My Step Brother's Obsession - Carly #2

A Christmas Surprise

Able

I wondered what Carly had meant when she had told Drake that he was just like all the other guys that she knew. I had often asked her, and she said it meant just that. So I dropped it. But, I think she was hiding something much deeper than him being a dick, like most guys out for one thing, and once they got it they would dump you like a sack of shit. They were the type of guys that lived by the moto "fuck em and fuck 'em off".

Drake had tried so hard over the past two months to talk to Carly and ask for her forgiveness, so they could start over and be friends, but she showed him the hand and walked away. I shook my head, knowing he would never get that chance. He had ballsed up because of a dumb frat game they played every year, not giving a damn about who they hurt or how badly it had hurt and embarrassed the girl they chose. Its lucky Carly had friends like us, or she'd be where most of them were now. Either hiding at home, changing university's to do their degree or in a psych ward because it had gotten too much for them to handle. I've seen it a lot these past few years, and it's not pretty. I didn't want that for Carly. I could tell she had trouble fitting in just like I had when I began here. Drake and Jazz were my only friends because everyone else thought I was that weird goth kid with social anxiety. I'd seen the scars on Carly's arms but had said nothing. It was up to her if she shared her past with me and why she had chosen to cut as an easy way out.

I don't think I'll ever get that trust as I leave next summer along with Drake and the others. I haven't spoken to them since I left the frat house and got a dorm room. I've barely spoken to Drake. He's so persistent about making things better with Carly, but he's never going to get it. I think she's finally come to a point when she's had enough of forgiving guys that only take the piss out of her generosity. I was one of the lucky ones who managed to not fall into that category even though I had witnessed what they had done many times. Once I had left the frat house, I never looked back and never spoke to any of the guys apart from Drake.

Christmas was around the corner, and I was heading home. I'm not sure what Carly is doing. She seems so far away whenever we ask her about Christmas. As far as we are all aware, she is heading home to see her parents.

It is the last day of uni today for two weeks. After that we will get two weeks for Easter, then graduate at the beginning of July. Right now I've got everything packed I need when I head home for the holidays. I haven't seen Carly, Star or Jazz this morning. But, I guess I will soon enough. Carly had stayed over at Jazz's apartment she shares with another girl who she made friends with in the first year here. They were all excited about Christmas apart from Carly. I pop the boot of my car and shove my suitcase in closing it when I notice two guys approaching Jazz's apartment. That's weird. They're not dressed in normal clothes, but in the military they look like they've just come back from being deported. I'm sure no one I know knows them, but maybe I could be wrong. I watch as they head to the apartment. They stop and ask one of the guys who live next door if he knows who lives there. He nods and tells them, then he asks if he knows Carly Evans. He's about to answer when Jazz, Star and Carly come waltzing out of the apartment.

"Carly bear."

She looks over at the butch guy who just spoke and smiles widely.

Carly

I really don't want to go home for the holidays. I know there will be a lot of upgraul if I do. I haven't spoken to Kaden since the day I left to come here and to be honest, I'm dreading it. I said some awful things to him, ones I doubt he'll ever forgive me for. I really don't want to go home.

Jazz, Star and I are chatting as we leave the building unaware that I have visitors until that gravely voice calls my pet name of whatever the hell it is. I looked over and smiled. "Jonathan, Kyler. What are you doing here?"

"Surprise!" they say in sync, smiling

"It sure is."

"Aren't you going to give us a hug?"

I smile and jog down the steps and get pulled into a bear hug. "We missed you."

"I missed you too."

We pulled away from each other. "Why are you dressed as if you're about to be deported?"

They looked at each other, then me. "We've been called up."

"Oh."

"It's going to be okay, Carly bear, it's just routine, nothing serious. If it was, we wouldn't be going and as the camp is close for the winter, they thought they would spring it on us. We should be back for spring or summer at the latest."

I nodded. I was hoping that they would join me for Christmas. "When do you leave?"

"Boxing Day."

I nod.

"Is everything okay, Carly bear?"

"I was just hoping that, seeing as you were here, you could maybe come home with me to celebrate Christmas."

They grin widely. "We hoped you would say that. We'd love to. We can only stay until six hundred hours, though we have to be at base by eight hundred hours."

"Sure thanks, guys."

"Anything for you, Carly Bear."

Someone cleared their throat. I looked at my friends. They raised their eyebrows.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?"

"Yeah sorry. Star and Jazz, these are my friends, Sergeant Jonathan Stanford and Sergeant Kyler Hayes." I looked at Jonathan and Kyler. "Guys, these are my friends, Jazz and her sister and my roommate, Star."

It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all ours, girls."

They all shook hands and I glanced over at Able, who was looking at us curiously. "I'd like you to meet another one of my friends. He's an angel."

"You have a boyfriend?"

I laughed at their assumption and the jealousy that was obvious in their time. "No, he's a friend, a good one."

They nodded. "Well, let's go and meet him then."

I smiled and we headed over to Able. He stood nervously wondering why I was bringing two soldiers over to him. Then his eyes went wide.

"Guys, I'd like you to meet Able. Able this is Sergeant Jonathan Stanford and Sergeant Kyler Hayes."

They all looked at each other in silence. This can't be good.