My New Step-Dad(20)

I breathe deep, filling my lungs with air, trying to calm myself. I want to go through the phone and choke this bitch to death but I can’t.

“Which way did she go?”

“I have no idea. By the time I realized she wasn’t coming back into the dressing room, I walked out just in time to see her get in the back of a cab and take off.”

“Fuck,” I say, but I’m somewhat relieved she wasn’t abducted or something horrible. She’s so perfect that I’m sure anyone would just snatch her up, something I should have done from day one. If I’m technically her guardian, could I trap her in my condo and not let her leave? I would have to come up with something else once she turns eighteen. Something that would bind her to me.

“Looks like you’ve got the evening off. How about I come over and we finally get that one-on-one time you’ve been needing?” Bile rises in my throat at the thought of Holly touching me. I think my cock has belonged to little Sophie since before I even laid eyes on her. Since I found out she would be mine to take care of, it seems like my cock took that and went with it, now my heart seems to be along for the ride.

“Holly, I know your father is an important client, and we’ve known each other for some time, but f*ck you. Sophie is important to me, and the fact that you don’t give a shit is really eye opening.” I don’t mask the disdain in my voice.

“Jesus, Bruce, you’re acting like she’s a lost lover. You barely knew the girl. Calm down.”

“There’s a lot about her you don’t know, and frankly it’s none of your business.”

“My God, you’re in love with her.”

The denial is on my lips, but I can’t say it. It would be a lie. I do love her, and I think I have from the moment I saw her. I don’t want losing her to be the way I find out, and I’m angry at myself for allowing it to get this far.

“Goodbye, Holly.”

I toss my phone on my desk and just stand there, not knowing what to do. I have no idea where she’s gone. I don’t know who I could possibly contact to find out. I’m completely lost. And utterly heartbroken.



* * *



That night…



I’m pacing the kitchen and checking my phone every thirty seconds. I still haven’t heard from Sophie. It’s dark out, and I’m so worried thinking about what could be happening to her. Is she out partying? Is she crying? Is she dead? My mind goes from one extreme to the next. I know someone might have just grabbed her. She is so utterly perfect that I couldn’t even blame them for wanting her, but make no mistake, I will find her.

I’ve called the cops so many times they say my name when they pick up the phone. There’s nothing I can do but wait for her to turn up. She’s eighteen, it hasn’t been twenty-four hours, and since she wasn’t kidnapped, she’s free to do what she wants.

I take my scotch and go over to the breakfast bar, getting ready to make another call to all the local hospitals, praying that she isn’t there. I want to know where she is, but I’m terrified something awful has happened to her.

As I dial the first number, I hear the elevator ding and my heart starts beating out of my chest. I feel like I imagined it, but when the doors open, I drop my phone and rush to the elevator.

Grabbing Sophie up in a bear hug, I squeeze the life out of her. “Where in God’s name have you been? Fuck, I was so worried.” I bury my face in her silky blonde hair and inhale her sweet scent, holding her curvy body to mine, not wanting to ever let go. She’s so small and compact, she fits against me perfectly. Like she was made for me.

She leans back and I let go, giving her a little space. It’s clear from her body language she wants some distance.

“I’m sorry, Bruce, I didn’t mean to worry you. I just needed to get away for a few hours and think.”

“Think about what?”

“I’m tired of chasing affection. I’m worth more than that.”

I stand there and let her words hit me. “You are worth more. You’re worth everything, and you deserve it all.”

“I may be young, but I know what I want. I want someone who’s willing to give up everything for me. And I deserve someone who’s proud to be with me instead of being ashamed of their feelings.”

“Sophie, it’s more complicated than that—”

“No. It’s simple,” she says, cutting me off. “I’m not going to be the lost puppy chasing someone around and begging for attention. I’m going to take some time and figure out what I want to do next, but until I know my next move, I’m done being a burden.”

“Sophie—”

“It’s not your fault, Bruce. It’s been like this my whole life. I’m just tired of being a second choice.” She squares her shoulders, and I can see her decision is final. She’s a lot like her mom was—when she got that look, I knew she wouldn’t be changing her mind.

I start to say something, but she turns and walks away, heading towards her bedroom. Seconds later I hear her door shut. I stand there, stunned.

I go back to the breakfast bar and sit down, taking a drink of my scotch. I think about what she’s just said, and what she really means. She wants someone to choose her. Sophie wants someone in her life, for once, to pick her over everything else.