My Charming Stepbrother (7 page)
Read My Charming Stepbrother Online
Authors: Grace Valentine
She gave him the okay, leaning in to him, not taking her lips off of his. Even though she felt like she was going to pass out, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and did not let go.
She could still see the intensity in his eyes when they came up for air. The only thing that interrupted what would have potentially come next was the sound of one of their parents coming home. The separated immediately, Brian going to the kitchen and Daisy running upstairs to her room.
Lying down on her bed, she closed her eyes and replayed the kiss over and over in her head all night long. What would have happened if her father had not come home? Little did she know, she did not have to worry about anything else happen between her and Brian. Nothing else ever transpired, leaving her confused and wondering what happened. They barely even talked about it from that point on.
"All that I can say in response to that is that we were kids back then. Teenagers full of emotion and confusion. We weren't built to make decisions that would last us a lifetime. We were only built to deal with the day to day."
"And now? We are grown adults now, Daisy. No excuses."
The doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation. Even though Brian dressed and left the room to go and get their food, she knew that she was on the hook for answering those unanswered questions that lingered between them. And she had a feeling that Brian would not leave out of town without her giving him something concrete.
When Daisy left the next morning, Brian had asked her to attend a charity event with him. They had gone from not even speaking to sleeping together, to him wanting her to go out in public with him. She was not sure what to do. All she could hear him tell her was to go with the flow and let things be. She was not exactly sure how to do that.
She spent the day at home working on projects, trying to bury her mind in work, but to no avail. All she could think about was Brian. What was going on between them? What would be next? She could not think of anything else, so she closed her laptop and settled on taking a warm bath. That was usually the one thing that helped her to relax and gather her thoughts.
The warm water wrapped around her skin, calming her thoughts and relaxing her muscles. She instantly felt better. Maybe Brian was right. Her way had not helped things at all. Doing things her way had gotten her to the point where she was alone, pining away for a man that had wanted her all the long. It had gotten her to the point where she had wasted years of her life wondering what could have or what was supposed to be, instead of living her life.
This time, if Brian asked her to go with him on the road, Daisy knew her answer. She could work from anywhere there was internet so she was not bound to be here in her home. Besides, she had not traveled the world enough and there was no reason to continue to miss out.
Brian had given her an open invitation to go with him to the charity event. The catch was that he had to be on a plane out of town directly after that. He had essentially given her only a few hours to decide if she would be on the road with him for the next month.
The decision had not been hard at all. She knew what she had to do. But she wanted to surprise him and show him that she was capable of being spontaneous and that she could live in the here and now and be happy with that.
Daisy had exactly two hours to get dressed and pack before Brian sent a car to pick her up. He told her that he would meet her at the event.
She packed the last of her bags just as she heard the car honking outside. Her phone rang.
"Car service is ready for you," the voice said from the other end.
"Thank you."
Daisy smiled as she put on her earrings and did one last check to make sure she had everything. She thought that she would feel nervous about the decision, but she did not at all. As a matter of fact, she felt empowered and the strongest she had ever felt in her life. For the first time, everything felt right.
She began putting the bags on the front porch and the driver came to her aid. She thanked him and walked to the town car.
The door opened.
"I did not think that you would come with me."
Her heart jumped when she saw Brian in the back seat. He stepped out of the car.
"I thought I was meeting you at the event. I wanted to surprise you," she whined.
Picking her up in his arms, he whirled her around. "This is a surprise. Probably the best one yet. I think tonight is going to be perfect."
Setting her down on the ground, he pulled him in to his body, kissing her on the lips.
"Perfect night you say?" she asked playfully.
"Perfect night. Perfect month. I couldn't ask for anything more." He kissed her once again on the lips and then stood to the side as she got in the car. As they drove off, for the first time in her life, Daisy was looking forward to what was next, but happy to live in and love what was happening to her right now.
6 Years Earlier
I swallowed the lump in my throat. It was as though I could feel Garrett’s pain, or maybe it was just my own suffocating me with despair. He stood off to the side with his hands shoved in his pockets and tears on his cheeks. I wanted to comfort him so badly, but for months now I’d avoided him as much as possible, which was easy because he was always gone and only visited when he was in town. I had good reason for steering clear of him, but today we needed to be there for each other. His father was a wonderful man, and one I was proud to call mine, even though he was only my stepfather.
‘
I’m going to make it big Andra. You’ll see,
’ he always said when we were downstairs watching crappy horror films. I’d nod and pretend as though I believed that he would really make it to the big time. No one from my small town ever left, better yet made it famous, but I knew if anyone succeed, it would be Garrett. He had the passion and the skill.
But now as I stood watching his suffering I didn’t know what to do or say. I never had a dad until my mother married Michael Beck when I was 14, and I couldn’t have wished for one better. He didn’t care that I was a bitchy teenage girl with a chip my shoulder, and it never seemed to faze him that I wasn’t his child. He took care of me like I was really his daughter.
At the time Garrett was nearly 21 and loved to party. He was getting it out of his system before going to school for acting. Or so he liked to say. That didn’t matter, I swooned over him from the first time we met, and more with each passing day. He had the blond hair and baby blue eyes, but with three day bread growth that was sexy enough to be bad. To put simply; he was the hottest guy in town, and everyone wanted him.
I never got over my crush, and none of the other boys in town compared. I spent my spare time wishing he would notice me, but that didn’t happen, not for a couple of years yet.
I shook out of my memories and focused on him. Now it was time to buck up and go talk to him. Hug him and cry with him. As if he felt me watching, his eyes shot over to mine. His blue eyes were filled with sorrow, and it broke my heart. I found myself almost gliding towards him. It was a magnetic pull and one I couldn’t fight, but one I knew I had to fight. It was wrong. Our parents were married, but my heart didn’t care, and that was exactly why I avoided him any chance I got.
I reached my hand out for his hand and he laced our fingers together. Today I could let go. Today I could comfort him. “I’m so sorry Garrett.” It was all I could say before sobs wracked my body. I was supposed to be comforting him yet he pulled my slight frame into his arms and I buried my face in his chest. Tears soaked his suit, but he didn’t seem to mind as he rubbed his hand down my hair.
“
It’s okay Andra, I know.”
And he did. His dad was the only parent he had from birth until his dad met my mom. His mother abandoned him at the hospital the day he was born and left a message on Michael’s phone saying:
‘If you want your son, he’s a Saint Mary’s Hospital’.
And that was that. The rest was history. She never sought him out, and he never cared. His dad was the best of both parents.
He tugged on my hand and pulled me down the narrow hallway of the church that led to a small private praying room. He shut the door and spun me around.
“
Are you done avoiding me now, Andra?”
His hands tightened around my upper arms. It was forceful and angry, but it didn’t hurt. I gasped with the emotion I saw in his eyes. Beyond the grief there was a yearning. One I understood, but choose to ignore.
“
You know why I’m staying away.”
He nodded and licked his lips. “It’s stupid and you know it. We aren’t even related by blood. Who cares that our parents got married?” He loosened his hold and brought one finger and traced my jaw. “I just want to forget right now. And you’re who I want to forget with. Just this one time then I’ll leave it alone.”
I knew it was a lie. I knew if given a chance it would be more than once, and it would be more than a kiss, but I couldn’t ignore the rush of excitement that spread through my body as he leaned into me. His arms wrapped around my waist pulling me against him. My hands landed on his chest, but rather than pushing him away like I should have, I gripped his suit jacket and pulled him closer. Instead of doing the smart thing my lips parted, and my eyes fluttered shut. His lips were soft on mine compared to the rough handling. I couldn’t remember when I’d first started to imagine us kissing, but it was so much better than I thought it would be. It was an innocent kiss at first, and his arms tightened even more as if he thought I’d run away like I always did anytime he cornered me.
He groaned and licked my lips parting them, and that shattered it for me. I knew it was wrong, and letting him kiss me in a church at his father’s funeral no less, was the most horrible thing I’d ever done. I gasped and used my strength to push him—hard. He stumbled back giving me the space I needed and looked at me in a state of shock. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the kiss or because of the fact I pushed him away. Either way it didn’t matter. I spun and pulled the door open. I ran out of the room and out of his life.
Garrett Beck spun in the office chair. His go-to man for everything was typing a contract on the computer appearing to ignore him, but he knew better, Everett was aware of everything. That’s why he made the best bodyguard and manager. He was also his best friend.
“
Would you stop that shit?” he said glaring.
Garrett stopped the chair. “I can’t help it. I haven’t seen her since my dad’s funeral.”
“
That long?”
“
Yeah, she’s made it fuckin’ difficult. If anyone knows how to avoid someone it’s Andra. She has it down to the science, and it’s driving me crazy.” He ran a hand through his thick, chocolate brown hair. It wasn’t his style or color, but it’s what the job called for this time around, and it took some getting used to.
“
Well, I can’t blame her. Think about it. Your parents were married, making you related by marriage. Even though she obviously had feelings for you, she had some hang ups about being with you.”
He glared. “I understood when she was 17 and I saw her skinny dipping in the pond and cornered her. And I understand her getting upset about me corning her at my dad’s funeral—only because the timing was terrible, but for over six years she’s avoided going anywhere I could be. She only sees her mom if she knows I’m not in town. I mean we should be able to be in the same room together right?”
Everett shrugged. “She seems to have been busy.”
He turned the computer screen toward him and Andra’s photo stared back at him. She was beautiful, even more so now. “She’s a journalist now. The only reason why I found out she even graduated is because her mom talks about her nonstop.”
“
Well then why don’t you get her to do the story on you? Who better than someone who knew you from your formative years? It would make the expose even better. Your fans would eat it up. You could do a series of articles and space them out enough to keep people excited until your movies releases.”
Now that wasn’t a bad idea. “How the hell am I supposed to get her to do that when I can’t even get her in the same room as me. “
“
She’s new, just getting her feet wet, and any journalist, new or seasoned, would be stupid to say no to an opportunity like this. You’re the shit Garrett, and this series of articles could make or break her career. She can’t say no,” Everett said and rubbed his hands together. “I’ve got this.”
Garett’s smile grew. He couldn’t wait. If Everett managed to get her assigned to his story, then she’d have to spend time with him. That would give him the opportunity to finally get what he wanted: her. His dad had been gone for six years now. If she wanted him the way he wanted her, the fact that their parents were once married wouldn’t even matter anymore.
He left his manager’s office feeling lighter than he had for months. Life couldn’t get any better. He’d accomplished his dream, was filthy rich, and could have any woman he wanted—except the one he always wanted. But he planned to change that. She wasn’t in college anymore. She had her fun, now it was time to get what he wanted. And Garett Beck always got what he wanted.
* * * *
I sat at the computer lost in thought. It was hard to even believe that Garett had followed his dream and he had gotten it. He was the hottest actor around, and every woman wanted him while every man wanted to be him. And I was no exception to every woman’s desires. Only I’d wanted him since I was young. Even though I did everything in my power to avoid him in person, I was guilty for stalking all of his social media. His new movie was premiering in less than a month, and it was supposed to be the best one yet. I was biased and thought they were all amazing but this one—it was going to be racier; sexier, with more of an intimate feel. At least that’s what reviewers were saying.
I clicked the ‘x’ closing out the page and sighed. I was terrible. He’d tried getting in touch with me a lot through the years, but I’d managed to steer clear. I knew it was a jerk thing to do, but I couldn’t be near him. He was everything I’d ever wanted and couldn’t have, even if my mom lectured me saying I couldn’t do better than him. She didn’t seem to remember that at one time she was married to his father, or maybe like Garrett she didn’t consider us to be related.
Technically we weren’t, but even if I allowed it, what would happen when the media got a hold of the information? He’d be ruined. I didn’t want that for him. He worked too hard to get as far as he had come. The stigma of ‘seeing’ his stepsister probably wouldn’t do him any favors. Wouldn’t it be wrong for me to be with him? It was the same argument I’d had with myself since I first developed feelings for him.
And even though I knew we weren’t related and his father had been gone for six years now I couldn’t get over it. Or I was just worried that if I finally gave and started seeing him and gave into all the built up desires that had been stored away that I’d be like all the other women who threw themselves at him. Now with his fame and fortune, I was worried that I wasn’t good enough, and that wasn’t a feeling I enjoyed having. The Garrett I knew before might not be the Garrett of today—and that’s what kept me away.
“
Weaver, my office now,” my boss yelled.
I jumped and looked around guilty. This job was too new for me to be in trouble. I’d just learned the shortest route to the coffee room. But he didn’t sound too happy. I stood and straightened my skirt and walked with my head held high into his office.
“
Shut the door,” he ordered.
Oh well that wasn’t good
. But I followed orders and the door clicked shut behind me.
I stood in the middle of the room waiting for my new order.
“
Oh for hell’s sake sit down—and stop looking like a scared little animal that’s about to get slaughtered.”
EW.
I gulped and sat in the chair he pointed to. Crossing my legs I waited, wondering what I could have done to piss him off already.
He narrowed his eyes, but there was a twinkle in them and then he smiled. “Well why the hell didn’t you tell me you knew Garrett Beck?”
That wasn’t what I was expected. My heart raced just hearing his name, and my palms sweated. “I didn’t think it was relevant.”
“
Of course it’s important. Every staff member here is a huge fan, and we’ve been trying to get an interview for ages. He always says ‘no’ but you’re here for less than a month and who do I have calling here requesting an expose, a whole series of articles on Mr. Garrett Beck’s life before his fame—
His
manager
. And who is the one person who has to do the stories, or else he’ll go somewhere else—
You.
So now I ask again, how exactly do you know him?”
I paled and my body trembled. He’d requested me to do his story. That couldn’t be good. “My mother was close to his father. We spent a lot of time together when we were younger.” There the truth without the whole truth. I was learning already.
My boss was speechless for a minute or two. “You’re shitting me? You’re perfect for the job then. He wants this to be an intimate ‘know all’ piece, and you certainly fit the bill. I want you to get started right away. Do whatever he wants and don’t come back until you have the whole damn story. I want you to knock my socks off.” he leaned forward and whispered, “And Andra, this can make or break you. So keep that in mind.”
Then he dismissed me with a wave of his hand. I stood, numb and left his office. I needed to get out. Because I’d just got the story everyone would die to have, only I felt like I was the one dying. My stomach twisted in knots and my breathing picked up. Panic overtook me as I walked past my small cubical and outside into the gloomy night. It was really a good replication to my feelings. A storm was coming and I wasn’t sure if I was going to sink or swim.
