Second Chance: A New Adult Step-Sibling Read online

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 1

  Sam shouldered her violin case as she walked off the bus. As she made her way home through the quiet neighborhood, she spotted one of the most revolting objects ever to have taken form in front of her home. An ugly station wagon whose color struck an crass median between piss and mud was parked in front of her house. It only took her a moment to recognize it, and another for anger to clench around her heart.

  What the hell is Jason doing here?

  She headed around the side of her house to the back. She kicked off her sandals as soon as she entered through the back door but paused when Jason’s low voice echoed through the hall. It was darker than usual, but his tone didn’t surprise her when her stepmother, Haruka, let out an irritated sigh. Despite the general civility in the family, tensions had run high between Jason and his mother since he decided to go to school for an art degree instead of aiming for law school or a business major.

  Not that Sam could blame her stepmother for being disappointed. He’d hurt her personally years ago, when he not only failed to measure up to the man she thought he was, but put his pettiness and anger on full display. Nothing in her life had ever managed to stir the anger and contempt like he had that night. Even now, years later, she could still feel the embers from – they were hot and stung more than she’d ever admit.

  Sliding her backpack quietly to the floor, Sam quietly made her way toward the two. After a brief stop in the music room to drop off her violin, she paused before deciding to creep toward the kitchen. It had been weeks since she’d seen Jason, and part of her wanted to hear from him again.

  Just to hear what he’s done this time.

  She grimaced when she stepped on a loose floorboard. As much as she loved their old house, there were instances when she envied her friends for their modern homes. Sam stopped just outside the kitchen when Jason began speaking again.

  “So I don’t get anything out of this?” he said, voice warmer than melted caramel. “You’re a lawyer – don’t you think this is a pretty raw deal for me?”

  “If I was against you I wouldn’t bother making deals,” Haruka replied, voice brittle. “Consider this paying me back an old favor.”

  “What kind of favor do I owe you for this?”

  “Paying for eighteen years of room, board, and college. Your art scholarships didn’t cover everything, after all.”

  Sam cringed at her stepmother’s words. Haruka was as good a parent as her biological mother had been in many ways, but she wielded words like an sword. Sam did her best to avoid being on the receiving end of her stepmother’s anger.

  Jason sighed. “I’m not trying to be a bitch about this, but you’re not looking at this from my perspective. It’s a lot of time and money for me to do this. Not to mention the schedule changes I’ll need to work out at the tattoo shop.”

  “I realize that, which is why I’m compensating you for it. You won’t be spending a dime on the hotel room, and it’s not as if Hartford is devoid of pleasantries. Think of this as an all-expense paid vacation – I’ll let you borrow one of my credit cards.”

  Wait, Hartford?

  Sam strode into the kitchen. Haruka was sitting down at the table, while Jason leaned against the counter. It would be difficult to tell the two were related from a glance – she was petit with long black hair and eyes, while her son was almost a blond giant in comparison. The similarities came out after more than a minute; both had the same toned figures and fair skin, and each possessed the same intense gaze that could melt steel and make someone feel naked.

  The fact that he had such casual demeanor upon seeing her made Sam boil inside. His almost tangible arrogance that she once mistook for confidence stoked her anger as if it was in a forge. The thing she hated most was his indifference to her; his presence affected her, but he looked as if she were just another stranger passing by.

  We might as well be after what he did to me.

  “Sam,” Haruka said, a strained smile spreading across her lips. “How was your day?”

  “Fine,” Sam replied. She gave a quick glance at Jason; he gave her a bored expression that communicated his disdain for the situation and her. Prick. “Why is he going to Hartford, and why does it sound like he’s doing it for you?”

  “I’m right here,” Jason said without making eye contact. “Don’t talk about me like I’m your old dog that just shat on the rug.”

  I’d rather clean up that than deal with you.

  Haruka cleared her throat. “Bernie got into an accident this morning.”

  Sam’s throat went dry. Bernie was Haruka’s partner at their law firm and an old family friend. “What happened? Is he going to be OK?”

  “Hit and run. He’ll recover eventually, but it means everyone at the firm will need to adjust, especially with the class action we’re working on. Next week is going to be hell.”

  “Yeah, it sounds pretty shitty,” Sam said. Her attention briefly returned to Jason, who still appeared casual. “But what does that have to do with him?”

  Jason narrowed his eyes. “So did you forget my name or are you just being a big—“

  “He’s here because I didn’t want you to miss the trip to Hartford,” Haruka said, glaring at her son. “I know how much it means to you and didn’t want you to suffer because of my work.”

  Sam clenched her jaw hard enough that she felt her teeth rattle. “Why do I have to go with him?”

  “I asked the same thing, squirt,” Jason said.

  Haruka crossed her arms; the simple act made her appear as large as her son. “Because I don’t want you traveling alone for three hundred miles on Spring Break.”

  The nauseous dread Sam had felt upon hearing about Bernie had inverted to cold anger. Being around Jason was trying; having her stepmother’s distrust of her put out in front of him made it worse. “You don’t trust me.”

  Jason rose to his full height. Sam was tall, but he still managed to have over half a head on her. “After what you’ve done, would you?” he asked. “I wouldn’t.”

  Sam’s hands tightened into fists. She was tempted to smash the overconfident expression off his face. Only years of discipline instilled by martial arts allowed her to hold back. “You’re going to hold that one time over me for the rest of my life?” She glared at Haruka. “You too?”

  Haruka sighed. “Sam—“

  Sam threw her hands into the air before marching out of the kitchen. “Whatever. I’m not dealing with this right now.”

  “Nice seeing you too,” Jason called out.

  It took all of Sam’s self-restraint not to turn around and smack him. Instead, she headed toward her room and slammed the door shut behind her.

  Chapter 2

  “That went well,” Jason said as Sam left. He grit his teeth when she slammed her door shut – the impact hurt, although not physically. “I bet the trip is going to be awesome.”

  Haruka exhaled and turned a baleful gaze onto him. “You weren’t helping.”

  Jason sighed and leaned back against the counter. “What was I supposed to do? You saw us – we don’t get along.”

  Nowadays, that is. And it’s my fault.

  “I hope you’re not trying to get out of the trip.”

  “I’m not,” Jason said, raising his hand as if to block her accusation. Just stating the obvious. “If I can help you, I will.”

  Haruka shook her head. “The both of you used to get along so well, too. Better than with some of my family. Or him.”

  Jason forced himself to remain st
oic at her words; the reminder was worse than an open-handed slap. He was surprised she’d be willing to mention her first husband and his biological father, even if not by name. The memories they had of him could only be described as wretched.

  He shrugged. “In all fairness, Aunt Misato is kind of a bitch.”

  His mother tried to keep a stern expression, but a smile briefly shone through. “Language.”

  “I’m not apologizing for being honest.”

  Jason took a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water. After taking a long drink he sat down across from Haruka. “But anyways. You saw how she reacted. What makes you so sure she’ll want to go on the trip with me? And why bother trying to control her?”

  “Hartford has one of the top musical conservatories in the region, not to mention an excellent women’s athletic program. One of her friends goes there too – I think its Julia. You went to school with her for a bit, right?”

  “A bit,” Jason said, shrugging. “It’s a big school and we ran with different crowds.”

  Haruka nodded. “And I’m not trying to ‘control’ her. Your father and I wanted to check out the college as well. Hartford has an excellent reputation for a level and controlled campus culture, but we want a pair of trusted eyes on it before we pay for Sam’s education.”

  Sounds pretty controlling to me.

  “As I was saying, though, she won’t want to miss the opportunity. You should keep an open mind while you’re there, too.”

  Jason put down his glass mid-drink. “Open about what?”

  “Hartford has an renowned graduate program as well,” Haruka replied. “It’s really an excellent school overall. I’d have gone there if I hadn’t personally known my professors at Northwestern.”

  “I’m not going to grad school.”

  “I didn’t say you were, just—“

  “Just bringing up the topic,” Jason muttered. He was tempted to give her a biting remark – anything to distract him from the reawakened emotional debacle he’d been drawn into – but he’d learned long ago that arguing with his mother was pointless. “Thanks but no thanks. Besides, I already have plans for next year.”

  Haruka sniffed and shook her head. “Ah, your ‘plans’ to finish your tattoo apprenticeship at the shop. I can see why you’d completely disregard my suggestion to keep an open mind for that.”

  Jason rose and put his glass in the sink, refusing to give her or her insults more attention than a brief glance. “When do you think Sam will give her answer? If we’re supposed to leave Monday then I’ve got some things to take care of first.”

  “Soon,” Haruka said. “She’s mad right now, but she’ll calm down in a bit.”

  She always did, except with me. Jason eyed his watch. “I’ve got some work to do. Give me a call when she stops being twelve and decides to give an answer.”

  “You’re not staying for dinner?”

  “I wasn’t lying about having things to take care of,” he replied. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  Jason walked out of the kitchen but stopped at the stairs. He looked up them, knowing that Sam was still stewing in her room. His belief was confirmed when classical music blared out from behind a closed door. A rueful smile crossed his lips – she always put on music to calm herself down, whether her anger was from a fight with a friend or a failing to take first chair. Some things never changed.

  Except between us.

  Sighing, he left the house and entered his car, gunning the engine after only two tries. He hadn’t been entirely truthful with his mother. Although he did have business to attend to before he could take the trip, he also needed time to brace himself. He hadn’t been around Sam alone for a long time, and he needed to center himself from the storm of emotions doing so would bring him.

  * * * Ten Years Ago * * *

  “Jason.”

  He turned toward his mother. No, he thought. Sensei. Right now in the school gym that doubled as their karate dojo, she was just another teacher, not his mom. It would take some time to get used to her promotion – they’d both been students for as long as he could remember.

  “Yes, teacher?” he asked, snapping to attention.

  Haruka motioned toward the group of newer students in the far corner of the gym. “I want you to work with the new girl, Sam, for a little bit. Run her through the basics and help her with balance.”

  Jason bowed his head. “Yes, Mo— Master.”

  He took off toward the corner with barely restrained excitement; it took all his willpower to keep himself from skipping. His mother trusted him to help teach a new student – it would only be a matter of time before his next test. And once he passed, he’d only be one rank away from becoming a black belt.

  Sam was easy to spot amongst the newer students; she was the only one not wearing the white uniform or a colored belt. Even if she had, though, he’d have recognized and remembered her from when she first entered the gym. Despite being older than her she was nearly his equal in height and her green eyes were the most exotic he’d ever seen.

  “Carl,” Jason said to the teacher, an older man. “Haruka said I should help Sam out a little.”

  The instructor nodded and motioned to Sam. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded and followed Jason as he led her away. Once they were a fair distance from the other students, she stomped her bare foot.

  “Just so you know, I don’t need special help,” she said.

  Jason blinked; despite her high voice the younger girl had managed to summon more power and authority than many adults. “Never said you did. You’re new; my mom just wants to make sure you get caught up with the rest of the class.”

  Sam’s frown deepened. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

  “Nah. You’re too cool for that.”

  She maintained her disgruntled expression for another moment before gradually letting it fade. “OK. What should I do first?”

  Jason shook his head. Girls could be crazy; he was relieved to be working around a reasonable one. “Let’s go through some of the stances. Don’t worry about your arms; just pay attention to your feet.”

  The two worked their way across the floor as they practiced the basic stances. Jason was surprised at how quickly Sam took to the movements. She was practically gliding within moments of instruction. Her demeanor changed as well; a wide smile had replaced her earlier grumpiness to such an extent that he’d have doubted her irritation if he hadn’t seen it himself.

  “You’re doing really well,” he said, rising out of a stance to stand normally. “I think we can work on punching.”

  Sam’s smile brightened but tempered a heartbeat later. “Carl said I’d be doing that next week.”

  “Well, I’m teaching you right now, and I think you can do it.” Jason smirked at her. “Unless you’re afraid.”

  She glowered at him for a moment before smirking back. “Just of hurting you.”

  Jason dropped into the basic stance. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’m invincible.”

  Chapter 3

  * * * Present Day * * *

  Jason stepped out of the shower just as his cell rung. Wrapping a towel around himself, he stepped out of the bathroom and toward the phone on his bed. Glancing at the screen, he put it to his ear.

  “Valerie,” he said. “I’m praying that you’re about to give me good news.”

  A husky chuckle greeted him in response. “Worship me and you’ll be getting lots of good things, Jay-Jay.”

  Jason smirked as he pushed aside his sketchpad and sat down on the bed. Valerie was a fellow apprentice at the same tattoo shop. They’d become fast friends, occasionally straying but never staying in more intimate territory. Which was fine with him – bad experiences, self-doubt and derision followed his past attempts at relationships.

  “Sorry, the only god I worship is myself.”

  Valerie laughed. “I got the clear to take over the sh
ifts you couldn’t dump on others at the shop next week. Boss is a little worried about the sudden departure, though – everything OK?”

  Hell no. “Yeah,” he said. “Freaking carnival over here.”

  “I can’t tell if you’re a bad liar or just pouting.”

  “I might just have an awesome sense of humor,” Jason said.

  “Or you could be both.”

  “I prefer my version of reality.”

  “Uh-huh. So, you going to spill about what’s bothering you?”

  Jason sighed and massaged his temples. “I’m going on a road trip with my sister.”

  Valerie gave a low whistle. “That’s… bad? Why’s that bad and why does she need to go with you? Isn’t she eighteen?”

  “She got in trouble for drinking and her birth mom got killed by a drunk driver. Her dad came down on her hard, and my mom agrees with him, so they’ve been strict with her ever since. They want someone to keep an eye on her for as long as possible.

  “As for it being a bad thing? Besides screwing up my week, we don’t get along anymore. There’s a history between us.”

  “Yeah, that happens when you’ve got family.”

  Jason let out an irritated grunt. “It’s complicated, OK?”

  “Sorry, sorry. So do you just dislike spending time around her, or is there something else? She a Trump supporter?”

  “God no, that’s the only thing that could make it worse. We had an… disagreement a while back. Things haven’t changed since then.”

  “How long ago?”

  Jason brushed a wet lock of hair from his brow. “About a year.”

  “Long time to hold a grudge,” Valerie said.

  “We’re arguing, I’m not holding a grudge.”

  “That sounds totally logical and non-contradictory.”

  “So we haven’t really resolved that issue since,” Jason said heatedly. “It’s a mess and I don’t know how to clean it up. Apologizing would probably make it worse.”