Stepbrother Forever: A Stepbrother Romance (3 page)

Chapter 4

Since everything has
been agreed to and signed, Ryan and I made plans to move in on Saturday. My bed
is being delivered to the apartment and everything else I have will fit in my
father’s truck. Ryan will meet us at the apartment with his own truck and help
carry everything up the three flights of stairs. Our friend Tony is coming by
to help, too. He was more than happy to lend a hand, especially knowing he’ll
get beer and pizza in return. Everyone else seems to be busy today, but we
should be able to handle it between the four of us.

The
week flies by, and even after working extremely late on Friday night, I’m up
and ready to go Saturday morning.

“So
this is it,” Mom says over coffee in the morning.

“That’s
very dramatic, Mom,” I reply.

“This
is a big deal, Eve,” she says, “you went to community college and then commuted
to Manhattan. You’ve never lived on your own.” She looks somber. “I know you’ll
have Ryan to keep you company, but it’s not the same.”

“I
know, Mom. But I won’t be far, and I will definitely be coming here for some of
your cooking,” I answer with a smile.

“I hope
so,” she says, smiling back.

“I’m
going to miss having you here, too, but if we don’t get a move on, we will
never be able to park and unload,” my father chimes in, draining his mug.

“Thanks,
Dad. You always know how to make me feel loved,” I reply.

I get
up and bring my dishes to the sink. Mom gets up also, and when the table is
cleared, we give each other a hug.

“Sure
you don’t want to come?” I ask her.

“Yes. I
don’t think I’ll fit, anyway. I’ll come in a couple of days to help you unpack
and settle. Call me if you need me sooner.” she adds with a smile and another
hug.

“Okay,
ladies. Time to go,” my father gruffs impatiently.

I
embrace my mother one more time and my father and I walk out the door. The
truck is packed full of boxes, so my mother was right—she wouldn’t have fit,
anyway. Traffic is light this time of day, so the drive in is easy. We make
some small talk and my father lectures me on all the safety rules he thinks I
need to know.

We go
through the tunnel and I direct him to my new building. We pull up in front,
and of course, there is no parking. We drive around in circles for what feels
like hours before we find a spot a short distance away. When it’s time to
unload, he will just double park—at least, that’s what I think I hear him
grumbling under his breath.

As we
walk up to the building, I see my father eyeing the surrounding area. I know he
is sizing it up for his own judgment and to share with my mother when he gets
home. He lets me lead the way up the stairs to the entrance.

“Follow
me,” I say, starting up the first flight of stairs inside the building.

“Good
thing you’re in shape, Eve,” he says as he climbs the stairs behind me. “I
can’t imagine doing this every day. How many flights up are you again?”

“Just
three,” I answer. “Almost there.”

We
arrive at the landing on the third floor and I see the door to the apartment is
ajar. Ryan must have started early. I push it open, and right on the other side
are Ryan and Tony. Even though it’s chilly outside, it’s hot in here. Both of
them are shirtless and my stepfather isn’t even trying to hide the look of
disapproval on his face.

They
appear to be finishing the divider wall they must have started this morning.
Tony is tall and lanky and is almost unnoticeable with Ryan next to him. The
sweat on Ryan’s skin is making his chiseled chest glisten in the damp light.
Every muscle is accentuated and bulging from exertion. I swallow, hard. It’s
not like I’ve never seen Ryan without a shirt on, but the way he just made me
feel when I walked in the door was definitely more than friendly.

“Hey,
Eve! Hi, Mr. Thompson,” Tony says, offering his hand to my father.

“Hi,”
my father answers, staring at Tony with his brow creased.

“This
is Tony, Dad,” I interrupt. “You met at a couple of performances.” They shake
hands, but I can tell Dad is more focused on Ryan.

“Thanks
for helping out dad,” Ryan says cheerfully, also extending his hand.

“Don’t
mention it,” Dad answers warily.

“We got
here really early this morning, so we went ahead and started building the
wall,” Ryan explains, proudly pointing at their handiwork.

“Great,”
Dad answers, “It looks like you did a half decent job of it.”

“This
looks awesome!” I say, trying to displace some of the tension in the room. “Do
I have to paint it?” I’m not looking forward to that project.

“You
do,” Tony answers, holding up a roller, “but we’re just about done, so you can
start. Just throw a quick coat up and another later, and we are good to go.”

“When
is your bed being delivered, Eve?” my father asks.

“Later
this afternoon,” I reply, sure of why he is asking.

“Good.
Let’s get to painting, then,” he suggests as he takes off his coat. “I assume
there will be a door here?”

“Of
course,” Ryan jumps in. “They didn’t have the size we needed today, so we’ll
check somewhere else tomorrow.” I think the look on my father’s face and his
line of questions is putting everyone on edge. Maybe accepting his help wasn’t
the best idea.

“I will
go out and find a door later today,” Dad offers.

“Thanks,
Mr. Thompson, that would be helpful,” Tony replies, looking as uneasy as
everyone else now.

Tony
plays some music on his iPod and we all get to work. My father loses himself in
the paint project and I start cleaning. I take some supplies and begin in the
kitchen. We are all happily going about our business individually, some light
conversation going on amid it all. When I finally emerge from the small, but
now spotless kitchen, I can tell the discomfort has lifted a bit and everyone
is getting along. I know my stepfather likes his son, but I understand why he
is hesitant about our decision to live together. I might not have been his
biological daughter, but he was very protective…

“Anyone
hungry?” I ask. “I was going to run out and pick up some food.” They all think
food and coffee is a great idea. I get my jacket and purse and start to leave.

“I’ll
come with you,” Tony offers. “I could use some fresh air—and a break.”

“Sure,”
I reply hesitantly. I hope my father doesn’t “accidentally” strangle Ryan while
we’re gone, or worse, give him some kind of “man to man” talk. It’s not Ryan’s
fault we’re moving in together. This whole thing was my idea.”

Tony
just laughed as we quickly made our way outside. We didn’t have to go far,
since there are several delis and convenience stores just up the block.

“Thanks
for getting me out of there for a few,” Tony says, breaking the silence. “You
can cut the tension with a knife.”

“Yeah,
I noticed,” I reply. “I didn’t know dad would have such strong feelings about
me and Ryan living together. He seemed pretty cool with it when I told him last
week.”

“That
was then, this is now,” Tony says as we enter the deli. “Now it’s real.” He
grabs some chips off a shelf. “I’m sure he’s noticed the chemistry between you
two in the past, so this is a lot to swallow.”

“Why
does everyone seem to think there is something going on? Are Ryan and I the
only ones who aren’t in on this secret romance people think we have going on?”

“Hey,
I’m just saying. You two have always been close,” Tony says, laughing.

“There
is no
chemistry
between us,” I answer defensively. “Just because a man
and woman get along and enjoy each other’s company doesn’t mean they have to
make it sexual.”

“No,
but it usually does,” Tony replies with a shrug. “Just saying. It’s not like
you’re
actually
related, you know.”

“Whatever,”
I sigh. “Let’s just forget it and order some sandwiches.”

Tony
and I pay for our food and carry back the bags and a tray of coffees to the
apartment. We forget our discussion from the deli and instead talk about all
the fun times we will have together now that Ryan and I are here amongst our
friends.

We
arrive back at the apartment just a short while later. Ryan and my father
aren’t talking and laughing, but they are still here, so that’s a plus. I can
only imagine what was said while we were out, and honestly, I don’t think I
want to know.

We all
sit down around the small kitchen table. Ryan brought it to the apartment along
with his couch and coffee table. I was thankful to have at least the basics.

I try
to make some conversation as we eat, but as the only woman in the room, I seem
to be the only one that feels the need to talk. We talk somewhat while we
finish our lunch, and then get back to work. The paint is definitely not dry,
but my stepfather is determined to get the second coat on so he can go out and
get a door to finish the job.

Even
with the windows open and the chill in the air outside, the heat in the building
is pumping and it is warm in here. We have the fan on trying to get the paint
smell out, and I have stripped down to my tank top to clean the bathroom. I
almost sucked it up and kept my sweatshirt on for my stepfather’s sake, but I
can’t bear the heat anymore.

When
the second coat of paint is complete, my father announces he is going to find a
door. Ryan asks him to pick up a couple of random things while he is out. I
half expect him to come back with a steel door and a deadbolt.

After
Dad leaves, Ryan pulls me aside. We are standing in the tiny kitchen together
leaning against opposite counters, but still so close. I’m glad he at least has
a shirt on now. I didn’t like the feeling I got looking at him without it
earlier.

“Just
so you know, I don’t think dad is into the idea of us living together,” Ryan
smirks.

“I hope
he wasn’t too hard on you,” I say.

“Nothing
I can’t handle,” he replies. “I understand where he’s coming from, but
everything is going to be fine. I’m not sure if he believes me, but he’ll see
soon enough.”

“I
know. Everyone thinks this is a bad idea. I just don’t think they get it.”

“Well,
haters gonna hate, as they say,” Ryan replies. “Maybe they’re just jealous—I
mean, look at us,” he says with a goofy smile.

“True.
You’re probably right. I’m just glad it’s happening. I can’t believe this is
our home now,” I add with wide eyes.

“Hell,
yes! High-five, sister!” Ryan jokes, holding his hand up. I give him a lame
high-five and laugh. The door buzzer rings and we look at each other. “Our
first visitor!” I say excitedly and rush to the door to see who it is. I
depress the button to ask who’s here. It’s the mattress delivery, so I buzz
them up.

By the
time the two men make it up to the third floor, they are sweating. We let them
in and show them where to put it, and I give them a tip for walking up all the
stairs. Tony decides to leave, since most of the hard work is finished anyway.
We both thank him and he walks out with the delivery men.

The
cleaning is done and the wall is drying, so we begin to unpack. I brought a
bunch of milk crates to use as a temporary dresser, so I set them up and take
out some of my things. I look in Ryan’s room and he is pretty much set up. His
clothes are already hanging in the closet and the few things he has for
decoration are out. The bed isn’t made, but I’m not sure it ever will be....

“Nice,”
I comment as I look around, “Chicks are gonna dig this place.”

“I know,
right? Although I’m not sure they’ll be interested in my bedroom décor,” he
answers raising his eyebrows. “How’s yours looking?”

“Pretty
blah right now. Bare mattress and milk crates,” I tell him, “Want to take a
look?”