STEPBROTHER (R-18) novel Chapter 49

Scarletts P.O.V

Sleep is just as disrupted in your dorm as it is at home, only instead of waking in sweat with your heart pounding from another emotional tense dream, you awake to the sound of your phone blaring obnoxiously.

Probably Bri, drunk and babbling.

You glance at the phone, eyes widening when you realise its three in the morning and as you suspected, its Bri.

"Hello?"

You hate how your words are raspy from your dry throat, but she shouldn't expect anything less considering she's just bombarded you at 3am.

"What dorm building is yours?"

"Why?"

"Guess who's here to surprise you?"

"Satan. Its 3am."

She giggles from the other end.

"Nope! Me! Want me to come up? Or should I wait for you out here?"

You groan, rubbing at your eyes as you register her words

"How the hell did you get here? Its a six hour drive, bitch"

"Girl... when I'm determined, I get shit done. I missed you! And I don't start for another few weeks, so a bitch. Coming to visit you"

You roll your eyes and laugh.

I shouldn't be surprised

You pull the blankets off you, and swing your legs around to press your feet to the ground.

"I shouldn't put it past you. You won't be able to get in the building. I'm coming down to let you in."

I swear if I get yelled at for this shit...

"Yay!"

"I look like shit"

"Oh who cares"

You groan, dragging your fingers through your hair hoping it doesn't look completely fucked in the event you run back into Frankie. Not that you're really interested in him, you just figure he's a better distraction than the depressing misery of Olivers absence.

"You haven't been drinking have you?"

You shove your feet in the soft pink slippers you bought and march out into the hallway in your thin, cotton shorts and t-shirt, aware that your nipples are hard from the cool air in the hall.

"You do impulsive shit when you drink"

"How the hell would I drive here if I was drunk?"

"You'd find a way"

You scan the hallway, relieved you manage to get into the elevator without bumping into anyone.

"Yeah, you're right"

You sigh.

"Ive been having a shit time honestly"

"I know"

She knows me so well, there's no denying how heartbroken I am, with her.

"I miss him. Oliver. He's literally all I can think about. I met some guy today-"

"You met a guy?"

you chuckle

Why for her to make it sound completely scandalous

"Yes, I met a guy... he practically ran into me"

"Cute?"

"I guess, but he doesn't fucking compare to Oliver"

"Really?"

"Not even close. It just felt... I don't know. His name is Frankie"

She 'hm's' on the other end.

"Are you almost out here? I'm a little chilly"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah... I'm coming"

Once the elevator reaches the ground floor, you spot the side entrance that leads directly to the parking lot, frowning when you don't see her jumping animatedly in front of the door.

"Where the hell are you?"

"Just hurry, bitch"

She barks from the other end.

"Quiet, or I'll let you freeze"

You parade over to the door, shoving it open with your key card clutched in the other hand so you can get back in your room, and you frown when you walk out a few feet and spot Oliver like a phantom, standing beside Bri's car.

"Bri..."

"He wanted to surprise you. I thought it was a good idea. Really only drove him here because he was drunk fo the first three hours whining about you. He's sobered up now"

Tears are in your eyes immediately upon seeing him. Your arms drop down to your side, the phone dangling loosely in your fingers as he begins walking towards you. His arms are outstretched, and it takes everything in you not to run into them.

"I cant do it. Okay? I cant fucking let you go. It doesn't matter how hard I try"

He keys his arms slap back down to his sides and shrug. His words make your tears spill relentlessly down our cheeks as he stops a few feet in front of you.

He's here... he's actually fucking here. I cant believe it.

"What are you doing?"

"I thought it was what was best for you. Leaving you alone so you could go to college and do everything you dreamed of. But I'm a selfish man"

He shakes his head, caring eyes searching your face as he swallows visibly.

"I want you. I know I should've just let you go. Enjoy college as best you could. I know you'd forget about me eventually. I was okay with that... or I'd convinced myself I was"

Enjoy college without him? Its been a fucking nightmare...

"What are you saying, Oliver?"

His eyes flutter closed, savouring his name in your tongue as he takes a deep breath, as if hearing you say that is the first breath, as if hearing you say that is the first breath of fresh air he's received in weeks. He presses his hand against his chest and slowly shakes his head as he opens his eyes again.

"I'm saying I lied"

"You lied?"

"I even paraded a woman in your face just to convince you we were over, when I wasn't even fucking convinced. So yes. I fucking lied. I love you. Its selfish, but I love you"

He loves me... of course he does.

"So what do you say?"

He gives you a small smile, but his eyes are guarded, worried. He's bearing his soul and expecting to get hurt... pain he's used to.

He's everything over ever wanted.

"I was waiting for you. I love you too..."

"I shouldn't have pushed you away. It was stupid of me."

You move quickly, throwing yourself in his arms, tears sliding easily down your cheeks as your throat is raw from joyful tears as he kisses your mouth desperately.

"Oh Scarlett. I'm never letting you go again"

"Don't you dare"

"I wont"

He presses his lips against your head and holds you firmly against his chest, where you melt because its the only place that truly feels like home to you.

"Guess Frankie is shit out of luck"

You laugh, resting your head on his shoulder.

That's so something he would say...

"I guess he is"