Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“No,” he says, voice slurring slightly. “I need a witness for when Dad tries to murder me.”
Oh my God.
“What’s going on?” Mom demands.
Mike looks at Eric and then at me. As if a puzzle comes together in his mind, he stiffens. Then, his face reddens with anger. I’ve seen this look a time or two when Eric was a kid, right before Mike’s belt came off. But Eric’s a grown man. Mike won’t whip him for misbehaving. Will he?
“I love Clara,” Eric says, voice wobbling. “I’m sorry.”
“Eric,” I croak out. “Don’t.”
He shakes his head violently. “No. I have to tell them.”
“Tell us what?” Mom hisses. “James, you really ought to go home now.”
Eric grabs James by the arm, not letting him leave. “I’m too drunk to fight off Dad. He stays, Ma.”
I close my eyes and fight tears. This is happening. Our secret is about to be exposed. In front of the neighbor no less.
“Fucking say it,” Mike snaps, making me jump and my eyes pop open. “You fucked up your life in New York, so you thought you’d fuck up your life you have here too?”
“Mike,” Mom hisses. “Stop it. You’re angry and saying things you don’t mean.”
Eric’s eyes well with tears. It breaks my heart to see him so upset. I sniffle as a hot tear streaks down my cheek.
“I’ve been fucking my sister, er, stepsister,” Eric blurts out, slurring more than before. “I’m sorry.”
I clutch my hand to my chest. Pain there makes it feel as if my heart might burst. It hurts. It really hurts.
“No,” Mom whispers.
Mike storms over to Eric and snatches him by his ugly sweater. “What the hell did you just say?”
“Mike,” James says gently, “step back, man. He’s wasted. Not the best time to hash this out.”
I rush over to them and tug my stepfather away. “It’s not all on him. We did it together.”
He whirls around and glowers at me. “How long? Since you two were teens? My God we’ve been so fucking stupid.”
“Mike!” Mom barks out. “Enough. You’ve had too much to drink too. We’re not having this heavy conversation tonight.”
“I’ll get him out of here,” James says. “Come on, man.”
I sob quietly as James helps Eric put his coat on. Eric can’t even look at me. He’s too ashamed. I ache to go to him, but that’ll only make it all that much worse. After a few minutes, James ushers Eric out and they disappear into the night.
I’m left picking up the pieces of this all by myself.
“What the hell is wrong with you two?” Mike demands, pain etched in his face. “How could you?”
Mom’s chin wobbles and mascara streaks her face.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I should go.”
“No,” Mom cries out. “It’s not safe.”
“I’ll be fine. Frosty needs to eat and be let out.”
I grab my stuff and hightail it out of there. At least, at home, I’ll be free to cry all night in bed with my dog. I can’t stay here another minute.
My life is ruined. In one, careless moment, it was ruined.
Honorable mention.
We didn’t win the gingerbread contest, and I don’t even care. In fact, I don’t care about anything right now. It’s been two days, and Eric is missing. Not totally. He was thoughtful enough to send me a text to let me know he’s been crashing at James’s place. But, all contact thereafter, was ignored.
I’m all alone.
Again.
My phone buzzes and I snatch it up hoping to see something from Eric. Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly, it’s not him.
Casey: Come over. Brayden will make something yummy.
Me: Me and Frosty are watching movies. Too tired.
Casey: No, you’re depressed. You need your friends.
Me: Frosty is my friend. I swear I’m fine. I’ll talk to you later.
She sends me crying emojis. I feel awful about blowing her off, but I need space. From everything. I receive another text, this one from Mom.
Mom: Are we ever going to talk?
Me: What’s there to say? It’s over.
Is it?
In my gut, I feel like it is. Otherwise, Eric would’ve come home to me. He’s avoiding me, giving me my answer.
Mom: Oh, honey. Please talk to me. It breaks my heart when you’re hurting.
This has me bursting into tears. Frosty whimpers in my lap.
Me: Have you spoken to Eric?
Mom: Not yet. We’ve been trying.
So he’s avoiding everyone.
That should make me feel a little better, but it doesn’t. A part of me worries he’ll pack up and go back to New York. It would be easier to leave this mess behind him. Wouldn’t be the first time he left us.
Mom: You’re still coming over tomorrow night for Christmas Eve, right?
“No,” I hiss out, making Frosty startle. I stroke my hand over his fur. “Sorry, buddy.”
Me: I guess. I have presents for everyone.
Mom: Good. I love you.
Me: Love you too.
I know Mom will love me no matter what. Disappointment, though, will always be there. In every interaction, every conversation. She wanted me to date someone normal. Not my stepbrother. Nice girls don’t kiss their stepbrothers. I’m naughty. And for no reason. I didn’t even get the happily ever after in the end.