STEPBROTHER (R-18) novel Chapter 35

Scarletts P.O.V

You stand at the bottom of the stairs, tears stinging your eyes as the image of his sad anger flashes in your mind. You hate seeing him so broken. Just the way he was when you first ever noticed the black eye his mothers boyfriend gave him. For someone to hurt him like that... it makes your blood boil.

I have to go with him. I have to. I wont let him go through this alone.

You're so angry, you swipe at your frustrated tears and gasp when you notice your mother standing at the top of the stairs, staring at you. That's when you realise you're naked, in just his t-shirt, and he's just barged through the house shirtless and with his hair disheveled.

"Scarlett... what the hell is going on? Are you-"

Your mother swallows, unable to say the question unbidden in her mind.

"Are you and Oliver... sleeping together?"

The horror in her tone confirms she already believes it, she just wants to hear you say it, and despite your own fear and guilt, you don't have time to deal with her over emotional bullshit. Not when you have to catch up with Oliver, and stop him from doing something incredibly reckless.

I don't have time for this shit.

"It doesn't matter! I have to go!"

"It does matter! Are you and Oliver having sex?"

"We are having sex. I'm a fucking adult mom! I don't need your dam lecture right now. I have to go find him"

"Oh my fucking god.. Kirk!"

"Yeah, grab Kirk. That'll help. Its not going to fucking change anything!"

You twist on your heels, jogging back to your room to pull your dress back on. You grab a pair of sneakers, pulling them on quickly before you swipe your phone and begin to jog back towards the stairs.

"Scarlett, you need to stop and talk to me right now"

You ignore your mother at the top of the stairs, pushing past her and Kirk.

"Scar? Scar!"

"I-I have to go. Will you drive me to the hospital?"

Bri nods frantically, mumbling a quick apology to your mom and Kirk before she swipes her keys from the table beside the door and you both file outside toward her car which is parked out front of the house.

"What the fuck is going on? Did your mom catch you?"

"Yes. Yes. But that doesn't matter!"

You hop into her passenger seat with shaking hands. You fumble with your seatbelt as she climbs in the car and turns the key in the ignition. You glimpse at her, hating how she frowns with concern.

She is wasting time. I have to go there.

"Doesn't matter? Your mom just found out your fucking her boyfriends son, and you don't care?"

"Bri... I have to stop Oliver from doing something stupid. His mom is hurt, and he's driving to the hospital"

"What is he going to do?"

"Nothing yet. I need to make sure it stays that way"

"Okay, okay. I'll get you there"

The ride is agonisingly slow. You feel like you sit anxiously perched in the passenger seat for decades. Every red light evokes a scowl from you, as you nervously nibble on your nails.

Why does his mom stay with him if he's abusive? How could she put herself in danger? Oliver in danger?

"Why the hell do kids need to clean up their parents messes?"

Bri mumbles a quick unsure reply, but it wasn't a question directed at her. You spent your life cleaning up the unstable messes your mother put you in. Bouncing from home to home. Never having a place to safely rest your head. Not until you got older and your mother started dating. Even then, the homes didn't last long. Once she moved on to someone else, you were bounced to another place.

It always made me feel alone.

So fucking alone, and I don't want Oliver to have to feel that. God, I really like him. Really, really like him.

Its the first time you've openly admitted to having feelings for him to yourself. Apart from all the games and all the sex, and all the bullshit, you genuinely have strong feelings for him. Your heart aches just at the thought of his pain.

"Scar, we're here"

You're so consumed with the chaos of your thoughts you didn't realise you're in front of entrance C of the hospital, the emergency room. You utter a quick thanks and open the door and hop out.

"Do you need me to stay?"

"No. He has his car. And hopefully a shirt..."

"I thought I saw him wearing one. Probably grabbed it before he left"

Great, because I'm sure they wouldn't let him in, and it would probably be unwise to tell him he cant see his mom. Especially in a rage like he was.

"I'll text you, Bri"

You slam the door shut, and take hasty steps towards the doors. You hear him before you see him.

Fuck! He's shouting.

You scan the hallway, eyes widening when you find him shouting at the receptionist. You hurry towards him.

"I don't fucking care. I'm her son. I want to see her, now!"

"Oliver!"

He tears his gaze from the woman behind the desk and looks at you with surprise

"What are you doing here, Scarlett?"

"What's going on?"

"I cant see her"

"Sir, She's in the middle of an exam. Once she's done you'll be allowed to go through security and visit her"

"See, it'll be okay. We just have to wait"

"Fucking bullshit"

You wince as he slams his fist against the counter. Taking a deep breath, you place your hand on his arm, and offer him a sympathetic look.