Page 15 of Stalker Stepbrother

We’re both still trying to catch our breaths when we hear a faint sound in the distance. At first, the distant hum barely registers in our post-sex state. But the sounds grow louder, and Callie stiffens as we both realize it’s the rumble of a car engine. She quickly gets up and runs to her bedroom without a word.

Running a hand through my hair, I get up, zip my pants, and buckle my belt. A look at my phone confirms my suspicion—our parents are back. Why they’re already here after just over a week into their honeymoon, I have no idea.

Wiping the sweat on my forehead with my sleeve, I leave the kitchen and walk out to meet them, footsteps echoing through the empty hallway. I follow the noise of chatter to the living room, and there I find my father and Janis—in matching tan—helping themselves to whatever liquor is in his white tumbler.

They stop when they see me, and like everywhere else I enter, I suck the happy energy with my presence. Their smiles disappear, and Janis looks nervously from my father to me.

“You’re home early,” I say, shoving my hands in my pockets.

“Oh, no. We’re actually not home home,” Janis laughs and elbows my father, a not-so-subtle reminder that he should be taking the reins in this conversation.

What is it? Did they run into trouble at sea? I wouldn’t be surprised. That won’t be the first time it happened. Where my father is, trouble always follows.

“Then, what are you both doing here?”

My father tries to switch the subject by looking closely at me. “You’re sweaty and flushing. Were you working out when we arrived? But you’re in your work clothes.”

Before I can answer, Callie appears behind me. “Hey, Mom, Mr. Callahan.”

“Callie, I told you to call me Jack,” my father chimes in.

Janis, on the other hand, doesn’t say anything. She lowers the tumbler to the nearest coffee table, flicks her eyes from Callie to me and back to Callie. She’s squinting as she saunters to her daughter.

“You’re sweaty, too, Callie, and as red as tomato. And you smell like…” I can tell the exact moment it clicks in Janis’ head because she swings her head to me and hits my chest.

“Oh my god! Oh my god, you monster!” she screams as she continues to pound my chest with her small fists.

My father, who’s probably running on nothing but whiskey, frowns and scratches his temple.

Janis walks back to Callie, running her hands all over Callie’s arms like she’s looking for injuries. “Callie, don’t be scared. Tell me. Did he force you? Did he hurt you? What did he do?”

Callie’s eyes are shining with unshed tears, but she shakes her head. “No, Mom. It’s not like that. Callum didn’t force me.”

“What do you mean he didn’t?!” Janis is full-on yelling, spit flying to Callie. “He’s almost twice your age! He’s your stepbrother! I know what happened, but I still have to ask. Did you fuck him, Callie?”

“I like him, Mom!”

“Like? Oh god. I shouldn’t have left you alone with him. I thought he’s gonna look after you, not help himself!”

“He does look after—”

“Shut up, Callie! You’re 20! You should know better than to fuck arou–”

“That’s enough, Janis,” I grit out, wrapping one arm around Callie’s shoulders and pulling her to me.

Janis staggers back and turns to my father. “C-can you believe this? Can you believe what your son did?”

“What did he do?” my father answers, eyebrows drawn together and pulling his ear.

“He fucked my daughter! Your stepdaughter! His stepsister! Oh my god. This is a nightmare. Do something about this, Jack!”

“He’s not gonna do something and neither are you,” I tell her, tracing circles on Callie’s arm to comfort her.

“Oh, I’m gonna do something alright. I’m getting Callie out of here!”

“No, you’re not. You’re both gonna leave and return to your honeymoon.”

“You don’t tell me what to do!”

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