Resisting my Step-Brother

Drowning my sorrows

I tried to act as normal as I could at dinner. I could tell that this meant a lot to Mark, having both of his children meet the woman that he loves and sharing a nice meal as a family. Luckily, Gemma was a good distraction for the awkward tension that was present between me and Liam. Mark was asking about how her new job was and how Cameron was getting on with his career. I could tell that Gemma was holding back about something because she answered them bluntly. I picked at my food and forced myself to eat a few mouthfuls. I had completely lost my appetite. Liam hadn’t looked at me once since he stormed out of my room. He was sitting opposite me, making a conscious effort to ignore me completely. 

“So will Cameron be joining us? I would love to meet him” my mum asked and Liam stopped eating before looking at his sister with piercing eyes.

“Um... no, he has a lot of work to catch up on and wanted me to spend some time with you all without him appearing then disappearing again” she excused. Liam looked as though he was going to flip out. He seemed so angry as soon as my mum said Cameron’s name.

“Well we have made up a bed for you in the office. Hopefully it will be comfy anough for you” my mum replied and Gemma smiled at her kindness. 

“Thank you Mary, I really appreciate it”.

“How’s the new job going Liam?” Mark asked him. He met his dads gaze and tensed his jaw.

“Fine” he replied and his dad looked slightly irritated by his one word answer.

“Just fine?”

“Mhm” Liam hummed and his dad sighed. Gemma tried to defuse the awkwardness by talking about her decorating her mum’s house. However this seemed to piss Liam off even more and he stood up abruptly and stomped out the room. It was silent as everyone was shocked by the behaviour he was displaying. Mark went to stand up and follow but Gemma grabbed his hand. 

“Let me go dad” she reassured him and walked out after Liam. They were out in the back garden by the pool and I wanted to hear what Liam’s problem was. 

“Do you mind if I go to the toilet?” I asked politely and Mark smiled at me.

“Of course Elise” he replied. I made my way to the upstairs bathroom and locked the door. I hurried over to the window and opened as gently as I could to make the minimal amount of noise possible. I could hear the voices of Gemma and Liam and I peered out to see them arguing with each other by the bottom of the garden.

“He’s changed Liam, he’s a good man now and he looks after me! Why can’t you just accept that?” 

“Because he’s a woman beater and he has laid his hands on you enough times. I’m sick of having to cover up you lies about him to dad because your worried he will see him for how he truly is!” Liam yelled back. f**k! So that’s why he hates him so much. Cameron has laid hands on Gemma and not just the one time.

“Your impossible Liam!” 

“At least I can keep a secret, unlike you and your big mouth!”

“What is that suppose to mean?!” Gemma yelled back him.

“You told Elle everything to do with my past, our family’s past! She won’t ever understand!” 

“Oh really, and why’s that?!” She replied.

“Because she doesn’t understand what it’s like to lose a parent!” He repeated to her. “She lives in a fairytale and has no idea about the s**t that happens in the real world”. My heart dropped. “Oh really?!” She yelled. Oh f**k, she’s going to tell him isn’t she.

“How do you know that Liam?” She grunted and Liam’s tone completely changed.

“What do you mean?” He questioned and Gemma shrugged.

“Gemma!”

“She does understand, more than you will ever care to realise!”

“What are you talking about?!” He raised his tone again. I stood there and watched the drama unfold. My tears were falling down my face.

“Have you ever wondered where her dad is? Have you even bothered to ask her?” Liam was quiet for a moment, taken back by Gemma’s words.

“He’s dead Liam! Her dad died!” She yelled and at this point my eyes were streaming. I sat down on the seat of the toilet and held my head in my hands.

“What do you mean he died? How do you know this?” He asked calmly.

“Liam, she told me in her bedroom, she didn’t tell me how because you had walked in”

“Oh s**t” he cursed and I stormed out of the bathroom and ran into my room. Mum and Mark called my name when they heard me sniff but I ignored them and grabbed my keys and phone. As I started to walk up the stairs, Liam appeared at the top with an apologetic look on his face. 

“Elle, can we...”

“f**k off Liam” I snarled and pushed past him. I made my way to the front door and heard him call after me. Once I had made it to my car I closed the door and locked it so that he couldn’t get in. Liam knocked on the window and I lowered it slightly.

“Elle, I’m sorry, can we just talk about this?” He asked and I scowled at him.

“You know, my dad was everything to me too. He was the best man I had ever met and he’s gone”.

“Elle, I...”

“Save it Liam, I don’t want to hear it” I said and closed my window. I started the engine and drove off without giving him a second look.

I drove for a long while until I reached a bar in the middle of town. I didn’t want to drive anymore, I just wanted drown my sorrows. I took the key out of the ignition and walked into the bar. I was so relieved to be in England because I wouldn’t have anywhere to go and drink myself stupid because I wouldn’t be of age. I sat down at the bar and ordered a large vodka and coke. Luckily I had some money that my manager had paid me to tide me over until my wage came in. I paid the bartender and guzzled down my drink.

“Can I have another one please” I asked and he poured me another drink.

“Bad day?” A voice asked from beside me. I turned to see a guy that was about Liam’s age hunched over the counter with a whiskey in front of him. 

“You could say that” I replied and put the glass to my lips. He was fairly good looking and he was muscular too, he looked like your average pretty boy that loved to get in women’s pants. He was smooth talking and attractive which was dangerous in the state I was in. 

“Wanna talk about it?” He asked and I shook my head.

“Not really” I replied and he shimmied closer to me. He called over the bartender and ordered another whisky.

“And whatever this lovely lady is having” he added. I smirked at him and continued to frown at my glass. The bartender handed me my third drink. 

“Cheers” the man said holding his whisky up to me. I returned his gesture and he continued.

“To... drinking our sorrows away”

“To not giving a f**k” I said and knocked my glass against his. He smirked at me and downed his shot of whiskey. 

Half an hour went by and I was beginning to struggle to stand up properly. The guy I was with,  Harry, had bought me countless shots and drinks. Our conversations turned flirty and he was beginning to get very touchy feely. He went to the toilet and I took my phone out to check the time.

5 missed calls... Liam

7 unread messages... Liam

2 voicemails... Liam 

I sighed and opened my text messages first.

Liam

Where are you?

Please just... tell me where you went!

I’m getting really worried now

Elle pick up

Please pick up

I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed just please tell me where you have gone

Elle!

I huffed and then opened my voicemail and put my phone to my ear.

“Elle, please tell me where you have gone. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been so selfish. Just come back and talk to me”

“I’m getting worried now, I don’t know where you went and I’ve been driving around for half an hour. Just tell me where you are and we can talk. Just you and me Elle. I promise I won’t shout just tell me where you’ve gone!”. Suddenly Liam started calling my phone so I answered it.

“What do you want?” I said rudely down the phone.

“Elle! Just tell me where you are and I can come and get you”

“I’m being well looked after thank you, Harry is taking care of me so you can leave me alone” I slurred my words and his tone became aggressive.

“Who the f**k is Harry?! Elle where are you?!” He yelled and I giggled.

“Harry is a very kind gentleman that I have met at the bar” I continued to chuckle.

“Which bar?!” He growled and Harry made his way over to me.

“Hey beautiful” he said and Liam didn’t seem to like that one bit.

“Beautiful? Elise, which bar are you at?!” 

“I’ve got to go, have a nice life” I stammered and hung up the phone. I turned to Harry who was looking at me with narrow eyes.

“Another drink?” He asked. I replied with a smile and followed him to the bar.