The Stepfather

Chapter 16

The bed shifts as someone sits on the edge. "Get out." I groan into my pillow.

"Are you okay?" My mom asks.

"No. Just leave me alone."

"I need you to dry the dishes before Ryan gets home." She says.

"Why?" I ask, annoyed.

"If you're gonna live here, you can help out. Go do it."

After I drag myself out of bed, feeling both sore and tired from last night, I apathetically make my way down the stairs to the kitchen. I pick up the towel and begin drying the dishes, putting them into the cupboards. When I hear the door open, Ryan's voice fills my ears. "I'm home."

"Hey babe." My mom says.

I hear them as they kiss and my stomach turns in disgust. "Is Aria home? I wanna take you both out for dinner." Ryan says.

"She's not feeling well. We can go, though." My mom says.

"What's wrong with her?" He asks.

"I don't know."

"I want all of us to go." Ryan says.

"Fine. I'll ask her." My mom says.

"Tell her to wear something nice."

I try sneaking out of the kitchen but she stops me. "You're going." She says sternly.

I frown. "I don't want to."

"I don't care."

I cross my arms. "Fine. I'll only go if I can take Hayden."

She rolls her eyes. "Whatever."

"We'll meet you guys there."

"Okay. I think we're going to the same restaurant that we met his parents at." She says.

"Okay."

After I shower, I put on the black dress that Ryan loves. After curling my hair and doing my makeup, I grab my phone and call Hayden. "Hello?" He answers.

"Hey. I am being forced to go out to dinner and I was wondering if you'd be my date." I say.

"How could I say no? Of course I'll go. What should I wear?"

"We're going to a fancy restaurant so something nice." I say.

"Want me to pick you up?" He asks.

"Yeah. I'm ready so pick me up when you're done."

"Alright. See ya soon." He says, hanging up.

I go downstairs and sit on the arm of the couch, crossing my leg over the other. I'm adjusting my breasts in the dress when Ryan walks in. He puts his head down, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Do you happen to have an extra condom?" I ask with a smirk. "I might need it."

He frowns, keeping his eyes on the floor. He takes his hand out of his pocket and tosses me one, surprising me. "Thanks." I say, slipping it into my bra. "I think he'll find it here."

"You really don't need to do that." He sighs.

"What?" I ask, playing dumb.

"Try to make me jealous. We're not together anymore so do what you want."

"Thanks, dad." I say, sharply.

My heart races in my chest so fast that it hurts. We're not together. "I will be soon." He says.

"Good for you. You guys will be the strongest couple around. Both cheaters - it doesn't get any better."

"You don't know anything about our relationship." He snaps.