Page 46 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

Lazily, we lay sprawled across the bed, the soft light filtering through the curtains casting a gentle glow on all of us. The scent of our earlier activities still lingered in the air, a testament to the passion we'd just shared. It was one of those perfect moments where everything seemed to pause, allowing us to bask in the comfort and warmth of each other's presence.

In that tranquil aftermath, nestled between the sheets, I found myself lost in thought. We all lay in a harmonious tangle, the ebb and flow of our breaths syncing up in a natural rhythm. As I felt Becca’s soft exhale on my chest, my mind began painting images of our future.

I imagined Sunday breakfasts with laughter echoing, nights under a blanket of stars, shared responsibilities, and the joy of life's small moments – it all felt within reach. The very idea of us, in this unique bond, facing every tomorrow together, grew more and more enticing. That possibility of a harmonious, shared life, so different and yet so right, held an allure that tugged deeply at my heart.

It seemed perfect, like something I’d always yearned for but had never been able to imagine... until I mether.

However, our serenity was abruptly shattered when the door burst open. The five of us shot up at the same time, turning our attention to the figure standing at the entrance to the room.

Mikey stood in the hallway, eyes wide, staring at the scene before him. The color drained from his face, quickly replaced by a shade of furious red. "What thefuckis going on in here?" he roared, his voice echoing through the room.

Becca leapt from the bed, a sheet hastily wrapped around her, trying to form words to explain. "Mikey, calm down! It's not what you think!"

He didn’t seem to hear her. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the four of us, anger and disbelief evident in his eyes. "Are you guys... did you hurt my sister?" His voice trembled with rage.

I was the first to act. Quickly pulling on my pants, I rose, my gaze locked on Mikey, ensuring he was the main focus."Michael, I get that this is a shock. But believe me, no harm was done to Becca. Everything was consensual."

Vinnie, hands raised in a placating gesture, tried to approach him. "Hey, man, let's just talk, alright? It’s not what it looks like. Just breathe and let's—"

But Mikey wasn't having it. He cut Vinnie off, his fury unmistakable. "You think this is a joke? This is my sister!" He stepped forward protectively, placing himself between Becca and us, every line of his body screaming defiance.

I could see Luke and Isaac, tense and ready to jump in if things turned physical, both hoping that wouldn't be the case. Slowly, we grabbed our clothes and dressed, Becca doing the same.

Becca, still trying to find her voice amid the chaos, managed to pull Mikey slightly back. "Mikey, please listen to me. This... it's complicated, but you have to trust me. I’m okay. More than okay."

Mikey, visibly struggling to process everything, kept darting his gaze between Becca's pleading eyes and the four of us. His breath came in short bursts, and he seemed on the brink of either shouting again or possibly breaking down.

"Look, we can sit and talk about this," I began, trying to use my calmest tone. "No one wants to hide anything or lie. But bursting in like this and making accusations isn't going to help."

Mikey's jaw worked as he tried to find words, his emotions clearly warring inside him. We were on a precipice, the next few moments crucial in determining which way the situation would swing.

“They weren’t hurting me. We’re… together," Becca attempted to explain, her voice quivering slightly.

He blinked in disbelief, as if he couldn't comprehend what she was saying. His eyes flitted between us, narrowing suspiciously."All of you?" he echoed, his voice rising. His words dripped with skepticism and a hint of disgust. “That’s… no! There’s no way! Becca…”

As my initial surprise waned, I took a closer look at Mikey. His movements seemed jittery, erratic. His eyes darted around with a glazed-over appearance, pupils dilated far beyond what the room's dimness justified. A cold realization dawned on me, sending a shiver down my spine. He didn’t just seem surprised or outraged; something was off about his demeanor.

His speech, too, slurred slightly and his posture was all wrong. It hit me like a punch in the gut – Mikey might’ve been under the influence of something. The situation, already loaded with tension, suddenly felt even more precarious. The unexpected complexity of having him witness our intimacy while possibly being on some substance was a twist I hadn't seen coming.

Becca seemed to think the same thing, leaning forward to take a closer look at him. "Mikey, are you high right now?" she asked, an edge to her tone.

His face contorted, anger and shame fighting for dominance. "You're really lecturing me on being high when you're here with four dudes?" he spat, his voice laced with incredulity.

The fury behind his words set me on edge. All of us moved in unison, forming a protective barrier around Becca. It wasn't a conscious decision; it was instinctive. We were primed, ready to shield her from any harm.

"Back off," Becca commanded, her voice trembling but firm. "I can handle this."

Though we hesitated, our trust in Becca's judgment held us in place. We were a unit, and while we would have gladly thrown ourselves between Mikey and Becca, we also respected her wishes. But that didn't mean I was going to stand by idly. I was watching Mikey's every move, analyzing, ready to spring into action at the slightest hint of danger. A shocked brother was one thing – a drug user in the middle of a high was another.

His eyes darted between us, clearly agitated and disoriented. I could see the pain, the conflict waging within him. He was in over his head, and I could only hope Becca could reach him before things escalated further.

In those few, tense moments, I ran through countless scenarios in my head. My body was coiled like a spring, every muscle tensed, ready to intervene. If Mikey made a move, I had a plan. If things went south, I knew exactly how I would get to Becca, how I'd position myself to ensure her safety.

The argument between Becca and Mikey exploded like a powder keg, their voices rising and filling the room with raw emotion.

"Why the hell are you doing this, Becca?" Mikey yelled, his voice dripping with accusation. "You're throwing yourself at them like... like some cheap--"

"Mikey!" Becca's voice cut through like a knife. "This isn't about them. This is about you and your damn addiction!"

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