Step Brother Read Online Free PDF Page A

later.”
    “But how do you know it was his? That I was his?”
    “I know,” she answered, shaking her head. “I’d just broken up with my boyfriend a month before, and I wasn’t with anyone else. Gordon Gentry is your father, Reed. Do you understand why I never told you?”
    “No, I don’t understand. I mean the man’s rich, and we had fucking nothing when I was growing up. Why didn’t you get child support from him?”
    “I did … well, sort of.”
    “What the hell does that mean?”
    “Reed, I called Gordon after I found out I was pregnant. It took me weeks of calling his manager before I could finally get him to call me back, but when I talked to Gordon, well, things were complicated. You see, he was married. His wife was pregnant, too, and worst of all, I was underage. He was afraid if he told his wife, she’d leave him and take everything, and he was also afraid he’d be charged with statutory rape or sex with a minor or whatever it is you get in trouble for. He sent me money to cover the rent and to buy you things, but the deal was that you were never supposed to know who your father was. I wanted to tell you, but the money would have stopped, and he could have gone to jail.”
    “You let him bully you.”
    “Reed, I was seventeen years old, and scared to death. I took the money and tried to be a good mother.”
    “Did he never ask about me?”
    “I didn’t really talk to him, Reed. Gordon sent a check a few times a year—through his manager, of course—but he didn’t want his marriage to break up because he got wasted one night and knocked up a teenager.”
    “Jesus Christ,” I said, sitting down heavily, trying to process everything. In less than an hour, I’d learned my mother had gotten married and was filthy rich, and I’d learned that my father was a famous rock star who’d never wanted me.
    “Reed, I’m sorry, honey. I was young and stupid, but you were the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait for you to meet Donald. Your support’s going to mean everything to us during the campaign, and you’ll get to meet your new sister. We’ve even talked about planning a family ski trip for the holidays this year. I never had the money to take you skiing, but Donald has a guy who’s a great instructor. Donald thinks you’ll be zooming down the slopes in no time…” Mom continued to chatter on, clearly nervous, and I completely tuned her out.
    “Mom,” I said, after a few minutes of her nonstop blabbing. “Mom,” I said, raising my voice to interrupt her. “Stop talking. This is way too much to handle all at once, and if you don’t shut up, I’m leaving.”
    “Oh, but sweetheart, you promised to stay for lunch and meet your sister.”
    “Stop it. Don’t say another word.” I think the tone of my voice convinced her I was dead serious. “First, she’s not my sister. She’s my stepsister, and that’s the last thing on my mind. You’ve just dropped a bombshell, and I need some time to think.”
    “Of course, Reed. Would you like me to leave you alone for a while to sort things out before lunch? Donald’s going to meet us on the terrace so we can chat awhile, and the cook has the most wonderful meal prepared. I told her some of your favorites, and the BLTs she makes will blow your…”
    I held up my hand and she stopped talking.
    “I will take a few minutes to myself, and I’ll come out and meet your husband. I’ll have lunch, and then I’ll leave as soon as possible without being rude. I don’t want you to call me. I don’t want you to come over. I’m having this conversation in private because I don’t want to cause problems with you and your new husband, but you’re going to back the fuck off until I’m ready to see you. Is that clear?”
    Mom nodded, and I couldn’t tell exactly what she was thinking.
    “Well, I’ll just leave you, then. If you could join us in about fifteen minutes, your sis … stepsister