Stepbrother Dearest(13)

A teardrop fell down my cheek as I adjusted his blanket before exiting the room.

Back in my own bed, I thought about how ironic it was that this guy who’d done nothing but try to chase me away and intimidate me was the one person in the world I felt like I wanted to protect.



***



By the time I got up the next morning, Randy and my mother had already taken off for an overnight trip out to the Western part of the state.

Mom had left me a note on the kitchen counter:

Randy surprised me in the wee hours of the morning with an early birthday trip to the Berkshires. He’d already packed the car by the time I woke up! I didn’t want to wake you. It will only be one night. We’ll be back late Monday. There are plenty of leftovers for you and Elec in the fridge. Call my cell if you need anything. Love you.

How convenient. I was sure my stepfather had arranged this to avoid having to deal with what happened last night. I immediately grabbed my phone and texted her:



Enjoy your trip, but when you get back we seriously need to talk about what’s going on with Randy and Elec.



Elec didn’t come downstairs until two that afternoon. He looked like death warmed over as he dragged his feet over to the coffeepot, his hair disheveled and his eyes bloodshot.

“Good morning, sunshine,” I said.

His voice was groggy as he whispered, “Hey.” He poured some coffee into a mug and nuked it.

“So, apparently, our parents took off on an overnight trip. They’ll be back Monday night.”

“That’s too bad,” he said.

“That they went away?”

He took a sip of coffee and said, “No, that they’re coming back.”

“I’m sorry abou—”

“I can’t do this.” He shut his eyes and held out his palm. “I can’t talk to you. Every time you speak, it sounds like a chainsaw.”

“Sorry. I get it. You’re hungover.”

“Well, there’s that, too.”

I rolled my eyes, and he winked, causing my heart to flutter.

I sat with my legs crossed on the sofa adjacent to the kitchen. “What are your plans today?”

“Well, first I have to find my f*cking head.”

I laughed. “And then?”

“I dunno,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Would you want to get some takeout later?” I asked, trying hard to seem casual.

He looked apprehensive and rubbed the scruff on his chin. “Um…”

“What?”

He checked his phone. “No, actually, ugh…I have a date.”

“With who?”

“With, um…”

“You don’t know?” I laughed.

He scratched his forehead. “Give me a minute…”

I shook my head. “That’s sad.”

“Oh! With Kylie…yeah…Kylie.”

If Kylie only knew how interchangeable she was. I was just secretly relieved he didn’t say Victoria, because I knew she still had it in her mind to contact him despite the scene he caused on our “double date.” She’d texted him at least once yesterday, and her desperation really annoyed me.

Early that evening, I’d curled up on the couch with my book when Elec walked downstairs. I instinctively sat up and straightened my clothing. His cologne wafting through the room was enough of an aphrodisiac before I even turned to look at him. He was dressed in black pants and a fitted maroon shirt rolled up at the sleeves. His hair was styled into a controlled mess, and aside from the cut that remained on his bottom lip, he looked better than I’d ever seen him. Actually, even the damn cut was sexy. The energy in the room seemed to change anytime he walked into it. All of my senses were hyperaware of him.

I remembered his text from the other night: Have some self-respect. Ugh. I forced myself to return to my book since apparently, I couldn’t seem to hide my attraction whenever I looked at him. Just thinking about that text again had put me in a bad mood. I had kind of forgotten about my vow to never look at him again after everything that happened with Bentley and Randy.

He grabbed his keys. “I’m headed out.”

“Okay,” I said, making sure to keep my eyes fixed on the book.

The door slammed shut, and I breathed out a sigh of relief. It had been a long time since I had the house to myself and although the pathetic side of me wished Elec had stayed in, there was something to be said for privacy.

I ended up ordering some Chinese takeout to be delivered. Shortly after I opened the carton of shrimp lo mein, the text alert on my phone sounded.



I had this flashback from last night.



Greta: Oh?



Elec: You were on your knees at the foot of my bed. Did you take advantage of me?




Greta: You’d better be kidding. No! I was taking off your shoes, drunkass.



Elec: Kinky. A foot fetish?



Greta: You’re not serious…



Elec: ;-)



Greta: Aren’t you supposed to be on a date?



Elec: I am.



Greta: Then, why don’t you pay attention to her?



Elec: Because I’d rather bug you.