In Love With My Evil Stepbrother novel Chapter 4

I don’t believe this. He didn’t want me to come down to Boston earlier. What happened? What changed?

Dad mumbles over the phone, “Of course you are welcome to come back. It’s just—I think you should spend more time with your mom. When was the last time you visit her? Maybe this is a great chance for you to bond.”

I don’t buy that. “How long do you want me to stay here?”

He falls into silence.

My mouth goes dry. And my heart is falling into a bottomless pit. After a long wait, I decide to make this easier for him. “Dad. What is the real reason?”

Another painful silence. He finally speaks up.

“…Hallie wants to move in with me.” His voice so low. Almost hard to catch up, “I thought it might be awkward if you two are both here at the beginning.”

My mind went completely blank.

I don’t know what to think, nor what to say. But I guess my reaction doesn’t really matter to these people anyway.

“So, this is it?” I grip the phone till my knuckles turn white, “You are kicking me out because you want to please your girlfriend?”

“No!” Dad’s voice is squeaky, seems like he’s trying to hide the guilt, “I’m just afraid that you’d be uncomfortable. And I talked to your mom, Boston has better education. Maybe you’ll have a greater chance getting into a better college if you stay there.”

So mom is in this too. And it’s a long-term plan.

Oh yes. Just looking out for me. As they have always been.

When they first got divorced, mom also kindly suggested me go to Miami with my dad because she was afraid that I would be “uncomfortable” here.

And the same excuse again.

I am a soccer ball to them? They can just kick me aside whenever they don’t want me around?

“Nat?” Dad calls my name, “This is up to you really. If you want to come back—”

I quietly hang up on him.

I put away my phone and walk out of the room. Mom is standing in the hallway, twisting her frail fingers, looking nervous.

“Nat. Did he tell you?” She comes to me, “About his girlfriend Hallie?”

“Yes. And his plan of getting rid of me.” I grip my first and ask through my clenched teeth, “Have you ever thought of what I want? Why do you have to decide my life for me!”

Mom takes a sharp inhale. Her eyes are filled with tears and sadness. But I don’t really care what she thinks right now.

I rush out of the townhouse.

I don’t really know where to go. I thought I could stay with Zack when I came here, but that plan went to drain; I wanted to go back to Miami, but I was kicked out; my mom and that fancy townhouse shut the door on me long ago, so I don’t really want to stay there either.

Guess I am homeless.

I wander around aimlessly and end up on a bus going out of town. The bus bumps up and down for more than two hours. I cry and fall asleep during the trip. When I wake up again, the bus has already stopped.

“Final stop, kid!” The driver shouts at me.

I stumble off and find myself nearby a city park. Through the woods I can vaguely see the sea. It’s getting dark now. Might not be a good idea going into the park.

I slump onto a bench and start to question the point of this runaway. It’s silly. Can I really live a life on my own without ever returning? I have exactly $529 on my account, which can’t last a month. Not to mention I will start college next year…

I want to scream, cry and smash things. What have I done to deserve this life?!

My phone has been buzzing nonstop. I take it out and find a ton of missing calls: mom, dad, Jenna…even Eason and Mr. Ramirez.

I can’t believe mom told everyone about this.