Page 69 of My Not So Wicked Stepbrother (My Not So Wicked 1)

Me: Your crap is on my porch. You can leave my house key under the flowerpot.

I sounded much braver than I felt.

While I showered, I talked to Jenna on speaker. She wouldn’t be put off anymore. She thought the reason I hadn’t texted her back last night was because I was with Sawyer. I cleared that up real quick by recounting the awful events from the night before. I ended with me tossing his stuff on the porch.

“So, you broke up,” she shouted so I could hear her while showering.

“What?” I shut off the water. “Didn’t you hear me?”

“I heard everything. Sounds like a bad breakup to me.”

“You have to be dating to break up,” I reminded her while grabbing my towel. It felt so good to be clean.

“Please, you two were dating. It was a shame you never got the full physical benefits of it, but you were unconsciously coupling.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means you were totally a couple, but you didn’t know you were a couple.”

“Not even close. I obviously repulse him.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“You should have seen the way he looked at me last night.”

“You mean when you thought he might kiss you?”

“The hate in his eyes was unmistakable.” I buried my head in my towel, trying not to cry.

“Honey, that’s what happens when you fight with the person you love.”

“That makes no sense at all.”

“Think about the loss you feel right now. Think about how you felt throwing his things out of your house. Has it stopped you from loving him?”

“I wish,” I whimpered. “But he doesn’t love me.”

“Hate is born from love. I’ve never hated anyone more than Brad.”

“Does Brad know that?”

“I tell him as often as I can, especially when his baby is sitting on my bladder all night while he’s fast asleep snoring.”

I stepped out of the shower with my towel wrapped around me. “I don’t think Sawyer snores,” my voice cracked.

“Aww, Em. Do you want me to start slapping some people? Because I will. I’ll start with his mom, then your dad and sisters, and last but not least, that fetcher for breaking your heart.”

“Don’t waste your time. I’m done with them all.”

“You’re such a liar.”

“Probably, but I have to try, right? They all couldn’t care less about me.”

“They’ve all lost their minds, obviously, but I have a feeling when they find them, they’re going to be sorry, and you better make them all grovel. Like, your dad should buy you and all your friends new cars, especially the ones who are having a baby.”

I wiped the steam off my mirror and laughed. “Don’t count on that. Besides, Josephine,” I could barely say her name, “has some kind of hold on my dad and she’s not going to let go without a fight. And I’m tired.”

“You need to quit fighting, Em. They should be fighting for you.”

My eyes began to water. “I don’t see that happening.”

“You know I’m always in your corner. Come to the club when your game is over, and we’ll break out the karaoke machine. Nothing makes you feel better than singing the Spice Girls’ greatest hits. The vat of slime and clothing are totally optional.”

“I love you.”

“Right back at ya. It’s going to be all right, Em.”

“I know. I still have Doughboy and Duncan Hines. This may call for Betty, though.”

“Go straight to the chick; men are fickle pigs.”

“Good thinking, sister. See you later.”

I was breaking out the box of Brownie Supreme by my girl, Betty Crocker. I could taste the chocolate frosting now. She and Dr. Pepper would see me through. Those two should really think about hooking up. They would have delicious babies. Meanwhile, I was going to start planning my celibate life in Fiji.

When I left my house for the game, his crap was still on my porch. I hoped he would come and get it today while I wasn’t around. Or maybe it would get stolen; I didn’t really care. That was a lie, but I was going to try my best to make it true.

The soccer field helped calm my soul. There was something about a sunny day, freshly cut grass, and soccer balls that brought me comfort. Maybe because I only had good memories of playing. It was something I was skilled at and I always had great coaches and friends, supportive parents. Or at least my mom was. Was Dad truly putting on an act? He was an award-winning actor if that was the case. He sure had me fooled. Sawyer had too.

I shook my head. I had to stop thinking about all of them. Jenna was right, I needed to stop fighting for people who didn’t think I was worth the effort. Anyone who was happier with Josephine than me deserved her. That even went for her younger son whom I was no longer calling by name or thinking about. From now on he would be the S-word. It seemed fitting.

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