A Rock & Roll Romance

Ninety Seven

"Would you lower your voice Meghan." Sharon said sharply. "It is only early and you'll wake the rest of them." "Mother I am pretty damn sure they'll want to be awake to know he's here." Meg spat back. "Let's not speak about Callum as if he's not here darling, he is your brother after all." "STEP. Brother." Meg said before grabbing a croissant from the table and turning on the spot. She abruptly turned round again "if this is your big surprise, you can bet Johnny and I will be on the first plane out of Greece." By this time Dan had emerged from his bedroom yawning. He donned a pair of shorts and was rubbing his face as he ventured towards the table, he almost recoiled once he saw his step brother sat closest to him. "Daniel." Callum said sadistically, he had a way of freaking most people out with just a look let alone his slimy voice. "Callum.. what are you doing here?" "Goodness you are both so rude. This is a family vacation, and Callum is family even though you two and your sister do not treat him like it." Meg took a deep breath before storming down the many steps that led to the private beach area. "I'll join you." Callum said standing. "Don't you even dare." Dan said holding his arm out and stopping the man with a stern shov and look.

Meg vowed she wouldn't cry, but it didn't stop tears filling her eyes but being the courageous woman she was, she blinked them away and didn't dare give anyone who was watching her the satisfaction of wiping them. She paddled in the surf for a while, picking up random large rocks and throwing them as hard as she could. Why did he get to her like this? Why was he even here? Why did her mother have to insist they played happy families when they so evidently were not. All these questions flooded her mind like the waves that were rushing up the beach. She must have wandered for half hour or so when she turned with her back to the ocean and saw Johnny's familiar swagger coming down the last steps, he straightened his fedora and still somehow took her breath away as their eyes met. He looked good in board shorts and an old tee, she could tell even with the distance it had paint stains on it.

It took a few moments for them to meet in the middle before she took a deep breath and stood in front of him. "I umm saw who's joined us." He said quietly. Meg's eyes widened as she took a deep breath and looked away. After a long moment she turned back to Johnny, "I know I shouldn't let him get to me, but I just can't help it. I'm sorry." "Don't apologise, the fucker is a creep. I wish I could protect you more but when your mother is insisting he's family..." "I know and that's the problem. Dan and Poppy have no idea what went on. I never told them and mum just tries to brush it under the carpet!" "You never told them? Not even Dan?" Johnny asked shocked as he took his girlfriend's hands in his own and pulled her close. She shook her head and buried her face into his chest. "I think you should." He said quietly before kissing her head.

After a long morning of being shut inside the villa with her two siblings, Meg felt better about telling them the truth. Travis and Johnny had to hold Dan back a number of times but he had finally calmed down enough to here his eldest sister out. "I don't want to give him the satisfaction. Please. Don't do anything otherwise he wins." Meg begged and Poppy nodded before standing and offering her hand to her sister. "Let's go get some sun Meg." The two sisters stood and left through the large double doors, the men watched as they slowly approached Polly who was stretched out on a sun lounger reading a book. "Don't let my girl out your sight. If I'm not around for whatever reason. I want at least one of you there, got it?" Johnny said sternly making the other two nod silently.