Page 47 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

The hurt was evident in both their voices. You could trace the history of pain and conflict between the siblings in each word exchanged.

A commotion from the doorway diverted my attention momentarily, and I saw Mary and Dad, both with expressions of bewilderment and concern. They had walked into the eye of a storm, and it was clear they were trying to process the volatile scene in front of them.

Mikey’s anger momentarily redirected. "Oh, perfect! Now everyone can hear about how my sister's whoring herself out!"

Becca's face flushed red, her eyes flashing with hurt and anger. "You want to talk? Fine! How about your endless trips to rehab? The promises you've broken? The tears Mom's shed over you?"

The room seemed to close in on itself, each word slicing through the silence. Mary's face paled, absorbing the painful truths being laid bare, while Dad wore an expression of confusion and sorrow.

Mikey's face contorted with a mix of guilt and defiance. "So what? I have problems. But that doesn't make what you're doing okay!"

"And who are you to judge me?" Becca shot back, her voice quivering with emotion. "At least I'm not throwing my life away, chasing after the next high!"

As the heated words continued to flow, a myriad of emotions played out on Becca's face: anger, hurt, love, frustration. But underlying it all was a strength, a resilience I admired deeply. She was a fighter, battling not just for herself but for her family.

“You know what? Fuck this!” Mike’s face contorted with anger as if he’d hit his limit.

In a split second, Mikey's anger took a physical turn. I saw the raw intent in his eyes as he raised his hand, poised to strike Becca. Without a second's hesitation, I lunged forward and gripped his raised wrist, stopping it in mid-air just inches from Becca's face.

Every fiber of my being screamed at me to teach Mikey a lesson he'd never forget. Who the fuck did he think he was? The thought of him even attempting to harm his own sister, especially when she was in such a vulnerable state, ignited a rage in me that was hard to contain. I could feel the fury rolling off Vinnie, Isaac, and Luke as well. We were a united front against any threat to Becca.

I tightened my grip on Mikey's wrist, looking directly into his eyes. "Calm down," I said, my voice firm and controlled. "This isn't the way."

Mikey, despite being caught in the grip of his anger, looked taken aback by the confrontation. His eyes darted between my face and his immobilized hand. "Screw you," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "All of you can fuck off!”

I turned to Becca. She nodded, giving me the signal to release him.I let him go, my eyes never leaving him, silently challenging him to make another move. But instead, Mikey shot one last glare at us and stormed out, slamming the door behind him with enough force to rattle the windows.

Silence fell, save for the soft sounds of Becca and Mary crying. The weight of what had just transpired hung heavily in the room. Dad moved to comfort Mary, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as she buried her face in his chest. He then glanced at us, his eyes filled with disappointment and a hint of sadness.

"Finish getting dressed," Dad’s voice was calm but authoritative. "We'll talk downstairs."

We all knew this was just the beginning of a difficult and potentially life-changing conversation. As I put on the rest of my clothes, my thoughts were a tumultuous whirlwind. Whatever the outcome, one thing was certain: things would never be the same.

Chapter 30

Becca

The soft click of the door shutting felt like the final punctuation mark to the intense chapter of drama we'd all just witnessed. I was acutely aware of the four pairs of eyes on me, their gazes filled with concern and a hint of anxiety. The emotional weight of the confrontation with Mikey, the truths spilled, and the lingering tension had culminated into a pressure cooker moment, and I was struggling to keep it together.

Before I could even process what was happening, Luke stepped forward, reaching out to me. The gesture, so simple and full of genuine concern, was all it took. I crumpled into him, my body wracked with sobs. The dam of emotions I had tried to hold back burst forth, and tears streamed down my face.

I hated it. I felt so weak, so pathetic, like I couldn’t handle anything. But as the guys held me, as I remained among their warmth, those sentiments faded.

The situation I was in the middle of would be hard as hell to navigate. However, I didn’t have to do it alone.

Luke held me tightly, his strong arms encircling me, and I took solace in his warmth. I felt hands on my back, fingers gently brushing my hair, a comforting presence right behind me. The realization that all of them, Archer, Vinnie, Isaac, and Luke, were rallying around me, providing a shield against the storm of emotions, made me feel anchored amidst the chaos.

"Hey, hey," Archer murmured softly, his voice filled with that cool, composed tone I had come to rely on. "We've got you. It's going to be okay."

Vinnie chimed in, his voice warm and comforting, "We're not going anywhere, alright? We're right here with you."

I sniffled, pulling away from Luke slightly to look at them, my eyes red and puffy. "I'm so sorry you guys had to see that," I whispered, feeling a fresh wave of guilt for exposing them to my family's dysfunctions.

Isaac gently brushed a stray tear from my cheek. "It's okay, Becca," he reassured me. "Families are messy. It's how you handle the mess that matters."

"They're right," Luke added, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "We're in this together, for better or worse."

Hearing those words, feeling their unwavering support, I took a deep breath. Despite the tumultuous events of the day, I found strength in the knowledge that I wasn't alone. I had them.

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