Page 18 of Three Stepbrothers Save Christmas

I rub my tired face as I get onto the motorway and head towards home. This will be a flying trip as I want to take Verity to the recital and watch it. I’ve already booked a last-minute ticket. I want to watch from the audience and see how she reacts to others. Something tells me her performance is much more than just the dance.

12

Verity

Ethan places a blanket over me as I lie on the sofa, absentmindedly watching the TV. He reminds me I said I would try to sleep. Neither of the guys has let me out of their sight, and I have a feeling it’s Travis’s doing. Has he realised how much of an emotional wreck I am now? I know I need to do something about it, but I just don’t know what anymore. I have no idea who to turn to, as I hate being a burden on others. This is why I’ve always dealt with everything myself. It’s easier than admitting I am dying on the inside.

Since Travis left this morning, I have put on my mask and tried to play the happy, carefree Verity everyone wants to see. Something tells me that the guys aren’t buying it, though. I can feel them watching me as if waiting for me to crack. Would they help me if I did? I think they would, but only because they are nice like that. They would feel obligated to care for me, and I don’t want their pity. I also don’t want to frighten them off, so they never visit again. I like having them here for the brief periods that they stay.

A knock sounds from the hallway, and my heart freezes. I glance at Ethan to see if he recognises the sound. Judging from the look he throws my way, he does.

“Oh, hell no.” He jumps from the sofa and has the door open before I even get to my feet.

“You’ve got fucking balls, I’ll give you that!”

Ryan and I share a look before rushing to the door. My heart’s racing as I pray I’m wrong and it’s not who I think it is. But one look and I know it was just wishful thinking.

Marshall stands in the doorway, staring at Ethan, who is standing with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Ethan, let him in,” I sigh as I approach the door.

“Who is it?” Ryan asks as he comes to a stop between me and Ethan.

“Marshall,” I answer quietly as I start to shake. Ryan looks between Marshall and me, and I see I need to defuse the situation quickly. I go to walk past the guys, but Ryan puts his arm out, stopping me.

“You have some nerve turning up here after what you’ve done,” he growls through gritted teeth. Marshall frowns, looking at the guys.

“Who the fuck are you? What’s with all the hostility, Ver?” he asks, looking at me.

“Don’t fucking talk to her! And he’s the one who's going kill you after I break your legs as promised,” Ethan warns as he takes a step forward.

“Ethan, stop.” I grab the back of his top, and he turns, staring at me wide-eyed.

“After everything he’s done?” he demands, pointing towards Marshall, who still looks confused. He really has no idea I know, and why would he? He didn’t see me in the bar last night. As far as he’s concerned, he’s still in the clear.

“What have I done?” Marshall asks again. “Ver, tell them I haven’t done anything wrong,” he demands, expecting me to be the good little girlfriend and stand up for him.

“Leave me to speak to him, please,” I say, looking between Ethan and Ryan

Ethan throws his hands up in the air and storms towards the lounge. Yelling that I’m a fool. Tell me something I don’t know.

“Don’t let him weasel his way in,” Ryan whispers as he looks to Marshall, who’s looking a little less comfortable. “You upset her again, and you’ll learn it’s not my brother you need to fear. Just be glad our eldest brother isn’t here. You would already be six feet under,” he warns, reassuringly squeezing my arm and heading back to the lounge.

“What the hell was that all about?” Marshall asks, walking into the house. He goes to reach out for me, but I step back, wrapping my arms around my waist. “Ver? What’s going on?” He looks concerned, which only messes with my head further.

“Don’t,” I warn him as I shake my head. “Don’t touch me,” I add as he reaches for me again. I look up as I feel my eyes starting to burn. “I know Marshall. I know about her.”

For the briefest second, he looks nervous as he rubs the back of his neck nervously.

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t lie to me,” I snap before taking a deep breath and forcing all my anger back down. “I saw you in the bar last night.”

For a moment, Marshall says nothing. He stares at me before cursing under his breath.

“Shit, Ver. I’m sorry, okay, it was a moment of lapsed judgment. What your brother said got to me, and I wanted to feel less of a failure. Nothing happened, though. It’s you I love, you know that. I didn’t take her home; you have to believe me.” He steps forward again, and I step back. Doubt starts shifting away as I realise he could be telling the truth. I only saw him kiss her, not take her home. What if what I saw was the extent of it?

“I mean, let’s face it, I wouldn’t have done anything if it hadn’t been for your brother. When he said that about the vibrator, I was hurt and confused. Sometimes you are so hard to please, and it can take so long to get you to cum, but you feel so good I can’t last. That night was a prime example. Maybe I wouldn't have looked elsewhere if you were a little easier to please in bed.”

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