Unbreakable Series (Second Chance)
Unfiltered
Unacquainted
Unwanted
Unforgettable
* * *
425 Madison Avenue Series (Second Chance)
Must Love Coffee
Must Love Forever
* * *
Fans of Football Series (Sports)
Color Blind
Rules of Submission
* * *
The Jake Davis Novella Series (Suspense)
(Now in a Box Set)
The Complete Package
* * *
Stand Alone Books
Stockholm (Suspense)
The Last Breath (Chick Lit)
Lots of Naughty & A Little Nice (MMF—Holiday)
Stray
BY J.D. HOLLYFIELD
“Stray”
A step-brother romance
* * *
I knew exactly who she was, but she didn't know me. Bratty, mouthy, intolerable.
A stray.
And my new stepsister.
But it doesn’t change the fact that she’s collateral damage.
© Copyright 2021 J.D. HOLLYFIELD
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.
* * *
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Created with Vellum
Chapter 1
Catalina
I can’t believe this is happening.
I shouldn’t be back here.
The Uber driver pulls up to the address. A quaint, two-story house on the end of Willowbrook Street. A house with four walls and a family inside. But it’s no longer my home. It’s no longer my family. It stopped being a home when I was seven and my parents broke their vows. When I was fourteen and Dad finally left. When I was sixteen and Mom tossed me out without a care.
I stare out the window, my heart rate starting to pick up as we pull into the driveway. I should have fought Dad harder on this. I never should have allowed him to send me back here. I shouldn’t have allowed him the option.
* * *
“Dad, no. You can’t do this.”
“Baby girl, it’s already done. Janette and I are getting married. We certainly can’t take you on our honeymoon. It’s about time you and your mom made up.”
“There’s no making up, Dad. She hates me. She made that clear.”
He pats me on the top of my head as if I’m still his little girl and not turning eighteen in a few days. “She can’t hate you. She’s your mom. And she wouldn’t turn away her own kid.” Yes, she would. If only Dad knew the real reason she kicked me out. “Plus, she agreed. It’s only for your last semester. You can meet up with all your old friends. It’s not like you’re making any here.”
His jab at my lack of a social life hurts, but it’s the least of my problems right now. “Dad, I can’t go. Please, let me stay. I start back at school tomorrow. And just like you said, it’s my last semester. I’m about to turn eighteen. I’ll be fine on my own here. I can’t leave now.”
“Sorry, baby girl. Our flight leaves in the morning, and your flight leaves tonight.”
He didn’t give me another thought as he put me on a plane and shipped me back to the one place that holds the worst memories. The worst regret. The most shame.
My foot starts to tap rapidly against the floorboard. The driver puts the car in park and waits for me to get out, but my legs suddenly feel like steel beams, unable to move. Tap, tap, tap. My fingers flutter against the door, but I can’t pull the handle.
I shouldn’t be here.
“You gonna get out?”
I blink away the fear and nod to the driver, finally pulling the lever to open the door. The winter chill blasts across my face, and I clutch my thick coat to my chest. I gather my small suitcase, my body shivering. Panic starts to grow inside me. I try to find salvation back inside the Uber, but it’s too late. He’s already pulling out and driving down the street. “Shit. Shit!”
I shouldn’t be here.
I glare at the house, lines forming on my forehead as my brow furrows.
I shouldn’t be here.
The light’s on in the front room. She’s waiting up for me. I inhale deeply and release a cloud of chilled air. “It’s just a few months. I can do this. Just stay out of her way and I’ll be back with Dad in no time.” I lick my dry lips and focus on putting one foot in front of the other. As I trek toward the house, I peer down at the walkway. It looks like it’s been plowed, but a fresh inch of snow has already accumulated. A flashback from long ago resurfaces. My dad and I shoveling the driveway. The shovel was too heavy, so Dad ran into the garage and got my sand shovel. I insisted on finishing the walkway until I almost froze to death, and he had to carry me in.
Dammit, I can’t do this.
I can’t pretend nothing happened. Pretend that she doesn’t hate me. I turn around, but the sound of my mom’s voice stops me.
“Catalina.” Clenching my eyes closed, I inhale a staggered breath. Turning on my heel, I find her standing in the doorway wrapped in a white robe.
“Yep. Still my name.”
God, this is awkward. The little girl in me wants to run into my mom’s arms, but the cautious, wounded woman wants to run the other way and avoid the hurt she’ll inevitably cause.
“Well, come on in before you catch a cold. We’re expected to get more snow soon.”
As much as my feet want to direct me in the opposite direction, I force them to move and head up the walkway. When I reach the door, Mom moves out of the way to allow me entrance. I expect to be flooded with familiarity, but nothing sparks my memories. Everything is different. The furniture. The color on the walls. I hadn’t expected to see any old family photos hanging up, but I don’t see any new ones either.
“You’ve done some redecorating.” It’s the only thing I can say.
“Yeah. It was time for a change. William helped pick out the furniture. He and Hunter painted.” Her new family. I’ve only spoken to my mom once since she kicked me out, and it was for her to tell me she was getting married. It wasn’t to invite me back home or even to the ceremony, just that she was starting fresh, and it would be best if I didn’t meddle in this one. I hid the hurt. Her continuous denial of affection. What ever happened to unconditional motherly love? Then I remember she’s not built that way.
I turn around and face her. She looks the same. Age has been good to her. Her hair is darker. No doubt she’s been dipping into the Botox fun. “Hunter?” I ask.
“Oh, William’s son. Your stepbrother.”
“Cool. Always wanted a brother.” Not. The day suddenly starts to catch up to me. “Well, I’m just gonna go up to my room.” I head toward the stairs when she stops me.