Page 18 of Chasing My Bliss (Behind The Lens #6)

Felicity

“ F elicity, these are my children. Roxanne and Harry.”

It’s taking everything in me to keep in control. She’s my damn step-sister, and we fucked. All my thoughts about erasing her from my life are shot out the window now.

She’s my new step-sister.

Who did I piss off so badly that they’re wreaking havoc on my life? This is really going to fuck up any chance I have of fixing things between Ezra and me.

“Nice to meet you, Felicity,” Roxy says sweetly, the corner of her lip turning up with a devilish glint.

I let out a breath, seeing how we’re pretending to not know each other. Works for me.

“Please take a seat and let’s eat. Mrs. Potter brings out the food in just a few moments.

Why don’t we take this time to get to know one another?

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m feeling a little stuffy,” Calvin says while he takes off his jacket, undoing the cuffs on his sleeves and rolling them up.

Black ink catches my attention and I’m stunned.

My new step-daddy has ink. Not just a little. From what I can see, he seems to have a full sleeve on both arms. It’s an intricate design, but without the whole arm being visible, I can’t make out what it is.

Interesting.

My eyes drift over to Harry. His son. He looks nothing like Roxy, or Calvin, for that matter.

His hair is jet black, and he has the darkest green eyes I’ve ever seen.

The color is so rich. While he’s attractive enough, the way he’s staring at me has me unnerved.

My gaze drops to the table, drawn to the way he’s slowly spinning his knife in a circle.

Where Calvin is in a suit, Harry has opted to truly be comfortable and is wearing a black fitted shirt.

His arms are on full display, with tribal tattoos covering them.

Guess it’s a family thing. Except for Roxy, who is bare of any tattoos. I would know because I’ve seen her naked.

Oh my God…this is a disaster.

“I’m so happy I finally have a son, and now I have two daughters.” My mother’s voice is high and giddy as she smiles lovingly at Calvin taking the seat at the other end of the table, leaving me with one of the two across from my new step-siblings.

I pull out the chair and take a seat, trying my hardest not to look at Roxy, yet I still sit directly in front of her.

“He’s not even your real son,” Roxy mutters.

What? My eyes dart to Calvin, totally confused.

“He is my son,” Calvin shoots back, steel in his voice. “I don’t discard children just because marriages end. Blood or not!” He gives her a stern stare before shifting his attention back to me.

“How’s school going? Your mother can’t stop bragging about you.” Calvin turns to me, asking, no, ending the conversation with Roxy.

“Umm, it’s going good. Getting closer to graduating.”

“I know how proud I was of Roxanne when she graduated and became a physical therapist.”

“Too bad you can’t say the same for Harry,” Roxy blurts.

“Don’t be jealous that you don’t have the computer savvy I do.

I didn’t need to go to college since I had tech companies beating down my door for hacking and coding skills.

” Harry tosses right back at her before shifting his eyes back to me.

He’s looking at me like I’m his next meal and this dinner is getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

I take a quick look at Mom, who seems to be oblivious to what’s happening.

“Can we please stop this childish squabbling? You’re going to traumatize Felicity before she even gets a chance to know you.”

“Sorry,” they both say in unison.

“I heard you’re moving in, Felicity. We’re going to be neighbors,” Harry says, his tone dripping with cockiness that makes my skin crawl..

“Neighbors?” I manage to utter out, still trying to process all this weirdness..

“Yeah, our rooms are right beside each other. So if you have bad dreams, or get scared, you can just knock on my door.” He winks, and I know without him saying outright exactly what he means. “Big brother at your service to protect you.”

“Isn’t that sweet?” Mom chimes in.

“I’ll have two out of three of my children under my roof. I’m a happy man.” Calvin agrees.

“You know, Felicity, you could stay with me. I have an extra room and I’m sure you don’t want to be around the newlyweds or him.” Roxy gestures toward Harry with her thumb.

I gulp. Stay with her. My heart is conflicted, as well as my brain. It would be the better option, clearly. She knows what I do, and I could do my live streams at home without having to worry. And something about Harry and Calvin being in such close proximity are suddenly giving me the creeps.

“Nonsense, Roxanne. Felicity needs to focus on her school and staying here gives her that opportunity. As a matter of fact, if I might suggest, you should quit your job at that diner.” He says carefully.

“You work far too much. Plus, it gives me a chance for us to get closer. A chance for me to get to know my new daughter.” Calvin shoots Roxy a glare.

“There’s no need for her to move in with you. ”

Why are they talking about me like I’m not sitting right here?

Thankfully, a middle-aged woman with gray hair and a warm smile comes into the room with a cart full of covered plates.

She takes her time, passing them out one by one to each of us, then looks to Calvin, who gives her a soft nod, and she leaves.

“Let’s eat,” he announces, picking up his wineglass and taking a sip of the red liquid inside.

I pick up my fork and take a bite of the salad first.

“Dad, she can focus on school at my place, too. Besides, I've always wanted a sister to bond with. Now, I have one.”

“Maybe I want to bond with my new sister, too. She’s an upgrade to the last annoying one.” Harry touts.

“Asshole,” Roxy mumbles.

“She’s staying here. End of discussion,” Calvin states firmly and my body shakes.

What the ever-loving hell? Why is he so adamant about me living here? Last I checked, I was an adult and can make my own decisions.

“Have we met before, Felicity?” Harry stops eating, looking dead at me and asks.

“No,” I say at the same time as I shake my head.

I’ve got to be in the fucking Twilight Zone.

He tilts his head to the side and smirks.

“My mistake. So, do you have a boyfriend?” Harry tosses another question in my direction as his eyes laser in on my lips.

“She does. Ezra is such a sweet boy,” Mom interjects.

“You say boy like he’s twelve and not twenty-four, Mom.”

“Felicity, you know what I mean.” She pauses long enough to shake her head at me before speaking again. “I bet he’s proposing to her within the next few months. I’m surprised he’s not wanting you to move in with him.”

“Out of marriage, I wouldn’t approve of that. Felicity will stay here until that happens. If that happens.” A hint of anger is evident in Calvin’s voice. What is that about?

“You’re right, Sweetheart. That is the proper way for it to happen.” My head swings in my mom’s direction, shocked that she’s agreeing with him. What, are we living in the sixteen hundreds or some shit?

“So, does your boyfriend approve of what you do for work?” Harry asks, giving me a look as if he knows more than he does.

“Yes.” One word, but I don’t know what else to say.

“You must find a real sense of bliss helping others. How noble of him to approve of such a lowly job.”

My body stiffens at the odd word choice. Bliss. Does he know? Has he said anything to my mother? My stomach twists in knots and I feel like I’m going to be sick.

“Ignore him,” Roxy says harshly. “He’s just being a dickhead.”

“Language,” my mother and Calvin say in unison.

The rest of the dinner continues just as tensely, and I’m counting down the minutes until I can get the hell out of here.

The first thing I plan to do is look for a cheap ass apartment.

There’s no way I’m staying here, and with the tension between me and Ezra at the moment, I don’t see his place as an option.

And then there’s Roxy. An option that wouldn't be bad, if we didn’t have the history between us that we do.

I place my fork on my plate and lift the glass of water to my face, taking small sips. None of which is easing the turmoil that I’m feeling.

“Are you okay, Felicity?” My mom reaches out, placing her hand on mine, squeezing softly.

“No, suddenly I'm not feeling very well.” It’s partly true. I do feel sick, just not from the food.

“You do look a little flushed. I knew you were working too hard between work and school. Calvin is right, you moving in here and quitting that job is for the best.”

No! Definitely not.

That would be the worst thing I could do.

“No, I was just packing yesterday and didn’t eat, then I babysat last night. I just need some food and rest. You’ve given me the nourishment now. I think I’m going to head home and get some rest.”

“I don’t know if we want you driving, Felicity. Your room is all ready for you, and you are moving here in the next couple days. We can go ahead and kick that up to tonight,” Calvin tells me more than suggests.

I don’t like that!

“What a perfect idea. I can show you to your room now and you can rest.” My mom is all smiles, and I have to bite my lip to keep from screaming.

“No, really, I’m fine to drive home. I’ll even message you when I get there. All I want is my bed and pillow. Besides, I have school tomorrow and my books are there.” I slide the chair back from the table, not leaving any room for them to continue with the coercion.

“I’ll walk out with you.” Roxy pushes her chair back and stands, making her way over to me.

“Felicity—”

“Honestly Calvin, it’s fine. I just really want to be in my own bed tonight. Thank you for dinner.”

“Two days, Felicity. I expect to see you here, fully moved in.” His voice is harsh and demanding as his eyes bear down on me.

Who does he think he is? He can’t just order me around? And why is my mother allowing it?

“I’ll be more than happy to help you move in any boxes, neighbor,” Harry adds, a sinister grin on his face.

“Uh-huh.” That's all I can say before I’m rushing out of the dining room. The only thing on my mind is getting my jacket and purse and getting the fuck out of here.

I’ve just pulled my jacket off the rack and slipped it on when Roxy steps up behind me.

“I tried to call and warn you when your mom showed me a picture of you,” she whispers. “I didn’t want you to be blindsided.”

“Like I just was.” It’s harsh and uncalled for, but I still shove my frustration—or is it anger—onto her.

“I mean it, though. There’s an extra room at my place. It’ll be better than living here with the newlyweds and the other psycho.”

As much as I hate it, she does have a point. But I need to try and talk to Ezra before I make any decisions. I make good money and could afford an apartment on my own, but I’m so used to living with someone, I don’t know what it would be like being completely alone.

“I’m sorry about snapping at you.” I don’t turn around, not wanting to face her. “I’ll think about your offer.”