Stepbrother Forever: A Stepbrother Romance (38 page)

ASHLEY

Chapter 21

I sleep in late on Monday
morning. I still have plenty of time to get ready for work, but most people
have already started their day at this point. I laze around in my bed until I
feel completely awake and then get up. I brush my teeth and wash my face and
then head into the kitchen.

I set the coffee to brew and
pick up my phone while I wait. I have several missed texts. So many thoughts to
wake up to. I pour my coffee into a mug and add some milk. I sit at the counter
with my coffee and the phone and reply to everyone.

There are a couple from my
mother:
I will see you at lunch on
Tuesday,
she wrote.
Not sure if you
know already but thought I would tell you
. I reply to hers first.

Hey,
Mom. See you on Tuesday.
Enough said. I don’t need to
expand. There is nothing much to say until after we see each other, otherwise
we’ll just be walking on eggshells.

Then there are a few messages
from Jayson. He greets me first:
Good
morning, beautiful.
Then:
Spoke to
Tom and Cynthia. Lunch at my place on Tuesday. You should tell your mother even
though I’m sure my father did already.

I answer Jayson:
Good morning. Can’t wait for our lunch date.
I bet it will be a lot of fun. What should I bring?
I’m sure he can sense
my sarcasm even through the text.

There is one from Rachel:
On my way to the studio. Big fan of Jayson.
So much better than I thought.
I reply with,
Glad you like him. It wouldn’t be right if you didn’t. XO.

And one more random text from
my brother, Eric:
Heard the news. Thanks
for your help in maintaining my “favorite child” status.
I laugh out loud
to that one.

Fuck
you,
I write back and add a smiley face after.

I am halfway through my coffee
when I get a response from Jayson:
Just
bring a smile and that hot ass.

I respond:
I usually don’t go anywhere without it. Going to work soon—talk later.

I put my phone down, I don’t
feel like messaging right now. I want to sit in peace with my coffee and enjoy
it this morning. Last night was amazing, again. I don’t know how I became so
bold—I’m usually very submissive. Jayson just makes me feel sexy and beautiful,
happy and full of life. He excites me and stimulates me, and even when I
thought I was in love before, it didn’t feel like this. I want to please him. I
want him to love me as much as I love him—or more.

I rinse my mug in the sink and
get myself ready for work. I take a long, hot shower. That always helps to calm
me and clear my head before I start my day. As I towel off, I’m reminded of
Jayson and I last night and smile. I do my hair and makeup, put on my uniform,
and collect my things so I can leave. I’m happy to be working a double today so
I don’t have time to sit around and think about lunch tomorrow.

On one hand, I’m glad Jayson
chose his apartment so we can speak openly amongst ourselves. On the other,
maybe a public place would have been better so we would have to keep everything
under control. Maybe it won’t be as bad as I think. At least I’ll have Jayson
by my side.

The restaurant isn’t that busy
today. Mondays are usually the slowest day of the week. I ease through lunch,
happily serving my tables. Regardless of what lies ahead, last night put me in
a great mood.

When the lunch crowd dies out
and my section is ready for dinner, I step outside to have a drink and a small
meal. I pick up my phone to see if there were any responses to the messages I
sent earlier. As I expected, there is a message from Jayson.

Wanna
sleep over tonight?
he asks. A broad smile crosses my lips. I
enjoy his sense of humor.

As much as I do want to, I am
going to decline. I don’t want my mother showing up thinking I just want to
shack up with this guy. Or worse, that he is keeping his young lover at home to
satisfy all of his needs. Maybe she won’t think anything, but I don’t think
it’s a good idea.

I
would love to, but not tonight,
I reply.

Too
bad. Maybe another night? Please?

Any
other night,
I answer.
Talk
later.

I finish my food and go back
inside. I chat with a couple of the other servers since we don’t have any
customers yet. We all get along well, but I just don’t choose to hang out with
my coworkers outside of work.

A few diners enter and we get
back to work. It gets somewhat busier as the night goes on so time passes
fairly quickly and before I know it, I only have one table left. I finish the
rest of my side work and collect their check so I can close out and go home.
When everything is done, I say my good byes and head out.

I call Jayson on my way home
since it’s not too late. He answers after a couple of rings, fills me in on his
conversation with Tom, and assures me that everything will be fine. Tom is
secure with Jayson’s feelings for me and trusts that he is not using me. Of
course, he will defend his son’s character if that is an issue, but he wanted
to be sure.

He also doesn’t think our
future relation as stepsiblings is an issue at all. I’m happy to hear all of
this and know my mother will have to listen to reason, especially if it’s
coming from the man she loves.

I explain my reasons for not
wanting to spend the night. Jayson says he understands, but thinks it’s silly.
I assure him we will have many sleepovers in the future. Our conversation lasts
for my entire walk home. As much as I dislike talking while I walk, it did make
the trip go much faster.

Jayson stays on the phone until
I’m in my apartment to make sure I get home safe. He wishes me sweet dreams,
just as he has every night since we’ve been together.

I’m tired and don’t really have
anything to do, so I get undressed and showered and ready for bed. Tomorrow is
going to be pretty stressful, so I might as well get a good night’s sleep. I’m
sure by the time we’re through there will be a happy ending, but getting to
that point is going to be extremely tense.

ASHLEY

Chapter 22

I slept terribly, waking ever
hour or so, likely because of my nerves. My mother and I haven’t had too many
disagreements, and this is a big one.

After my father left, she and I
became much closer and she spoke to me like her friend as well as her daughter.
She can be opinionated and stubborn, but she has always supported me. Even at
times when she didn’t agree with what I was doing, she still encouraged me.

This situation is completely
different, though. Mom thinks she is looking out for my best interests, but
she’s not looking at the whole picture. She’s also projecting all the hurt and
fear from her own failed marriage onto my relationship. I hope there is a way
to make her see that Jayson and my father are not the same.

I take my time getting out of
bed and after a horrible night’s sleep, I decide to brew some coffee before
anything else. I hang around the kitchen, sipping from my mug and flipping
through a magazine. I don’t bother checking if I have any messages, because I
don’t feel like dealing with anyone this morning, anyway.

When I’m finished I make my way
to the bathroom for a nice long shower. I dress and put on some makeup. I
second-guess the mascara, knowing there might be some tears, but I apply it
anyway. I want to look and feel my best when I see my mother.

After I finish I go to check my
messages. There is only one from Jayson, asking what time I plan on getting
there. I’m ready now, but I don’t know if he’s at work today or just home
waiting for us, so I reply to his text.

What
time would you like me there?

I’m
on my way back there now from my office. I can pick you up,
he offers.

Perfect.
How long?

Be
there in twenty.

K.
See you then.

I put on some jewelry and
collect my things so I can leave. I lock the door on the way out and go down to
the lobby to wait for Jayson.

Just about twenty minutes after
his text, I notice a black town car pulling up and smile. Only one day has
passed since we’ve seen each other, but it feels like so much longer. The car
stops at my entrance and Jayson steps out of the back.

As usual. he looks amazing.
Today he’s wearing gray slacks and a white button-down top. It’s similar to his
usual outfit, but more official-looking for the office, I suppose. His hair is
perfectly groomed and his eyes are shaded by dark sunglasses. A huge smile
crosses his lips when he sees me on the sidewalk.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Hello, handsome,” I reply,
stepping toward him. He reaches out a hand and takes one of mine, pulling me
closer to him. He gives me a soft kiss.

“I missed you,” he says.

I smile. “I missed you, too.”

Jayson holds the door open and
I get into the back of the car. He follows behind me and the car starts making
its way toward his building.

“So, are you ready?” he asks.

“Yes. And no. I don’t know,” I
sigh.

“Well, it doesn’t matter much,
because it’s happening whether you’re ready or not.”

“True. I’m ready. I just don’t
want to fight. I wish my mother wasn’t making such a big deal out of
everything.”

“Me too, but she is. Don’t
worry, we’ll all be best friends by the time lunch is over,” he assures me with
a smile.

“We’ll see,” I mutter in reply.

“Come on, Ashley. Just think
positive,” Jayson says as we pull up to his building.

We get out of the car and walk
through the lobby. Seconds after we enter Jayson’s apartment, the intercom
rings. Fortunately, it’s just the lunch delivery. I’m not ready for Tom and my
mother yet.

Jayson lets the two delivery
guys from the gourmet sandwich shop down the block inside. They don’t just
leave the food—they set up a small buffet on the kitchen island counter. Much
different than the kind of food deliveries I’m used to.

“Wow, fancy,” I comment after
they leave.

“Only the best for the best,”
Jayson replies. “How about a little wine before the parents arrive?” Now that’s
an offer I’ll happily accept.

He removes a bottle of white
wine from the wine cooler under the counter. He pours each of us a glass and
raises his to toast.

“Here’s to a bright future and
a happy future stepmother and mother-in-law,” Jayson jokes.

“Ha. Ha. Can you not refer to
her as that from now on? And who says she’s going to be your mother-in-law,
anyway?”

“She will be. You’re mine,
remember? You have no choice now,” he teases me. I laugh in response.

“You’re crazy,” I reply.

The intercom rings again and I
know this time it has to be my mother and Tom. Jayson answers, and when he
hangs up, he walks back over to me. He holds my chin in his hand and tilts my
head up so we are looking into each other’s eyes.

“Don’t worry. We got this,” he
says quietly.

Jayson kisses me on the lips
for assurance. Even though it’s just a short kiss, it feels soft and sweet and
full of love. He backs up and holds his palm up, waiting for a high-five.

“Let’s do this!” he says,
switching gears to lighten the mood and making me laugh again.

I high-five him and he walks to
the door to open it for our awaiting guests. I hear the
ding
of the elevator and the sound of Mom and Tom coming out of the
elevator toward Jayson’s apartment. This is it.

“Hey, Dad! Hello, Cynthia,”
Jayson greets them. He shakes his father’s hand and gives my mother a hug as
they come in the door.

I’m a few feet behind Jayson. I
put on my best smile and greet them next.

“Hi, Tom. Hey, Mom,” I say,
giving each of them a hug.

“You look so pretty, Ashley,”
my mother says after taking a step back.

“Thanks,” I reply. Maybe this
won’t be so bad, after all.

We all find our way to the
kitchen island. Jayson pours another two glasses of wine and hands them to Tom
and Cynthia. We are awkwardly standing around, trying to get comfortable with
each other. We all know why we are here, but I don’t think anyone wants to dive
into a serious discussion.

Jayson takes a seat on a stool
and helps himself to cheese and crackers. We all follow suit, picking on a
couple of the appetizers from the small spread.

We make some small talk and try
to ease the tension. It seems to work as we are all comfortably talking to each
other about anything other than the topic at hand. Then Tom decides it’s time
to get down to business.

“Well, I don’t know where to
start, but let’s get this over with so we can sit down and eat some lunch. It
looks delicious.”

“Way to be subtle, Dad,” Jayson
says with a chuckle.

“You should know how I operate
by now,” Tom replies. “As we’re obviously all aware, I’ve asked Cynthia to be
my bride. And for some crazy reason, she said yes,” he continues, looking at my
mother with reverence. “We don’t want to begin our new life together with any
unnecessary strain or hard feelings. So I would like everyone to just lay it
all out on the table. Let’s just say whatever it is that is on our minds so we
can address it and move on.”

Jayson takes a sip of his drink
and replies first. “I don’t think there’s too much to say. Ashley and I are
dating. We didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did. It’s an unfortunate coincidence
that our parents are marrying each other, but we’re adults and it really
shouldn’t make a difference.”

“It is an unfortunate
coincidence,” my mother replies. “I don’t think dating someone that you will be
considered related to is appropriate.”

“I don’t think it matters. We
are adults, not children. We also won’t all be living together under one roof.
It’s not like we grew up together, or anything. The fact that you and my father
will be married is only a technicality,” Jayson retorts and sips his wine
again.

“It’s just not right. Would I
call you my stepson, or my daughter’s boyfriend? Or God forbid, both?” she says
sarcastically.

“Really, Mom? Why does it
matter? Call him whatever you want. What’s the difference?” I chime in.

“It just doesn’t make sense.
How many people do you know who date their relatives?” she answers.

“He’s not my relative!” I hiss.
“So he’ll be my stepbrother. So what? All you care about is what other people
think. You don’t even have a real reason.”

“I will always support you,
Cynthia, but I have to agree on this point. They’re grown and can make their
own choices. Our relationship shouldn’t and doesn’t make a difference in
theirs,” Tom agrees. I silently cheer.

“I’m not going to fight about
it, Tom. Maybe it’s just my own opinion or insecurities about what people
think, but I can’t help how I feel,” my mom concedes. “If it weren’t for the
age difference or Jayson’s…” She pauses, trying to think of the least offensive
word. “…
past,
it wouldn’t concern me
so much. But adding those to the equation, I just see disaster in the future.
For all of us.”

“I can’t help my age,” Jayson
replies calmly. “Maybe I’m immature, maybe Ashley is more mature, I don’t know.
I wasn’t looking for some young girl to manipulate. We’re just attracted to
each other.”

My mother snorts. “What could
you possibly have in common with a college girl? You’ve been out of college for
years. You’re a grown man with a career and a future. You’re an adult. Ashley
still doesn’t have a major and her father pays her rent.”

“I don’t care what she studies
or that she can’t afford an apartment in Manhattan yet,” Jayson bites back.
“Ashley is beautiful. She’s also interesting, intelligent, and funny. She makes
me smile and we enjoy each other’s company. I care for her very deeply.” He’s
staring at me. “Why should anything else matter?”

“How many women have you said
cared for in the past? How many have you led on just to drop for the next one
that comes along? How long can a
girl
hold your interest?” Mom snaps back.

“My past is exactly that—my
past.” Jayson says more sternly. “It has no effect on my feelings for Ashley.
I’ve never cared for a woman the way I care for her, nor have I pretended I
did.”

“Cynthia, my son may be many
things. but he has never been dishonest. I know he may not have the best
reputation, but he’s a man who stands by his word. I don’t believe he would lie
about his feelings or do something that he knows would jeopardize our
happiness.” Tom says. I see my mother’s face soften slightly.

“My age doesn’t make a
difference. You were my age when you married Dad! Jayson and I care for each
other. and I’m happy. Isn’t that all that should matter?” I ask my mother.

“Yes, you’re the same age as
when I married your father,” she says, “and look how well that turned out. What
makes you think Jayson will be any different? You’re going to get older and
he’s going to want a replacement. Just like your father.”

“Don’t compare him to Dad!” I
yell. “Even if he is like my father, you loved him once, for many years. He
wasn’t always the terrible person you make him out to be.” I stand up. I’m too
wound up to sit down anymore. Jayson gets up and stands behind me. He places
his hands on my shoulders. I see tears well in my mother’s eyes.

“I just don’t believe that a
womanizer like that is going to change his ways. He will get bored and find
someone else. Then where will you be? I’ll tell you—you will be hurt, and sad.
I will wind up with hard feelings toward Jayson and Tom and I will be arguing
about our children over something we could have put a stop to before it got to
that point. All of us will be hurt.”

“That’s not going to happen,”
Jayson replies in a loud but calm voice. “I am not your ex-husband. I can’t
predict the future, but I know in my heart I will never hurt Ashley. I have
never felt this way about another woman, ever. I love her.”