My Step Father's Son

Chapter 11 - The Pool

Ava Summer

Rhys decides to stay in the house for a few days because Edward asked him to work on something within the company after work hours.

I meet Rhys during breakfast and sometimes diner. We act like what happened the other day never happened. We don't talk to each other too much; we only pretend in front of our parents that we're good. To be honest, the situation has become awkward.

Sometimes Alicia comes to the house for a few hours. She acts like she owns the house, ordering the maids as she likes. She is impatient and always wants everything quick. She even yelled at Maria. I don't know how Rhys can stand with her.

"Ava? Are you okay?" Mom asks me from outside my room.

I know she's worried about me. I barely get out of my room. I keep myself in my room these days, except for studying or having breakfast and dinner. I don't want to get out.

I haven't met Joe either. I felt guilty, and I don't have the courage to meet him. Luckily, he'd been working out town these few days.

"I'm fine, Mom," I answer her listlessly.

She opens the door and pops her head in. "Can I come in?"

I nod and put aside my laptop, which's been used in bed. I've been playing some games to kill the boredom.

She steps in and looks around. "Is everything alright? The fever is gone," she says as she puts her palm on my forehead.

"I'm fine, Mom, just doing some work." I answer.

She turns to look at my laptop and sees a game on the screen.

"I play for awhile not to get bored." I make an excuse.

She sighs and sits on the bed, facing me. "You can always talk to me, Ava," she says. "Is this about Joe? I haven't seen him for awhile."

I shake my head. "Joe is fine. He'd been out of town for a few days."

She smiles and says, "I'm glad if you two are okay."

"Did you fight with Rhys? He called me this morning, asking about you. He seemed worried," she says as she observes me.

Did he? I'm surprised he did that. He never asked when we met.

He did call me, but I never picked up.

"It's normal when siblings fight with each other, but you shouldn't carry away and make the problem even longer. Why don't you two talk and discuss it? I'm sure you two can sort things out." Mom says as she pats on my shoulder.

I sigh silently. Mom, if only you knew what problems Rhys and I had.

"And lucky for you, tomorrow, Rhys and his friends are going to have a barbeque in the backyard. I think it's good if you can join them. Bring Emily, Joe, or anyone you like with you," she says excitedly.

I'm startle. Joining Rhys and his friends? Seriously? Can I just stay in my room?

"Ah, come on! You need some fresh air, Ava. Don't stay in the room all day," she encourages me.

"Mom--"

"It's going to be like old times when you hung out with them. Besides, you can sort things out easier with your friends around. It's going to be fun!" She looks at me with pleading eyes. "What do you say? Yes?"

I finally say yes, only to make her happy and leave me alone.

I have no choice except to join them. I invite Emily to the barbecue. At least, with her around, I won't feel alone.

Out of my expectations, Emily is getting along very well with Mike. The latter also just broke up with his girlfriend. They're talking and doing other things together.

Patrick and Clara, his girlfriend, have been sharing the barbeque plate together. Ronald is the one who has been talking with me since he got here. While Alicia is with Rhys, sitting on his lap just across from me and Ronald.

Things seem to be going normally for both me and Rhys, but they're not. I'm just pretending that I get over our matter. But the truth is, I can't forget what happened between us. And seeing him with Alicia only makes me uneasy.

I'm not baking cookies for us, but I made us lemonade as I used to. Rhys also buys cans of beer for the boys, and Mom already prepares the barbeque beforehand, just to get me out of my room and join them.

"Maria, get me a glass of lemonade!" Alicia orders.

Maria is just getting back from the house with a tray of sausage to grill.

"It's in the fridge. You can take it by yourself." I say this without looking at her.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Alicia asks and turns her eyes on me.

"I said it's in the fridge. You can just take it by yourself." I repeat it indifferently.

"It's okay; let me get it for you." Maria, who's always been nice, tags along with her. I know she doesn't want to trouble me, but I don't agree with her.

"Maria, you just came back from inside. She can take it by herself." I tell Maria to let her be. Alicia has her own foot, doesn't she?

Alicia furrows her brows and clenches her jaw. She takes a deep breath, about to scold me, when Rhys holds her arm and says, "Alicia, why don't you take the lemonade? Maria has to grill the sausage for us."

Well, I hope she heard him.

"It's okay, Rhys. I can get it." Maria says, waving her hand as if it's not a big deal.

"I'm sorry, Maria," Rhys apologizes, and Maria smiles in response.

"Why did you apologize to her? It's her job! That's how she gets paid!" Alicia complains harshly.

Gosh, she's so annoying!

I decide to plunge into the pool. It will calm me down and make me relax. It's better to swim than listen to Alicia's complaints.

I take off my clothes and swim in the pool wearing my red wrap bikini. Ronald follows me, accompanying me. I'm glad he's here because everyone else has their own couple.

Ronald and I decide to play water basket ball. We'd been playing for fifteen minutes and having a bit of fun. We try to seize the ball from each other and get it to the ring. So far, Ronald has a higher score than me.

"Hei, do you want to go out sometimes? Maybe get some drinks or watch movies?" Ronald asks as he tries to get the ball from me. I'm standing between him and the wall behind me.

"Maybe not. I have a boyfriend." I answer as I swim to his side. The basketball ring is behind him.

"Really?" he asks in surprise.

"Yes, I'm sorry," I reply and wink.

"I'm late then. I should have asked you four years ago." He gives me a sad look before snatching the ball all of a sudden.

"Maybe you should," I reply casually before snatching back the ball and smirking.

"We can still be friends." I add and then throw the ball to the basket, and it's in!

"Yeah, sure." He takes the ball from the water and walks towards me.

He stops in front of me and holds my shoulder. "I really like you, you know? If only Rhys allowed me to get to know you--"

"He--what?" I ask, not sure if I heard him right.

"It's nothing," he says, brushing it aside and waving his hand.

We continue chatting in the pool about a lot of things. Jokes, news, and even gossip.

"Hey, I'm going to get some drinks. Do you want some?" I feel thirsty and want to grab some drinks.

"Sure. Want me to go with you?" he offers.

"It's okay, I can do it." I reply and then climb up out of the pool.

After drying myself, I go to the kitchen and open the fridge.

"What are you two talking about?" Rhys suddenly comes and asks.

"Just usual things; nothing matters." I answer as I pour lemonade into glasses and take a glance at him. He seems pissed off.

"Doesn't look that way!" he exclaims and moves to the front of me, standing on my way.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I ask. Did he think that I teased his friend?

I move slightly to the side as I try to walk away.

"Don't play sweet, Ava. I don't like the way you talk to him." Rhys blocks my way and holds my arm, preventing me from moving.

The way I talk to him? Why is he saying ridiculous things?

"Ronald is your friend. How do you want me to talk to him?"

"Besides, you shouldn't worry about me. Why don't you pay attention to your fiance? Maybe she's the one who needs your attention." I remind him that he has a girlfriend instead of involving with my business.

"Of course I pay attention to her. She is my fiancé. But Ronald? He is not even your boyfriend," he replies sarcastically.

"Oh wow! Now you accuse me of flirting with your friend while my boyfriend is not here? Is that so? Maybe someone forgot his fiance when f*****g his own sister!" I mock him out of anger. How dare he accuse me of flirting with Ronald!

He seems surprised that I talk about it. He moves closer and grips my arms tighter.

"Well, it takes two to tango, doesn't it? It seemed you enjoyed yourself back then. Remind me who squirms and moans uncontrollably at that moment." He raises his brows and gives me a mischievous look.

What? I can feel my face get hotter from his words.

"You!" I yell and throw a punch at him in anger, but he catches my wrist.

"What baby? Can't forget what it felt like? Or maybe you still imagine me f*****g you?" he says in a hoarse, deep voice in front of my face.

We're standing so close—only inches apart. His eyes stare at me and down to my lips.

My heart is beating faster, and I can feel that our breath is heavier. I look down at his lips, and a flash of his passionate kiss plays in my head.

My throat feels dried as the temptation to feel those lips again gets stronger.

I push the thought of it to the back of my head. I should not fall for his trap again.

"I don't need to imagine you when I can do it with someone else!" I state this as I broke free from his grasp.

He looks angry. "Don't you dare--" He was about to say something when he abruptly stopped while gazing behind my back.

I feel something off about it, so I turn around to see my mother walk into the kitchen. I moved away from Rhys that very second.

Fortunately, she's been staring at her phone screen and didn't see what happened.

"There you two!" she exclaims when she raises her gaze and finds us. "How's the party? Did you bring your friend with you?" She asks as she walks towards me.

"Ahem, yeah, Emily." I answer, trying to act normal.

"That's great. And Joe?" She asks again as she takes the lemonade bottle in my hand and pours herself a glass of it.

I clear my throat. "He's out town. He can't come."

"That's too bad." She sighs and pats my arm. "Anyway, it's good to see you two here. I wanna tell you that next week is Edward's birthday, and I need both of your help to make a surprise party for him."

"Sure, Mom, how can I help?" I don't mind at all. More over, Edward had been kind to me.

"I might need your help to organize the catering and cake, Ava," she says, giving me a heads up.

"Yeah, I can do that. Just let me know what else you need." I response.

"Okay honey." She satisfies, and then turns to Rhys. "And Rhys, can you help me check your family's name list for the invitation? Just in case I miss someone."

"Sure. Just send me the list," Rhys answers briefly.

"Okay, that's settled then. You can continue having fun with your friends." She seems happy with our encounter, as she gives us a big smile before leaving.

After Mom left, Rhys and I didn't say anything to each other. I go back to the pool, and Rhys only comes back after awhile. I didn't talk to Rhys after that.

Instead of staying away from Ronald, I spent the time mostly with him.

I do that intentionally to upset Rhys. I don't know why, but I want to anger him.

Who says he can tell me what to do? Forbid me from doing this and that and even accuse me of flirting with Ronald?

All of us except Alicia decide to play water basketball. At the end, she joins us, and we play 4 on 4.

Mike, Ronald, Emily and I are on the same team. Rhys, Patrick, Clara and Alicia are on the other team.

We've been playing for half an hour, and the scores are tight.

"Em!" I shout, asking her to pass the ball for me because I'm free. I'm sure I can make it to the ring.

Emily sees me and throws the ball towards me. I jump up to get it, but suddenly I feel pain in my head as someone crushes on me.

I'm thrown back down into the water and feel a hand push me to the bottom.

Faguely, I can see someone above me. Is that Alicia? How the hell did she come near me? I'm pretty sure I was free, and no one was near me.

Soon, I was pushed back to the surface by gravity. I gasp, breathing in air for my lungs.

"Ava, are you okay?" Ronald asks worriedly as he pulls me up. I hold on to him for support, still breathing for air.

"Ava, are you okay?" Suddenly, Rhys comes in and pushes Ronald away.

"Are you okay? Anything hurt?" He asks panicky while checking on me.

"Hey man!" Ronald shouts in anger. He pisses off because Rhys is pushing him hard.

Rhys ignored him. He keeps checking on me. I can see how worried he is, and it stuns me.

Mike comes and holds Ronald's shoulder to calm him down.

"I'm fine." I say not to make everyone worry and not to make a big fuss out of it.

"Rhys!!" Suddenly, a loud scream comes from the side. Everyone turns around to see Alicia's angry face.

I was still in a daze and couldn't catch up with what happened. But by looking at her face, I can tell that Alicia is about to explode with anger.

At that moment, I realized that it was Alicia who crushed me.

If that's the case, what is Rhys doing by my side? Why didn't he comfort Alicia?

No one speaks, but everyone's gaze turns to Rhys.

"Ronald, can you take me out of the pool?" I request. I don't want to be in between Alicia and Rhys. It's better for me to stay away.

Ronald and Emily help me out of the pool while Rhys swims to Alicia.

From the corner of my eye, I see Alicia mad at him; she's throwing a tantrum before climbing out of the pool. She leaves with her stuff, and Rhys catches her and tries to calm her down. They finally talk in the living room.

After some time, Rhys comes back. But his face is still upset.

"What was that, bro? Why did you push me?" Ronald, who's been upset with Rhys, inquired.

"You mind?" Instead of giving an explanation, Rhys challenges him.

"Yes, I mind!" Ronald won't back down, either. He moves forward with clenched hands and gritted teeth.

Rhys does the same. Both of them seem to be in a fit of rage.

"Wow wow! Hold on!" Mike and Patrick shout to intervene. Each of them holding the dispute parties.

"I was trying to help your sister!" Ronald yells at Rhys.

"So did I!" Rhys yells back.

"She's your sister, not your girlfriend! Why did you push me?" Ronald is not backing down.

Ronald's words seem to anger Rhys even more. Rhys strides forward and punches Ronald in the face. No one expected Rhys to actually punch Ronald.

Ronald tries to punch him back, but Mike and Patrick hold them apart.

Clara and Emily scream in fear at the scene. It's chaotic.

I stride towards them and yell, "Stop it, you two!"

Only then the both of them calm down.

I took a deep breath and left. I'm so upset with their childish behavior.

I go to the kitchen and take some ice from the fridge and put it on my forehead, where I crush against Alicia.

"Feeling better?" Emily comes after awhile.

"I'm fine."

She checks my forehead and releases a breath of relief after making sure I'm okay.

"How is everyone?" I ask, curious about what happened in the yard.

"They are good now, but your brother is still tense," she answers, taking a glance at me.

I keep silent, feeling that it was probably my fault that I teased Rhys with Ronald. I didn't know that he could be this angry.

"Anyway, I'm going home with Mike. And Ronald already went home with Patrick and Clara." Emily's words bring me back to my senses.

I nod. Good thing they are okay.

"So, you and Mike now?" They've been getting along today; they might see each other in the future. I'm okay with that. Mike is a nice person.

"I don't know yet, but he is cool, I guess." Emily blushes when he talks about Mike.

"Good for you, Em." I hold her hand and smile.

"Thanks. Bye Ava. Take care, and--don't fight too much with your brother," she says before leaving.

After Emily left, I go back to my room and stay there for the rest of the day.

It was a bad idea to join them in the pool.