Page 57 of Three Stepbrothers Save Christmas

“But it’s a big house, Kitten,” Ryan points out.

“Dad pays me an allowance each month. That’s to cover the costs of food and anything I need for the house. Most people don’t have that at my age or parents willing to pay for their dance school.”

“But what did they say would happen when you graduate?” Ryan asks. I shrug as I lean back into Travis’s chest.

“Then I need to find my own place. It’s no big deal. In many ways, it’s saving me money as I don’t have to worry about rent and bills yet.”

“Okay, so what about when they are back? Do you still have to clean up after them?” I see the moment the realisation hits Ethan. “Have you been cleaning up after us?” he demands. I nod slowly.

“I hadn’t even thought about that. I’ve been leaving dishes in the dishwasher and washing in the laundry room. Why didn’t you say anything?” Ryan asks.

“Because she was told not to,” Travis reminds them. He looks down at me and offers a small smile. “Was there anything else they told you not to tell us?”

I nod slowly and look at the front door.

“Dawn pops in twice a month to ensure I’m keeping up with the housework and that things are presentable.”

“Mum’s friend Dawn?” Ethan asks.

“Yeah, one time she came, and there was a load of washing waiting to go in and plates in the dishwasher. They weren’t happy,” I sigh. I will get in trouble with them for telling the guys anyway; I might as well admit it all.

“What did they do?” Travis demands as the others watch me.

“They stopped my allowance until she came back and checked everything was as they wanted. She usually comes fortnightly, but that time, she left it four weeks.”

“How the fuck are you meant to survive on the tiny amount of money you get from the shows? They would have known you were at risk of going hungry!”

“I was fine; I make enough to survive; I’m not that skint. I was more peeved that they wouldn’t listen to me about why the stuff was there.”

“Why was it?” Ryan asks.

“Because it was when I was when my drink was spiked.”

“But they knew you were unwell and why. How could he stop your allowance when it wasn’t your fault?” Travis points out. I shrug as I realise how much my father has put me through over the last year.

“None of this explains why she was told not to tell us. Why did they want us to continue thinking a cleaner was doing all our clothes and so on for us? Why not just say, do it yourselves?” Ethan points out.

“Three reasons,” Travis answers. “The first is that they didn’t want us to know that they do not have the perfect house, with expensive cleaners and cooks and housekeeping. Mum has always liked to feel superior to others, and she does that through the money she has.

“The second reason is simply they think they are better than everyone else. I can guarantee you that it’s Mum behind most of it, but Henry is too blind to see it. He is easily manipulated, and she knows how to play him. Plus, you are forgetting who does their accounts,” Travis shrugs.

“Have you noticed anything different on them?” Ryan asks.

“I’ve noticed a few things, like the other morning when I saw they had been in the UK even though they claimed they were in the States. I plan to review them and see how often they have done that. But there is still a monthly payment going out for housekeeping as well as Verity’s allowance. Would be interesting to see where that money’s been going.”

I lean back against Travis as they start talking among themselves. If Dad and Linda have lied to the guys about stuff, what have they lied to me about? How often have I made excuses for something they said or did when I shouldn’t have? Has everything they have put me through been about punishing me? But for what? I have always done everything they asked of me. Even if it went against everything I believed in, I loved my dad and wanted him to be proud of me.

“The third reason is they wouldn’t expect us to be here still. They would have figured we’d leave as soon as they did. They have no idea we are even still here, as I certainly haven’t contacted them. Have any of you?”

The three of us shake our heads as I’m hit with another realisation. They think I am alone, even though it’s almost Christmas. Travis is right; they wouldn’t have expected them to still be here. My dad left smiling and excited about spending his Christmas in Hawaii, while his daughter sits at home alone in a big house. What kind of father does that?

“Little Kitten?” Ryan’s voice brings me back to the room, and I look at him, confused.

“Pardon?”

He gives me a look that tells me he knows my mind has wandered.

“I asked if you are okay,” he repeats with a small smile. “You looked like you had zoned out there for a moment.”

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