Stranded with My Stepbrother

Chapter 39

Jeanie burst into tears, and my father looked positively murderous as he glared at Caleb in the rearview mirror, his eyes darting occasionally to me in disappointment, even though I hadn’t said a thing.

“Don’t make me come back there,” my father growled.

“Oh, bring it, you old misogynistic sonofabitch,” Caleb shot back.

The Suburban fishtailed as my father stomped down on the brakes. “That’s it. Out. You’re walking.”

Caleb undid his seatbelt. “Fine by me.” He started crawling over me.

I undid my own seatbelt and followed him.

“Just where the fuck do you think you’re going?!” my father snarled at me.

“Walking. If Caleb’s walking, I’m walking. And thanks so much. This has been the best birthday EVER,” I said sarcastically, hopping out of the Suburban after Caleb and slamming the door behind me.

I wasn’t sure if he’d actually do it or not, but after about five minutes of muffled voices in the Suburban, my father stepped on the gas and left us in the dust.

-Caleb-

As the dust kicked up around us, I reached for Jocelyn’s hand and squeezed it.

“I wonder how far he’ll make us walk,” Jocelyn said, but her tone indicated she didn’t really care.

“At least I have shoes this time,” I pointed out with a grin.

Jocelyn giggled then coughed on the dust.

I fanned the air with my free hand, but it didn’t seem to help. “We’ll have to give him some lead time, otherwise we’re going to be walking in a dust cloud all the way.”

“Good point,” Jocelyn rasped.

I decided we didn’t need to wait in the cloud while the dust settled and pulled Jocelyn into the woods to let her cough it out. I wished I’d had the presence of mind to grab a couple of water bottles before jumping out of the Suburban.

“You don’t really see me as your sister, do you?” Jocelyn asked after she finished coughing.

I snorted. “Not likely. I see you as my lover. My girlfriend. But definitely not my sister. I was just trying to make a point.”

Jocelyn gave me the most beautiful smile, and my heart melted. “Am I your girlfriend?”

“Yep. And I’m your boyfriend. And that’s what we are,” I said firmly.

“Good.” Jocelyn wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me, pressing her cheek against my shoulder.

I wrapped my arms around her, too. “I’m not going to let them make us live-in babysitters. And I can’t believe they’d planned on dropping that bomb on your eighteenth birthday. I mean, that’s a big day for you, something to be celebrated. Not something to be overshadowed by some pregnancy announcement.”

“I thought my birthday was perfect the way it was,” Jocelyn replied softly.

Remembering the sweet way she’d arched beneath me while she gave me her virginity, every precious sound, just made a sense of awe wash over me. I’d treasure that night forever. “I’m glad. I’m still just so... honored you chose me.”

Jocelyn leaned up and kissed me. “Who else would I have chosen?”

“I don’t know, but the idea of it makes me want to punch him,” I chuckled.

“Now we’re punching imaginary lovers?” Jocelyn laughed.

“Guess so.” I kissed her again on the lips then sucked the spot I’d made on her neck.

“Caleb, we can’t!” Jocelyn gasped.

I groaned. “Why not?”

“What if Dad circles back?” Jocelyn pointed out. “Plus there are any number of fishermen and loggers on the road today.”

“Like our friends?” I asked.

Jocelyn shivered. “Don’t remind me. I really thought they were going to kill us.”

“Yeah,” I said, “me, too.”

Of course, those thoughts brought back Bill, and I remembered, again, how his skull looked all crushed in. It made me want to be sick.

Jocelyn touched my cheek, bringing me out of my horror. “Hey. Don’t go there. That was not your fault. He was going to hurt me, Caleb. Hurt me very badly and probably kill me after. I... I know it’s a horrible memory for you but... but... I’m so grateful.”