Alex woke to sunlight and an empty bed.
The sheets beside him were cold. She must have slipped out while I was dead to the world, he thought, a lazy smile spreading across his face as flashes of last night hit him:
Laura's broken screams, the cracked headboard, the desk that now sat crooked against the wall
Then the smile died.
'We were loud. Really fucking loud. What if Mark and Lina heard?' His stomach dropped.
He pulled on sweats and a T-shirt, took the deepest breath of his life, and went downstairs.
The dining table was set for breakfast. Mark sat at the head, coffee in hand, newspaper folded. Lina was pouring orange juice. Laura was already there: hair in a messy bun, wearing an innocent sundress, legs crossed, sipping coffee like an angel.
She glanced up when he entered and winked. A tiny, evil flash that said I own you.
Lina smiled warmly. "Hey, sweetie is up! Morning, Alex."
"Morning, Lina. Morning, Dad."
Mark looked over the rim of his mug. "Come here, son. Sit."
Alex's legs felt like jelly. He slid into the chair opposite Laura without a sound, bracing for the hammer.
Mark set his coffee down. "We have a situation. Lina's cousin, Theresa, is very sick: cancer came back. We're driving upstate today. It's a six-hour drive, and we'll probably stay four or five days, maybe longer."
Alex nodded slowly, trying to look appropriately concerned. "I'm sorry to hear that. Of course, go. Be safe on the road."
Lina reached over and squeezed his hand. "Thank you, honey."
Mark continued, folding his hands like he was delivering a boardroom presentation. "Here's the thing. We've been talking about the lake house: our vacation place up north. Laura's been begging to go. Her college semester starts right after this week, and after that she won't have another long break for months. She really wants to spend a few days there now."
Alex's pulse kicked.
He risked a glance at Laura. She was staring into her coffee, biting her lip to hide a grin.
Mark leaned forward. "Obviously we can't let her go alone. It's remote, no neighbors for miles, and you know how she gets with the boat and the jet skis."
Laura finally looked up, fake-pouting. "Dad, I'm not a child."
Mark ignored her. "This is where you come in, Alex. You're taking her to the lake house. You'll stay as long as she wants: three days, five days, whatever. Then you bring my daughter home safe. You got that?"
The words hung in the air like a winning lottery ticket.
Alex swallowed, forced his face into calm, responsible Big Brother mode. "Of course. I'll take care of her."
Inside, he was screaming.
Laura finally met his eyes: slow, filthy smile spreading across her face. "Thanks, stepbrother," she said sweetly. "I'll be a very good girl. Promise."
Lina beamed. "You two are the best kids. We'll leave right after breakfast."
Mark stood, clapped Alex on the shoulder. "Keys to the lake house are on the hook. Take the SUV. Fridge is stocked. Have fun."
Alex managed a nod.
His brain was already three steps ahead:
Five days, Zero parents, A secluded lake house and Laura.
Laura stood to clear her plate, "accidentally" brushing her hip against his arm as she passed.
She leaned down just enough for him to smell her vanilla shampoo and whispered: "Pack light, stepbrother. You won't need clothes."
Alex nearly dropped his fork.
The parents were packed and ready by 10 AM.
Mark carried the last suitcase to the car, calling over his shoulder: "We'll text when we get there. Be good, kids."
Lina lingered in the hallway, adjusting her purse. Mark disappeared outside. Then she walked straight to Alex. She placed a soft hand on his shoulder, looked up at him with that warm mom-smile.
"Laura's never been out of the city life. A house in the middle of the forest will be completely new to her." She squeezed gently. "Please take care of her, sweetie."
Alex swallowed, voice steady by sheer force of will. "Of course, Lina. I'm her brother."
Lina didn't move her hand.
She just stared at him: long, searching, knowing. Then her smile turned… different. She dropped a nuclear bomb.
"I'm not so sure about that after last night," she said softly.
Alex's blood turned to liquid nitrogen. His heart stopped. His mouth opened: nothing came out.
Lina's smile never wavered.
She leaned in, voice barely above a whisper: "Don't worry. Your dad slept like a log."
"Honey?" Mark called from the driveway.
"Coming!" Lina answered brightly.
She patted Alex's cheek like nothing happened, grabbed her travel mug, and walked out the door.
The front door shut.
Alex stood frozen in the hallway, staring at the spot where his stepmom had just detonated his entire life.
Laura appeared at the top of the stairs, duffel bag slung over her shoulder, eyes sparkling with evil glee. "You okay there, stepbrother? You look like you just saw a ghost."
Alex's voice came out a croak. "Your mom… she knows."
Laura's grin widened. "Maybe. Or maybe she just heard me screaming your name and decided to be a cool mom about it."
She bounced down the stairs, kissed his cheek, and whispered: "Either way… we have five days. Let's make them count."
She walked past him toward the SUV, hips swaying.
Alex exhaled, grabbed his keys, and followed: half terrified, half feral.
The lake house was waiting.
And so was every filthy thing they'd never dared to do under the same roof as their parents.