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61 || Viral
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The video is viral. I know that was the plan but I didn’t think it through.
Has Calum seen it?
Will he hate me? Be furious?
I pace the empty corridor, my footsteps echoing like a warning. I’m home alone. Dad and Dani went for evening mass because they couldn’t meet up this morning. They invited me but I had no interest in going. I haven’t stopped thinking of Calum and the deleted account. I thought deleting the account after I uploaded the video would end it but some people already created a fanpage of them.
They are so stupid but not as stupid as I am.
What if he finds out?
He mustn’t. What if I try to earn his forgiveness before he finds out? I rush to the kitchen with only one intention in mind. My phone lights up with a message from Rose. She wants to know why the video and pictures she sent me are circulating under someone’s account. I make up a lie that earns me the rolling eyes emoji. As far a
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To Tempt My Stepbrother 62 || Wednesday
Monday is gone. Tuesday is gone.Wednesday sneaks upon us like a thief. I’m the first one up in the house. I tiptoe to the door but the sound from Calum’s room stops me. He is playing his guitar. I listen for a few minutes, rocking myself back and forth. He’s strumming the chords to the song we will be singing later today. I want to think he’s doing it for me since I’m a tight ball of nerves. That we are fine. But I know better.The hour drags by. 5 am turns to 6 am. Time to prepare.I read through the chats in our WattsApp group. Rose is freaking out. Taylor and Amelia are trying to calm her down. That’s what happens when the first team you have to face is the one that knocked you off in the last competition. After a quick bath, I stand in front of the mirror and practise my breathing exercise. Today, we will find out who’s taking the solo. I run a comb through my pink hair. Icy, blue eyes star
To Tempt My Stepbrother 63 || Why?
I’m stunned.Everyone but Calum and I leave to watch the first group singing. I drum my fingers against my hip. My nerves are on fire, my insides are quivering with intense fury. I am a time bomb waiting to explode. Calum folds his arms on his chest, cold and unbothered by my reaction.We were over this. The solo belongs to me.“Why?” I whisper.Unshed tears burn my eyes but I don’t give them an escape. I’ll not appear weak in front of him. He scoffs. “You are asking me why?” Reaching into his pocket for his phone, he taps on it for a few seconds, then thrusts in my face. I gulp. “Did you or did you not make this video to spite me, Cathy?”It’s the TicToc video I made and it’s playing on mute. I wipe the tears rolling down my cheeks.“I’m sorry.”“I’m sorry too.” Brows furrowed in annoyance, Calum shoves the ph
To Tempt My Stepbrother 64 || Leave me alone
We are through to the next stage. And the next two stages after. The final is today and I’m more than nervous. I’m freaking out. My head falls back on the window, back to the door of Jackson’s car.The school bus isn’t here yet.“Are you okay?” Jackson asks. He mimics my stance so we are facing each other.“Nope. I’m so frigging nervous.”He laughs. I run a hand through his hair and he captures my wrists. I’ve been trying to break up with him for the last two weeks but it’s futile. Staring into his eyes makes me uncomfortable, I pull back and look out the window. There are students from other schools lining the front.Jackson reaches for my hands but I shove them into my bag, pretending to look for something. He drives me to school daily. Dani is convinced he’s a good boyfriend. Dad doesn’t approve but is only quiet because of his wife. Amelia is w
To Tempt My Stepbrother 65 || Hand in my pocket
We did it.We won.I’m trying not to freak out. I have been keeping calm since the announcer mentioned Carlton High as the winner. Since Jackson dropped me off but once I’m alone in the corridor, I swing my hips and stretch my arms in a happy dance. The gold medal dangles on my neck, I lift it to my lips and kiss it.Yes.“This one’s for you, mum,” I mutter to the sky, holding it up so she can see it. Every step of the way, I felt her presence. It wouldn’t have been possible without her. And him. His annoying self.“She would have been proud of you,” comes from behind me. I jump. Calum rocks forward on his heels. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”I refuse to smile, only nod. Tucking the medal into my gown, I resume the walk to my room.“Cathy.”Faster. I walk faster. I don’t want to ever talk to him. Hi
To Tempt My Stepbrother 66 || Two weeks
My fingers drum on my knee in an aggravated rhythm. I steal a look at my dad and he shrugs.“Now’s the best time for us,” he says. Dani steps behind him with a patronising smile directed at me. Her son flips the remote in his grip. He knew about this. I lean on the armrest and shake my head. “Cathy. We will be back before you know it.”They are leaving me in this house with Calum. For two weeks. Two weeks. I can’t do this. But looking at Dad’s expectant face, I find myself nodding. It’s their honeymoon, kind of. They never got a chance to have one after their spontaneous wedding. Dad told me they would be travelling but he never mentioned how long. I can’t take this from them.“Okay.” Walking around the couch to give them a hug, my smile remains intact. I will move in with Amelia until they return. “Have fun, okay?”“Sure.”They t
To Tempt My Stepbrother 67 || I’m done
The girl in the mirror looks like me.Blue eyes. Freckles. Pouted lips. But her hair. Her hair is black, its natural colour. The door to Amelia’s bathroom swings opens while I’m doing my inspection and I drag the beanie over my head.No one has seen the makeover yet.It happened after Jackson left the house. A post breakup makeover. New me and all that shit.Jumping into the bed, Amelia drags the bowl of popcorn from me. I sit straighter and adjust the pillows, hitting play on the movie we were watching before she left to use the toilet.“So you two broke up?” she asks, picking up from where we left off.She stops chewing for a moment to stare at me. I pause the movie and flip position so I’m flat on my back and the popcorn bowl is on my stomach.“I think so. Yeah. He didn’t say anything. But I’m done.”The scene with Jackson replays
To Tempt My Stepbrother 68 || Strictly Forbidden
CALUMBy 5 am, I’m wide awake, waiting for Cathy to show up. The only reason I didn’t storm the streets in search of her was because Pete reassured me she was fine. I weave a hand into my hair, yank it from the root. Talk about frustrating and she will be the first one on my list. Cathy doesn’t want to talk to me yet she goes about acting offended.Fine. Part of it is my fault. I am doing it wrong but I have no clue on how to do it right. I could get in trouble. News travels faster in smaller towns.A relationship between student and teacher is strictly forbidden. Jail term for me. I already spent a year in rehab, I don’t want another time in forced solitude.Sitting up, my head hangs between my shoulders. I can’t give her what she wants. I can’t be to her what Ben is to Tessa, the definition of true love.Cathy can’t have me.My alarm rings at 6 am. I do some press ups in my room, be
To Tempt My Stepbrother 69 || Operation forget Calum
I shove a spoonful of ice-cream into my mouth, leaving stains on the corners of my lips. Amelia makes a funny face. She hands me the tissues to wipe off the stain and my mind torments me with a picture of Calum and me in this same position.I kick those thoughts out of my mind. Today is the beginning of Operation Forget Calum. It has been going okay so far. I haven’t checked his social media. My phone is on silent mode. I am doing okay. Slowly but surely, I will get there.A yawn escapes me and Amelia laughs. We spent all day playing around her house. “You’re sure you don’t want to spend the night?” she asks.“No.” Her sister is back. I wouldn’t want to ruin the sisters’ bonding experience for them. Voices rise and fall around us but they sound distant. I chose our booth for this purpose. Privacy. “I’m fine. Need to go home to face him.” Her smile dims. “Not looking forward
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To Tempt My Stepbrother Epilogue
I should have taken Calum’s suggestion of a family dinner date. As I stare at the sauce in the pan, the colour changed by the black pepper I poured in, my brows wrinkle. This is not good. I touch the spatula to my palm to have a taste. It’s not horrible nor tasty but it’s edible. Turning off the cooker, I grab the plates for dinner from the cabinet.A kick from inside my belly has both hands lowering to cup my bump. I fold the hem of my shirt to reveal my protruding belly. This pregnancy is so much easier with Calum. I have someone to bother when the midnight cravings sweep in. Grabbing the plates and tray, I dish out dinner for Mace and I. Calum will be home past his son’s bedtime, thanks to Scott and the new album the band will be releasing next month.Through the open kitchen door, I try to spy on Mace. But the curly blondie is nowhere in sight. He must be playing with the guitar his dad gifted him on his last birthday. I’m not sure I want him to follow the same path as both of his
To Tempt My Stepbrother 59 || Use me
My ring is pretty. Too pretty. I stretch my hand in front of me and wiggle my fingers. Calum is all smiles beside me, and the rest of the table have similar grins. We changed tables when everyone arrived. Two bottles of wine sit open on the table. My glass is as full as it was when we shared a toast to my future with Calum. I can’t drink or eat with all the butterflies dancing in my belly.“Now we can call you Mrs Dissick,” Lucas says. The whole table laughs. They are all dressed so formally. No suits for them but matching button-up shirts and tailored slacks. Lucas even wore proper Oxford shoes.Rose smiles, and Taylor mirrors it. They are seated side by side. She glances at Calum, her red hair whooshing as she cocks her head.“You’re about to marry your stepbrother,” she whispers. Her voice is loud and carries round the table. The table falls quiet as nervousness creeps in. She brings her glass to her lips, offers a remorseful grin and gulps the entire content down. “Cheers.” Luca
To Tempt My Stepbrother 58 || Marry this man
CALUMI asked Pete’s permission to marry Cathy. I also asked Mum, and she was overly excited to give her blessings. Having both parents blessings builds my anxiety. I pace the entirety of our room, my sweaty palms closing and opening. Cathy is with her friends. Mace is with his grandparents.The phone on the bed rings. I jump. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and stalk to the bed to pick up the phone. It’s a missed call from Lucas. He didn’t even let it ring. I unlock the phone as a text from him enters. Luc: stop worrying. She will say yes.I roll my eyes at my screen, but a smile tugs the corners of my lips. Cathy has no choice. She’s my wife. Walking back to the front of the mirror, I smoothen my tux and adjust my stripped tie. My curls cling to my scalp, thanks to the excess gel I applied earlier. I massage my clean-shaven jaw, and the same hand slides to the back of my neck.The last time I had to dress formally was when I was Cathy’s music teacher. I spin as the door opens
To Tempt My Stepbrother 57 || You came
Dad’s here. Oh my God. Dad is here. Dad. Jason. Rose and Taylor. I’m vibrating with happiness, too stunned to move or react. Calum nudges me with his hip, and I snap out of it. I jump into Dad’s arms, trying to draw all four of them into a hug.Laughter rings out around me as we tear away from the group hug. Dad grins. I smile but it wanes when I notice more of his grey hairs. I pat the greying hairs at his temples and his hand covers mine. He has aged.“You came,” I say to him.“Calum arranged it,” he replies.I hug him again. Only him. My tears wet his shirt as he strokes my lower back. A tug on the hem of my top forces us to break apart.“Mama,” Mace says. Squatting to his height, I offer him a weak smile. He wipes my wet cheeks, and his lips purse. “Mama. No cry.” “No crying for Mama,” I whisper. I hear a chorus of awws and oos, but I don’t look around. Handing Mace to Calum, I take turns hugging my best friends. I hug Jason last, and I hug him the longest. He’s a huge reminder
To Tempt My Stepbrother 56 || Surprise
It’s the last day of the Manchester tour. We can spend a few days before leaving. There are mixed reactions to this. I’m excited to move to another city but reluctant to leave all the memories we created here. Calum doesn’t care as long as we are by his side.“What are you thinking?” Calum asks.His lips brush the space between my boobs. Hooded eyes stare at me, causing a flip in my belly. My lips part, but my reply dies on my tongue as his hairy jaw scratches my nipple. I shiver, and he offers me a wicked grin. On some days, like today, I find it impossible to believe this man was a virgin until me. I run my fingers through the mess of his hair. His fingers dip into my warmth, teasing a little to remind me how we spent our night. I’m quickly relearning his taste.Calum is always super hyped after every performance and if I don’t get away from him as fast as possible, we will fuck in whatever space avai
To Tempt My Stepbrother 55 || I love you forever
Voices from outside drag me out of dreamland. I blink fast, staring at the ceiling until my mind reels to a stop. Calum’s side of the bed is empty. Same with Mace’s crib. I roll over to the other end of the bed, smiling at Mace’s empty crib. A knot twists in my belly as the memory of our late night and early morning activities flood my mind. I’m alone in the room, but my cheeks still heat up due to shyness.If Calum is not here, he must have gone to get Mace. Father and son are most likely together, bonding. I grab my phone from the nightstand. There are missed calls from Dad. After a long call with Dad, Jason, Taylor and Rose, I head into the bathroom.The boys are performing today but I’m not. As exciting as yesterday was, I need a break. Mace and I will watch from the VIP section. I wear one of Calum’s big shirts over my skimpy nightwear. Calum can hardly keep his hands to himself and he proved that last night with the numbe
To Tempt My Stepbrother 54 || Are you scared?
I did great. Not good, great. And everyone who spotted me after the boys performance has not failed to mention that. The feeling of being appreciated and wanted builds in my chest. I rock on my heels, and my butt juts out in a happy dance. I’m happy. But the happiness dwindles when my eyes locate the phone on the bed. Dad isn’t answering his calls. Mace grabs the edge of his crib, his face registering the excitement missing on mine. He still has the headphones Calum had him wearing throughout their performance. I squat in front of his crib. I should put him to sleep but the nerves coursing through my body make it impossible to act or think straight. It feels like I unleashed the beast inside me going on that stage, and I haven’t figured out a way to keep it quiet. If Calum were here, I would maul him, pass off some of that energy to him through sex or a kiss. “Grandpapa Mace isn’t picking,” I tell Mace. My knees meet the ground, and my arms bracket the sides of his crib. He yawns an
To Tempt My Stepbrother 53 || Number one happy place
CALUMIt’s today. The boys are pumped, and so am I. Cathy and I won’t share the stage but she will perform before me, giving Mace and I a front row view of her performance. But it’s impossible to savour the excitement when she’s this nervous and threatening to bore a hole into the rug with her constant pacing. I stay as close to the door as possible. The more the gap between us, the lesser Cathy’s chances of getting mad. My last attempt at trying to calm her resulted in a shoe thrown at my face. This time I’m not alone. I’m with a reinforcement. The boys were nowhere to be found but Mace had no choice. His arms and feet dangle out of the carrier strapped to my chest. Mum wanted to take him while Cathy performed but I wanted both of us to watch from backstage. He has his noise cancellation headphones so he can’t hear a thing beside the playlists I created for him. “Cathy,” I mutter when she halts before the window. No reply. I clear my throat. “Baby.” Cathy turns on her heels and s
To Tempt My Stepbrother 52 || Whatever you want to be
Calum has been acting weird since he left me backstage. I want to believe it’s the talk he had with Dani that’s affecting his mood but she’s smiling. Mace too. I join grandma and grandson when Dani waves me over. Calum grins but makes no other attempt to welcome me. There are only two seats in the room. Usually, he would pull me down to his lap but nothing of the sort happens.I squat in front of Dani. Mace pouts. “Hey.”“Hey,” Mace replies.I giggle. I’ll never tire of hearing him speak. My eyes raise in time to meet Dani’s, and she tries to smile. I’ve been pushing Calum to talk to her but I don’t know if I have the heart to do the same. I’m not upset. I’m over it but don’t have the courage to face her.“How do you like the set up?” Dani asks.“Good,” I reply.They wanted to show us around. The boys prac
