Bullied By My Alpha Stepbrother

Jason Davenport

I pretended not to know that Dad walked into my room. It was 6am. I would soon have to get up and get ready for school.

But for now, I really didn’t feel like seeing him or talking to him. So I pretended to be asleep.

He stood at the side of my bed watching me. Sighing when he saw that I was asleep, he gently sat on my bed and buried his head in his hands.

He looked tired and stressed out. Maybe he really was having a hard time. I wondered if maybe I was being too hard on him. . .

But I banished that thought as quickly as it came. He deserved it. He was the one trying to replace Mom and change everything. We were great on our own before Ashley showed up.

And still, he was too blind to see that the only thing she was doing was ruining our lives and our relationship with each other.

It’d come back to bite him in the ass. And for sure he’d regret ever trying to replace my mother. Like he always did.

The thought of letting Ashley rob him came to my mind, and for a moment I considered it. It’d be the best way to show him what kind of person she truly was. And he’d learn his lesson too.

But no.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that she might harm him. And as much as I hated to admit it, that thought was frightening.

I’d already lost one parent. I wasn’t about to lose the other.

Maybe I should stop him.

But I knew he wouldn’t listen to me. He’d think I was only trying to ruin it because I hated Ashley.

Not that I didn’t. Because I did. I really did.

I watched him sit there for minutes with his head in his hands. After a while, I decided that I’d pretended for long enough.

So I acted like I was just waking up, surprised to see him sitting there.

“Hey, buddy,” He said as he saw me getting up. “I’ve been waiting for you to get up.”

“Morning Dad,” I murmured, getting up and walking to the bathroom.

“Your mom and I are leaving today,” He said after a while.

“Oh, okay.” I wasn’t really interested in what he had to say. I knew he was feeling guilty. And I was going to use it to my advantage.

“You gonna be okay?” He asked. I could hear the desperation in his voice.

I deliberately wasted a lot of time to respond. “No,” I answered gravely.

“I’m grounded till graduation, I can’t play video games, see my friends, or even have my car. And now I’m going to spend two weeks alone in this huge house. Because this doesn’t feel like a home.”This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

For effect, I trudged into the shower and shut the door. I took my time showering, knowing that the more time I spent in the bathroom, the more time he had to feel bad. Ample time for the guilt to really seep in.

After showering, I walked back into the room and started to change into my already laid out outfit for the day.

Dad grabbed my arm as I proceeded to walk downstairs. “I’m sorry,” He stated. “I know it’s hard for you, being all alone here. I promise that after your exams, we’ll take a trip. Just the two of us.” He smiled, and I wondered if he really meant it. I hoped he did.

“You can have your car back,” He continued.

Yes! I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Finally.

“And your video games too. But. . . you’re still grounded.”

I gave him a look.

He shook his head. “No, no. I mean it. I don’t think you’re spending time with the right people. I’m trying to protect you.”

“Fine,” I said giving up.

No point arguing.

It’s not like he’d be here to monitor my movements anyway.

He gave me a warm smile. “We better go downstairs. Your mom is waiting.”

As we got downstairs and sat down for breakfast, Dad tossed me the keys to my car.

I would’ve kissed the keys if I wasn’t so determined to not show any emotions.

So I only nodded-a gesture that showed I was grateful.

Ashley grinned at me as I ate a spoonful of baked beans.

“We’re gonna miss you, Jace,” She said, pouting.

I nodded, trying to hide my scowl. No point causing drama today. After all, I wouldn’t have to see her for two weeks. What more could I ask?

“But don’t worry we’ll be back before you know it!” She clung onto dad’s arm. “Right babe?”

Please, not the pet names. I was this close to gagging.

Dad nodded in affirmation, smiling and looking from me to Ashley.

What was that?

Did he think we were finally getting along? It was almost laughable.

I was only doing this because I needed Ashley to think I was warming up to her.

And then she’d make the mistake of letting her guard down. And I would catch her right where I should.

So she better enjoy the peace. For now.

“Do you want anything from Paris?” Dad asked.

I shrugged. I’d been to Paris with Mom and Dad some years back. So there wasn’t really anything special I could think of.

“Video games maybe?” I said, wanting the conversation to end.

“Sure,” Dad nodded.

Ashley giggled. “Look at us, having breakfast together peacefully for once,” She said.

Dad laughed and kissed her hand, reaching out for mine.

I pretended to cough so I could remove my hand from his hold.

After a while of eating in silence, Dad checked his watch.

“Shoot! Baby we have to go. We’re gonna miss our flight.”

Ashley let out a yelp, running round to grab her stuff as though the world were coming to an end.

As they raced through the door, Dad called out. “No parties, Jason!”

The last thing I heard was the echoing laughter of Ashley as they raced down the stairs.