Vain: A Stepbrother Romance

by Hunter, Chelsea

  Mick looks at Greg. “Greg, can you take out this trash?”

  My brother smiles. “I thought you would never ask.”

  With one arm, Greg lifts Jaime and throws him out the door. I often forget how strong my cousin is. There’s no question, though—he’s a large, mean man.

  As the door closes, I go over to Mick. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine, just in for a bunch of trouble with that guy. If anyone’s a shark, it’s him. It seems the attack continues.”

  “There has to be something in your contract about an inability to compete due to injury.”

  Mick shrugs. “I am sure there is, but that is not important right now, we have a baby to see.”

  Greg looks confused, “What?!”

  Mick grins sheepishly at me. “Uh, sorry. I guess you haven’t told him yet.”

  “No, not yet,” I sigh. “Hush-hush, here, Greg. It’s too early to know anything yet, but we will let you know right after our appointment this morning.”

  “Uh… okay.” He’s a strong guy, that is true, but not the sharpest tool in the shed. I love him just the same.

  Mick and I get dressed and drive to the hospital for my appointment. While we’re waiting in the lobby, Mick asks me a question.

  “Sam, will you teach me how to surf?”

  “What?! I thought you were the best surfer in the world and didn’t need my help?”

  “Listen, this is not easy for me, and I have given it a lot of thought. I need to go to that competition next month. Not for the money, or the contractual obligation, or the pride. I need to go because I need to prove to myself I can. Surfing makes me who I am. So, Sam, I ask you again: can you teach me how to surf?”

  “Ms. Therian?” the nurse calls. That’s me. What a time to interrupt a conversation.

  I look up at her. “Yes?”

  “We are ready for you now.”

  For now, Mick’s question is going unanswered, but some things on a day like today take priority. He shoots me an excited smile and follows me into the ultrasound room. I lie down and wait for the nurse to come in. My thoughts are of the little bean growing inside of me. I have only ever thought of how much I want a family and now it seems, in this messed up way, I’m going to have one. It’s not a perfect scenario, but I believe it will be soon enough.

  By the time the nurse comes in, my heart is racing. I try to slow down my breathing, but I’m having a hard time controlling myself. The nurse is a kind-looking woman and she shoots me an obligatory smile as she sits down and prepares her tools.

  “First time, I take it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, just relax. Everything is going to be fine.”

  Mick, who is at the end of the table, looks a little bored, but he leans over from the end of the bed and strokes my leg. The nurse begins searching for the baby with her ultrasound tool. She looks left and looks right, but nothing comes up on the screen. She strains, but there’s nothing there.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing to worry about, my dear. The baby is just very small, at this point. I’m going to have to go inside.”

  She takes out another wand and explains to me the procedure. As she inserts it, it’s more than a little uncomfortable. Still, there is nothing there. A tear slips down my cheek. All at once, a flicker appears on the screen. It’s small, but I see it. I can only assume it’s a heartbeat.

  “Is that…”

  “Yes, that is your baby’s heartbeat.”

  “Oh, my God!”

  Looking over to Mick’s face, I can see he’s crying, too. I want to hug him, but I’m a little bit occupied at the moment. Once she removes the apparatus, Mick runs up to me and hugs me. We both sob in each other’s arms. So much bad has happened to us both in the past few months. A little bit of good news is exactly what we need. The nurse excuses herself, saying something that neither of us are listening to. We hold each other for several, moments just relishing the good news. Then Mick kisses me in a deeply moving way.

  “Well, Sam, it looks as if you are going to have to teach more than just me how to surf now. We have someone else to take out to the water with us.”

  “I will teach you, Mick. I will teach you.”

  Chapter 23 Learning Ground - Sam

  We wake up the next day and immediately go down to San Onofre. If we are going to get ready for this next competition, we need to work fast.

  “Okay, Mick, let’s start at the beginning. We are going to have to change your stance, so let’s work on the beach first.”

  “Forget that, I’m not an idiot. Let’s get out to the water.”

  “Mick, you said I could teach you. Now let me teach you.”

  “Fine!” Mick sulks at me like an impetuous child.

  I work with Mick on getting him to pop up onto the board, and it’s a good thing, too. He’s very weak in that leg and unbalanced, so much so that he falls over on several occasions. The frustration in his face is clear, but there are a few times that he’s actually able to stand. Once he has a few stands under him, I decide it’s best to hit the water to try and not get him overly frustrated. He knows what he has to do—he just needs to retrain the muscles to do it.

  “Okay, Mick, let’s hit the water.”

  Mick is tentative. I think he understands that this is going to be hard, and maybe even discouraging. As he hits the water, it’s apparent that his ability to surf is all but gone. Mick tries to catch the first few waves, but can’t steady himself and he falls off the board. We are only three waves in and he’s ready to give up. Again.

  “Fuck! I can’t do this!”

  “Mick, you have to give it some time.”

  “I don’t have time, Sam! I only have a month to be ready.”

  Mick storms out of the water. I follow closely behind him, trying to think of what I can do to encourage him to keep trying. Mick throws his board down and sits on the beach with his arms across his legs. At least he didn’t leave the beach altogether. I guess that’s a win.

  “Mick?” I say in a singsong tone.

  “I know what you’re going to say,” he mutters. “I’m just not sure I have it in me.”

  “Mick,” I sing again.

  Mick still has not looked up to notice that I have taken my top off and I’m moving on to my bottoms. I’m getting a little angry that he doesn’t even have the nerve to even raise his head.

  “Mick!” I snap.

  “What?!” He finally looks up. I have his attention.

  “Good boys get rewards,” I coo.

  Mick smiles. He’s smiling not just because he likes what he sees, but because he’s grateful to have me in his corner. Even without him saying so, I can tell. As he springs to attention, I wave a finger at him.

  “If you want some of this, you will have to be a good boy and let me teach you how to surf, no matter how foolish it may seem to you. We are starting from square one, here. Are you able to listen like a good boy?”

  Mick’s expression changes from a smile to a frown, then back to a smile. He nods, picks up his board, and makes his way to me. We kiss passionately as he gropes my body all over. I fight hard to push away from him, both mentally and physically. I want him as much as he wants me, but there’s work to do. I flash him a grin and put my wetsuit back on.

  He pouts. “Aww, that’s not fair.”

  “I promise you’ll get a reward, if you do as I say.”

  Mick smiles and nods.

  Today, I teach Mick how to surf like it’s his first time on a board. It’s a hard, exhausting day, but at the end of it, Mick can stand on the board and ride a wave all the way to shore. I’m not sure if he’ll regain all of his skill—he has lost a lot of strength. Today, though, is a good day, and a great starting point.

  As we drive home, we hold hands, stealing glances at each other all the way. I am truly in love with Mick. He means everything to me.

  We don’t even make it through the door before he grabs me and starts kiss
ing me passionately.

  “Ahem!”

  It’s Greg. I had all but forgotten he’s still here.

  I blush. “Oh, hi, Greg.”

  “Hi, Sam. I know I said I would stay the week, but uh… something came up.”

  I smile at Greg, as does Mick. This is, in some way, him giving approval of Mick. Of course, anyone is better than John, but over the past few days, Greg and Mick have become pretty good friends.

  Greg smiles. “I’ll show myself out.”

  “Hey, Greg,” Mick calls after him in a playful tone. “Next time, I won’t take it so easy on you.”

  “Treat her well, Mick,” Greg replies. “You know what happens if you don’t.”

  Once Greg is gone, Mick envelops me in his kiss. I return the favor, giving him all that I can. I push him back on the couch and begin to strip for him. Slowly and seductively, I sway back and forth. He watches me with the same evil grin he gave me on the first day we met, when we learned our parents were getting married. His boyish smile has always turned me on. When I’m completely naked, I pull him up to his feet, turn around, and sit in the place he’s sitting. I look at him expectantly, smirking.

  Mick laughs. “What? You want me to strip, too?”

  “This is an equal opportunity relationship. Get on with it.”

  Mick obliges me with one of the most uncoordinated stripteases I have ever seen. Not that I’ve seen any, but I’m pretty sure they’re not supposed to play out like this. We are now both completely naked. His body, in all its magnificence, is laid bare in front of me. Mick pulls me to my feet and spins me around. My back touches his rock-hard abs as he stands there, stroking my body. A kiss on my neck comes next from him as he turns and sits down on the couch, never separating from me. While on his lap, I can feel his cock getting harder under my thighs. Spreading my legs. I reach down and begin to rub it.

  Mick nibbles lightly on my back. Moving up enough to maneuver his hard cock inside me, I slide onto it with ease. He feels like a part of me, especially when we make love. I slowly bounce up and down on his cock, wanting him, needing him. Leaning my head back so it rests on his shoulder, I submit to Mick as he guides me with his hands, using them to rock me up and down. My moans escape my lips at an uncontrollable volume. I can feel every ripple, every vein, every skin cell of his cock, and each one of them is lighting me on fire.

  As I orgasm, Mick wraps his muscular arms around me, squeezing tightly. I come hard at the same time as he does with sweat beading along my body. Mick places gentle kisses along my spine, but does not remove his cock. I lean back on him and we sit there, enjoying the touch of each other’s skin.

  We make our way into the shower together. Mick washes me, paying special attention to my breasts and pussy. He knows just the right way to touch me. I return the favor and wash him all over his muscular body. Sometimes when I touch him, I cannot believe I’m lucky enough to have him. His body is just so perfect.

  Mick kisses my stomach, slowly lowering himself until he’s licking my pussy. It’s sensitive from our lovemaking, but the sensation is still incredible. I am on the verge of another orgasm when he moves up to kiss me. I am so disappointed until he shoves his hard cock inside me again. He fucks me hard, looking into my eyes, his gaze never wavering. I watch his mouth open in ecstasy as his pace increases. I come hard on Mick’s cock, shaking as I do so. Mick shoots another load deep inside me, filling me again with his seed.

  He turns off the shower and we exit, still panting. I dry him off completely as he does the same to me. I take Mick to the kitchen—neither of us have eaten for quite some time. I know he’s as hungry as I am. All we have in the fridge is old Chinese food. I pull it out and bring it to the table, where he opens the conversation.

  “Well, I guess the romance is done now. Time to eat.”

  I roll my eyes. “Ha, ha, you’re hilarious.”

  “I love you,” he says.

  I smile. “I love you too.”

  After we’re done eating, I start catching up on all the things I’ve been neglecting lately—like opening up my mail. The first letter is not good news. The bank is about to repossess my van and all of my equipment. I haven’t really been paying attention to my business, what with John and Mick drama. I am going to lose all that I have worked for. Shit. Love has betrayed me again. Even when it’s right, it is wrong.

  Mick must see the worry in my eyes, because he asks, “What’s wrong?”

  “I am about to lose my van and equipment. I haven’t really been paying my bills.”

  “Why not?”

  “Why do you think, Mick?!”

  “Sam?”

  “What!?” I scream at him.

  “You and I are in this together, let’s work through this together. After all, its only money.”

  Those were exactly the words I needed to hear. I didn’t need to have him pay for me, or tell me it would all be ok, I need a partner, now and forever. My love for Mick was growing stronger every day.

  Chapter 24 Redemption - Mick

  I return to my house in the morning, if only to prove to myself that it’s still mine. Also to take some time to think about how I am going to solve this whole money situation. My house is still in tatters—scaffolding everywhere, wood all over the place, boarded up windows. It’s a mess.

  That wasn’t important right now. Right now I needed to call my accountant.

  “Hi, Marvin? It’s Mick. I want to go over my money with you. Well, I really want to find out how much money I have left.”

  “Mick? Are you serious?”

  “Yeah, what’s the problem?”

  “I told you months ago you were running on empty and you had to change your lifestyle if you were going to save any money. You don’t have any money left. Your sponsors have dropped you, you’re not competing anymore, from what I hear. Everything you own is financed and owned by the bank. If I were you, I would sell that house and get whatever equity we were able to put into it.”

  “So, you’re saying I’m broke?”

  “No, if you were broke, that would mean you just have zero. You have less than zero. You’re in debt. I told you all of this months ago. Do yourself a favor, Mick—return the cars, sell the house, and you may come out just broke.”

  I hang up the phone numbly. All of this time, all of that money, I have burned through it all. I have no career, I can barely surf, and if I’ve really screwed up this badly. Financially, I have reached rock bottom.

  As I sit back, ready to wallow in despair, I have an epiphany. I realize that the money doesn’t matter, but Sam and our baby sure as hell do. I need to get back to her. I loved Sam and she needs to know that. I immediately picked up the phone, she did not answer. Jumping back into my beater I made my way back to her house. Why did I even have those expensive cars? I spent most of my time in this car anyways.

  As I pull into Sam’s driveway, I see her van isn’t there—she must be down at the beach. She’s always parked by the pier, and thankfully, today is not an exception. Running out of my car like a madman, I call her name.

  “Sam! Sam!”

  She looks in my direction threw her arms up and then continued to ignore me. Her stress regarding her financial situation is showing through.

  “Sam, I need to talk to you about my financial situation.”

  “Mick, we can talk about this later. I have to give out these flyers so I don’t lose my business. Not all of us have millions of dollars.”

  “Well, that’s more good news. I am broke! Well, according to my accountant, worse then broke.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I have burned through a lot of cash. Now I have to get a real job!”

  “This is supposed to make me happy? I don’t need to take care of someone else. One sec. Hi, there, are you interested in surfing lessons?” Someone has approached Sam to inquire.

  The man looks over at me and smiles. “Well, if Mick is teaching them, then we may just be.”

  Sam look
s pleased at the thought. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt her feelings that she might become my boss. I turn to the man.

  “I would love to teach you how to surf. Come back tomorrow. Lessons start at eight a.m. for $150 an hour.”

  “I would have paid double. Deal!”

  I smile at Sam. “We may have just found a solution to our problems… partner.”

  “Don’t get any ideas, Mick,” she tells me. “You are not my partner. You are my employee.”

  But the important thing is she smiles back. Who knows? Maybe this will be good for us. I lean in toward her for a kiss,

  “Ah, ah, ah—no fraternizing during work hours. Here are some flyers. Get to work.”

  ***

  We spend the rest of the day booking appointments for the coming days, then weeks, then months. It appears as though I’m quite a draw. The crowd continues to build. News crews come by, asking for an interview. I refuse to give them anything; the last thing I want to do was to get into that world again. They’re pissed, obviously, so I fend them off by letting them know I’ll be competing in the next pro tour contest.