Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother

(Johnnie)

"You ready baby?" Capsian asked, his hand squeezing mine as we stood outside of the restaurant doors.

It's been a week since I received that text from my mom and today was the dinner..to say I was nervous is an understatement.

Anna gave me a pep talk before coming here and told me to do some stretching before the a*s-kicking I should give my Mom.

I couldn't help but laugh..of course Anna would do that. She even offered to come and do it for me. But truthfully, I was hoping the night would not end like that...I started to really think about it.

My mom wasn't always this type of person..growing up..she actually was pretty awesome. At least the memories I had of her..she seemed to love our family..always smiling and laughing. And with the way she looked at my dad, I never would've guessed she had this huge secret hiding just beneath the surface.

I truly thought they were happy and in love..she hid it all so well. Even the way she spoke about Viva and how they were best friends for so many years. There were so many freaking lies..I just don't know what's the truth anymore.

"I'm ready." I told Cas before looking up at him. His big blue eyes seemed to fill with some type of emotion as he suddenly turned and gripped my face between his hands.

"If you want to leave at any point..we will okay?" He said, making me nod as he bent down, kissing my lips sweetly. "Besides..my mom offered to keep Everett overnight. So I'm ready to bail now if you are." He added playfully, making me laugh before kissing him back.

"You would like that wouldn't you." I muttered, watching my husband's big head nod up and down hastily.

"How about after this..if you are a good boy, I will reward you." I said, knowing Caspian might actually be the one to try and fight my mom.. Obviously he wouldn't hit her or anything..as much as he might want to..

"Yes ma'am." He quipped before snacking his arm around my waist and reaching down to squeeze my ass.

"You just had to wear the blue dress didn't you.." He added before holding onto me possessively and making our way into the building. "Everett spilled milk on the other one! I had no choice."

"Sure baby..likely excuse..one guy looks your way and I'm knocking him out." He teased..but a part of me knew that he wasn't joking..

A few months ago when I left Everett with Viva, I decided to surprise Caspian at an away game and got us a hotel room and everything..well..what I didn't expect was to get hit on by one of the opposing hockey team members.. Yeah..Caspian beat the s**t out of him and even got a penalty..

I won't lie though..it was sexy as hell..maybe I encourage him too much..

We stepped towards the hostess stand as a woman in a black dress jotted something down onto a piece of paper before looking up at us.

"Do you have a reservation?" She asked, glancing between Caspian and I before he nodded yes.

"It should be under King for six people." He answered, making the woman nod before grabbing two menus.

"Come this way, three of your party members have already arrived." She explained and led us towards a table in the back.

That's where I saw my dad, brother, and Robin sitting and waiting for us.

"Here you go, a waiter will be over soon to get you some drinks."

"Good..because we are going to need it." My brother grumbled, making Robin roll her eyes before standing and giving me a hug.

"Hey Jo, you doing okay?" She asked softly, making me nod as I smiled up at her the best I could.

It's crazy to think how far Robin has come..I know in the past she truly hated anything involving conflict. She never really explained why fully..but she talked about the fights her mom and dad used to get into.

I always thought it was her dad who did the yelling, but one day I was with her when she received a call from her mom and it was horrible.

I wasn't sure if her mom had been drinking or what but she went off on Robin..calling her a horrible daughter and all this ridiculous stuff. I eventually yanked the phone from Robin's hand and just hung up on her mom for her. She just sat there taking it..so I kind of understand more about why that stuff was hard for her in the past.

I know she was nervous about having the twins too because of that...but she is such a great mom..she spoils those girls with so much love..and stuff..but Ben is no better. He treats all of the women in his life like royalty.

"Hey kiddo, how was Everett?" My dad asked as Caspian pulled a chair out for me to sit down on.

"A little too good if you ask me..he didn't even cry or anything..he just said bye mama! and ran to his grandma.." I grumbled, making my dad and Ben laugh.

"Don't worry..the girls always do that too.." Ben added as I glanced over at him. I could see his leg bouncing up and down nervously.

"You doing okay Benji?" I asked, making him shrug as he opened his mouth to say something but quickly glanced behind me instead.

"Shit..she actually came." He rushed out, causing my body to tense as Caspian slid his palm behind my back before resting it on my outer thigh protectively. "Remember baby, just say the word and we are gone. That goes for everyone." Capsian stated lowly, glancing over to Ben and my dad as we all nodded in agreement. Suddenly a woman with short bright red hair came walking over, causing my eyes to widen as I barely even recognized my mom. She looked completely different... Obviously she dyed her hair..she also looks like she put on some weight and was wearing a long-sleeved dark green dress with matching high heels. She looked older..like...a lot older.

"Hi." She whispered, glancing around the table before landing on me and then Ben..I could see the tears forming already as she glanced down at the empty chair. "Is..is it okay if I sit down?" She asked, making me nod as I shifted in my chair slightly.

It almost felt like we were meeting a stranger for the first time..

I know after the Dave stuff happened, mom moved to California and lived with an old friend or something. I couldn't even think of someone we had met who lived there truthfully. But she would try to call every now and then..and occasionally I would answer. But I hadn't seen her in person since all of that..

"You two..you look so grown." She stared, making Ben reach forward and grab his drink.

"That's what three years will do to you mom." He stated coldly, making my mom nod before looking over at my dad now. "Neal..thank you for coming as well. I know you all had a good reason not to come..but..I just..I wanted to say what I have to say in person." She explained, making my brow furrow as I glanced over at Ben and Robin.

What does she have to say? Is she going to try to explain herself and finally take accountability for everything she did?

"And what is it that you have to say, Heather?" My dad asked, his face hard with emotion as I was surprised by the anger that came from his voice.

"Well......." She began before bursting into tears, surprising every single one of us as we looked at one another awkwardly.

"I'm sorry..I made a huge mistake..and now..now I don't know if I have time to fix it." She sniffled, making Caspian sigh as he leaned over the table and looked at her in disbelief.

"And why is that Heather?" He asked in a bored tone.

"Because I think Dave is trying to have me killed."