Misconception

18: Revenge

Clementine's POV

I feel my blood boil as I read Chris' text to Ricky. I think about how not too long ago I saw Vinny kissing some other girl after he's said I'm the only girl for him. Ricky starts to type as I say,

"Can I?"

Gesturing to his phone. He hands it to me and I type out a message.

Ricky: Like Vinny'll care! I'm his most trusted friend and he knows I'll treat Clem right.

I hit send, but part of me hopes Chris'll send that picture to Vinny anyways, so he can feel as hurt and betrayed as I feel. I hand Ricky his phone back and after he reads what I said he says,

"You know Vinny is very overprotective of you and he'll be hurt that I didn't at least ask his permission, right?"

I nod my head as unwanted tears prick my eyes. Ricky sits on my bed and pulls me onto his lap as he asks,

"What's wrong, baby?"

As the tears fall, I try to figure out what to say, but the only thing I can say without revealing the whole truth is,

"I just wish Vinny didn't have so much power over me."

Ricky wipes tears off my cheeks as he asks,

"What do you mean?"

"He's always acted as if he's my parent or something!"

I can't help but to think of all the rules he's set for me on top of the rules Mom and Dad have always made for me. I sigh,

"I just wish people treated me more like an adult."

Ricky pushes a strand of hair behind my ear as he says,

"If it makes you feel any better I've always seen you as a beautiful woman."

"But you're always checking on me because Vinny asks you to..."

Ricky tilts my head and looks straight into my eyes as he says,

"Because I want to. And it gave me a good reason to be close to you."

My stomach is invaded by butterflies. Just as I think he's about to kiss me, his phone goes off again and I realize that maybe I don't want Vinny to know about this because I'm enjoying my time spent with Ricky. Ricky unlocks his phone to read what was said and I sit on the bed beside him, so I can read too. 

Chris: Fine. Suppose I'll just go tell him now?

Ricky must read my panic and feel the same way as I do about him because he replies,

Ricky: Where are you?

Chris: In the basement gaming with Vinny and his new gf. Do you suppose I'll be the hero for once? "Ricky took advantage of your little sister".

It's a stab to the heart knowing that girl is under the same roof as me, but my rage is stronger than my heartache. Ricky is a good guy and he's never made me feel uncomfortable, unlike Chris. 

"Ask him what he wants."

I say, as Ricky begins typing.

Ricky: What do you want?

Chris: Tell Clementine to unblock me.

I grab my phone and unblock the number I presume to be Chris'.

Ricky: It's done. Will you leave us alone now?

After Ricky sends that to Chris my phone starts going off. All the old messages are coming in from Chris and then I get a new one.

Chris: I know what's going on between you and Vinny.

My heart sinks and I quickly excuse myself to the bathroom, so Ricky can't read over my shoulder what Chris is saying. 

Me: What're you talking about?

I decide to play it dumb. 

Chris: I know he's not just your stepbrother.

Me: I have no idea what you're talking about.

Chris: Oh, please. I'm not stupid! I've seen the signs and I saw how upset you were when you saw him and his new gf making out.

Crap.

Me: What do you know?

Chris: I know you're a lot more than stepbrother and sister. I've seen how he touches you.

Me: What do you want?

Chris: Come downstairs and sit by me. I wanna see how mad we can make Vinny.

Me: And if I don't?

Chris: Then I'll send him that picture of you and Ricky and I'll twist it so you never see Ricky again.

My heart drops even lower into my stomach and it aches at the same time. Not only is Ricky my brother's best friend, but he's also beginning to mean a lot to me and I don't want to lose him. 

Me: I'm on my way down. Is that girl still here?

Chris: Yep. Maybe this could be fun for you too?

For once I sort of agree with Chris.

When I walk into the room my heart is beating out of my chest. I see the back of Vinny's head with his arm draped around that girl. Chris turns to look at me from on the couch with a sly smirk on his face.

"Look who's still up!"

Chris says as he pats the spot beside him on the couch. I reluctantly take a seat. When Vinny notices me his arm instantly recoils from around the girl. 

"Who's this?"

The girl asks, looking from me to my brother. Vinny looks uncomfortable as he replies,

"My little sister."

The girl grins and says,

"My name's Delilah, nice to meet you!"

She extends her hand out to me for her to shake and I reach across Chris to shake it.

"I didn't know Vinny had a sister."

Delilah says, after we shake hands. I avoid making eye contact with Vinny.

"Why don't you go to bed, Clem?"

Vinny says. I divert my gaze to the TV, ignoring him. 

"I think she's fine right here."

Chris says, draping his arm around me and pulling me into his side.

"Aww, are you two dating?"

Delilah asks. Vinny's voice booms,

"Clementine, go to bed."

I turn to look at Vinny for the first time all night and say,

"I'm perfectly comfortable right where I am, thank you."

I can feel Vinny's gaze seething with rage as Chris takes my legs and drapes them across his lap. Vinny must know that I'm upset about him and Delilah because he drapes his arm back around her and pulls her in for a kiss, all the while making eye contact with me. Suddenly I'm doing something I never thought I'd do. I straddle Chris' lap as I take his face in my hands and kiss him, hard.