Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother

(Theo)

I shot back the cool bourbon I had in my glass, feeling the liquid burn down my throat as I made sure to drink every last drop.

"Another." I said firmly, staring down at the now-empty glass as I saw the bartender nod once before fulfilling my wish.

Eight f*****g days..that's how long it's been since Ava stormed out of the hotel and hasn't spoken to me..

She hasn't shown up at work..not even her damn apartment..and I have no clue where she could be.

I f****d up..bad.

"Are you insane Theo?! You want me to have your child? What about what I want? Did you even think to ask me that?" Ava yelled at me, making me go to reach for her as she quickly turned away.

"I thought you would be different..I thought after last night..that you might actually..nevermind..I have been such a fool." She breathed, emotion filling her voice as it completely caught me off guard.

"I'm just a tool..an object to perform any task you deem fit.."

"Ava..don't be ridicu.."

"No..what you did..it's inexcusable..what if I end up pregnant? Thank god I'm supposed to start my damn period in a few days..but still..the chances are still there Theo. Do you seriously think you are ready to be a dad?" She asked, making me blink my eyes rapidly as her words struck me deeply. I mean..I didn't know what to think..or feel..this s**t was all new to

me.

I don't know what is wrong with me or why I was acting this way..the feeling hit me like a ton of bricks and I started to imagine what life would be like to have a child..no..to have a family.

"I can't even do this right now.." Ava blurted, and turned on her heel before going to the other room.

"Ava..let's just talk about this.." I rushed out, following behind her hastily as I began to panic. Is she going to leave? She can't leave..

"You had your chance to talk..I'm done with this Theo..I can't..I have already given you way too much.." She choked out, making my eyes widen as I realized she was crying.

The sight of her made my heart clench as I wished I could take it back..I wished I could have a f*****g do over and realize how stupid that was.

I watched as she quickly pulled on her panties before slipping on a pair of leggings and a hoodie.

I didn't know what to do..or what to say..or why all of this was even happening to begin with.

I just stood there watching..and then..she went to leave.

"Ava wait..let my driver take you back at least." I rushed out, gripping her arm as she stiffened beneath me.

Her body was turned away from me, making it so I couldn't see her face as I watched her head nod up and down once before she yanked her arm from my grasp.

"I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for Theo..don't call me again..l quit."

And that was the last I heard from her..even her mom doesn't know where she has gone..at least that's what she is telling me..and it's driving me f*****g insane.

"Well, I thought I would find you here..but you're a few weeks early aren't you?" My best friend Keith said before coming to sit beside me.

"Go away." I grumbled, not feeling like having company right now..all I wanted was Ava..and I hated that I couldn't find her. "Well, aren't we grumpy.." Keith muttered before ordering a beer and glancing over at me.

"I have a feeling this one isn't about your mom..is it?" He asked, making me shoot him a deadly glare as I lifted my newly filled drink and drank it all in one go.

"Fuck..I can't believe it..this is about a girl isn't it." He added before laughing as he slapped my back.

"I knew it..I f*****g knew this would happen one day..what is it..is she married?" He asked, making me really debate on punching him in the face.

"Wait..oh god..I can't believe it..she isn't into you is she?" He asked, making me slam my drink down as he lifted his hand in surrender.

"Seriously? Who would've thought that would ever happen?" He muttered, actually seeming surprised.

"Wow..I'm sorry dude..was she not into your lifestyle or something?"

"I offered her a contract and she declined it."

"Why don't you just ask her out on a normal date then?" He offered, making me sigh.

"There's no point..it's already too late." I grumbled..Where was this fucker when I could've used him?

"Okay, what aren't you telling me?" He asked suspiciously, making me wince at how well he knew me. "I..might've come on a little too strong.." I admitted, not telling the whole story as I glanced away from him. "How strong Theo?" "I told her I wanted her to have my child..and I might've acted on it..without her being on board."

Keith spat out his beer and started choking on it, causing everyone around us to stare as I patted his back.

"Calm the hell down dude.."

"Calm down? What the f**k is wrong with you?!" He whispered-yelled before clearing his throat and trying to catch his breath.

I just dropped my head..feeling like an absolute prick as I knew I f****d up big time.

"I know..I just..I didn't know what else to do!" I confessed, feeling the alcohol starting to take effect.

"Well fuck..there's a lot you could've done dude..like many many many steps before that. Jesus Christ man." He muttered, looking at me in shock as I knew he was right..

There were so many damn things I could've done..no..that I should've done..I just..I panicked.

"I know life has been hard ever since your mom passed Theo..I know it was tough..but you have to realize it was out of your control..she was sick dude. But the impact it had.." He trailed off..and I knew what he wanted to say.

I knew that it f****d me up. Losing my mom at 16..I had never felt so out of control in my life. There was absolutely nothing we could do..we had the money..we had the resources..we had it all and yet it did nothing.

From that day on, I tried to be in control of every possible situation I could. And I had been..until Ava came along. She threw my whole world out of orbit and I don't know what the hell to do.

Now she will probably never speak to me again and I f****d up the only thing that ever made me feel alive since my mom was here..no..the only person that made me FEEL in general.

"Wow..this chick has really gotten to you hasn't she?" Keith asked, making me nod my head as I rested it in my arms on the counter in front of me.

"Now I have no idea where the f**k she is..and I'm pretty sure if I did find her, she would want nothing to do with me anyways." I mumbled, glancing towards Keith as I realized he wasn't even paying attention to me anymore. "Hey..isn't that your stepsister? The one I met in your office?" He asked, pointing towards the dance floor that was off to the side.

I felt my heart leap into my throat, my eyes widening as I slowly turned my head..and sure enough..there she was dancing in a circle with a couple of girls.

Well, shit..what are the damn chances?