To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

I picked up my phone and decided to video chat with Nicole. I had a lot of things I wanted to say to her and I silently prayed that she wouldn’t be too busy for me.

She picked up on the third ring and I felt relieved, I was happy to see her and although my life was still miserable it was better than when I was still in LA.

I told her everything that had happened and I also mentioned that I sent her a text which she admitted she saw but couldn’t reply to because she was a little bit busy.

“So, you finally chickened out on Mason and ran away when a second chance for you to hold on tightly to him showed itself. I never took you for such a coward because from all you explained, he’s trying really hard to have you back and you just let him go without as little as a fight.” She said.

Every word she said stung and it was because she was right, she’s right. I chickened out on him and ran away but how am I supposed to just let him into my life again?Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

It’s the hardest thing for me to do, I’m still not over the fact that he left just like that without respecting me enough to tell me about it.

First it was Xander who ran off after kissing me and despite the many promises Mason made to me about not being Xander and always being around, he left too and then there’s my ex husband.

Everything just seemed too much and overwhelming, I’ve finally made peace with the fact that I’ll never be as lucky as other people whom love easily came to.

It would never be easy for me and quite frankly I have reasons to believe that I would never find true love.

“I’m done, I’m just done with him and not just him, I’m done with men.” I let out, promising myself to keep off anything that had to do with having a man in my life.

“Oh c’mon. That’s not the solution,” Nicole started, “you remember how extremely happy you were when you were with Mason? I’ve never seen you that happy before and that’s all that matters.” She pointed out and I rolled my eyes.

“Stop bringing him up, I don’t want to talk about him, not now, not ever. I’m finally bringing myself to move on from him so let’s just keep it at that.” I replied and she groaned.

“I finally told my mum everything,” I started quietly, “and you know what was surprising, I was scared she’d be disappointed and judge and scold me but nothing of that sort happened when I told her.” I added.

“Really? What did she say then?” She enquired and I told her how my mother was hurt for me and how she’d comforted and helped me sleep.

Nicole and I heard her name and I knew it was time for her to go, her boss had called her attention to something she needed to tend to.

“I’ve gotta go now,” she clarified and I nodded, “I’ll call you back later because we really need to finish our conversation.” She added and I laughed before hanging up.

Running my bath, I buried myself in the warm water as I closed my eyes. Part of me wished I would just drown but I knew I didn’t want to.

My life is a mess, everything is shitty and it’s going down the rabbits hole and I’m not proud of it. Everyone around me including Mason seem to have their lives in order and on the right track while mine just keeps going wrongly.

I hated everything going on around me, I hate myself and I also hate Mason.

Crying like a little baby, I laid down there motionless and pretended I was dead and numb to everything that was going on but the warm water on my skin made me know that I’m still alive.

My mum finally introduced me to one of the directors in Danny’s company and she’d asked him to give me a temporary job since I would be leaving soon and don’t want anything really permanent.

I was happy when they agreed and now, my life doesn’t seem so bad. Getting ready for lunch with Danny and my mum, I joined them downstairs and we all drove to a restaurant.

Lunch was going on well and silently until Danny mentioned Mason, “Mason called.” He started and I didn’t say anything as I cut through my steak.

“Why didn’t you tell us that you met him in Los Angeles?” He asked and I cleared my throat as I ate, taking a sip of my wine. I told him it was because I didn’t think it was important to mention it to them.

“Really, Ava?” He asked and I raised an eyebrow as I stared at him, “are you not over the stupid fight you had with him before he left San Francisco? It’s been years and you’re still like this.” He added.

Taking a glance at my mother, I stood up and stormed out of the restaurant. It wasn’t his fault, he had no idea we dated and how hard his son hurt me.

Walking into a store, I got the strongest alcoholic drink they had and after paying I drove to the beach to drink and wallow in my hurt.

Smiling bitterly, how could I forget about the first and the last time I came here with Mason, the memory was a bittersweet one and it didn’t take long for the tears to start dripping down again.

Everything was going on smoothly and we were both happy, it was right before I found out that he was leaving the country after his graduation.

Why? Why did he hurt me like that?

Downing the alcohol right from the bottle, I couldn’t help but cry and cuss Mason out as I drank.