My Stepbrother the Ultimate Collection (Five Complete Box Sets)

by Cindy Wilder

  I turned to see the smirk on his face.

  “That's my room now,” he said sternly.

  “Bullshit,” I snapped.

  My hands began to shake, and I felt like my head was going to blow off of my body.

  “You haven't been here,” he snapped back.

  “Well,” I pointed my finger into his chest.

  Damn, I thought. That was one hard chest.

  “I didn't even know you existed,” I yelled. “I don't even have a room anymore.”

  I covered my face with my hands. My dad had been there for Kyle for two years but hadn't been there for me. My heart broke at the thoughts in my mind. He even let him have my room.

  “Come on, Princess Carrie,” he said sarcastically. “Does it really matter? You get the big checks and don't have to deal with the shit that goes on around here. I don't think me getting your room is really that big of a deal.”

  I let out a breathy laugh and shook my head.

  “Think whatever you want about me, shithead,” I said through gritted teeth.

  I saw Rosie walk up behind him, and my mood changed.

  “Rosie,” I yelled, as I pushed him out of the way.

  He lost his footing for a second and let out a growl.

  “I can't believe it's you,” I cried out, as I wrapped my arms around her.

  “I've missed you so much, Carrie,” she said with tears in her eyes. “It's so good to have you home.”

  “I've missed you too,” I said. “You know you're the only one that's ever mattered to me. This guy better be nice to you.”

  “He's fine,” she said. “How's your mom?”

  I took and deep breath in and let it back out.

  “I'd rather not talk about her. I'm happy to be away for now,” I said. “Two more years. I don't know why I can't just stay here and be with you.”

  “You can call me anytime you want now,” she said. “I'll give you my number before you go back.”

  “If I can get to a phone without her being on my back,” I said.

  Kyle had a questioning look on his face but didn't say a word.

  “Can you please explain why this asshole's stuff is in my room?” I asked.

  “Language, Carrie,” Rosie snapped. “If your father hears you. Does she let you speak like that?”

  I let out a laugh and narrowed my eyes at her.

  “We wouldn't want to upset him,” I said sarcastically.

  “I'm so happy to see you,” she said ignoring my comment. “Your father told Kyle to take your room since it's bigger. He wasn't sure how long he was going to have to fight your mom. Your room is next to his now.”

  “That is bullshit,” I said.

  “Carrie,” Rosie warned. “Once you put your things away, come down to the kitchen. I want to hear all about the last two years of your life.”

  I nodded, and she turned to walk back down the stairs. Kyle grabbed my suitcase and bag before I got them and took them into my new room. I walked in and looked around.

  “Who decorated this room?” I asked.

  “My mom hired someone to do it,” he said. “Your dad wanted it ready for you.”

  “Okay,” I said.

  “You don't like it?” he asked. “They told her these were girlie colors.”

  “Well,” I said, as I rolled my eyes. “I'm not into girlie colors I guess.”

  “Where are the rest of your bags?” he asked.

  “This is it,” I said with a fake smile.

  He looked at me and shook his head.

  “Are you having the rest of them shipped?” he asked. “Luke said I needed to help you. He said you would have a lot since you're staying the entire summer.”

  “I don't,” I said. “This is it.”

  “Is daddy taking you on a shopping spree?” he asked.

  I pointed to my door.

  “Out,” I snapped.

  “Touchy,” he said, as he turned and walked out the door.

  I slammed my door behind him and fell onto the bed. At least it was comfortable, I thought. My eyes scanned the room. It was done in light pastel colors, and the walls were white. Everything had a light, summery look. I thought for a second and hurried to sit up. It was a guest room. They were calling it mine while I was there. Not a single thing I owned was in that room, beside my bag and suitcase I mean. I opened the closet and every drawer. They were completely empty. What the hell, I thought? What did that shithead do with my stuff when he took my room over?

  I swung my door open, stomped over to his, and pounded on his door. There was nothing girlie about it. I banged both of my fists on the door over and over until he finally swung it open.

  “Yes, dear,” Kyle said, as he pulled his earbud out of his right ear.

  “Where is it?” I snapped.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Where is my stuff?” I growled.

  “Settle down, sweetheart,” he said.

  “Do not call me that,” I growled back.

  “Your dad told me to box it all up and put it in the basement. He said that you probably wouldn't want that junk anymore. He figured you'd probably be on your laptop, phone, or tablet the whole time.”

  “You've been here since my father married your mother, right?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he answered with his eyes narrowed.

  “This has been your room the entire time?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he answered confused.

  “He had you box my stuff up within a month of my leaving the last time. He wouldn't have said that then,” I said.

  He shook his head at me.

  “He had me box it up then,” he said. “I asked about the stuff when my mom was having that room done, and that was when he said the stuff about you too being busy on your gadgets to want any of it.”

  Did the hot shithead have a heart, I wondered?

  “If you want your junk, it's in the basement,” he said, as he closed the door in my face.

  No heart, I thought. I walked back to my room and unpacked my stuff. There wasn't much to put away. I only had one bathing suit, two pairs of jeans, two pairs of shorts, five t-shirts, five pairs of socks, five granny panties, two bras, flip-flops, and one pair of sneakers. I also brought my journal, a notebook, a couple of books, and some pens. I looked around at the things I had and laughed, as I wondered what shithead would have thought if knew that was everything I owned. So much for big checks and being the princess. He had no idea how lucky he was.

  I fell back onto the bed and grabbed one of the books I had brought with me. Just as I started getting sucked into the book, loud music pounded the wall between our rooms. The vibrations were driving me crazy. I tried my best to ignore it but couldn't do it. I stomped over to his room and pounded on the door, but he never answered it. He was really beginning to piss me off. I grabbed the knob and swung the door opened, slamming it back against his bedroom wall with a thud.

  When I looked down, I gasped. He was on the floor, without a shirt, in the middle of a sit-up. When he saw me, he stopped and stayed in that position. His stomach muscles where so damn tight. I felt the strangest feeling shoot through my body and moved to shake it off. When he laughed, his muscles moved, and I wanted so badly to touch them. It was the hottest thing I had ever seen. Sure, the guys on the covers of the books I read were hot, but I thought that was all digital. There was nothing fake about Kyle. My eyes moved over his body. When they connected with his and I saw that huge smile on his face, I rolled my eyes and snapped back to reality. He was the guy that took over my room, my dad, and was living my life.

  I walked over to where his iPod was sitting on the dresser and picked it up. When I started hitting buttons, he jumped to his feet and crossed the space between us quickly.

  “What the hell are you doing?” he yelled, as he snatched it out of my hands. “You're going to fuck up my phone. You could have just shut it off. What is your problem?”

  I seriously thought it was an iPod not an iPhone and was f
eeling incredibly stupid.

  “How was I supposed the know how to shut the damn thing up?” I yelled back with my hands on my hips.

  “They're all the same, genius,” he snapped, as he played with his phone.

  I turned around and walked out his room and back to mine. He stormed in right behind me before I could get the door shut.

  “Hand me your phone,” he snapped.

  “No,” I said, as I sat down on my bed.

  “Yes,” he said.

  “I didn't bring it with me,” I said, as I stood and walked passed him.

  That punk didn't need to know that I didn't have one while his ass stood there with the best of the best.

  “There is no way someone like you left your phone at home,” he said, as I moved quickly down the hall to the stairs.

  When I walked into the kitchen, Rosie put out a plate full of my favorite chocolate chip cookies. I grabbed a glass and filled it with milk. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek.

  “I am so happy to have you back,” she said. “You have no idea how much I've missed you.”

  She was the only one that ever made me feel loved and cared for. I missed her so much. Things with my mom had always sucked, but they were worse than ever after my father got married again. Those last two years had been really bad.

  “So, tell me what's been going on with you these last two years,” she said, as she stood and watched me take my first bite of cookie.

  I couldn't help the moan that came from deep inside of me. She had no idea how amazing those cookies tasted and the memories that came with them. They were home. I was finally home. I was looking forward to seeing her for three whole months. It was going to be so wonderful. The pool was going to be a great perk as well. I could already see myself reading and relaxing with the sun beating down on me.

  “There's been nothing worth talking about,” I said.

  “Do you have a boyfriend?” she asked.

  “Are you kidding?” I asked. “After what I've seen between my mom and dad and her behavior since we moved, I don't think I ever want a boyfriend. I only have to put up with that crazy shit for two more years. Then I'll be free to make something of myself. I'm going to own my own company and take care of myself. I'll never count on anyone else, and I'll never have anyone count on me. It will be me against the world.”

  “Language,” Rosie said in a stern tone.

  I heard a noise from behind me and jumped. When I turned, I saw Kyle standing on the other side of the kitchen with his back to us. He was probably listening to music, I thought. That punk didn't need to know anything about my life.

  “I get that you're mad at your dad,” Rosie began. “I know that your mother lets you talk like that. You know your father will get upset when he hears it. I also know you would enjoy watching him. I'm asking you to speak respectfully for me. I didn't spend those years caring for you to hear you speaking that way. You're a lady. Ladies don't use those words. I am asking you to speak like a lady in front of me. If I'm not standing there, I don't care what you say to your dad. Can you do that for me?”

  There was no way I could not do as she asked. She was the only mother I really knew. I would do anything to make her happy.

  “Yes,” I said. “I'm giving him a piece of my mind when you're not there. You need to know that.”

  I looked behind me to see Kyle was gone. When I turned back to her, she had a smile on her face.

  “What's that smile about?” I asked.

  “You're looking for him.”

  “I don't want him to hear what I talk about. This is my house. He thinks I'm some spoiled, rich girl. I couldn't even turn off his phone earlier. I thought it was an iPod. I felt so stupid. He asked where mine was. I told him I left it at home. He's probably not the smartest guy around, but he's not a complete dumb-ass. There's no way a sixteen-year-old girl would leave her phone in another state for three months. That punk has a much better life than I do. It hurts so bad that my dad has taken care of him and totally forgotten about me.”

  “He hasn't forgotten about you, Carrie,” she said. “Do you have any idea how hard he's had to fight to be able to see you?”

  “You mean how hard his lawyers had to fight?” I asked in a snotty tone, instantly feeling bad.

  “No,” she said. “He's had to go to court so many times. She was supposed to send you to visit multiple times. He bought the plane tickets, and she never put you on the planes. They would go back to court each time. He flew out there more times than I could count these last two years. When he came home from court, he would tell me how it went. Each time, she would refuse to send you. This last time, they told her she was going to jail if she didn't have you on that plane. That's the only reason you're here.”

  “Why does she care?” I asked. “She doesn't spend a second with me. She's crazy and off with a new guy every time I ask. The day she found out he was getting married, everything became ten times worse. She moved us just so it would be harder for him. It's not like they got along when they were married. I will never understand why she even cared what he did. I think he fought all those times just so she would have to spend all the money he gave her.”

  “What?” Rosie asked, as she took a seat next to me.

  “I think he took her to court just so she had to spend our money on lawyers. Every time I asked her for anything, she always said she couldn't afford it. She would tell me how much her bill was that month for her lawyers.”

  “Carrie,” Rosie said in a sad voice that made me nervous. “Your father covered all her lawyer fees. She's never paid a dime. I've had so many talks with him about it. I've wanted to see you badly, but your mother wouldn't let me. He's fought for you because he loves you. It's never had anything to do with the money. You need to talk to him, baby girl. There is no reason for your mom not to have money. I know how much she got in the divorce and how much she gets each month. Your holiday gifts alone were rather large.”

  The front door opened just as she finished that statement. I looked up at the clock. He was home, and I couldn't wait to see him. I knew he'd go to his office and work until dinner was ready, unless his new wife had changed him.

  “Time to make dinner,” Rosie joked. “Stay and help me.”

  We got right to work. She was making my favorite spaghetti meal. I had eaten spaghetti so many times in my life, but hers was by far the best I had ever eaten. As many times as I made it with her growing up, I still hadn't been able to figure out how it tasted so good. My dad walked to his office without a word. I looked over at her and shook my head.

  “I'm supposed to believe he really wanted me to come, Rosie. You honestly want me to think it wasn't just to get back at her,” I said.

  “Yes,” she said. “He fought because he wanted you here. It wasn't to get back at her. You know how he is. He has a hard time showing love.”

  “He never had a problem showing his disgust,” I said.

  Rosie shook her head and gave me my next direction with dinner.

  “Who did the flowers? Did Laura plant them, or did they hire a different company? They are beautiful. I don't remember them ever being so pretty,” I said.

  I heard Rosie laugh from deep in her belly. She looked so darn cute. I really missed her.

  “Did you see your bedroom, dear?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I said, as I looked over confused.

  “Do you honestly think after seeing your room that she planted those beautiful flowers?” she asked with a giggle.

  I shook my head and laughed.

  “I guess not,” I said.

  “I wanted to have your room done, but your dad wanted her to do it. He thought it would be something good between you and her. I tried to tell him it would have the opposite outcome. I knew those weren't your colors.”

  “You're right about that. Did you see they boxed up my things and put them in the basement? I don't get how those flowers are that nice. The company would have asked for her input at least,�
�� I said.

  “I begged your father to let me handle the flowers. That woman couldn't plant if her life depended on it. It keeps me outside and away from her. I have truly enjoyed taking care of them.”

  We were both standing there giggling like fools when Kyle walked into the room.

  “What are you two laughing about?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” Rosie said. “We were just catching up.”

  “Can I help you with the flowers, Rosie?” I asked.

  “Of course you can,” she said. “I'm so happy to have you back, Carrie.”

  “Why do I think you're the only one?” I whispered.

  “I'm thrilled your here,” Kyle said. “You can share in the wealth of shit they dish out. It won't all land on me anymore. I only have two more months left of this place. Are we having spaghetti for dinner?”

  “I'd trade with you any day,” I mumbled, as I took the plates into the dining room.

  “Yes,” I heard Rosie say through the door. “It's Carrie's favorite.”

  Kyle was watching me when I walked back through the kitchen door.

  “Have you seen your dad yet?” he asked.

  I snickered under my breath.

  “No,” I said. “He came in and went to his office.”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “He knows your here,” he said. “He sent me a text earlier to make sure I helped with your bags. You'd think as hard as his ass fought to see you that he would have come looking for you as soon as he got home.”

  “Are you always this funny?” I asked, as I grabbed a few of the dishes and walked back to the dining room.

  I sat down at the table and Kyle sat next to me. A few moments later, I heard the door open to my dad's office. He walked down the hall, pulled out his chair, and sat down, as he shoved his phone into the pocket of his pants.

  “Did you get your things unpacked?” he asked.

  So he did realize I was at the table. I had wondered if he was going to even acknowledge me.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “Kyle said you only had one bag,” he said, as he grabbed the dish of spaghetti and filled his plate. “Is your mother sending the rest?”

  “No,” I said. “I only had one bag.”