Her Stepbrother (Love Triangle)

Chapter-10

Chelsea

Honestly, I shouldn’t have asked Kevin to come with me to my little sister’s birthday party. Especially, after the kiss he and I shared.

Arguably, I should have stood my ground, remained strong, and not invited my stepbrother particularly after acknowledging Kevin and I need distance between us, but I didn’t. Apparently, my weaknesses had gotten the best of me, considering I wasn’t emotionally competent of coming alone.

“Don’t forget, you promised me you would keep your hands to yourself, Kevin.” I remind my stepbrother as we wander side by side toward my father’s front door.

Kevin flattens his shirt down, straightening the tiny wrinkles out of his flannel. “Although promising to keep my hands off you is the most challenging promise I have made to you, Chelsea, I intend to keep it.”

Honestly, I didn’t think Kevin would come with me today, particularly because I walked away from him yesterday after our kiss, ditching him in the pouring down rain. Admittedly, walking away from him was complicated to do considering he remained by my side after everything that had taken place yesterday with Jessica.

Unquestionably, Kevin puts me first, and I always put him last, or use him as a crutch as I regretfully am today.

Unmistakably, kissing Kevin was a moment of weakness, and I have regretted it ever since. I feel so much guilt within my heart for cheating on Jason, and it’s tearing me up on the inside to keep this secret from Jason.

“Thank you for coming with me, Kevin.” Kevin nods as he rings my father’s doorbell.

“Where is Jason?” I should have known Kevin couldn’t go a day without mentioning my boyfriend.

“Jason claimed he was busy today and could not come with me.” I fidget as I lie.

“Try again,” Kevin remarks. Of course, my stepbrother would call me out on my bullshit.

“Busted,” I retort as I smile. “I haven’t told Jason anything yet. Things have been different between Jason and me since we became a couple.” I keep it simple instead of going into too many details about how much Jason has changed, and how dramatic our relationship has been since being a couple.

“Have you told Jason about our kiss?” Kevin questions softly.

I turn around quickly, studying Kevin. “Why would I tell Jason when our kiss meant nothing.” The unpalatable lie that spits out my mouth effortlessly saddens me. Regardless, I have to lie to Kevin to protect my heart and secure my relationship with Jason.

Unfortunately, I have to continue lying to maintain a secure distance between Kevin and myself otherwise, I’ll upset Jason.

Thank god, Emily opens the door before Kevin responded. “You came,” Emily states cheerfully, smiling from ear to ear.

“She looks exactly like you,” Kevin adds.

“Who is that?” Emily inquires, pointing toward Kevin.

“My stepbrother,” I introduce her. “His name is Kevin.”

“My brother isn’t here yet. He’s still at the store buying me a birthday present. And he wouldn’t tell me what it is.” She pouts as she crosses her arms.

I wasn’t aware that my little sister had a brother since my father didn’t mention having another child. Then again, my father and barely communicated.

I crouch down to Emily’s level and hand her a present. Instead of opening the gift, she wraps her little arms around my neck. Uncontrollably, tears descend down my cheeks and I’m incapable to bury the emotions I harbored inside all these years.

The teardrops descend one drop after another, and I cannot stop them.

Importantly, I don’t want to stop them.

I want to unleash years of heartache and resentment so I can move forward in life.

The jealousy I had harbored toward this beautiful little girl had completely vanished.

Finally, I accept reality. I have a little sister. Regardless of how I have a sister and how it happened, she is my sister. And, we’re both innocent, and I cannot fault her for the affair my father had.

Emily gazes at me with sympathy. “Why are you crying, Chelsea?” She investigates.

I twist her curls, which resemble my own. “It doesn’t matter,” I advise her, smiling through my tears.

“It matters because you’re my sister.” Emily just won my heart over with her adorable sweetness.

I take a deep breath. “I’m crying because I have always wanted a sister, as well. And now I finally have one. So, they are happy tears.”

“I was hoping you would come to my birthday party, Chelsea. I always asked Daddy to tell me stories about you.”

“It’s true.” My father verifies, signaling for Kevin and me to come inside. “Emily never lets me read her a bedtime story. She prefers to hear every memory of you I have in here.” He points to his temple.

“Daddy said you like chocolate ice cream, and so do I. Chocolate ice cream is my favorite.” I swipe at my tears as I stare down at this little girl with so much happiness overflowing my heart.

Before my dad had left, he had always taken me to the ice cream parlor and allowed me to eat chocolate ice cream until I couldn’t eat anymore.

I remember my mother becoming infuriated with him, screaming that he ruined dinner. I recall her complaining until she would finish cleaning the kitchen screaming about how she wasted all those hours cooking for nothing since my dad and I would fill up on ice cream.

Unhesitatingly, I walk toward my father and hug him. My dad stands stiffly for a second, choked on a sob, and throws his arms around me. “I’m delighted you came,” he expresses.

“Me too,” I mumble into his chest.

My mother and father had a lot of disagreements while they were together. Through it all, my dad was the most incredible father to me. Thus, I refuse to continuously allow the past to follow me to my future. From here on out, I refuse to allow my parents’ troubles to become mine.

“I don’t know how to roller skate Chelsea.” I snicker at my little sister as she looks at the roller skates I bought her for her birthday.

I could roller skate when I was Emily’s age, therefore I assumed she could. If I had known she couldn’t, I would have bought her something else for her birthday. “I’ll teach you,” I assure her.

“Jason,” Emily squeals, taking me by surprise, as nobody knew I was here except for Kevin.

Immediately, Emily dashes toward Jason, and jumps off her feet, as Jason catches her in midair.

I sense Kevin take his place beside me as I stare at Jason holding Emily. “What are you doing here?” I ask, shockingly.

Jason regards me, his eyes wide, you would think he was looking at a ghost.

Lori strides into the dining room. “The cake is ready.” She glances toward Jason. “I’m glad you made it back just in time for cake.”

Emily holds onto Jason’s neck. “This is my brother, Chelsea.” She points toward me. “That’s my sister, Jason. Her name is Chelsea.”

All those times I mentioned my sister to Jason, and Jason knew her.

I’m devastated, disgusted, and upset at Jason for keeping this secret from me the entire time.

“What’s going on?” My father questions.

“How do—” I stumble over my words, “Why is he here?” I point toward Jason.

“He’s Lori’s son. My stepson.” Dad raised not one, but two children when he left me.

Jason had to know John was my father since he wasn’t a stranger to my family or my past. I have known Jason since elementary school. Thus, he was there for me through it all.

Oh, God, Jason f*****g knew and said nothing. “Kevin, I want to leave.”

Jason rushes toward me. “Let me explain.”

“Oh no. It’s too late for that now. The time to explain is long gone.” I shriek.

As Lori stands next to her son, I observe her closely, and recognition slams into me full force, “You were my mom’s best friend.” I mutter more to myself. “How could you?” I question, loudly seeking answers.

“Take Emily outback and don’t cut the cake until I deal with this situation.” My father announces to Lori instead of allowing her to answer me.

Of course, Dad would summon his wife to take their child and leave. Apparently, running is his answer to everything.

Jason attempts to seize my hand. “Please, Chelsea, let me explain.”

Kevin smacks Jason’s hand away, removing my hand from Jason’s hold. “She said she doesn’t want to talk. Keep your hands off her.” Kevin expresses firmly, standing tall, squaring his shoulders.

“Somebody, please tell me what the f**k is going on.” My dad hollers.

“Fine, dad,” I answer sarcastically, venom spilling out with every word. “I have been f*****g your stepson.”

My dad’s eyes widen. I believe he is shell-shocked. How the hell does he think I feel?

“We’re more than a f**k, and you know that, Chelsea,” Jason insists desperately.

“Everything with you has been nothing but a lie.” I sneer.

Our entire friendship was based on a lie, and so is our relationship. “I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell you that your father cheated on your mother with my mother.”

“Secrets are f*****g lies,” I scream. “You’ve kept this from me and made me believe you f*****g loved me. That’s not love Jason.” The whole time, I have been in a relationship with my stepbrother and wasn’t even aware of the situation.

Jason rushes forward, attempting to come closer to me. Hastily, I step backward. “Move.” Jason seethes as Kevin stands in front of me, shielding me from Jason.

“Hell no. Not this time. You hurt her.” Kevin brings his arm back and slams it forward, smashing his fist into Jason’s jaw.

Jason and Kevin continuously swing their hands, throwing punch after punch, until my father breaks it up.

“Cut the s**t out,” my dad wails. “Today is my daughter’s sixth birthday, and you guys are ruining it for her. While you guys are in here throwing hands, trying to kill each other, my daughter is outside waiting for her birthday cake.”

“Your daughter?” I quiz mockingly. “While your daughter is perfectly content and unknowing of the situations surrounding her. Your other daughter, the firstborn whose feelings you seemed to overlook has just discovered that the boy who she assumed was her best friend for years who is now her lover, is her f*****g stepbrother. And, all you seem to care about is a birthday party. What about me, dad?”

Everything is too much to emotionally tolerate and deal with.

Secrets destroy everything.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Chelsea,” Dad replies apologetically.

In a flash, Kevin draws me into his arms, and I go voluntarily. I soak his shirt with tears while he comforts me.

Jason lures closer, speaking as he walks. “I didn’t know how to tell you it was my mother your dad had an affair with. I was petrified of losing you as my best friend if you knew it was my mother. I couldn’t tell you, Chelsea, because I have always loved you, and I didn’t want anything to destroy our friendship. Obviously, it was too late to tell you when we became a couple, considering I cannot imagine my life without you, Chelsea. Therefore, I didn’t tell you because I don’t want to lose you.”

I smack Jason across his face so hard my hand stings. “You could have informed me, but you didn’t, because you’re selfish, Jason. Clearly, you were worried about your wants and needs over mine. The entire time, you knew I was your stepsister and didn’t think it was important to tell me out of fear of what would happen to us.”

Finally, everything falls into place. I understand why Jason would never allow me to meet his family or take me to his house. If he did, he would introduce me to not only his family but my family as well.

All those times I cried to Jason after my parents’ divorce, and the abandonment I felt from dad leaving, and the numerous times I mentioned having a sister, he knew.

He f*****g knew.

Jason spilled one lie after another to keep me away from his family, not because of family issues. Simply, because Jason didn’t want me to know he was hiding something from me.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Kevin questions, loosening his arms from around me.

“Yes.” My voice breaks. I walk by Kevin, following him to the door, ready to leave, and never look back.

Jason clutches my wrist in his hand. “I f*****g love you, Chelsea. Please, understand I kept this a secret to protect you, and to protect our relationship.” Jason kisses the inside of my wrist. Immediately, I snatch my wrist from him, feeling disgusted. “I was madly in love with you then, and I still am Chelsea,” He admits.

Ignoring him, feeling empty inside, I take hold of Kevin’s arm, hooking my arm through his, and quietly follow Kevin.

Jason tugs on my other hand, attempting to lure me back. “Please don’t walk away from me. I promise to tell you everything.”

“It’s too late for that, Jason.” I keep my head bowed and allow Kevin to lead the way out of the house.

Jason should have thought about everything before keeping such a tremendous secret from me.

Here I was, upset with myself for not telling Jason about the kiss Kevin and I shared when his secret was far worse than mine. My secret is a walk in the park compared to the secret Jason was keeping.

The entire time Jason accused me of loving and wanting my stepbrother, and sadly, I was.

Only it wasn’t Kevin.

It was Jason.

I feel nauseated and emotionally drained.

After climbing into the passenger seat, I break down, dropping my head into my hands, wailing loudly, freeing all the heartbreak.

Instead of driving away from my father’s house, Kevin hauls me into his lap and comforts me as my body convulses while I cry in his arms.

I cannot believe Jason would hide such an enormous secret from me. And an important one at that.

Apparently, Jason learned he was my stepbrother and hadn’t told me anything.

Devastated, I remain here on Kevin’s lap, crying over everything that had taken place.

I cry for the times Jason and I shared. For my past that continues to break me. I cry for my pathetic, miserable life, and how happiness is short-lived.

Most of all, I cry because Jason left me in the dark. And that hurt me the most.