The Stepbrother's Girl

Chapter 28:: Life is Like Lemons

::Aria's POV::

I walk into my room after my shower with Blake and I throw on a t shirt and some shorts. The way I feel with Blake is beyond the way anyone has ever made me feel before. Just his touch reminded me of everything I needed. Him and I can just run away and then our families can be happy together. I know he'll come with me. He asked me to run away with him.

I love him and even though he made mistakes and so have I my love is still stronger. I open my door as I make my way down the hallway towards his room. Almost like old times, when I would sneak in and sleep with him... I open his door as I see he's on the phone with someone. Probably Ray, they were really worried about him... so was I. Now Levi's beaten and gone and honestly I'm just glad Blake's here and he's alive.

"Is that mom and Ray?" I ask him and he looks at me and ends the call.
"Yeah, they were just making sure I got home okay." He says as I smile.
"That was sweet of them. I'll make dinner so no one has to worry about it." I say trying to make things better for them because I know they've also been stressed with the divorce and now Blake's attempt.

He nods as I leave his room and make my way down to the kitchen. I look for supplies as I begin to cook a delicious lasagna dinner. Mom and Ray finally walk in as I greet them with the aroma of a cooked dinner. They thank me for cooking as I serve it at the table I call Blake down from his room. He obliges and comes down as we're now all sitting at the dinner table about to stuff our faces... except Levi.

"This looks amazing Aria." Ray says as he begins to eat along with my mom.
"You did a wonderful job sweetie, I'm very thankful." She adds.
Blake barely touches his food as I begin to try to make conversation.
"Blake... do you like the lasagna?" I ask as he nods but still seems unsure about eating.
"Son you've barely touched your food are you doing okay? Are you feeling okay?" Ray asks Blake as I chuckle.
"You guys are going to be glued to Blake now huh? Calling him, checking up on him. He's never going to catch a break now." I say trying to get the attention off of Blake. He's gone through a lot the last thing he needs it Ray down his back.
"We should start calling him... maybe he'll answer." Ray says throwing my mind into a jumble.
"You didn't call Blake earlier?" I ask as Blake's attention is now center on me and Ray.

"No." He answers as he continues to shove food in his face.
"Oh okay." I say as I go back to silently eating. If Ray and mom wasn't on the phone with Blake then... I wonder who he was on the phone with. Probably not Levi... I wonder if it's the girl he slept with at the beach... my heart begins to pound as the front door opens revealing a badly beaten Levi. My mom and Ray rush over to him as an angry Blake is now fuming at the sight of him.
"What happened Levi?" My mom asks as she begins to nurse his wounds. She's a good mom.
"I got jumped." Levi says... which is obviously a lie. Blake beat him.
"Where? And by who?" They say totally buying it. With how badly he was beaten it's hard to believe one person was capable of doing that to someone...

Blake doesn't say a word as Levi lets my mom and Ray aid him... he says he doesn't know who jumped him. Blake leaves the table as he walks up the stairs leaving the scene. I clean up dinner dishes as I begin to clean the kitchen. My mom and Ray finish bandaging him up and they both go to their room and get ready for bed after putting my baby sister to sleep.

Levi's laying in the couch as I'm cleaning dishes. Silence fills the room until he finally speaks.
"Aria..." He pleads as he lays there unable to move just about.
"Levi." I reply coldly.
"I'm sorry I took advantage of you. For years you wanted me and I never gave you the time of day... I lost you long ago but still had my way with you. I was selfish, and now I've lost my brother because I was selfish. If I could take back what happened I would. I shouldn't have let my jealousy take control of me. I'm sorry I hope you can forgive me one day... I hope Blake forgives me one day. I just want my brother back... I wouldn't have came back but I'd rather Blake beat me then to lose him." His words ring in my ears as part of my heart actually feels bad for him and I do forgive him but I won't forget.

"You should talk to Blake, Levi." I say after a moment of silence. I put up the last of the dishes and walk out of the kitchen towards my room. As my hand glides across my doorknob I find myself staring back towards Blake's room. I turn around and head towards his room. I open his door as I'm greeted with a shirtless Blake laying on his bed wide awake staring at the ceiling. As I open the door he sees me and stares at me without saying a word. I make my way to his bed as I look him in the eyes asking for permission to lay with him without speaking. He extends his arms as I fall into his embrace we lie there together as he holds me tight against him.

If I could live in this moment forever I absolutely would. Blake is my comfort and I'm selfish I love my family but I love Blake too... my mind races until he pulls me closer and I breathe in his scent, then I feel a wave of joy fall over me caressing my mind to ease. I slowly begin to drift to sleep in his arms. Maybe things can be how they use to be...