August Flynn.
"Miss Flynn, you have been bailed; please do well to change into more suitable clothes, and we will be escorting you back home." The police officer said calmly; the tone sounded respectful, while it made me raise an eyebrow in confusion.
I ignored it and nodded my head, and then I did as he had instructed. I was offered a new set of clothes and taken to a room where I could change. When I was done, I was accompanied by one of the cops to a car, where I slid in and was driven home.
I am now standing in front of the house, my heart racing, thoughts lingering as I take a step forward. I raised my hand and knocked, my fingers trembling. Seconds turned to a minute; no one responded. I knocked again, then the door slid open. My mouth hung open, and my hand lowered as Jordan stood, shirtless; he was wearing shorts, and his hair was slightly messy. His presence made me forget that he had abandoned me to my fate at the station, and I found myself ogling his exceptional physique.
"You're back..." He sounded nonchalant until Avery arrived behind him; a towel was wrapped around her waist, and she hugged him from behind and sucked his earlobe right in front of me. I sucked in a breath, trying not to act pathetic in front of him.
So I ignored them and walked past him, heading to my room, which was upstairs. Every step felt heavier as I heard their laughter, giggles, and muffled kisses. I was now standing in front of the door, and, with trembling hands, I twisted the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge. I tried once again; it was the same thing.
"Jordan, why the hell is my door locked?"
"I don't know, but I believe Dad would be in the best position to explain it better." I shook my head, taking a breath, trying not to let my emotions cloud my reasoning. I walked back to the sitting room and sat on the couch, waiting for my father. I saw the way Jordan would frequently steal glances at me while holding Avery, only for me to hear her whisper something I didn't expect: "I'm sorry, Jordan, but I'll be traveling to California in a day, and I will spend a month there." The news shouldn’t have pleased me—but it did, so I brought out my phone and pretended to check something so I could hear the full information.
"But Avery, we would be getting married soon, and I have my life here; I can't leave you here so we can eventually get married in California."
"You know my career lies in California, and I have to leave to be able to achieve my goal."
Silence followed, while I hoped that he'd say no so I could spend time with him and make him realize that he had been chasing the wrong person.
"Okay, I'll think about it."
"What! What about the team? Are you just going to abandon it?" I snapped unapologetically.
"August, please, not now. I know you have always cared like a little sister, but this is a relationship matter, and I'd appreciate it if you..."
"Oh, that's it, a sister...I get it now," I interrupted him mid-sentence, my voice cracking, wondering why it hurts.
"Or don't tell me you have always seen Jordan more than a brother, August..." She paused, let out a subtle laugh, and added, "I have always known, but I didn't believe it because you guys are siblings."
"Step siblings," I corrected her instinctively.
Jordan, who once didn't show any sign of emotion, suddenly turned to me. I couldn't properly read his expression, but I knew something was lingering in his mind. "August...so is it true?"
"True? About what?"
"Don't play dumb with me. Have you always seen me as more than a brother? Have you imagined yourself being intimate with me?"
That question hit harder than it should have. I swallowed hard, my breath hitching, wanting to scream a loud yes, but knowing Jordan is getting married soon and nothing would ever come out of it, so I just shook my head without saying a word.
"Are you sure?" He asked again, his voice deeper this time.
"What difference does it make? You are getting married anyway," I let out before storming out of the room, finding myself outside the building. I refuse to let those burning tears slip again; I can't continue hoping for the impossible. I know Jordan doesn't love me as much as I do. Every day I see him, I find myself craving his touch, holding his hand, and kissing his lips, but I know it's just a fantasy, and I believe it'll always be that way.
"August, what are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be in jail?" The voice of my father thundered. I lifted my gaze and immediately dried my tears as I straightened up to look at him.
"I...I was bailed out?"
"By who? Don't tell me, you committed another theft to get yourself out?"
"Dad, are you sure I'm really your daughter?" I asked, slowly, my voice trembling.
"I have been asking myself the same question; that's why I wanted to carry out a paternity test, to be certain that you are my daughter."
I nodded my head, tears sliding. "And what if I am?"
"Then you will get the opportunity to continue living in my house, but before then, I want you to leave this place." That explained why my door was locked—my father was throwing me out. I wish my mom were here; things wouldn't have ended up this way.
"Dad, I'm your only child; Jordan isn't even your blood." My voice cracked, hoping he would listen.
He scoffs and turns away, only to come back with my bags, urging me to leave. I stood there frozen, my feet unmoving, facing reality—it was no longer a nightmare I could wake from.
I was outside the building, my body shivering, my heart racing, and my stomach grumbling in hunger. I closed my eyes, wondering what I had ever done wrong, only for the rain to start pouring on my bare skin, making things worse.
"Please get in, little rabbit." A deep voice said as a car door was opened for me to slide in. Without thinking twice, I entered the car, trying to get some warmth. His voice reverberated again, which made me realize I might have just found myself in an inevitable situation. "I had to do what I did because you need to understand that your family doesn't value your presence enough to keep you there, but I do."
