Stepbrother Secrets Read online

  Stepbrother Secrets

  By Bailey Hull

  Copyright © 2015 Bailey Hull

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Prologue

  The girls love him, the guys wanna be him, and nobody wants to fight him. That’s life for Lincoln High School’s celebrated MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter Chase Crawford. For the last three years nearly every Lincoln High student, teacher, substitute teacher, janitor and parent roaming through the halls has been watching Chase Crawford tear through the MMA amateur ranks; unable to qualify for pro fights due to his age. Then everyone’s favorite student celebrity finally turned eighteen.

  The next morning the school was buzzing like a hive of bees that just got poked with a stick. The halls are rampant with rumors of a pro fight that is going to take place at the first opportunity following his birthday. If there is any truth to the rumors, Chase may already be scheduled to fight the undefeated teen legend simply known as The Beast. This will be the first sanctioned UCC (Ultimate Combat Championships) fight for either fighter. Nobody really knew the truth until fliers began to rain down on Lincoln High students during sixth period lunch.

  Chapter One

  Eastside Westside

  Friday Afternoon…

  My best friend in the world Megan and I have just dumped our books in our lockers and are heading for the amphitheater when the first of the red fliers begin to fall. They come swirling out over the roof of the English department carried along some invisible tempest. I snatch one out of the air and turn it over to read it. Megan’s excited squeals remind me that few people can read as fast as she can. In fact few people can do the things this girl can do with her brain.

  “Hey Jordan, look at this!” She exclaims. “He finally got his fight.”

  She of course is referring to Chase Crawford and his debut UCC fight against none other than The Beast. I guess the rumors were true after all. The unnamed fighter who goes by The Beast goes to Jefferson High, the polar opposite to Lincoln High School. The two schools are separated by the St. Lawrence River and a boatload of money and privilege. Lincoln’s parents are doctors, lawyers, scientists, CEO’s, CFO’s, and technology whizzes. Jefferson’s parents don’t have either the pedigree or the incomes to cross the river and mix with Lincoln families. This fight that’s taking place between the two seniors can only deepen the rift between the town’s haves and have not’s.

  “Jordan!” My best friend exclaims. “Have you even heard a word I’m saying?”

  “I’m sorry you lost me at hey Jordan. What’s so important that it has to interrupt my sulking?”

  “Again with the sulking?”

  “Sorry but this new woman my dad has been gaga over is going to come over this weekend. And guess what?”

  “What?”

  “Apparently she already has a kid. I swear to God if my dad tells me this is the one I’m gonna puke ‘cause it’ll be the fifth time he’s told me that since mom died. It’s like he’s allergic to being alone or something.”

  “Hey who knows, maybe your new brother or sister will be cool?”

  “Somehow I doubt that. There’s nothing cool about suddenly getting a sibling in your senior year of high school. I’ve been fine all my life as an only child and I’m not about to share my dad or our house with some other freeloader. What if he/she starts going to our school?”

  Megan returns her attention to the flier. I’m an only child and I’d really like it to stay that way. I just started my senior year in high school and I’m not ready to give up my status as queen bee at home.

  “You have to come with me.” Megan is saying.”

  “What?”

  “The fight. You’re coming with.”

  “Oh no, you got the wrong girl Megan.”

  Unlike 99% of Lincoln student body I am not a fan of MMA cage fighting. In fact I’m probably the only kid in school who likes the sport despite the fact that Chase Crawford is the school’s champion. Everyone here hates Jefferson High and I’m sure whoever is promoting this fight will do their best to pit the two schools and two sides of the town against each other. The last thing this town of 300 thousand people needs is another reason to hate each other.

  A few years ago there was a move to legally separate the two halves of town and make them two separate cities but some politician got involved and blocked it so he wouldn’t lose half of his tax base or some bullcrap like that. So our the town of Lincoln California remains a town divided neatly in half by the St. Lawrence river.

  I actually grew up in a series of foster homes west of the St. Lawrence River until I was around seven or eight when I was adopted and became Jordan Chouinard, the only daughter of a wealthy financial advisor to the wealthy and Mrs. Doctor Chouinard chief of surgery at Lincoln General Hospital. Once I was safely ensconced on the east side of the river my new parents never let me cross the bridge back to the other side again claiming that that part of town was crime riddled and unsafe. Megan’s mom is a doctor as well and her father is a physicist or something like that at St. Lawrence Laboratories. Megan was my first friend I made after being adopted and we’ve been best friends since. But things have changed. It’s been gradual shift towards everything having to do with money and power ever since her dad died the summer between eighth and ninth grades. I think she suddenly realized that nothing is guaranteed and it all can be lost in a moment’s notice. Her dad died of cancer same as my mom but it changed her in ways that my mom’s death didn’t change me. Sometimes I don’t even know her anymore.

  “Jordan.” Megan pleads. “Focus.”

  “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

  “I’m going to the fight and so are you.”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “Oh no, you’re going and you’re going to pretend to like it. This is Lincoln High versus Jefferson, we have to represent.”

  “That’s funny, I thought this was a fight between Chase and...” I pick up a flyer off of the ground again and look at it. “Between Chase and The Beast, whoever that is.” I finish.

  “And everyone knows it’s going to be Eastside against Westside.” She says. “It’s practically like the Civil War.”

  “Yeah…I don’t think you should be using that analogy to describe some dumb fight.”

  “Oh Jordan.” She replies. “You have so much to learn.”

  “Yeah…I’m not convinced you’re the right teacher for me.”

  The whole school is up in arms about the fight. It’s almost as if they think that a win by Chase will effectively abolish everyone west of the St. Lawrence thus ridding the town of the blight of the poor. Some are even claiming that those west of the river were once slaves to those east and nobody seems to see how completely nuts that line of thinking is. Both sides of the town are 95% Caucasian so it’s doubtful any side ever owned the other no matter how far in history you go back. Just goes to show you how completely illogical high school kids can be.

  “Don’t you wanna see Chase kick ass and take names? There’s nothing hotter than an unbelievably hot senior who knows how to take care of himself. The dude has like, three black belts in Karate or some shit like that. He can’t lose. The entire school is going to be

  “Fine. I’ll talk to my dad but I don’t k
now if he’s gonna be into me watching some boxing type match. He’s not a fan of violent sports. He doesn’t even watch football because their always hitting each other.”

  “Oh come on, if you don’t know how to manipulate your dad by now something’s really wrong in that head of yours.”

  “Fine, when’s it start?”

  “Nine. She replies. But I’ll pick you up at seven so we can make sure we get good seats.”

  “Fine.”

  “See you Sunday then?”

  “Maybe…” I reply. “I gotta see how this whole thing with my dad and his new woman goes. He likes to move fast. For all I know I may be attending a wedding Sunday.”

  “Yikes! I’ll never figure your dad out. How can he get so serious about someone he just met? I mean, I’ve heard of love at first sight an all, but that’s only supposed to happen once in your life right? With your dad it happens every six months.”

  “Yeah I can’t figure him out either. Ever since mom died he’s been a little nuts about everything and not just relationships.”

  “Yeah I remember that time he made the two of you go to that Ashram thing in the mountains for a week for some crazy reason. What was that for anyways?”

  “He wanted us to get in touch with our spiritual selves or some bullcrap like that. Anyways, I gotta go to my locker before class so I’ll see you later Meg.”

  “Later.”

  Chapter Two

  Family First

  Saturday at Five…

  Dad’s knocking on my door.

  “Jordan honey, I hope you’re in there getting ready. Rebecca’s going to be here in an hour.”

  “Almost ready dad.”

  “Well come down here soon as you are. I want to talk before they get here.”

  “Okay.”

  That doesn’t sound good at all. Why would he want to talk before she gets here? Maybe he just wants to make sure I’m on my best behavior or something. Lately our father daughter talks have been a little strained to say the least. Last time he wanted to talk to me about something his church was putting on to get girls to commit to staying virgins until marriage. I didn’t have the heart to tell him he was one year and two months too late. I can’t imagine what he wants to talk about this time. I take one last look in the mirror before going downstairs.

  I look tired, I conclude as I study my face in the mirror. I need a haircut. My long blond hair has been getting a little too long and unruly lately and my darker roots are beginning to show as well. My blue-green eyes are looking a little droopy and there’s no amount of mascara or eye shadow that’s going to fix what four hours of sleep a night has destroyed. My health is too high a price to pay for straight my less than perfect grades lately and my summer tan has already begun to fade. I look down at my chest and decide to throw on a sweater. I may not have a lot to show but I don’t subscribe to my best friend’s motto; if you got it flaunt it.

  When I go downstairs I find dad in his study reading. He looks good. Since he’s been dating this new woman he looks years younger. It’s not just that. He’s less stressed. He yells less and smiles more. Maybe this woman isn’t so bad for him after all.

  He looks up and closes his book when I rap on the door frame.

  “Come on in Jordy.” He says using my nickname.

  “What’s going on dad?”

  “I just want to give you a heads up about tonight.” He begins.

  I don’t like where this is heading already.

  “Heads up about what?” I ask.

  “I realize you have yet to meet Ms. Taylor or her son, but I have to do what my heart is telling me. I’m going to propose tonight.”

  Then he whips out a little silver box from his jacket pocket and holds it out to me. I take it and try to open it without dropping it from my trembling fingers. I gasp. I can’t help it. The rock on the thing must cost…I don’t know what it costs but it has to be a lot.

  “Do you think she’ll like it?” He asks.

  Dumb question. You’d have to be an idiot with a heart of stone not to be overwhelmed with it. It’s a simple platinum band with a rock that’s at least a carrot if not more. I don’t know much about diamonds but this one has to cost a fortune. There’s just one thing that confuses me though.

  “Dad, if this Rebecca is the one…” I begin. “Why are you not giving her mom’s ring?”

  “Because that was your mom’s ring. Nothing or no one can replace her and I will always love her. I don’t see how I could ever part with her ring. Rebecca is going to be my new wife and I love her so she gets a new ring.”

  I guess that makes sense.

  “So what do you think?” He asks.

  “She’ll love it.”

  “No I mean what do you think about me getting married again?”

  “How am I supposed to know dad? I’ve never met her. She seems to make you happy though. I don’t think I have seen you smile this much since before mom got sick. So yeah, I guess this is a good thing.”

  “Great, then it’s settled. I’m getting married.”

  “What do you mean settled? If I disagreed would you give the ring back and not get married?”

  “Nope. But it’s a relief having your blessing on the matter honey.”

  “I don’t know if I’d say I’m giving you my blessing. More like I wo-”

  “Hold that thought. I believe that’s the doorbell. They must be here.”

  He jumps up from his chair and I follow him to the front door. First he peers through the peep hole thingy, and then unlocks the door. He flashes me a huge smile as he unhooks the chain, then opens the door to my future.

  “Rebecca love!” He says and gives her a super long hug, then a quick kiss. “And this must be Brandon.”

  Brandon? Oh my god, he has to be a different Brandon. The Brandon I knew didn’t have a mom. Rebecca walks in and gives me the obligatory hug.

  “And you must be Jordan.” She says.

  “Nice to meet you Ms. Taylor.”

  “Jordan dear, I’d like you to meet my son Brandon.”

  She steps out of the doorway and standing in a beam of sunlight is the most gorgeous guy I have ever laid eyes on. He’s got one of those symmetrical faces, strong jawline, nice nose, full but not femininely full lips, dark eyebrows, long lashes and piercing blue-green eyes. That’s really what gets me; the color of his eyes. I remember the last vacation we went on as a family before mom got sick. We spent the summer in the tiny Central American country of Belize. It’s one the coast north of south of Mexico and North of Honduras. Inland the country is surrounded by Guatemala. We flew to Belize City, took a taxi from the airport to a water taxi terminal. From there we took a 45 minute boat ride to the very tiny spit of land called Caye Caulker. The second I saw the water I fell in love with it. It was this brilliant blue green, crystal clear, and so serene. Whenever I feel the need to calm down I just close my eyes and picture the water in Belize and the days I spent snorkeling and taking pictures of the sea creatures. It was, and still remains, one of the best times in my life. My parents were happier than I have ever seen them together. It was the most magical time of my life and one day I’d like to repeat it. Sadly if dad went he would just spend his time mourning mom and he would miss the joy of it.

  Brandon’s eyes are just like those waters. A girl could get lost looking into those eyes and look I do. His eyes give me that same serene sense of peace that I cannot seem to find anywhere else in the world.

  Abruptly I realize I’m staring. I look down and Brandon is extending his hand to shake. I stare at his forearm as we shake. His hand engulfs mine. I start to wince as he grips my hand but to my surprise he doesn’t crush my fingers. Something catches my attention. As we shake, his sleeve pulls back enough to reveal the edge of a brightly colored tattoo. I can’t tell from that flash what it was, but I could see the crisp quality of the work.

  “Hello Jordan.” He says.

  His voice is captivating. The way my name rolls off his tongue make
s my mouth seize up and I barely am able to mutter a hello as he walks by. What is wrong with me? I wonder as I follow everyone into the living room. Once seated the cooks begin setting the table while Chef Mario brings drinks for the adults and mineral water for Brandon and I.

  Dad and Rebecca seem to be having a great time. Even Brandon gets into the conversation and I’m left out in the cold, so to speak. I’m relieved with we’re summoned to the table by a Waterford crystal bell.

  All throughout dinner I sneak peeks at Brandon. He obviously works out. His button down shirt can barely contain the muscles of his chest. His biceps strain the fabric and every now and then I get another glimpse at his ink. It appears he has tattoos covering much of both arms. Strangely though, he has what appear to be hash marks on the fingers of his right hand. I try to count them as he’s eating but I keep losing track. I’m guessing there must be somewhere between 8-10 marks. Oddly enough it doesn’t detract from his good looks. It actually adds mystery; something that few boys in high school seem to possess. The more I watch him the more drawn to him I become. Can this be the Brandon I knew so long ago? I just knew him as Brandon and he was like an older brother to me. I shake my head to clear my thoughts before this gets any more uncomfortable than it already is.

  “Everything okay honey?” My dad asks.

  “What?”

  “I saw you shaking your head. Do you have a headache?”

  “Me…uh no. I-I thought there was a gnat or something flying around my face so I shook my head.”

  “Oh…” He looks at me quizzically, then resumes his conversation with Ms. Taylor.

  I’m relieved when dinner is finally over and we retire to the den for more talk and drinks. Then I remember what is happening tonight and I get all nervous again. What if she doesn’t feel the same way as dad does? She seems to be into him but it’s hard to tell. Of course I haven’t really been paying much attention to her so I don’t know. After about an hour things begin be winding down so dad picks this moment to pop the question. As he’s talking I use the distraction to study Brandon again. I want to know if he is okay with his mom marrying my dad but he keeps a poker face, albeit a handsome one, the entire time.