Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother
Chapter 20

(Johnnie)

I glanced across the table, my eyes now meeting Caspian's as those blue orbs sucked me right in..is it just me, or has he somehow gotten even sexier?

I can't believe I kissed him..again..I don't know what the hell is going on with me! Anna is going to be so pissed that I already gave in that easily..she is right..I am falling fast and I need to slow the hell down. Caspian has treated me like s**t for so freaking long...I need some answers before I do anything else. I need to know why he stopped talking to me and began shutting me out. Why did he start to hate me?

My eyes wandered up to Caspian's shaggy brown hair, strands of gold shimmered in the sun as I followed the curly locks down to his cheeks. He had such a sharp masculine face..I swear he looks like he should be in his mid-twenties.

Today he wore a light blue polo shirt with beige shorts. The tattoos on his neck were visible for everyone to see and I couldn't help but admire the swirling patterns. One that drew my attention was the Hockey stick on his arm with his jersey number on it. "Jojo, did you hear me?" My mom's voice suddenly cut through making me snap my eyes toward her as I cleared my throat awkwardly. That's when I noticed Ben was glaring across the table..not at me though, at Caspian.

In fact..everyone was acting weird since we left the house....Caspian has been shooting his brother dirty looks since the whole ride over and Milo pretty much kept his head down this entire time.

I just want to go back to the house and crawl into my bed..or go to the beach..yeah, that sounds better.

"Sorry..what did you say?" I responded back to my mom, feeling embarrassed for ogling Caspian so openly..I'm sure people could tell..Robin definitely had a hint of a smile on her face.

"After lunch, I want to go look for your dress for the wedding reception." My mom repeated, her blonde hair blowing in a warm breeze that blew by. She had on a white dress with a halter top and huge sunglasses resting on top of her head. Dave was holding her hand as he sat there quietly, sipping on the drink the server had just brought over.

"Oh, yeah, sure...that sounds good." I responded awkwardly..I keep forgetting about the wedding..well, maybe I am just pushing it out of my mind.

I glanced back up, seeing Caspian was now texting on his phone as a pang of jealousy rushed through me..could he be texting Ava? I don't know why I feel this way..and I don't like it..not at all.

Suddenly I felt my phone vibrate, making me reach for my bag.

I pulled my cell phone out, thinking it must be Anna as I opened the screen and froze.

From Caspian King: I can't stop thinking about that kiss.

I reread the message like fifty freaking times I swear, unsure of what to even say as I felt my heart race and my palms turn sweaty.

He..he was thinking about it? Did he feel what I felt too?

To Caspian King: Caspian, I think we should stay away from one another. I don't know what game you are playing but I don't want to be a part of it.

I responded...after the kiss and on the way over here, I kept running through everything in my mind.

Why would Caspian suddenly change? Why would he do a complete 180 and all of a sudden like me? It didn't make sense..so I started to think..what if this was a game for him? What if he wanted me to admit my feelings and turn around saying he knew I was pathetic and desperate for attention..

That has to be the answer to all of this..he probably made a bet with Milo about it or something.

I placed my phone down, avoiding Caspian's burning gaze as I felt my phone vibrate a few more times.

I tried to fight the urge to check it..but when I felt Caspian's foot slide against my leg, I couldn't help but jump.

"You okay Jo?" Alder asked before turning to look at me, his eyes glancing down as I nodded my head adamantly.

"Yeah, fine." I smiled, then turned to Caspian before shooting him a glare.

"Check your phone." He mouthed, flashing his eyes to my phone and back up.

I let out an annoyed sigh before grabbing my phone just as the server came back. I ordered a turkey club sandwich and glanced down at my phone in my lap.

From Caspian King: I'm not playing games, Johnnie..I know I have been a d**k before, but I think we need to talk. From Capsian King: Everything I have said to you since coming here has been true.

From Caspian King: And I will f*****g prove that.

Just then another text came in.

From Caspian King: Now look up at me, stop trying to ignore me, and for f***s sake..stop letting my brother put his f*****g hands all over you..it's driving me insane.

I let out a shuddering breath as I dragged my eyes up, meeting Caspian's intense gaze as my stomach twisted. Just one look from him and I swear my body began to respond..my chest rising and falling deeply as I bit my lip seductively..I felt so much tension that I almost couldn't breathe.

"Cas!" A female voice called out, breaking me out of my trance as my stomach dropped..Heaven Winfield..I knew that voice from anywhere.

"I thought I would see you all here." She said with a huge smile on her face.

Heaven had blonde hair..of course...what was it with Caspian and blondes? I swear he dated better-looking blondes just to make me feel bad.

Her green eyes sparkled in the sun and her tan skin was practically glowing..I hate her..

I just can't stand her at all! You know sometimes when you hear someone's name or see them coming towards you and a groan escapes you unknowingly..yeah..that is Heaven for me. I just can't stand being in the same vicinity as her..but I'm sure the feeling was mutual.

I looked away from Caspian, glancing down at my drink as I saw Heaven rush to his side before hugging his damn face in her t**s. He just sat there awkwardly, not pushing her away or anything..yeah so much for what he said in the text. "Why didn't you answer my calls?" She suddenly asked as another person approached the table.

That's when I saw it was her twin brother Freddy.

"Hey Freddy, how's it going man?" My brother perked up before standing and giving Freddy a one-armed hug.

"I didn't answer your calls because I didn't want to see you." Suddenly Caspian said coldly, making everyone at the table freeze.

"Caspian, don't be rude." Dave stated loudly, making Caspian clench his jaw before staring his dad down.

Heaven laughed awkwardly, her eyes darting to me quickly before doing a double take as I watched her face morph into one of pure horror.

"Wow, Jo..is that you?" Freddy suddenly butt in before coming around the table.

"You look great, give me a hug." He said excitedly, making me stand awkwardly before hugging him.

I mean..yeah I spoke with Freddy a few times and he was actually nicer to me than Caspian was..but I don't think he has ever been this friendly.

Suddenly Caspian slammed his hand down on the table, causing it to shake as everyone turned their heads towards him. "Johnnie, can I speak with you in private for a moment?" He snapped firmly and that's when Ben stood.

"What could you have to say in private that you can't say in front of all of us?" He suddenly blurted, making my mouth drop open.

"Yeah, little brother? What's the big secret?" Alder suddenly spoke up..his words were cocky and almost said in a teasing manner.

What the hell is going on right now?

"You, stay out of it." Caspian hissed while pointing to Alder.

"Enough! I don't know what the hell is going on right now, but I didn't raise you two to behave like this in public." Dave hissed, causing Caspian to turn his fiery attention towards his dad now.

"You didn't raise us to behave like this? If I followed by your lead Dad, I'm sure people would be even more shocked..would you like me to show everyone what you taught me?" Caspian began, making Dave stand and knock over his drink, anger, and shock flashing across his face as the whole place went quiet.

"That's enough out of you. You have been nothing but an a*****e this whole damn trip and it stops now. Go back to the house, you aren't welcome at this lunch any longer. Maybe you shouldn't have come on this trip to begin with." Dave snapped, making my eyes widen by how cruel he was being to his own son.

"Dad.." Alder began, making Caspian interrupt him.

"No, it's about time Dad showed his true colors. We all know he has hidden them long enough." And with that, Caspian kicked his chair back angrily, causing the onlookers to gasp as he stormed back into the restaurant.

I went to stand, my first instinct was to follow after him as Ben reached for my hand to stop me.

"Johnnie..just let him cool off." He said, making me bite my lip nervously as I shook my head no. I needed to be there for him..to show him I cared.

I pulled my hand from Ben and glanced towards my mom and Dave.

"If you will excuse me, I would like to head back early too." I stated and turned to chase after Caspian.

I ran into the restaurant, my feet going as fast as they could as I knew one of his steps was like three of mine.

Then I saw his broad back stomping out the front, I was about to call out for him..but the moment I did, that's when Heaven pulled up in her BMW..

How she got out there so fast..I have no clue..but I watched Capsian step towards her..my heart clenched in my chest as I internally begged him not to go with her..

"Caspian!" I called out, making her glance back at me briefly before clenching his fist.

A deep part of me pleaded that he would choose me...that he really meant everything he said.

Then my heart shattered into a million pieces as he got into the car and disappeared right before my eyes..leaving me standing there like an i***t who actually believed for a moment that he really had changed. He would always choose someone else over me..why would I think anything different..