Page 132 of Three Stepbrothers Save Christmas

“Who hurt you, Sweetheart?” As I approach, Travis walks to the door and holds his arms out for me.

“Ethan, he slapped me,” I pout playfully. Travis holds me close as I take in a deep breath. Smelling his aftershave and shower gel.

“Well in that case he’s cooking dinner tonight,” Travis laughs as he leads us out of the room and on to the landing.

“Is everything done now?” I ask looking up at Travis as he places an around my shoulders.

“If you mean at the house, then yes. Everything has been moved out, and you will never have to see any of the Nicholson’s again.”

Walking down the stairs, I can tell there is something he is holding back on saying, but I don’t think I can cope with any more yet. Not before some coffee, at least.

“How about I make you some muesli and a coffee for breakfast?” Travis offers as he leads me to the kitchen table. I nod whilst sitting in the chair he pulls out for me.

“Thank you.”

Travis looks at me for a moment like he is going to say something but seems to change his mind.

“You’re welcome, Sweetheart.” He turns to the other two as they walk in, laughing together. “You can make your own food, though,” he frowns as they instantly start protesting.

I watch the three of them move around the kitchen together. Ryan makes us all coffees, whilst Travis makes the muesli. He ends up making enough for all of us, and we sit together for a moment in silence as they watch me to ensure I eat. The problem is, I know the guys want to talk to me, which is putting me off my food. I know I need to face whatever they found out yesterday and what was in the safe if Ethan managed to get into it. But I know it’s going to be a lot.

“Ryan told me about this morning.”

I look up from my bowl, where I have been pushing the last few bites of muesli around. Travis places a hand over mine as I shrug.

“I didn’t want to wake you. You looked tired,” I reply as his hand tightens on mine.

“Sweetheart, I don’t care how tired I am. If you need me or any of us, you wake us up.”

Taking a deep breath, I look up at Travis.

“When I first went upstairs, I had planned on checking Ethan was home and then going for a shower. But everything suddenly floored me. I don’t even know what triggered it exactly. Whether it was thinking about the fact he had hidden the drugs in Mum's favourite room? Or if it just hit me that both my parents are dead. But in that moment, I wanted my mum more than I have wanted her in years. I wanted things to be like they were when I thought I had two loving parents and I was wanted.”

“Baby you are probably more wanted now then you have ever been.”

My head snaps to Ethan as his mouth drops open.

“What the fuck?” Ryan yells, punching his arm.

“I didn’t mean it how it sounded,” Ethan instantly protests. I find myself chuckling when I thought I was about to cry.

“I can always rely on you putting your foot in it,” I smile at him, watching as he visibly relaxes. “I don’t know what happened, and that’s the truth.” I look back at Travis and find myself smiling a little. “I feel a little better for it, and I know it won’t be the last time it happens. I know he hated me, but he was still my dad and I just lost him in the worse way. I can’t even really get closure as I won’t be able to hold a funeral for him. He’s just gone, and that’s a lot to get my head around.” I look from Travis to the others, focusing on Ryan.

“I didn’t run to cry today. I may not have made it to your room, but I called for you. I knew you would hear me and come.”

Ryan gets out of his seat to squat beside me. Taking my hand in his, he lifts it to his mouth so he can kiss my knuckles.

“I am so proud of you. You could have done anything in that time. You were alone and knew we were all asleep. Yet, you called for me.”

“I thought about hurting myself, but I knew I didn’t need to, not really. I promised you all I would stop, and I’m doing my best to keep that promise.” My eyes drop from his as I look at how he holds my hand. I know it’s time, and I think I’m ready. Looking up at Ethan, I feel my small smile fade.

“Did you get into the safe?”

Ethan nods.

“There was something in there you need to see, as well as a lot of cash.”

“I want to know everything. I think I need to know.”

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