Steamed 2 (Steamed #2) Read online

  “Hey sis, how are you doing?”

  “I'm great Jared, how are things with you?” I sipped nervously at my wine as he came into my apartment and headed towards the kitchen.

  “Wine! That sounds great. Why don't you pour me one?”

  “I would Jared, but I'm actually heading out in a bit.”

  “Really, where to?” He suddenly noticed my dress and looked me over, “Why are you all dressed up?”

  I smiled, “Well if you must know nosey brother, I have a date.”

  He grinned mischievously, “Wow Gemma, that's great. I'm happy for you. You haven't really been dating much lately. So who is the lucky guy?”

  “Oh, I don't want to jinx it, plus it's really none of your business,” I said with a smile. I really didn't need to be having that conversation with Jared. My heart was thundering in my chest and I wanted to tell him to go but I didn't know how to do it without raising suspicions. God, I really needed to get rid of him, I wasn't sure what would happen if Link showed up at that moment. It was sure to get ugly. Why did Jared have to pick this night of all times to come and visit to me? Why hadn't he called first? I could have set up a time to go visit him tomorrow, but no he had to just show up and there he was standing in my living room moments before my date was set to arrive.

  “Well, like I said he's a lucky guy and he better treat you like a princess. My sister deserves the best.”

  I laughed nervously and downed the rest of my wine in a couple gulps. He arched an eyebrow as he watched me. “Thanks Jared, that's sweet. But I really should get going. Was there a reason you stopped in? Maybe we can catch up tomorrow and you can fill me in.”

  “Well, actually--”

  Just then the doorbell rang and we both turned to look at it. My stomach dropped and I thought there was a good chance that I would vomit right there, in the middle of my kitchen floor. Before I could stop him, Jared went to answer the door. I froze, unable to stop this train wreck from happening. I should have stopped him, begged him not to answer the door, but really it was hopeless. One way or another he was going to find out about Link, I just wished that he didn't have to find out about him like this.

  “I guess I will get to meet him after all,” Jared said as he swung open the door. The look on his face when he saw Link on the other side of the door was priceless…and by priceless I mean the worst possible look you could ever imagine.

  “What the hell are you doing here? Man, you have some nerve,” he barked at Link.

  Jared backed up as Link entered the apartment. I closed my eyes in defeat, as I knew none of this was going to end very well. Link stared Jared directly in the face and said, “I'm here to see your sister. I'm picking her up for a date. This has nothing to do with you.”

  Jared spun his head around at me, so fast that it seemed like it was a scene from The Exorcist. “This is the guy that you are going out on a date with? Have you lost your mind Gemma?”

  “Jared, I can explain...”

  “Oh can you really? How the hell are you going to do that?”

  “Look, go easy on Gemma, our war is between you me, it has nothing to do with her.”

  Jared got in Link's face and I had to pray that he wasn't going to try to hit him. “Why don't you mind your own business? This is between my sister and me. How the hell did you sneak your way into her life anyways? Did you lie to her too?”

  “Jared, that's enough. I understand you're angry but there is no reason to behave this way,” I said.

  “No of course not Gemma, you're just in bed with the enemy and you don't think that might bother me. The guy is a crook Gemma, didn't you hear a word I said or do you just not care about anyone but yourself?”

  His words stung and tears welled up in my eyes. I was shocked that he was talking to me that way. I should have told him by now about Link; I just hadn't wanted to hurt him. The conversation had just been too difficult for me to have. Or maybe it was simply that I didn't want to have the conversation. I knew that he wouldn't understand.

  “I'm not a crook Jared; you are the one that is trying to take something that doesn't belong to you. This smear campaign of yours is going to blow up in your face, you just wait and see.”

  Just then, Jared threw a punch at Link.

  Moving easily, like it was no problem, Link ducked. He wasn't about to let Jared try to get another one in however, and he tackled him to the ground. I stood there watching in horror as the two men wrestled it out, throwing punches right there in my living room. Jared had managed to get on top and was swinging at Link. I grabbed his shoulder and pulled. I didn't have nearly the strength that the men had but it was enough to get Jared's attention. He looked back at me and I screamed, “What the hell are you doing? Stop this right now.”

  Jared got up from Link angrily. Still keeping an eye on my brother, Link got up as well, trying to straighten out his shirt.

  “You guys need to stop fighting right now, this is ridiculous.”

  “No, I'm out of here,” Jared stormed away from me and headed for the door.

  “Jared, wait! We need to talk about this.”

  He waved me off, “Forget it. I will never forgive you for this.” He slammed the door behind him.

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  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2015 Nella Tyler