Teresa choked down a snigger as Lyle's face fell.
“O-oh, alright, son. Yeah, I understand,” he murmured. He then shouted, “Helen, hurry up with the lasagna!”
Vince frowned, seeming a little uneasy regarding the way his father treated his stepmother. Nevertheless, he kept his mouth shut and smiled at Teresa.
“So, you're stuck living here again, then, huh?” Vince asked. “That has to suck.”
“Why's it gotta suck?” Lyle asked. “We're pretty fun, eh, Teresa?”
Teresa gave him a dark look and muttered, “Yeah. Loads and loads of fun. Maybe I'll just stay here forever.”
Lyle's eyes widened and Teresa smirked to herself. Vince chuckled and she blushed. For some reason, she wanted to impress him. She knew there was no reason for that, considering he was her stepbrother and she had known him for years. Nervously, she took a long drink from the ice water in front of her.
Finally, Helen walked in the room with a steaming tray of hot lasagna. Smiling, she placed it in the center of the table and grinned.
“Eh? Look good?” she asked, searching for everyone's approval.
“Looks great, Helen,” Vince said. “Can't wait to get some good home-cooking!”
Lyle cocked an eyebrow and said, “Are you sure this is how you made it last time?”
Helen frowned and said, “What do you mean? It's the same way I always make it.”
Lyle looked unsure and he muttered, “Doesn't look as cheesy as last time. My son didn't come here to get shorted on cheese.”
Helen scowled and Teresa took a deep breath. With Lyle's consistently rude comments, it was going to be a long night.
*****
Teresa was finishing her plate of food when Lyle gave her a dark look. She knew that he was going to make an embarrassing comment, so she prepared herself.
“You okay, Dad?” Vince asked, giving his father a questioning look. “You look like you're about to vomit.”
Teresa looked up at her stepfather and pursed her lips, adding, “Yeah, Lyle, what's wrong? Something you want to say?”
“Just watching you shovel food in your face like some kind of animal,” he murmured. He took a drink from his bottle of beer and added, “Who the hell taught you to eat? Wolves?”
“Lyle!” Helen scolded. She then touched Teresa's hand and said, “You're fine, dear. Eat however you want.”
Teresa fought the urge to cry and pushed her plate away from her. She then retreated to her room and closed the door, uncontrollable tears running down her face.
Helen hit Lyle's arm and shook her head, disapprovingly. Lyle did not seem to understand what he did wrong, but even Vince had realized how rude he was being. He stood up from his place at the table and pushed in his chair. Lyle frowned as he chewed on a bite of lasagna.
“Where ya goin', son?” Lyle asked.
“I'm going to see if Teresa’s okay,” he said. “Your comment was a little uncalled for, Dad. Maybe you need some military discipline for your mouth.”
Lyle stared at his back, dumbfounded, as Vince turned the corner and walked down the hallway to Teresa's room. He looked at Helen and furrowed his brow.
“What the hell did I say?” he asked.
“Well, you did say my daughter eats like an animal,” she spat, crossing her arms. “You make fun of her manners, but how about your manners?”
Lyle still did not seem to understand what he did wrong.
Chapter 4
Charades or Nay?
Vince opened Teresa's door and peered inside the room. She was crying, face down on her bed. He frowned at the sight. He was absolutely disgusted with how his father had treated her at the table, and he wanted to make sure that she was not upset. Judging by the mascara running down her cheeks, she was.
“You okay?” he murmured, closing the door behind him.
Teresa looked up at him and hurriedly tried to wipe her face. She gulped and averted her gaze.
“Yeah, I'll be fine,” she said. “Don't worry about it. I'm sort of used to it.”
“Used to it?” he asked, sitting down on the bed beside her. “Does my old man act like that all the time? He never said stuff like that when we were kids.”
“He just doesn't like me being here,” Teresa explained, pushing her mahogany hair behind her ear. She then added, “You know, when I lost my job, he told my mother just to let me get stuck out on the streets until I could afford rent again because it'd teach me a lesson. He thinks making fun of my weight will make me leave. I mean, I'd like to, but where else am I going to go?”
Vince sighed and nodded, replying, “He's never been good at the whole compassion thing. I'm sorry he treats you like that. I really was hoping for a nice, drama-free visit.”
“Drama?” Teresa asked with a chuckle. “He won't give you any drama. He's just going to grovel at your feet and tell me how I'm not as good as you are.”
Vince furrowed his brow and asked, “He compares us like that? I haven't been home, so I have no idea. I never meant for anything—”
“It isn't your fault,” Teresa interjected, hurriedly. “I can't blame him for being prouder of you than he is of me. I mean, look at me and look at you. You're a hero. I'm, well, just me.”
Vince frowned and touched her hand.
“But you're special,” he said. “You should know that you're special. My dad can't change that.”
Teresa blushed and looked away from him. However, she let him continue to touch her hand. He wrapped his fingers around hers and gave her a small smile.
“Your dad can change how I think, though. Sometimes, he just destroys my self-esteem, you know? I get that I'm not totally in shape like you are, but I was a dental hygienist. I don't work out for a living—or didn't, rather—you know?” she ranted. She shook her head and continued, “Forget it. I just want to get a job and get the hell out of here. I don't want to work at Burger Joe's, but I might have to at this rate. There isn't a place in town that has rent low enough for a Burger Joe's salary, so I guess I just need to get out of town, probably. I'm swimming in debt. It's getting worse. I can't pay it. Mom and your dad just keep making me feel worse about it. I'm just not sure what to do to get back on track, Vince. I'm just searching in the dark.”
Vince nodded and gave her a sad frown. He then squeezed her hand and asked, “Do you need money?”
Teresa furrowed her brow and replied, “What?”
“Do you need money? I mean, you can't live with my jerk of a dad forever. Let me help you with a down payment on an apartment closer to the city, so you can find a job,” Vince explained. He stroked her palm with his thumb and added, “It'd be the least I could do for a pretty girl in need.”
Teresa's face flushed and she muttered, “Well, I mean, I just couldn't accept anything like that, Vince. I know you work hard and—”
“Sure, my job isn't easy, but I can't imagine it's easy living with that asshole every day, either. I'd rather do my job every day than listen to his voice,” Vince said, gesturing to his father by pointing towards the door with his right thumb. His bright blue eyes glistened under the dim lighting as he added, “Besides, it'd make me happy as hell to make my stepsister happy.”
“Really?” Teresa breathed, biting her lip.
“Really,” Vince said, grinning. He squeezed her hand and said, “I'll write you a check later. Sound good?”
He winked at her and Teresa giggled.
“Yes, that sounds good,” she replied. “Thanks, Vince. I appreciate it more than you know.”
Suddenly, Lyle's obnoxious voice echoed throughout the house.
“Come on, you two! It's time for charades!” he yelled.
Teresa and Vince snorted in unison. Teresa raised her eyebrows.
“Well, I suppose we better go play some charades,” she said. “Wanna be on my team?”
“Only if you can fight my dad off me,” Vince said, chuckling. He stood and put his hands in his pockets, muttering, “The last time I played charade
s was...probably the last time I was here.”
Teresa stood up and replied, “Yeah, he has some stupid obsession with it. I'm pretty sure it's because he never learned how to play poker like an adult.”
“I remember trying to teach him Texas Hold 'Em, and he told me that only losers played poker,” Vince said with a laugh. “He just didn't know how to play at all that whole time? How did I never know that?”
“You didn't know that? I guess you were at track practice a lot, but he was invited to a few different poker nights and just sucked every time,” Teresa muttered. “He tried to learn probably twenty different times but never could figure it out. He tries to act like he just thinks it's for idiots because he never learned to play. Can't believe you didn't know that.”
“What the hell are you two doin'? It's time for charades! Did you not hear me?” Lyle shouted. “Get your asses in here so Team Murphy can beat Team McKinnon!”
Vince opened the door and muttered, “I told you he'd fight you for me.”
“Whatever!” Teresa spat, following him down the hallway. “Team McKinnon will kick your butt anyway!”
“It's gonna be like that, is it?” he asked, playfully. “It's on!”
The two of them hurried into the living room to see their parents sitting on the couch. Lyle gave Teresa a dark look and cleared his throat.
“Well, now that Teresa isn't hogging you, how about some dad time?” Lyle said, giving his son a playful punch in the shoulder.
Vince cringed, but gave his father a meek nod, nonetheless.
“Oh, how fun! We haven't done this in years with you kids. Should I make martinis?” Helen asked. “Anyone want a martini?”
“I'm good, Helen. Thanks, though,” Vince said.
“No thanks, Mom,” Teresa said.
“Get me a whiskey on the rocks, Helen.”
“I wasn't asking you,” Helen spat. “I was asking the kids. You've had enough.”
Lyle frowned and said, “I've only had a few—”
“No whiskey,” she said. She then looked to her daughter and said, “Ready for Team McKinnon to win?”
“Oh boy,” Teresa murmured, rolling her eyes.
Vince heard her and chuckled. Helen, however, did not find it very funny. Frowning, she did her best to ignore her daughter's rude comment.
“Who's going first?” Vince asked.
“I'll flip a coin,” Lyle replied. He pulled a quarter from his pocket, tossed it in the air, and said, “Call it, son!”
“Heads,” Vince said.
The coin landed on Lyle's arm and he shook his head.
“Nope, tails. Ladies first,” Lyle said. He put his arm around Vince and whispered in his ear, “Don't worry. We'll still kick their ass, son.”
“It's a stupid game of charades,” Vince murmured. “Why would I care about it anyway?”
Lyle frowned as Helen and Teresa began to discuss what they were going to do for their turn.
“I was thinking we could do sea turtles,” Helen suggested
. Teresa shrugged, murmuring, “Whatever you want, Mom.”
“Oh, good,” Helen replied. “Okay, I'm going to pretend I'm swimming like this and—”
“Yeah Mom, I get it.”
Helen frowned and looked up at Lyle.
“Honey, I don't think the kids want to play this game,” she said with a sigh. “Well, I suppose you two are a little old for that—”
“Let's play poker!” Vince suggested, knowing that his father would not have any interest and would likely go to bed.
Lyle's eyes widened, and Helen scratched the back of her head.
“Well, I mean, I wouldn't mind playing but—” Helen said, only to be interrupted by her husband.
“Poker is for sissies,” Lyle said. “Why don't you two want to play charades?”
“They are in their twenties, dear,” Helen replied. She then whispered to her husband, “Lyle, you know you could at least try.”
“Nope. I don't play poker,” Lyle said. “No one wants to play charades. I'm going to bed.”
“Oh, Lyle,” Helen scolded. “Let's be an adult about it—”
“Goodnight, guys. I'll see you in the morning and maybe we can have breakfast and maybe you'll change your mind on charades,” Lyle muttered.
He then waved and went to his and Helen's bedroom. Helen turned to Vince and Teresa and gave them a nervous smile.
“Teresa, why don't you take the couch so your brother—”
“Stepbrother,” she and Vince said in unison.
Helen chuckled and said, “Yes, stepbrother. Anyway, why don't you take the sofa so your stepbrother has a bed?”
“Sure,” Teresa said. She then cleared her throat and said, “Yeah, okay. Are you going to bed then too, Mom?”
Helen sighed and murmured, “I should probably go comfort your stepfather. He seemed pretty upset that no one wanted to play charades. Don't blame yourselves. He's just touchy because he can't learn poker.”
“Oh really? I had no idea,” Vince lied, giving Teresa a knowing look. “Goodnight, Helen.”
“Goodnight, Vince.”
Chapter 5
Alone at Midnight
Teresa cleared her throat as she sat down on the sofa and pulled a blanket over her legs. Vince sat down next to her and she furrowed her brow.
“Are you not going to bed?” she asked.
Vince laughed and whispered, “Nah. I'd rather stay up and keep talking to you.”
Teresa blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Well okay then,” she said, giving him a nod. “What would you like to talk about so late?”
Vince narrowed his eyes and tapped his chin in thought. After a second, he tugged on his shirt, trying to air his chest. Teresa cocked an eyebrow.
“What's wrong?” she asked.
“Is it hot in here to you?” Vince asked.
Teresa gulped, anxiously and averted her gaze. She then shook her head.
“No,” she murmured.
“Hmm, well whatever,” he replied, pulling off his shirt. Teresa's eyes were fixed upon his rippling muscles as he peeled it from his torso. As his eyes met hers, she immediately looked away, embarrassed to be ogling at her stepbrother's Adonis-like form.
Teresa cleared her throat and said, “Anyway, what did you want to talk about?”
“Yeah,” Vince said, readjusting himself to face her. He smiled and said, “So do you have a boyfriend or anything right now? Dating anyone?”
Teresa laughed and shook her head.
“Yeah, right!” she exclaimed. “How the hell would I get away with that in our parents' house? Ha ha ha!”
Vince chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his neck, murmuring, “I just wanted to ask. You're just so pretty it's hard to believe nobody would be trying to date you. Have you just not found what you're looking for so you keep turning guys down or what?”
Teresa blushed and said, “I wish. I haven't had someone ask me out on a date since I went out with Chaz for those few months.”
“Chaz?” Vince asked, snorting. “You dated Chaz?”
Teresa frowned and asked, “What's wrong with Chaz? He's a nice guy.”
“You're out of his league, Teresa!” Vince exclaimed. “Chaz is a two and you're like—well...a ten!”
Teresa smiled, although her face was a bright shade of pink.
“You think I'm a ten?” she asked, quietly.
Vince smiled, softly and murmured, “Of course I think you're a ten. I mean, if things were different, I'd do anything to have you.”
Teresa leaned closer to Vince, only inches from his lips, and whispered, “What do you mean if things were different? Why do they have to be different?”
Vince leaned a little closer to her. Teresa could feel his breath on her lips.
“Our parents would—oh what the hell,” Vince said.
He then pulled Teresa towards him and pressed his lips passionately against hers. She fought the urge to mo
an as he crawled on top of her, running his hands up her sides. Teresa's loins ached. She never even dreamed that Vince would take any interest in her, yet there they were, kissing in their parents' living room.
Vince ran his hands underneath her shirt, and she gasped at his touch. He unhooked her bra and ran his thumb across her nipples. Teresa gulped nervously as her loins began to ache for him. She did not know whether it was wrong or not, but all she knew was that it felt entirely right.
“Let's go to my bedroom in case someone wakes up,” Teresa whispered.
Vince nodded and got to his feet. Teresa blushed as she saw the tent between his legs. Quietly, he took her hand and followed her towards her room. She latched the door behind her and locked it. As she turned around to look at Vince, she bit her lip and pulled off her blouse. Vince watched her with hungry eyes as her bra followed and revealed her full, olive-skinned breasts. Nervously, he ran his hands across them and massaged them. Teresa bit her lip to quiet a moan.
“I can't believe we're doing this,” she breathed.
“Me either,” he said, kissing her neck, “but I'm happy that we are.”
He ran one of his hands down her body and unzipped her pencil skirt. Teresa kicked it off her legs, leaving her only in her black lace panties. Vince ran his fingers along the elastic band.
“You should take those off too,” he whispered.
Teresa grinned and pulled them off as Vince unbuckled his belt. As soon as she looked back up at him, he was fully exposed. Her eyes widened as she saw how massive his member was. Blushing, she bit her lip and ran her fingers up his chest.
“I want you,” she breathed.
. “I want you too,” he whispered.
Teresa pressed her lips to Vince's and he hoisted her up by her large, round buttocks. Teresa made a surprised gasp as he moved her; she was rather surprised he could carry her. Nevertheless, she giggled and wrapped her legs around him. Vince grinned and lay her down on the mattress.
“We need to be quick if we're going to do this,” Teresa murmured. “You know, just because of my mom and—”
“Shh,” Vince whispered, kissing her lips. “They're asleep. Don't worry so much. Just enjoy it.”
Reminding The SEAL (Navy SEAL Military Romance) Page 20
