Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother

Chapter 9-Tradition

(Johnnie)

We had just landed in the Melbourne Orlando International Airport after our long six-hour flight and I have to say I am pretty damn proud of myself.

I managed to stay away from Capsian for most of the time and actually had fun with Alder, Robin, and Ben. We were sitting in the seats across from each other and Alder and I even watched the same movie.

Eventually, I fell asleep leaning against Alder and by the time I woke up, we had already landed.

We were now in the caravan as I peered out of the window with excitement humming through me..

Cocoa Beach..the place we have come to every summer for the past ten years.

David King owned a house right next to the beach..yeah..it was ridiculous..it just shows how wealthy this man truly is. This will be our sixth year coming to this house and I can't wait to be there again. Not only does it have a private pool, a gaming room, and a tennis court..but it is only a few minutes walk to the beach.

"Okay everyone, before we get there remember that you need to put sunblock on and bring your water with you at all times. I'm serious..we don't want what happened to Jo last year to happen again." My mom suddenly chimed in, making me frown from her using me as an example.

Okay..I might've forgotten to reapply my sunblock last year and got horribly burned..I looked like a damn lobster..but not this year..I made sure to pack a few extra bottles, plus this cute little Keychain one that Anna grabbed for me. I even applied some as soon as we landed.

I watched as Caspian scoffed before giving my mom a cold look. I couldn't help but study him, wondering what he was thinking as he peered back out the window. Watching his reflection...I swear sadness filled his eyes..if only for a second..I saw some type of emotion.

Could Caspian be having a harder time with this than he is letting on? I doubt he would ever tell me..plus..I'm done trying with that Neanderthal..

"Jojo, you want to go straight to the beach with me like old times?" Alder suddenly asked, making a smile pull at my lips as I nodded my head happily.

Ben, Alder, Caspian, and I would always run straight to the beach as soon as we got to the house..we didn't even wait to unpack or change..we just ran to the ocean and would jump in..it was kind of our tradition. But for the past few years, we haven't..we stopped the same year Caspian began bullying me before Dad died.

"Count me in." Ben suddenly chimed in as Robin frowned before Ben began giving her puppy eyes.

"Fine..geez..you are ridiculous." She said before rolling her eyes and fighting a smile.

"Cass? What about you?" Alder asked his brother as Caspian's large frame didn't even budge.

"No thanks." He stated firmly, his eyes still staring out the window as we passed those familiar places we would visit every summer.

"I will, if that's cool with you guys." Milo asked wearily as he looked back, glancing towards me briefly.

"Of course dude." Alder responded happily before slapping Milo on the back in a friendly way.

I could feel the excitement building the closer we got to the house..my eyes scanning over palm trees and old restaurants that we frequented throughout the years and then we turned down the private road that led to a large gate.

Dave pulled the car to a stop and spoke with the security guard before showing his ID and gaining access.

I moved to the edge of my seat..feeling that itch to get some sand beneath my toes as Dave turned down the street and that's when the gorgeous house came into view. The outside was a light grey and blue color with two huge palm trees in the yard.

There was a circular driveway and I could smell the ocean from here. As soon as Dave stopped the car..we were off..it was like we were kids again as I stepped onto the pavement and felt Alder grip my hand before tugging.

He quickly pulled me towards that same path we had walked so many times before as I could hear the waves crashing from here. Seagulls cried out their welcome as I quickly kicked my sneakers off before stepping on the hot sand, trying not to stay in one place for too long or they would surely burn.

"Come on Jo!" Alder shouted, making me laugh as he continued to pull me along and before I knew it, he had hoisted me over his shoulder, making a burst of laughter fall from my lips.

"I'm going to fall!" I yelled, seeing Ben doing the same to Robin as Milo jogged next to them. Then I saw Caspian in the back, his eyes burning into mine as anger coursed through him.

Before I could even think of why he was mad, I felt a splash of water hit my back before Alder spun around and dove in, taking me with him.

I quickly shut my eyes and plugged my nose, trying to hold my breath as the warm salty water engulfed me.

I felt my body being dragged back up as hands started brushing my now soaking wet hair out of my face.

"Are you okay?" Alder laughed, clearing my face as I fluttered my eyes open and saw him staring at me.

"Oh..you are asking for it now." I responded before leaping forward and pushing him back, making him fall into the water once more as his arms wrapped around my waist, taking me with him.

"Are you guys f*****g done? We need to bring the stuff in." Caspian yelled from the beach as his muscular arms were crossed in front of his chest. He had on a black T-shirt now and his tattoos were on full display, making his biceps look even bigger.

I always seem to forget how big Capsian really is..he is the Hockey captain after all..even on the off seasons like now he still keeps in good shape.

"That's it..I'm done with the pissy behavior." Alder suddenly announced before eyeing Ben and Milo as they started stepping out of the water.

"You are f*****g going in.." Alder stated, making Caspian scoff as a smug look filled his face.

"You seriously think you can get me in there?" He asked arrogantly as he eyed the guys approaching him.

Suddenly Robin walked over towards me as I stood up..realistically we were only in knee deep water..but the waves were getting us pretty good.

"This should be good." Robin whispered before giving me a wink.

"Oh, we will..and then you are going to drop this f*****g attitude and try to have some damn fun." Alder declared and that's when he pounced, his arms gripping on to Caspian's before pulling. Ben swiftly took the other side as Milo headed for the back, pushing him towards the ocean..only..he was barely budging.

That's when Caspian let out a laugh, one I hadn't heard in years as a smile tugged at his lips.

"Come on! Let's go help." Robin suddenly blurted as I watched her small soaked frame run up to them.

That's when Caspian's eyes flashed to mine, his gaze wandering down my body as his smiled faltered and suddenly he began to move. Alder and Ben managed to gain the upper hand as Robin and Milo pushed from the back and that's when a loud splash sounded as I closed my eyes and turned my head, feeling the ocean water sprinkle across my face.

"Dude! My phone was in my pocket!" Caspian yelled as he breached the surface, making everyone but me laugh.

I looked away, feeling left out now as Capsian started messing around with Milo and Alder.

I slowly started walking to the beach, trying not to let Caspian's presence get to me as I was about to step out of the water when two large tattooed arms suddenly wrapped around my waste.

"Where do you think you're going Turner." Caspian suddenly whispered against my ear before yanking me back and throwing me into the ocean once more.

Only this time I didn't have a chance to plug my nose or close my mouth even..that's how shocked I was..so when I went under the surface, salt water rushed through my nose and mouth causing me to choke.

"f**k, are you okay?" Caspian asked as I came out coughing, trying to gasp for air as I pushed away from him.

He probably did that on purpose and was just faking concern in front of everyone!

"Y..yeah..j..just let me go." I managed to croak out as I must've looked like a drowning rat at this point.

I crawled onto the beach as Alder was now next to me and patting my back.

"Do you need a minute?" He asked and I just nodded.

"I..I'm fine..I just swallowed some water." I explained, feeling my throat now burning as I slowly stood, avoiding Caspian altogether. I'm guessing he had a very pleased look on his face.

"Let's head back, we should help them with the luggage anyways." Alder laughed as I nodded and that's when I saw him glance down before his cheeks began turning pink.

Then I quickly followed his gaze as my mouth fell wide open..apparently this shirt is practically see-through when it gets wet..and the thin white bra doesn't hide anything..oh god..how much worse can this get?! Before I could even answer that, Caspian stomped over to me before gripping my arm and whirling me around. He then proceeded to hastily take off his wet black T-shirt and shove it over my head, leaving me staring at his bare tattooed chest..

Welp..now I know how much worse it can get..a freaking lot apparently.