Stepbrother Aflame Read Online Free Page B

proudly. “I’ve been called worse.”
    The waiter brings us our food and we dig in.
    “Why haven’t you visited before?” She asks, swallowing down a fry.
    “I had no reason to.”
    “Your dad said your relationship was strained, but he never really talks about you.”
    “Strained is an understatement. I detest the man.”
    “I think detest is a pretty harsh word.”
    I take a chug of my drink before answering her. “My dad went to the same college as my mom in California. They started dating and he knocked her up a few months later. When she told him she was pregnant with me, he told her to get an abortion. When she refused, he left her. My mom had to drop out of school because she was on a scholarship and couldn’t take the required credits. It was too hard on her trying to juggle having a baby, a job, and school.” Meanwhile, my dad was able to graduate and go on to law school. He’s now rich with a mansion while my mom works doubles waitressing.”
    “Your dad didn’t help at all?”
    I shook my head. “He didn’t come to one appointment with her. He wasn’t at the hospital when I was born. After a few years, he started to come around. He’d make an appearance every few years, telling my mom he wanted us to become a family. He’d get her hopes up and then bail again. He’s a fucking coward.”
    She plays with her straw in her cup. “Wow, that’s asshole – ish.”
    I nod. “Damn straight.”
    I don’t like talking about my personal problems. I don’t want people thinking I have daddy issues – because I sure as hell don’t. I could care less about my dad not being in my life.
    She eyes my empty plate. “I don’t understand how you can eat all of that and have your body.”
    I look at her in full cockiness and her face shades with embarrassment. “My body? Have you been spying on me behind closed doors? Do I need to start checking my closet for you before I undress?”
    An annoyed expression crosses her face. “No, idiot. You decided to grace me with your naked chest last night, remember?”
    “Ah … I forgot about that. Did you like what you saw?”
    “Obviously,” she snorts. “Your body is crazy perfect. It’s like your stomach is filled with ridges and valleys of muscle. It’s ridiculous.”
    I grin at the compliment. Since I eat like shit, I work out like crazy. I joined a kickboxing gym with my best friend, Kelton, to make sure I stay in shape.
    “You’ve seen mine, I think it’s only fair I see yours,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows.
    She bites the edge of a fry and gives me an annoyed look. “Not happening, homeboy. I wish I could eat like shit and still look good.”
    I scowl at her. “What the fuck are you talking about? Your body is sexy as fuck.”
    Usually when girls bitch about their bodies, it pisses me off because I know they’re fishing for compliments. But I have a feeling Addison is being one hundred percent serious. She’s self-conscious and she has no fucking reason to be.
    “It’s good to have a curvy body, to look like a woman. Those boobs and that ass, those are good fucking things. If any man tells you different, stay the fuck away from them because they’re fucking crazy.”
     
    ***
     
    “I’m telling you this isn’t a good idea,” I say, looking at the brick building from her car.
    The country club is bigger than I thought it would be. They don’t have this kind of shit in my neighborhood. There’s a pool in the back and I notice kids running around. Women are lying out with big ass hats on their heads and drinks in their hands.
    “Quit being a pansy,” Addison says, shutting off her car. “I’ll come in with you and hold your hand.”
    I shake my head and she can’t hold back her smile. “I see you do have a little smart mouth on you.” I’ve actually had fun hanging out with her today.
    “It’s not about me being a pussy,” I go on. “It’s about me not wanting to be around arrogant bastards like Leonard. I don’t want to