Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother

(Caspian)

I pressed my lips to Johnnie's forehead, my eyes wandering down to her sleeping face. I couldn't help but stare, admiring her beauty before a frown eventually formed, feeling my gaze drift over to the spot her mom slapped her.. Her cheek was still red and her eyes were all puffy from crying.

I could've killed that woman..she put her hands on MY Johnnie and it made me see red..I hope Johnnie cuts her out..seriously. After what her mom did, that is unforgivable, and we all know she will eventually come crawling back. I quickly slipped out of bed, it was eight o'clock and we were all at the new rental place that my mom was able to get for us. It's further away from the beach but more isolated at least.

I glanced over my shoulder once more, making sure my wife was asleep as I gently shut the door before letting out the breath I had been holding.

My mom wanted to speak with me..I knew I was in trouble. But for what exactly, I'm not sure yet..could be many things..the fact that I kept the affair from her all of these years..or how Johnnie and I got married without her..maybe both. I walked across the house and saw my mom sitting out on the back patio through the sliding glass window.

That's when I noted Alder was in the kitchen with Milo. I felt like a dick.. Milo had to go through all of this s**t and have his summer ruined by our family drama.

Seems like he and Alder are getting closer at least. I noticed he has been on his phone a lot too and I have a feeling who it is he has been talking to. Considering Anna seemed to know about what happened even before Johnnie even called her. So my money is on that..

"Hey, is she still pretty pissed off?" I asked my brother sheepishly as he and Milo turned around to look at me. They both nodded their heads before Alder threw a bottle of water at me, prompting me to catch it mid-air. "This should be fun." I muttered.

"How's Jo doing?" Milo asked, making my heart ache.

"She's just fell asleep but I think she is feeling a little better."

"This is so f****d up..to think Ben has been your half-brother this whole time." Milo said in disbelief..and yeah..it is f*****g crazy.

"I guess the part that he is our brother doesn't freak me out..he always felt like a brother to me. It's the lies they told that piss me off." Alder responded and I nodded in agreement. I always felt that brotherly connection with Ben too..but who would've thought it would be legit? He decided to go lay down with Robin as well..I thought it was for the best. The last thing we need is Ben getting drunk or something and really going off.

"At least Johnnie isn't.." Milo began and I shot him a deadly glare.

"Don't even.." I grumbled..not even wanting to entertain that thought. Johnnie is my wife and I love her with everything in me. The fact that Ben is both of our brothers is weird enough..I don't want to imagine if she..nope...not going to do it. Not only because of the gross aspect of it all..but because it hurts my heart to think something like that could've torn us apart..that our stupid a*s parents could've ruined everything.

"Sorry dude." Milo laughed before smiling sheepishly and I just sighed and glanced out the glass door once again.

"I better get this over with..and then do you guys want to go for a swim?" I asked, seeing Milo's expression light up. Yeah... should spend some time with him..even if the thought of leaving Johnnie to sleep by herself f*****g kills me...I'm already so clingy.. Alder and Milo agreed and I took a deep steadying breath before walking out onto the patio where my mom sat with a blanket wrapped around her as the cool night air blew past us.

"Hey." I said awkwardly while slipping my hands into my pockets, making her eyes dart to me.

"Sit with me." She stated firmly, and I could tell I was in for it as I swallowed hard and squeezed into the bench next to her.

I sat there awkwardly as my mom let out a long sigh..listen..she is a small lady, but she can still kick my a*s if she wanted to...

"Caspian..why didn't you tell me?" She asked, and I had to guess which thing she was talking about and decided it must've been the affair.

"I just didn't want to make things worse..and dad..I didn't want to disappoint him." I confessed, making her turn towards me before reaching out and gripping my hand.

"What your father did..it was horrible..and I'm sorry son..I'm sorry I didn't press you further..I'm sorry I didn't see the signs and pay more attention." She whispered as emotion filled her voice, making my heart ache.

"It's not your fault mom..so please don't blame yourself." I said it and meant it fully, watching as my mom took a deep shuddering breath.

"Just..promise you won't keep stuff like that from me again? Please Cas.." She begged and I nodded my head.

My mom let out a long sigh before looking at me once again, this time a small smile lifted in the corner of her face.

"You just had to run off and get married huh? I always knew you would end up with Jo..but I thought I would be able to see it at least.." She muttered, making my eyes widen.

"You knew?" I asked, making her laugh before lifting her hand and patting my cheek.

"Sweetheart..you might've been able to hide that other stuff..but when it came to that girl..you were like an open book. You don't remember what you said that summer when you were ten?" She asked me and I shook my head no.

"Well..you told me you would marry Jo one day..that she was the girl for you..yeah you were only a little kid..but the way you said it..I believed it." She whispered and I felt tears welling up inside of me..god..what has happened to me? I swear I haven't cried in like three years before this..not since Neal's funeral outside of Johnnie's door.

"I love her mom..so damn much.." I whispered and she just smiled and nodded her head, her own tears falling now.

"I know sweetheart, and she loves you too. I believe you two were truly made for one another..even with your crazy ass family situation." She laughed, making me laugh too as she glanced down and suddenly rolled her eyes.

"Of course...you got a wedding ring tattooed on you..but Caspian..you will be buying her a real ring too.." She stated as I let out a low laugh.

"I know Mom, I will. I will even get her the white dress and give her the wedding of her dreams..well..we might have to save up for it. Now that dad is going to cut us off..it's kind of freeing though." I grumbled, making my mom glance out towards the dark night, making me follow her gaze.

"Oh, don't worry about that, these things have a way of working themselves out." My mom smiled widely before looking back at me as I knew she had some type of hidden meaning about that.

But I didn't need Dad's money to accomplish my dreams...all I need is my wife and family.

Suddenly I felt my phone vibrate as I went to check it, knowing it was probably another text from Dad..speak of the devil. Heather must've told him about the wedding because he was pissed.

From Dave King: Caspian, I am giving you one last chance to fix this. If you don't annul your marriage with Johnnie within the next 48 hours, you are done. I am going to make your life miserable Caspian. If you go against me I will make you regret it..this is your legacy..you are f*****g it all up!

I quickly scanned the message before turning off the screen and tucking it into my pocket. Every one of them was becoming more threatening than the last. But I am done fearing the what-ifs...I don't need him or his money..I have everything I could ever want right here.

Screw you Dave King..and I can't wait to see you fall from that pedestal you put yourself on..

Something tells me that Mom has a plan..and when she puts her mind to it, she doesn't let anything get in her way..