

“You fought for me,” I say with a sob.

“Don’t cry for me, just get down here and let me hold onto you, Aria. I need to do that.”

Oh God.

I lean down and he puts the cup on the table and wraps his good arm around me. He holds onto me like that long enough for my legs to ache with the strain. When he lets me go, I don’t go far. I keep my face down near his. “You scared me,” I say in a soft, broken voice. “I thought I’d never be able to tell you how sorry I am.”

“No,” he says. “Don’t say sorry. You fought like a bat out of hell for me. I owe you everything.”

I cup his cheek. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

He smiles—well, it looks like he smiles. “And I’m glad you brought me out of the closet.”

I laugh softly. “Someone had to do the hard work.”

His eyes grow serious. “Thank you, Aria. I know you never wanted us in your family but having you . . . you’re the best friend I’ve ever had, and I’m so damned happy I get to see you for the rest of my life.”

I choke out my reply. “I’m a pain in the ass because I was wrong. I could have never imagined how much you would all come to mean to me. Especially you. I’m glad I get to annoy you for the rest of your life.”

He laughs brokenly. “Better move out of the way. My brother looks like he’s going to pop a valve.”

I kiss his cheek and step back. Blade walks over and curls his hand around Ripley’s neck, pulling him close so their foreheads are touching. “You stupid little fucker,” he grumbles, and I smile. “Firstly, for takin’ a swing when you were outnumbered and secondly,
secondly
little dude, for thinkin’ even for a fuckin’ second that you could do anything that would change how much I fuckin’ love you.”

My heart clenches and I swallow back my tears. Ripley doesn’t; one trickles down his cheek. Blade’s hand tightens around his neck and he keeps going. “Don’t care what you are. Don’t care who you love. Don’t care what makes you different. You’re my brother, and there ain’t nothin’ in this world that could change that. Don’t you ever, fuckin’
ever
, Ripley, scare me like that again. I thought for a moment there I would never get to tell you any of this, and that ain’t a feeling I ever wanna have again. You and me, boy, we’re going to get a few fighting lessons in and next time, you’re not gonna swing when you’re outnumbered.”

Ripley jerks with emotion but Blade continues, “Even if you were standin’ up for my girl.”

My heart melts.

Ripley pulls back and his eyes shoot to me. “Yeah?”

I beam. “Yeah, honey. You’re stuck with me for certain now.”

He smiles, and it’s the biggest, most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Things will be just fine.

~*~*~*~

“I’m going to vomit,” I cry, rubbing my stomach.

Blade reaches over and squeezes my hand. “It’ll be fine. Chances are they’ll all react how Nancy did.”

“And if they don’t? God, what if Jack hits you or disowns you?”

Blade snorts. “After what happened with Ripley, I highly doubt it.”

“Blade,” I whisper. “I don’t want this to go bad.”

He gives me a quick glance. “Honey, it won’t.”

I nod and stare out the window. We’re driving to Mom’s house for a family dinner where we’ll tell them all about our relationship. This unnerves me, but I know I have to do it. It is time for Blade and I to be able to have a real go at this relationship.

“Hey,” Blade says, squeezing my hand. “Breathe for me.”

I take a few breaths, not realizing I’d actually stopped.

I close my eyes until we arrive. Blade and I walk up to the front door and let ourselves in. Everyone is here, and they’re all sitting around the table chatting. They turn when we come in and Mom’s eyes flicker over the both of us before she smiles. I return her smile, but it’s wobbly because I feel so damn sick.

“How’s it going, Lee?” I say instead, looking to Ripley.

It’s been a week since the accident and he was released only today. He’s doing really well and he looks . . . well . . . battered. He has a smile though, and that makes me happier than anything.

“Sit down. I’m about to serve dinner,” Mom says, standing and rushing over, kissing both Blade and my cheeks before hurrying into the kitchen.

I hug Jack and then sit down, flashing a smile at Brody. He gives me one, but it’s half-hearted at the best. I make a mental note to ask him why that is, when I don’t feel like curling up and dying from nerves.

“How’s school?” Jack asks me, sliding Blade a beer.

“It’s great. Coming along well.”

He smiles, showing me dimples. He might not be giving me those soon. “That’s good, honey.”

We chat casually as Mom serves dinner. She’s made a pot roast with mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy. While we’re all eating, I look up at her and she nods. It’s now or never. Suddenly my food turns in my belly and I don’t know if I can do it. Blade must see this, because it’s him that speaks up.

“Dad, guys, I have something to tell you all.”

“Shit, Blade,” Jack says. “You didn’t knock someone up, did you?”

Blade scowls at him and I rub my stomach. Brody is staring at me, and I can feel his eyes burning holes into the side of my head. He knows. He knows what is about to go down.

“Jesus, Dad,” Blade grunts. “No.”

“Thank god. You scared me. What is it then, boy?”

Blade’s eyes flash to me for a split second and then he says, “I’ve met someone.”

Jack’s eyes widen. “You don’t say. Good for you!”

“She isn’t just anyone. She’s special and . . . I love her.”

Now Jack’s eyes are really wide. “Shit son, I didn’t even realize there was someone, let alone that it was so serious. Who is she? When can we meet her?”

Blade swallows. “You’ve met her. In fact you know her well.”

“It’s not Melanie, is it?” Jack asks, frowning.

Blade shakes his head. “Nah, Dad. It’s . . . Aria.”

Silence. Long, horrible silence.

Jack looks to me with wide eyes, then he turns to Blade. “Is this a joke?”

“Does it look like I’m joking?”

Jack’s face goes tight. “She’s your . . . step-sister.”

“Yeah,” Blade growls. “And there ain’t no relation, so tell me what the real problem is?”

“The problem is that it’s fuckin’ wrong.”

This doesn’t come from Jack; it comes from Brody. We all turn to stare at him and I narrow my eyes in confusion. I didn’t think Brody would be the one to protest. Why would he? He doesn’t seem to care what we do.

“Brody,” I say softly. “How exactly is it wrong?”

“Seriously?” he scoffs. “Our parents are married. Have you even thought about what would happen if you and Blade decide that this fuck fest you have going on doesn’t work? How the hell do you think we can all sit in the same room for the rest of our lives? How do you think you can handle it if he marries another woman, or you marry another man? You two are thinking below the belt. Don’t insult me by calling it love. I’m done here.”

He skids his chair back and storms out. My bottom lip trembles, because out of all of them, I thought he’d understand. Ripley reaches over and takes my hand, squeezing it, but I don’t feel it. Brody and I have a bond; it hurts me that he thinks so low of me. Does he really think I’d just sleep around casually and announce it to the family?

“Okay,” Jack says. “You two need to start from the beginning, yeah?”

So we tell Jack everything, from start to finish. When we’re done, his eyes are scanning over both of us, then he mumbles, “Jesus, this started before us? What’s the luck of that?”

“Yeah,” I say, my heart still aching from Brody’s words. “And it means something, Jack. I know it’s not conventional, but I do love him, and I really have tried to change that but I can’t. I’m sure you understand that.”

“I do, kid, because I feel it for your momma. Listen, give me time to process, yeah? I appreciate you two tellin’ me, but I just . . . need some time.”

I nod, but tears burst from my eyes unexpectedly.

“Ah shit honey, didn’t mean to make you cry.”

Jack reaches over and cups my face, but I turn away. I push my chair back and stand.

“Look,” I whisper. “I’m not asking for your permission. I just wanted you to all know. I want you to know, because nothing you can say will change how much I love Blade. He is the meaning of me and I won’t let him go. If you don’t accept it, that’ll hurt like hell, so I really, really hope you will, because I adore all of you and I don’t want to lose you.”

With that, I turn and rush out.

Blade follows me, but I want to get my hands on Brody. I’m angry with him, because how dare he be so judgmental and snap at me like that?

“Hey, darlin’, stop.”

Blade’s arms circle my waist and he turns me around. I step into him and press my face into his chest, breathing him in because I need that. He holds the back of my head tightly for a moment before letting me go. “It’ll be okay, you hear?”

I nod. “I know . . . Listen, I don’t want to do this, but I need to find Brody and you need to let me.”

He studies me. “He didn’t mean what he said.”

“No, but I still need to find him and say my piece.”

He strokes a thumb down my cheek. “All right, baby. Meet me at home after, okay?”

I nod, leaning up on my tiptoes and pressing my lips to his. He accepts my kiss, responding with a soft, gentle kiss of his own. Then we part ways. I dig into my phone, calling Brody’s number, but he doesn’t answer. Angry, I punch out a text message.

Aria – You don’t get to say those things and run off. Where r u? We need 2 talk.

He doesn’t respond and my blood boils. No, he’s not going to do this.

Aria – Two choices, Brody. You tell me where u r or I tell your family why you’re really suffering.

It’s a low blow, but I know it’ll be enough to make him tell me where he is. I’m right; a minute later I get a response.

Brody – Park. South Street.

I tuck my phone into my jeans and wave down a cab. By the time I reach the park, my blood is boiling. I know it shouldn’t matter, and maybe he didn’t mean it, but he and I have something. We’re close, and I don’t deserve his nasty words when he knows I’m not that kind of girl.

I pay the driver and get out. I see Brody right away, sitting on an old, rusty swing, staring out at nothing. I walk over, anger flooding my veins. He hears me coming and stands, but the moment he turns to face me, I shove him. Then I shove him again and again while yelling. “How dare you? How dare you speak to me like that? I don’t care who you are, I don’t care what we’ve shared, you don’t get the right to make me feel insecure and slutty.”

He grabs my wrists and jerks me, causing me to lose my footing and stumble forward. He steadies me then drops my hands, effectively shoving me backwards. Then he gets up in my face. “Don’t pretend that we’re some kind of special, Aria. Don’t pretend you know me and that we’re so damned close you get the right to fuckin’ speak to me like that or lay your hands on me.”

I lean in close, too. “And don’t you think you get the right to treat me like trash because you’re too fucking gutless to tell me what’s really going on. I have never, ever spoken to you like that, Brody. I haven’t done anything wrong, regardless of what you think. Blade and I aren’t just fuck buddies, and if you stuck around long enough to let me get a word in, you would know we met each other before Mom and Jack ever got married or even met, so back off. You know nothing about how I feel for him.”

His anger slides away and he takes a step back, looking to the side.

“Don’t do this,” I say, more gently this time. “Don’t push me away because Brody, I like what I have with you. I trust you. You matter to me. If you have a problem with Blade and I, say it to me, right here and right now.”

He looks up at me and meets my eyes, dead on. “I have no one, Aria. No one to talk to. No one to confide in. I found someone the day you and I opened up to each other. What the hell do you think is going to happen to that if you and Blade go south? This family that has been created—it’s the only damned sunshine in my life.”