My Volatile Stepbrother

Driving to Dale U.

Cassie sighed in relief. She hadn't needed to be assertive with him, which was good because she didn't feel confident making assertive statements. The circular logic wasn't lost on her. She'd tried to stand up for herself multiple times in the past, but it was hard when people plowed over her boundaries anyway.

Chetum gave her a smirk and left Toddy alone.

“Yup, yup!” he shouted gleefully and bounded down the stairs.

Why was he so mean?

As she put her earbuds back in, she closed her door and locked it. There had always been a lock on the knob, but until now, she never had to use it. Apparently, this was the way she'd be forced to live from now on.

Imagining having to hide in her room instead of enjoying time freely with her mom was awful. No more sitting downstairs, giggling uncontrollably while they watched B movies. They couldn't pig out shamelessly on pizza, or cry when they listened to blues music. Chetum was sure to mock and tease her for having emotions.

So many things are going to be different now. She'd be far too shy to sunbathe and swim in the pool. Oh, and what about showering? Was he going to be using her soap? Disgusting!

Staring at the congratulations on the screen with the skeleton smiling didn't seem to shine quite like it had a few moments before. She adjusted her glasses once again, noticing fingerprints on them. She desperately held back sobs. After her dad died, she had a problem with crying. Once she began, she wasn't able to stop without concerted effort.

“Honey?”

Cassie heard Audrey come upstairs and knock on her door. Cassie answered, wiping her nose. When Audrey saw her daughter in distress, she rushed in and hugged her tightly.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Audrey asked Cassie.

Cassie shrugged, pulling on the end of her cashmere sweater. Audrey took her daughter's glasses off her face, gently cleaned them, and set them on the computer desk. Cassie couldn't see very well without them, but it didn't matter. Glasses or not, her brimming tears were blurring her vision.

"T-Toddy," was all that Cassie could say. Audrey hugged her daughter tightly once more and rubbed her back.

"I know it has been hard without your dad, but things will get better. I promise. And I'm not doing this because I'm a fool or blinded. I have a plan for us, and it will all work out in the end."

"A plan?" Cassie asked, wiping her nose.

She wasn’t sure what her mother meant by this. Before Cassie could ask, another voice interrupted them.

"Audrey, darling?” Brad called. “You're coming to the game, right? And Cassie too. Chop, chop! Let's not keep Chetum waiting."

Audrey stroked her daughter's head and smiled at her, pulling on her hair.

"I don't suppose you'd like to join us." Audrey’s voice was hopeful. Cassie stared at the floor for a moment and then picked up her glasses. "I kind of promised him we'd go as a family."

Cassie's mouth was agape as she stared at her mother in shock.

"Mom, why?"

"Like I said, it's all in the plan," she whispered. When Cassie stared into her mother's hopeful eyes, she couldn't tell her no. With a sigh, she shrugged and nodded.

"I guess I'm going to my first Dale University football game. Woo … hoo," Cassie said with muted enthusiasm.

"Thank you, sweety! It could be fun for us. Maybe you'll meet up with Darryl again."

"Oh, Mom," Cassie said, covering her face. Her mother giggled and took her daughter’s hand. With a hard gulp, Cassie followed her mom down the stairs and outside. Brad's oil-black SUV was fired up and ready to go. To her dismay, Chetum was in the driver's seat.

Would they even make it to the game or would Chetum crash into a ditch? With his driving record, anything was possible and not in an inspiring way. Everyone in Lincoln had heard about his daredevil joyrides. It wasn't that big of a town.

As Cassie opened the back door to get in, she was surprised to see Brad already sitting there.

"Brad, aren't you going to sit up front?" Cassie struggled to keep her voice calm.

"Why don't you sit with Chetum?" Brad suggested, though it felt more like an order. Cassie's stomach dropped. Reluctantly, she got in the front passenger seat.

"You ready?" Chetum asked. Without an answer from her, he peeled out as much as one could in an automatic. Cassie clipped her seatbelt on and tightened it. Chetum laughed at her conscientiousness. This was going to be a rough trip.

With each stop they made, he slammed his foot on the brakes, causing Cassie to lurch forward. She held onto the dashboard several times, jamming her right fingers in the process. Doing schoolwork was going to be painful for a few days.

"Oh, did the little nerdy girl get hurt? I've broken bones on the field before. Toughen up, wimp."

Cassie couldn't understand why he had to be so mean to her, especially since he was a year older than her. It felt like he never left high school.

When he slammed on the brakes one more time, she exhaled in frustration, then begged, "Stop it!"

When he laughed at her, she looked in the back seat hoping for parental guidance. What she saw was more than she bargained for, as her mom and Brad shamelessly made out.

Cassie was appalled as she wordlessly protested, then abruptly turned around facing forward. Chetum gave her an evil grin as he began to tap on the brakes every two seconds, lurching her forward again and again. Audrey and Brad both giggled.

Her mom was usually so protective of her. Why wasn't she saying anything? Cassie glanced back again and the two lovebirds were still trying to lock lips despite Chetum's bumpy driving.

She'd have to trust that her stepbrother wasn't going to pull any more wild stunts, but that was asking too much, apparently.