My Future Stepbrother

Chapter 151

I stopped at the gates of the Manor, having to call Dad to come open them because I didn't know the code. I'd never actually had to drive in here before.


I pull into the space in front of the garage doors, the gravel hitting against my tires and flying around the place. There's no sign of a black mustang and I'm relieved. Dad stepped to the door, opening it and pulling me into a hug. "Thank you so much for coming poppet, it means so much to all of us that you're here."


Sometimes I'm sure he forgets that he was the reason I had to leave this place originally, either that or he just can't let himself think about it.
"It's okay, happy to help. Tara home?"


He nods, pulling my bag from the backseat as I carry the cakes from Granny. The feeling of being back here, the smell, the taste of the air on my tongue - it's all so overwhelmingly familiar.


I follow Dad up the front steps into the entrance hall, nothings changed. The sofas still full of perfectly plumped pillows, the surfaces still clear of even the slightest trace of dust, my mum's paintings still sitting proudly on the wall.


I remember so clearly seeing this place for the first time, thinking how much I felt like my mere presence here was an annoyance to something so grand but it doesn't seem that way anymore, it seems smaller, just like a regular home.


Tara's beautiful face pops out from the kitchen as she senses my arrival, she approaches me with slight hesitation before pulling me into her arms, almost spilling the contents of the tray all over me in the process.


"Oh Aleah, it's so good to finally have you here dear. Everything okay with packing up? Do you need me to sort anything with the landlord?"


I shake my head against her shoulder, causing her long locks to stick to my lips and choke me as I inhale. "It's good Tara, he checked it all before we left. Me and Josh weren't exactly throwing wild parties that would get the place damaged anyway."


Tara had offered to pay for the place but I refused, my academic scholarship had covered a lot of my course and I'd started working at a crisis support line to cover the rent and bills. Living outside of Westbrooke was actually so much cheaper, I'd forgotten what a bubble this place is. Josh's folks were loaded but he'd decided to do alone too, we split everything equally and it had made us both grow as independent people.


Tara took the tray from my hands and just dropped it on the hallway table, I looked at her shocked. Since when does Tara not put everything away perfectly immediately?


My thoughts were quickly interrupted by Milo springing down the stairs, he'd grown so much and was already so much taller than me. How was this kid going to be eleven already? What happened to my little chocolate pudding that wanted to have sleepovers and talk about space?


"Hey Aleah, you being dragged to this party too? I said I just wanted to have some mates but Dad insisted I needed a party. I told him I'm eleven not five."


I glare at my father, apparently he'd mildly over exaggerated Milo's desire to have me here.


He ruffles Milo's hair making him groan like the pre-pubescent he was, returning quickly to the games console in his hand and throwing himself down on the couch.


I reach for my bag from the floor. "So which room am I staying in?" I really needed five minutes away from all the people smiling at me like damn psychopaths, I get they haven't seen me for a while but they're all so bloody weird right now.


"Your room sweetheart, we haven't changed it."


I look at them confused, I've been gone from this place for so long, I'd assumed they'd given that room to May if I was honest.


"Oh. Okay, sorry I thought you'd give that room to-"


The back door slamming shut causes everyone to freeze, then I hear it.. the thing that causes my heart to leap from my chest and hide somewhere around my intestines.


That voice..


"Mum just came to borrow some tools, who's here? There's someone parked in my spa-"


He steps into the hall from the kitchen and the whole world falls silent as his eyes lock with mine.


Fucking hell.


He's so much bigger than I remember him being, his frame practically fills the doorway. His blonde hair is cropped and messy, his piercing blue eyes still brighter than the sun.


I can't move. I stand frozen as he stares at me like he’s  unsure if I'm real. I can't stop staring back.

Jesus I need to breath, my body is vibrating with adrenaline and I can barely cope with the pounding my heart is making in my chest it’s so bloody loud.

As I move my eyes from his face down his neck... fuck. Is that a tattoo? I can see the slight edges of ink sitting just above the collar of his flannel shirt.


I have never been happier that Josh made me get dressed properly. I was going to just wear my pyjamas home but he told me I looked like a tramp so I'd thrown on a little white summer dress and wedge heels. I knew I hadn't changed too much, I'd cut my hair short after going to college but it had grown out. It now sat in ringlets all the way down my back, the perfect curtain for my fresh face of light make up, I only thought was going to Granny’s after all.


I tried to take a breath again, wanting to steady myself as I felt the bag in my hand threatening slip out of my grip to the hallway floor.


I bit my lip nervously and I saw Jayce’s eyes dart straight to it. His hands were balling up at his side and it had been way too long since anyone said anything.


I shoved the butterflies back into their cages. "Hi Jayce."


I swear my words hit him like a punch, he even stumbled back slightly before resting against the doorframe and crossing is huge arms across his even bigger chest.


"I wanted to talk to you sweetheart but you didn't return my calls, Aleah is going to stay here this weekend ready for the party. Isn't that great?"


Jayce barely acknowledged he'd even heard his mother, giving a slight nod but never removing his eyes from me.


Finally his arms relaxed as I saw him letting out a breath he must have been holding. "Yeah... Great."


I felt Dad's hand wrap around mine. "Why don't I carry that up for you poppet?" I'm grateful when he takes the weight of the heavy bag from me before it drags me down with it. I smile at him to offer my thanks but when I look back to the doorway all I can see is the dust left in Jayce's wake before the slamming of the back door follows.


Okay...


So, one - I saw Jayce again and I didn't collapse, that's good right? Right?


Two - Remember all those feeling I definitely 100% had under control and were definitely definitely gone? Yeah... I can hear my vagina laughing at me from here too.


Fuckkkkkkk....

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