STEPBROTHER (R-18) novel Chapter 47

Scarletts P.O.V

The net two weeks are a nightmare. A ghost of realities you wish didn't exist. Oliver disappears. Its like he knows if you confront him he wont be able to contain his yearning and he'll give in to you. Its what you've dreamt of for days as you prepare to leave from your internship and soon your first semester.

"Are you sure you don't want to take the chair in the living room?"

You shake your head, palms flat against your thighs as you're on your knees gazing around your packed up room.

This is it. I'm really leaving for college.

You press the back of your head against your forehead, feeling the clammy warmth of nerve as Oliver settles in your mind again. You bite your lip, listening to the familiar music or bustling you used to hear coming from his room, and frown when you're met with nothing.

Your room is nothing but a bed and a bunch of boxes now.

He's really going to leave things like this.

You lower your head into your hands, shaking from the violent sobs that threaten to awaken within you again. With a steadying breath, you push your urge to cry back and raise your head again, aware your mother is observing you from your doorway, having returned from carrying another box to the car.

"Scarlett..."

"Mom, Don't"

You hold up your hand to cut her off. You don't want to discuss him. You cant. Its too painful. It feels better to ignore it. She walks over towards you, and lowers herself onto her knees, grabbing your shoulders.

"It'll get better. I promise"

She rubs your arms reassuringly, but you don't feel comfort. The voice inside of you swallows any warmth that she uses to mend your broken heart. The emptiness cant be remedied.

"I-I just want to leave"

"Okay. Honey. We'll go. Kirk and I are going to get you all set up in your dorm that way you can have a relaxing weekend before your internship starts"

Fucking perfect.

"Great, thanks"

She doesn't react to your monotonous tone. She's used to it. Two week of moping, of staying up late at night with insomnia, waiting for him to return, only to be a zombie in the morning; completely and utterly emotionless.

"I'm gonna miss this room"

"It'll be here when you're done with your semester"

I wont be. I'm not coming back during semester break. I'm staying with Bri, but she doesn't need to know that. Not yet.

You nod and rise to your feet, eyes moving to Kirk as he enters the bedroom.

"You all set?"

You nod, scanning the room one more time, before you nod.

"Okay... I just wanted to give you a heads up that Oliver's home"

"What?"

Your pulse quickens, hammering against your rib cage as those words circle your impending death.

He's here. What the hell is he doing here?

"Why?"

Kirk rubs his hands together before he sighs and shoves them into his pockets. He exchanges glances with your mother before he addresses you again.

"He's not alone"

If there were ever three words that would shatter your psyche, those are it. They pulsate in your head crescendo to the face warns with uncontainable anger.

He's not alone?

"Not alone... as in?"

Kirk looks at your mother alarmed, before he clears his throat and your mother steps towards you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder which you shake off.

"Answer me"

"Honey-"