Filthy (A Stepbrother Romance) #1(12)

“I know, dude, I’m just making sure. I got to watch her back, there’s a lot of *s like me around here.” I smirked putting the attention onto something else. I couldn’t have him looking at me with questions that I refused to answer.

“Good. I’ll take care of her.” He winked and slammed his hand onto my shoulder. I nodded and watched him walk the rest of the way down the hall turning near the stairwell.

Fucking-A. That’s exactly what I was afraid of. Of her finding someone better than me and realizing just how big of a f*ck up I truly was. I had nothing to give her as the person I was, and maybe I just needed to give up and face the facts.

Maybe I wasn’t Talon f*ckin’ Reed anymore. Maybe I was just Talon Reed, and that’s the man Mia needed me to be. I didn’t know, and I didn’t think I would ever know.

Mia would never give me the chance to find out.





Stupid Is As Stupid Does


I curled my hair and applied my dark red lipstick just as Matt got here, the beep of his car horn reminding me that I needed to get my ass moving. I pulled on my brown boots, tucking my blue jeans into them. I went simple because I knew it was going to be way too cold to wear a mini skirt like most of the girls would. I smiled like I was happy as Matt came to the door and knocked. He placed a kiss against my cheek and told me how pretty I looked.

I knew Matt was the safer choice, though. I knew choosing to go on a date with him would get Talon to leave me alone, it would force him to keep his distance, and it would give me the space I needed to not make a dumb choice.

“Did I tell you what Talon said to me the other day?” Matt asked, backing out of the driveway. I had to hide the shock from my face, so I turned and looked out the window at the passing scenery.

“I don’t think so.” I smiled, or at least tried to. My stomach hurt like someone had kicked me in it. I knew seeing him or hearing his name would just cause my body to react in the worst way. Anxiety wasn’t something I really wanted to be dealing with tonight.

“Well…” He laughed deeply. It was a happy laugh, and a smile pulled at his lips. He was handsome in an all-American boy looking way. He would make some girl around here really happy one day. “He all but told me if I do anything to hurt you that he will rip my balls off and shove them down my throat,” he continued.

“Wow, that’s ummm, violent?” I stumbled over my words, a bit taken back by the fact that Talon had cared enough to speak to Matt about our date. It was strangely nice and strangely odd.

“I know, right. So if he asks anything, please tell him it went great and I didn’t hurt you because I really like where my balls are on my body right now.” Matt turned to me, his eyes focusing on my lips for a moment before coming up to my eyes. I stared at him a bit in awe that someone so gentleman like could be friends with an * like Talon.

Matt was the complete opposite of Talon. Matt was stocky and had curly brown hair. His teeth were straight, and his eyes were a watered-down blue in comparison to Talon’s. They couldn’t be anymore unalike. God. I needed to stop comparing them to one another and be thankful for the fact that Matt had asked me out tonight. At least I wouldn’t be spending another night in my bedroom alone.

I smiled. “I’ll be sure to tell him nothing happened. After all, he doesn’t need to worry about anything. You seem like a good guy.”

Matt winked and said, “Yeah, a lot of people ask me how I can be friends with Talon and not be a complete dick.” I tilted my head at his comment. That was actually a question I should be asking.

“Well how do you do it?” I laughed, my hand rubbing down my pants. I was nervous and sweating. I had nothing to be worried about, but still I felt that distinct build of anxiety forming.

“Talon took me in when I had no one. I was raised to treat women right. Just because I hang out with someone doesn’t mean that I have to pick up there shitty traits. Right?” Matt asked as he pulled us into the local McDonald’s.

“Yeah I guess, but are we not a reflection of those we spend the most time with?” I didn’t know why I asked the question. Maybe I wanted to stump him? Catch him in some sort of lie? Find a way to taint his perfection.

“Sometimes, but I feel I’m better than Talon could ever be; no offense since he is your brother and all.” A shudder worked down my spine.

“None taken,” I reassured him.

The conversation seemed to end there. We headed through the drive thru so we could get to the party sooner. I was cool with going to a low-key place because I wasn’t one for the attention. Matt ordered our food and paid for it, and then we headed out to the field party.

The roads were shitty, mud and gravel covered as we pulled off the main highway and out toward Donovan’s house.

“Can I tell you something?” Matt sighed, his grip on the steering wheel tight. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what his question was, but I nodded my head yes, swallowing past the ball that had formed in my throat.

“I think Talon has a thing for you, and I think that’s why he’s so against us trying to go out.” Tension released from him, and I got what was bothering him immediately.

“Talon doesn’t have a chance in hell. Plus no, it’s just, no. Okay?” I shook my head, lying my way through the entire answer and secretly praying that he didn’t catch me doing so.