Bully stepbrother

12. Guest

The moment I open the door, I'm filled with joy. "Hello, everyone."

"How was school," Caleb inquired from the kitchen area just as Molly leaped over me, wagging her tail and licking my face with her wet tongue.

I lean on Molly and tenderly rub her ears. "Hey, Molly." Then I reply to Caleb, "I've got a job." And move toward him with Molly following behind me.

"Really?" Caleb excitedly asks and pulls me in for a kiss while he stirs tomato sauce with his free hand.

"I landed a job at the community health center a few blocks away." I trill in his mouth, causing him to smile.

Caleb twirls me and wraps both hands around my waist, his body behind me. He leans over and nestles his chin in the nook of my neck, and in that moment, everything feels at ease. "That's great news. We should celebrate."

"With pasta? Please say pasta. I had a whole bowl of ice cream, and I need something warm. Also, Caden had some imprudent girl over at our place. I'm disgusted by the entire apartment."

He laughs and pecks my forehead. "You're cute when you're calculating."

"I can't stand him." I groaned.

"I know. You can always eat here. By the way, we're celebrating with pasta this evening. Look, we already have the sauce."

"I'll prepare the pasta." I offered, gently slipping out of his embrace.

I spend almost the rest of the day at Caleb's, binge-watching a Netflix show until it's well past midnight and all I need is my bed.

I gather my belongings and sling my handbag over my shoulder before ascending the staircase, instead.

I dig out my key and unlock the entrance door, pushing my exhausted body into the dimly lit apartment.

"Where the hell have you been?"

Of course, I know who it is, I'm just startled by the sudden harsh utterance from the almost dark room. Although he turns on the end table lamp and I could see more.

"I had to run an errand."

"It's impertinent of you to speak to me like that." He rises from the armchair and begins approaching me in that familiar intimidating way.

That's old.

"Oh, I've forgotten, Caden's my dad," I uttered with sarcasm, shaking my head at him.

He stops right in front of me and takes time as he seems to study me attentively and rasp in my face. "Stop... Stop striving to reach the walls of my patience or you will regret ever having a stepbrother."

"That's old, don't you know? I've regretted it since day one, asshole." I push past him, moving forward for my bedroom door.

"Oh, then you will have worse. I will make sure of it." Caden promised. His tone, not at all gentle.

I stop by the door with my hand on the doorknob and throw back a remark. "Do you mean when Dad would finally disown you and crown me the favorite child? I think it's in the making, it's obvious you're not the wanted child." But immediately the words leave my mouth, they do not give me the satisfaction I thought I would earn, instead, they are replaced with guilt and regret. "I-I." I stuttered.

It's clear my words have done too much damage, Caden couldn't even look at me, he kept his eyes on the wooden floor and exhaled a small smile.

"I didn't mean it." I quickly mumbled. Rather he shakes his head and speeds for his bedroom.

Everything and everywhere are too quiet until the thunderous thud of the door whacks every inner organ in me and I'm fully awake and mindful of what I've just done.