AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Evil Stepbrother: I own you now.
That’s when I notice a video above the text. Without hesitation, I tap play.
No. No. No!
My mind goes blank, my body completely numb aside from the continuous pounding in my head.
This can’t be happening. This isn’t real. There’s no way in hell I would get on top of a counter in front of all those people and dance. Holy fuck! I’m practically flashing everyone around me.
But there I am. Dancing to my heart’s content. Moving like no one is watching and acting like I don’t care about anything.
How did this happen, and why can’t I remember any of it?
With a shaky hand, I type out a text to Rome and hit send.
Me: Who recorded this? And who else has seen it?
There’s so much more I want to ask, but those two questions are most important right now. This video cannot get out. My life will be over.
But that’s exactly what Rome wants. He wants to destroy my future the same way I destroyed his.
Even if no one else has seen the video, that doesn't mean this is the only one. Someone else could have recorded me up there. Everyone could have recorded me up there.
This is bad. This is really fucking bad.
My hands won’t stop shaking as I hold my phone out in front of me, waiting impatiently for Rome to respond. I’m not ready to go upstairs yet. It’s Saturday morning and I know my mom is here. By the scent of bacon and toast, I’m certain everyone is in the kitchen.
The next thing I know, the door to the basement opens and the sound of footsteps thudding down the stairs rings in my ear.
I lift my head slightly, turning my eyes in the direction of Rome coming off the steps.
“Good morning, Freckles. Sleep well?”
I jump to my feet, regretting it instantly when all the blood rushes to my head. I cringe, putting a hand over my forehead while trying to hide my ailments. “Don’t good morning me, asshole!” I hold my phone up, showing him the video. “What the hell is this?”
He points a finger at my phone, grinning. “That’s you dancing like a little whore with a slew of guys looking up your dress.”
Oh my God. What in the world have I done?
Feeling dizzy, I sit back down on the couch. It feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest and his trunk just keeps smacking me in my head over and over again.
I shake my head in disappointment with myself. “Why didn’t anyone stop me from doing that? Where were my people when all this was taking place?”
Granted, I don't have many, but I do have a couple friends, and siblings who should have pulled me down and slapped some sense into me.
“Depends on which people you’re referring to because half the party was probably watching you.”
“Stop.” I hold my hand up while palming my face with the other one, pain slicing through me while I try to process this. “Please stop. I can’t hear anymore. It’s too humiliating.”
“Humiliating.” He exhales audibly. “Let me tell you what’s humiliating.” I lift my eyes to see him standing tall in front of me, his fists balled at his sides. “Getting an offer to play ball at the same school your father, and your grandfather, attended then having it ripped away in a split second.”
“Rome, I said I’m?—”
“I’m not finished,” he stammers. Unlocking his fists, he stretches his fingers, only to clench them tighter. “Being the star quarterback who everyone expected to carry the team to state, then being benched for half the season.”
When he steps forward, his knees hitting mine, I sink into the couch, cowering away from him. Not because I’m scared, but because the guilt is agonizing. The way Rome looks at me, it’s as if he wants to kill me. And now, realizing what I’ve done to him after he tried to help me, I might just let him.
“Rome,” I say softly, only to be interrupted again.
