Life with the Stevens' Boys

Chapter 15

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Bliss. That's what the past week has been like. Absolute bliss.

I said yes, of course.

And ever since, there was a smile plastered to my face that I didn't think would be going anywhere anytime soon. Every time I was with him, my heart blew up like a ballon and I felt as if I was drifting through clouds, unaware of anything else around me.
Chris was at football practice, the first in a whole week we'd spent longer than an hour apart and I was anxiously awaiting 6:00.

"Vanessa." A voice hissed. I was in the kitchen, making a sandwich, when I looked up, seeing Brenda in front of me. I feel like I kept seeing less and less of her. And not just hanging out wise. The bubbly, free-spirited girl I had met a couple months ago was slowly shrinking away. Seeing her made my heart frown; I wasn't being a good friend to her.

"Uh, what?" I couldn't make out her tone.

Keeping her voice low, she let out, "You and my brother?"

I was surprised, to say the least. Even though I didn't think I would have a problem with people knowing about Chris and I, hearing the way Brenda said those words was making me rethink that. Did I really want everyone knowing I was dating the guy I was also living with? And for some reason, Nate's impending reaction was creeping into my mind, making me cringe.

When I didn't answer, she crossed her arms. "How long?"

"Are you mad?"

"Vanessa, you barely talk to me anymore--!"

"Shh!" I cut her off. I didn't know who was home, but I knew I didn't want them hearing this.

"And now you're suddenly dating Chris? Yeah, I'm kinda annoyed." She lowered her voice.

Trying to maintain my temper, I said slowly, "Brenda, you stopped talking to me. Everything in your life is about Rob now, so don't blame me for something you did." Taking a bite of my sandwich, I didn't allow her time to respond before I walked out.

* * *

"Hey, can we talk?" I peeked my head into Chris' room.

"Uh oh. That doesn't sound good." He sat up on his bed, his tone joking.

He patted his hand on the empty space next to him. "What's up, sugarplum?"

"Sugarplum? Oh nooo, you gotta do better than that." I laughed.

Chris poked my side playfully, "Aw, come on! I thought that was a winner for sure."

"Never." I giggled. I paused, remembering my spiel I had planned.
"You're telling people about us?"

Chris frowned slightly. "Yeah, is that a problem?"

"Well, no... Or it wasn't. But now Brenda knows and she was kinda mad about it. I just don't really want your family all knowing about. Can't we just keep it to ourselves?" I saw the smallest flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

"Of course, whatever you want... babycakes."

"Chriiiiiis!" I pushed him. He laughed and, never missing a beat, grabbed my hips and pulled me on top of him, kissing me. I wasn't used to all this cute-boyfriend-touchy stuff and Chris seemed so good at it, which, unfortunately, always made the thought of his past relationships reside in the back of my mind.

* * *

We walked down to dinner together, no signs of couple to be seen. Brenda stabbed at her salad, but it didn't seem like she was going to say anything.
Joanna put the last bowl of food on the table as I sat down. The table was filled with some "how was your day"'s and other boring dinner topics, so I let my mind drift until --

"So, Vanessa, homecoming's soon! Any boys catching your eye?" Joanna asked. It was a harmless question, but I still tensed a little.

"Um, no... no, not really." Chris' hand locked around my knee from underneath the table. I couldn't tell if it was a "It's okay, I understand" or "I'm mad, we need to talk" kind of thing.
I could see Brenda opening her mouth, but before I could even kick her leg, Mr. Stevens' walked in late from work, holding a thick envelope, with an uneasy expression.

The table was silent. He swallowed. "Vanessa. It's your dad. Adam's filed for custody."

In the distance, I could hear the sound of glass breaking and then, nothing.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading!! and tell me what you think of the chapter!