Stephan(34)

I grinned down at Derick, he knew not to challenge me, I never lost. “You’re on. I’ll call Scott and Brad, you call the others.”

Derick nodded and I went in search of my mum, Cassie, and Jade.





Chapter Eight





Jade





Cassie stayed the night and we’d talked until the early hours of the morning. The only other person I’d spoken to like I had with Cassie was my best friend in the city, Jess. Her house had been a safe haven for me from my mother and her friends.

I was surprised when we woke up and Stephan wasn’t hovering over me. He may let me sleep in my own room but he was in it almost as much as me. Stephan had no boundaries. I showered and got dressed. Cassie took a shower while I dressed. Together we went downstairs and to the kitchen.

It was so quiet without Stephan and Derick. Stephan had come in while his mum, Cassie, and me had been watching a girly movie in the theater room. He came over and pulled me to the side. I stepped away from him and stared up at him.

“I’m going out tonight. You don’t need me do you?”

I couldn’t help the grin that spread over my face. Peace and quiet. I’d have one night off from his overbearing ways. I wondered if jumping up and down squealing with joy would be rude, especially in front of his mother. I bit my lip and took a minute to compose myself. “Sure. No, I don’t need you. Yes. Go out and have fun. I’ll be fine here. Don’t worry about me.”

By his glare I knew I hadn’t fooled him. “Fine. If you’re going to be like that I’ll see you tomorrow.” He looked over at his mum. “Can you drop Jade and Cassie into Sydney at the apartment? We are going to the movies and dinner. Any time after lunch would be good.”

“Sure, if the girls want to go.”

I didn’t want to go to the movies in Sydney or out for dinner. I debated arguing for a moment, but thought better of it when I looked at Stephan. He looked sad. I’d never seen him look like that. Guilt assaulted me and my heart sank. I shouldn’t be such a bitch to him. Going to him, I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on him. He stilled and my heartbeat followed. Had I pushed him too far? If my legs didn’t hurt still I’d go up on my tiptoes and kiss him.

“I want to go.” I gazed up at him and smiled. “It sounds good. I haven’t been to the movies in ages.”

Stephan’s arms came around me and I sighed. I loved when he hugged me. For a moment there I thought he wouldn’t do it. I needed to show him I liked him.

So now Cassie and I sat eating brunch in the kitchen waiting for Evelin to wake up and take us Sydney. I had a great girls’ night, and as much as I loved the silence and Stephan not hovering, I missed him.

*****

Stephan





I felt like shit. Beer, shots of tequila and whisky don’t go together. I may have drank a little harder each time one of the guys called me pussy whipped or a accused me of my balls being in a jar, but I outdrank all of them and was still standing when they passed out so I was proud of that.

Groaning, I cracked an eye open to see I was in the apartment lounge room. Opening my other eye I looked around to see bodies everywhere. I sat up only to freak when arms fell from my naked chest. “Fuck. Shit.”

Searching the room for Derick, I winced at all the naked women. I racked my brain to remember what happened and prayed I hadn’t fucked up. The woman who’d been hugging me sat up, her bare breasts out for all to see.

“You’re awake.” She stood only wearing a red G-string. “Let’s go have some fun.”

I backed away. Shit I needed to know what happened last night. I glanced at my watch and I felt my whole body turn cold. It was eleven thirty. I ignored the chick in front of me and went sifting through naked bodies. “Derick! Derick, wake your arse up now. I need everyone out like an hour ago. Derick.”

A loud moan in the bedroom direction had me following the noise. Derick had made it to a bed but he was far from alone. I needed help and was freaking out about what I woke to. I leaned over the naked woman and shook my brother. “Wake the fuck up now. We have, if we are lucky, an hour to get everyone out, showered, and ready for Mum, Jade, and Cassie.”

Derick groaned and pushed my hands off him. “You do it. You invited them back.”

Feeling sick to my stomach, I dug deep into my pockets, I needed answers and I needed them now. I hoped Brand and his team knew what happened.

“Hey, kid. How you feeling?”

“You tell me. Who was on me and Derick last night?”

Brand chuckled. “Unfortunately not me. I’m driving your mother, Cassie, and your girl to you now.”