Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother

(Johnnie)

"I just have to use the bathroom Caspian..I will be right out okay?" I said, trying to pry his hands off of me as he eventually plopped back onto the couch and let out a groan.

"Fineeee.." He whined, making me laugh as I shook my head in disbelief.

Jeez..who would've thought Caspian would be the clingy type?

I walked to the bathroom before shutting and locking the door quickly as I placed my back against the cool wood and shut my eyes.

"You are being crazy Johnnie." I mumbled to myself..but the image of those gray eyes flashed through me again..the way that man looked at me..how his deep voice rumbled deep inside of me.

It can't be him..Dad has been gone for four years...he was declared dead and we have moved on..

I lifted my trembling hand before brushing my hair away from my face. I didn't want to tell Caspian..I didn't want him to see how much this still affects me..how I felt like I could vomit on the way home..how I tried to fight the tears that wanted to spill over. The loss of my father was still a gaping wound deep inside of me..one that never filled or healed and I'm not sure if it ever will.

I slid down and buried my face against my knees.

Sometimes I would dream about him..that he would just come walking through those doors like he never died to begin with...and other times, I dream about him drifting away from me in the ocean..but for whatever reason, I just couldn't feel closure..

Like a part of me still had hope that maybe one day he really would come back..I would hear that loud laugh and those corny jokes..all of it would be the same.

I took a deep breath before wiping away my tears and slowly stood.

Someone has to be the strong one. I can't fall apart..not now..Caspian and Ben need me. I took a tentative step in front of the mirror before gazing at my reflection. That hollow feeling reached my eyes for a moment as I closed them and took a deep steadying breath before looking once again and smiling.

"You're okay." I whispered to myself, trying so hard to believe it as I stepped back before flushing the toilet and turning on the sink.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and went to grab it. That's when I saw something white fall out, making my brow furrow in confusion as I bent over to reach for it.

What is this? It looked like a folded-up piece of paper that I didn't recognize.

I slowly opened it, the words written out making my heart stop as I tried to make sense of them.

"I'm so proud of the woman you have become Johnnie. You and your brother are the most important thing to me..and I promise I will fix this..just know I'm here Jojo, and I will explain everything soon. I hope you can forgive me. I love you from your toes to your nose." I read the note over and over again..confusion filled me as I recognized the handwriting..the things he said leaving me breathless as that man from earlier popped into my head.

Only Dad ever said that..only he would know to write that.

It..it can't be true..can it?

I yanked the door open, my hands gripping the note as I headed for the front door. I needed to go back, I needed to find that man.

"Baby, what are you doing? Where are you going?" Caspian rushed out as I quickly slipped on my shoes.

"I have to go back, he could still be there!" I rushed out and that's when Alder, Ben, and Viva walked into the room.

"Who Johnnie..who are you talking about?" Caspian asked before gripping my arm and holding me in place.

"This..this was in my pocket.." I finally blurted, handing it to Caspian as his eyes scanned the paper.

I watched while visible shock filled his face and then sadness.

"Baby.." He began, making me shake my head no adamantly.

"It has to be him Cas..only he knows to say that!" I shouted, and that's when Ben stepped forward.

"What does it say? Who's it from?" He asked while reading over Caspian's shoulder and quickly yanked the note from his hand.

"Where did you get this Jo?" He rushed out as I felt the tears welling up in my eyes.

"From the grocery store..a man..he bumped into me. It was him, Ben..it has to be..his eyes.." I choked out as Capsian quickly circled his arms around me as everyone else started to read the note.

"Shh, it's okay..we will figure this out okay?" He stated while stroking my hair gently.

"Johnnie..this could be a trick..Dave, I wouldn't put it past him." Viva whispered and I shook my head no adamantly.

"I felt him..I didn't want to get my hopes up..but his voice..and his eyes. You believe me right Ben?" I whispered, seeing my brother staring down at the letter again.

"I..I don't know Jo.." He breathed out, making my heart ache as I turned my head into Caspian's chest, trying so hard not to sob.

"We can go back to the store and ask to see the surveillance footage." Alder spoke up now as he stepped closer before resting his hand on my back.

"If you think you saw him Jo..then we will all go back together." Alder reassured me as I nodded, feeling Caspian's grip tighten on me.

"What if this is some type of setup though?" He asked, the fear not going unnoticed as his mom stepped forward. "Nothing will happen if we stick together. Come on, go pull the car up Alder." Viva stated before walking to Ben and wrapping her arms around him. "Do you really think it could be him Viva?" He asked, making Viva sigh.

"Your dad's disappearance was definitely odd..but let's just not get our hopes up fully yet, okay? If it is a trick..I swear I will kill Dave for this." She gritted through her teeth as we all looked at one another.

"Hey, it's okay, we will figure everything out.." Capsian whispered against my ear while kissing me gently.

"Caspian..tell me the truth..when you saw that man, didn't you feel something?" I asked him, seeing his eyes search mine before nodding his head once.

"He did feel familiar, I won't lie." He confessed, making me hug him even tighter and rest my cheek against his chest.

"I knew you felt it too..I just knew it." I whispered, knowing Caspian saw something too giving me hope as my stomach twisted and tied into knots.

After a few more minutes, we all piled into the car and headed towards the grocery store. I saw Ben's knee bouncing the entire time as I held onto his hand tightly.

"Ben..if it is Dad..why didn't he come back sooner?" I asked the question we all must've been thinking..

"He must've had his reasons..he wouldn't just abandon us..he wasn't like that.." He stated.

I hoped if it is him, that there really is a damn good reason he left us, because what we went through..it was something that changed our lives forever.

It felt like it took hours to get to the grocery store as we ran in and headed towards the security office. Alder called ahead and was able to sway the guy to help us out.

We were all staring at the screen as the man rewound the tapes, searching for the time we had been at the store when we came onto the screen..and there he was..the man in the baseball cap.

I paid careful attention to the screen, seeing him bump into me before slipping something into my pocket and watching us walk away..

Then he turned towards the store, his face looking straight up at the camera as the guy paused it.

That's when Viva let out a gasp while slapping her hand over her mouth.

"Neal.." She whispered, seeing exactly what Ben and I were..

"Dad..he..he is alive.." Ben mumbled, even with a beard, looking at him now I could tell it was him without a doubt.

"It's him, it's really him." I choked out.

Capsian swiftly lifted me up and held me tightly while running my back and comforting me..my teary gaze just stayed glued to that screen..my father's eyes burning into me as I felt confusion flood through me.

If he was alive..then why? Why did he leave us and where has he been all of this time?

Most importantly...where is he now?

Megan Elisabeth

We will be getting into Moose, Anna and Milo soon!! and I did want to give a heads up. I will be taking this story to pay to read soon. I always feel guilty for some reason because I know buying coins can be frustrating and not ideal for some. So I apologize and just know you guys mean a lot to me I never thought I would amount to anything more than just being a "mom" which don't get me wrong..that goes beyond anything..but having all of you and actually doing something with my life that leaves some type of imprint..it's more than I ever could've dreamed of. So thank you all and sorry for the random mushy and emotional author note hahaha