In Love With My Evil Stepbrother

Chapter 4

 

I don’t believe this. He didn’t want me to come down to Boston earlier. What happened? What changed?

 

Dad mumbles over the phone, “Of course you are welcome to come back. It’s just—I think you should spend more time with your mom. When was the last time you visit her? Maybe this is a great chance for you to bond.”

 

I don’t buy that. “How long do you want me to stay here?”

 

He falls into silence.

 

My mouth goes dry. And my heart is falling into a bottomless pit. After a long wait, I decide to make this easier for him. “Dad. What is the real reason?”

 

Another painful silence. He finally speaks up.

 

“…Hallie wants to move in with me.” His voice so low. Almost hard to catch up, “I thought it might be awkward if you two are both here at the beginning.”

 

My mind went completely blank.

 

I don’t know what to think, nor what to say. But I guess my reaction doesn’t really matter to these people anyway.

 

“So, this is it?” I grip the phone till my knuckles turn white, “You are kicking me out because you want to please your girlfriend?”

 

“No!” Dad’s voice is squeaky, seems like he’s trying to hide the guilt, “I’m just afraid that you’d be uncomfortable. And I talked to your mom, Boston has better education. Maybe you’ll have a greater chance getting into a better college if you stay there.”

 

So mom is in this too. And it’s a long-term plan.

 

Oh yes. Just looking out for me. As they have always been.

 

When they first got divorced, mom also kindly suggested me go to Miami with my dad because she was afraid that I would be “uncomfortable” here.

 

And the same excuse again.

 

I am a soccer ball to them? They can just kick me aside whenever they don’t want me around?

 

to you really. If

 

quietly hang up

 

phone and walk out of the room. Mom is standing in

 

comes to me, “About

 

and ask through my clenched teeth, “Have you ever thought of

 

Her eyes are filled with tears and sadness.

 

rush out of the

 

really know where to go. I thought I could stay with Zack when I came here, but that plan went to drain; I wanted to go back to Miami, but I was kicked out; my mom and that fancy townhouse shut the door on me long

 

Guess I am homeless.

 

The bus bumps up and down for more than two hours. I cry and

 

stop, kid!” The

 

find myself nearby a city park. Through the woods I can vaguely see the sea. It’s getting dark now. Might not be a

 

life on my own without

 

and smash things. What have I done

 

nonstop. I take it out and find a ton of missing calls: mom, dad, Jenna…even Eason and

 

mom told everyone about

 

and suck up with whatever plans they’ve made for

 

look up and find a group of drunk men coming around the corner. They are pretty wasted, I

 

spotted me, “What are you

 

up, ducking my head down to avoid eye

 

But today isn’t my lucky day. Heavy footstep tags along as they keep teasing me with whistles and dirty jokes. “Hey where are you going? Get

 

all burst

 

my phone and call someone. The phone slips through my fingers during the chaos. I crouch down to find it. But someone suddenly

 

scream, “Get away from

 

start yelling for help, but he covers my mouth to

 

friends chortle

 

but none of those works. These are tough-built man and, even drunk, are

 

bite my tongue

 

shouts in excitement, “Go

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