Chapter 23.

You and Anastasia are so similar.

~~

Recap:

My rescuer turned to as if realizing for the first time that I was still there. He grunted, throwing another punch and got up, kicking his rib. The pervert was totally unresponsive, hopefully fainted but not dead. I didn't want to be in a court as a live witness for the murder of a guy who almost took my virginity unwillingly.

My knight in shining armour took a tentative step near me and his face came nearer, I gasped. "Sean?"

~

I stared at the person who saved the creation of an atrocious memory, Sean O'Connell, in pure shock. He was the last person I was expecting to even come here, saving me was beyond notion. I blinked, wondering if my drunk eyes were playing 'Guess Who? Not him'. One look at his slight smirk and black eyes I was thoroughly sure it was Sean O'Connell, Bryan Cooper's step-brother and Anastasia's ex fling or whatever it is that they had.

I blinked twice. "What- How?" I muttered unintelligibly.

His smirk transformed into a sad smile. "Hey, I may be mean and stingy but I wouldn't let a girl get raped especially the girl I like." He paused when he heard a shocked gasp leave my lips. "As a friend." He continued with a smirk.

"Sean..." I started, not knowing what to say, my emotions still in a jumbled mess, a mess worse than my bedroom chair. Which is saying something. I really to clean it up.

He raised his hand to stop my awkward talk. "I know Joanna. Bryan told you everything and now you hate me, I don't blame you. I got it when you ignored all my messages and calls."

I felt a pang of guilt hit my heart. Even though we hadn't met a lot, I knew quite a lot about him and that he was fun to be with. But he had also treated the guy I love with such deep animosity, stole his girlfriend, lied to him and didn't do anything when his mother treated Bryan inexcusably, I couldn't forget that. Well now that same guy is treating me in the same way. Oh the irony!

"You and Anastasia are so similar." He whispered in a trance. I froze, my throat clogging. No! Not that girl again. But he, immune to my dreadful thoughts, continued.

"She was also so lively...just like you. Smart, beautiful, witty, sarcastic, willing to try new things and emotional at times. And yet you two are so different. She can hold a grudge." He let out a shaky laugh. "I would know, she still hates me and doesn't even look at me. But you are standing here patiently listening to me." His eyes grazed into mine with indeterminable emotions.

That was one thing common between these two incredibly hot step-brothers. Their eyes either held too much emotions to identify or were completely blank.

This time it was the prior.

"I actually liked her even though Bryan won't ever believe me. But she never liked me back, not really anyways. I was jealous, jealous that Bryan always got his way. He was so strong and hard headed. Even after my mother's tortures he could face her without a blink. He never stepped back. I wanted to be that strong. I was so weak that I would do everything my mother asked me to do even if I didn't like it. But he, he didn't give a damn about others. He did what he wanted, the others go to hell. He was better and he got Anastasia. And then he lost her." He looked at me with a suddenly dark expression. "And it's happening again."

My heart skipped a beat. What does that mean?

"He is Bryan Cooper and he always gets what he wants." His face clouded, his voice turning aggressive. "He'll get you back Joanna."

"Not unless he fights for it." I said firmly.

"Anastasia is the same. Strong and firm." Sean remarked, making my blood boil.

Gosh! I didn't even know this girl and I was already developing a resilient hatred for her. The urge to find this stupid Anastasia who rattled the lives of these two brothers was strong and the urge to hit her with Brittany's 6 feet stiletto was stronger. But right now I wanted to smack Sean. Don't guys know you should never compare one girl to another? It's a certified crime and the punishment would be live-long K messages.

"Can we change the Anastasia-is-same-as-me channel?" I snapped, my head suddenly throbbing.

He winced but nodded. "How are you?"

Well, my head is paining and I still feel the jitter of almost being raped. My mouth still stinks and my rapist is still lying here, probably waiting to strike again or worse yet he's dead. I don't know where my friends are and I need then now. Oh yes! I feel fantastic.

Ignoring the question I looked at him. "Thanks." I said, really thankful. "I would have hugged you but I stink."

His lips spread into a soft grin, making his face look younger and calmer. "I punched a stinky man. I think I deserve that hug." His arms spread and I walked right into them, hugging my savior tightly. We hugged for some time, his hands rubbing my back soothingly. Just what I needed right now. I soaked in the extremely needed calmness and safety he offered.

We stood just like that, our minds reeling. I didn't want to know what he was thinking because I was myself thinking too much.

All of a sudden, voices and running steps echoed. I recognized the voices as Logan and Alan's. Sean's hand left my waist and back as he backed away.

"Don't say a word about me." He warned and before I could oppose, he vanished into another alley.

Just as he disappeared around the corner footsteps halted behind me.

"She's here." An all too familiar voice came and I was engulfed in another hug from behind.

"Logan I can't breathe." I hissed and surprisingly his arms left me.

Wow! He obeyed for the first time.

"What is that disgusting smell?" He asked, backing away. His hand on his wrinkled nose. So much for obeying.

"Forceful expulsion of the contents of my stomach through my mouth." I stated simply, shrugging. I scowled when I heard Janice's scream. "She's not dead. Damn."

"Yes I won the bet." Alan said grinning happily.

My jaw touched the floor and eyes grew larger than footballs. "You guys bet on my life?" I asked ridiculously. These people are unbelievable.

"Yeah, that made the search more fun." Janice said, coming to hug me.

I wanted to slap my best-friend but instead opened my arms for a hug, just as Logan's voice came. "Don't go near her. She stinks." Her eyes widened and she backed away immediately.

I gave them a glare. Pricks.

"Who's he?" Alan asked suddenly, pointing to down. I turned to face the rapist, he was whimpering and starting to wake up.

"We need to get out of here. Now." I spoke in a low voice, pulling Janice with me. Logan and Alan followed without another word.

"What happened?" Janice asked worriedly once we were near the parking lot. She passed a bottle of water and tissues.

I took her gratefully. "Where's Brittany?" I asked instead.

Janice scowled when I ignored her question. "She was way too drunk so she went home."

"What? She was drunk and you guys let her drive?" I gasped, almost punching Logan.

"She went with Max." Logan informed. "Now what happened to you? I won't ask again."

I sighed. Everyone knew to take Logan's serious face seriously. So I told them everything. How I slapped the five guys and completed a part of my bucket list, how I ran from them and entered into a stupid dark alley. How that creepy rapist fantasised himself into thinking that I wanted to have sex with him and how I puked on his face, making him angrier. And how some random stranger came and beat him up, saving my life. Not a single mention of Sean. Just as he wanted.

Janice screamed every bad word present in her dictionary for the rapist, even going as far as searching on the net when she was out of them. Logan and Alan planned how to kill him and bury him so no one would know. I rolled my eyes at their hilarious ideas. Push him down a high cliff with piranhas underneath, drown him in a bucket of water filled with oil paints, make a Greiver and throw it on him. Right, because making a Greiver is so easy. (The maze runner reference. If you haven't seen it yet, are you even alive?)

"Let's humiliate him instead. We'll take naked pictures of him and post them online. I bet it would be funny, we can create memes." Logan suggested excitedly as I drifted into deep sleep.

§

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"How could you fucking do that? She was drunk and almost raped! Couldn't you keep a fucking eye on her? If something had happened to her I would have had your fucking balls on a fucking platter."

I winced at the excessive use of the beautiful word.

"You know how she is. She ran away Bryan. We couldn't do anything." Logan tried to explain to a screaming and furious Bryan.

"I don't give a fuck. I am never leaving my girl with you again." He swore, making me dizzy.

Even through the dizziness, my girl, rang through my mind repeatedly, making me dizzier.

My heartbeat rose and the butterflies that had gone into hiding these previous days, finally made an appearance.

He called me my girl. His girl.

What is oxygen again?

"Well if you hadn't left and broken her heart this wouldn't have happened." Logan snapped.

There was no reply, only heavy breathing from both.

"I need some alone time with her." Bryan finally said in a stiff voice.

"Don't mess this up again or I'll have your fucking balls on a fucking platter." Logan repeated Bryan's own threat and then there were footsteps and then a door slammed shut.

I debated on opening my eyes. My head was paining but not much probably because of the exhilarating experience last night and puking. Even with the horrid memories, my mind seemed to be stuck on just one thing.

My girl.

He said, my girl. His girl.

What's wrong with my wind pipe?

I felt a presence on my right side and the smell of vanilla soap with wood washed over me. Bryan. A chair scraped and his hand enveloped mine. Instinctively my heartbeat rose higher and the butterflies transformed into freaking dinosaurs. It had been so long, way too long.

"I am sorry." He whispered, still thinking I was asleep, and I almost rolled my eyes. Now he says.

His head pressed on our joined hands, his lips grazing my wrist. I bit my lip from moaning in pleasure and gratification.

I opened my eyes and the light flashed into them. I blinked in irritation, getting adjusted to the light. I twisted my neck to look at the dark brown haired guy I had missed so much. Hesitantly I moved my left hand and placed it on his soft hair. His head snapped up in shock and his eyes flooded with relief.

"You're awake! Thank God! I was so fucking worried. How are you? Did he touch you anywhere? Should we report him? Can you move?" His rant continued as his fingers and eyes roamed over my face, looking for any injuries. My attention was solely on his chocolaty eyes, the same ones I dreamed off and missed so fudging much.

What do you do to me Bryan Cooper?

"I am fine." I simply whispered, looking into his eyes. His eyes finally turned to mine. Oh my!

"I am sorry about Anastasia." He said guiltily.

I blinked in surprise and then remembered why I was angry on him. I moved back, glaring at him. His face turned even more guilty and depressed. No, don't comfort him you're pissed off.

"Why are you here?" I asked, keeping my voice void of any emotion and barely succeeding.

He shifted uncomfortably. "Max texted me in the morning that you were at Alan's farmhouse and drunk and almost um... you know" He cleared his throat awkwardly. "So I came here."

I looked around, realizing for the first time at I was in a guest room. I guess Logan and Alan had to lift me because I sure don't remember climbing the stairs.

I frowned at him. "Why did you come then?"

His face turned to confused. "Why wouldn't I?"

I shrugged staring at my knotted fingers, "You gave me the impression that you didn't care."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him shift on his legs, coming closer. His eyes strained on me. "I do Muffin. A little too much."

Muffin. Muffin.

How much had I missed that name? I hadn't even been able to cake these six days because they reminded me of muffins and muffins reminded me for a particular guy who stole my heart so deftly and then ran away with it.

I swallowed, not allowing my emotions to get me. I snorted at him. "Ya right."

His face clouded with irritation. "Fine don't believe me."

"I am not going to."

"Then don't."

"Am not."

"Good."

"Yeah good."

We stared into each other's eyes angrily. Two frustrated people fighting and glaring at each other.

The air seemed to intensify and in the next blink his lips were on mine, hard and aggressive. I felt the wave of shock and want ripple through my body. I definitely wasn't expecting this. His mouth demanding and sending pleasure till my toes as his arm forcefully twisted around my waist and pulled me towards him.

I felt my wall of resistance slowly crumble as his lips moved against mine and I found myself closing my eyes and kissing him back. I don't think I had the will-power to even stop him. Instinctively my arms went around his neck and threaded in his hair, pulling them slightly.

I smiled when I got a small groan in response. His tongue swiped my bottom lip asking for entrance and I gave it without another thought. The second his tongue touched mine, the chills in my body multiplied. The kiss was domineering, aggressive, intense, toe-curling and stomach-clenching.

Before I knew it Bryan's lips left mine and he had stepped back. His hand swiped through the messy mop of brown hair, his eyes never meeting mine. I was still in shock, blinking as my just woken mind tried to acclimate to the sudden events.

Bryan Cooper just kissed me. Again. And I kissed him back. Again.

Oh joy!

I took in a deep breath, willing my mind to not think about pulling Bryan from his collar and kissing him senselessly again. "I should uh-"

"Why can't you just believe me?" He cut in with a frustrated tone.

"Why did you ignore me?" I asked.

"Can you stop answering my questions with another question?" He looked ready to pull his hair out.

I shook my head. "Why were you ignoring me Bryan?" I wanted to ask why he kissed me also but something told me he would ignore that question. No surprise there.

"I was busy."

My eyes narrowed. "Busy with?"

"Things." He answered vaguely.

I held back my scowl. "I am fine so you can leave now. Stay busy with your things." I spat doing the quotation marks with my fingers for things.

His eyes turned angry. "I am not going anywhere. Stop acting so jealous."

I gritted my teeth, eyes narrowing at him. "I am not jealous!"

He smirked. "I can see the green demon dancing on your head."

"Oh yeah? Soon the red demon will dance if you don't leave now."

"I am not leaving."

We stared at each other angrily, no one ready to back down. Some naughty part of me wished that the air would electrify again and we would end up in hot jumbled mess on this old bed. Unfortunately the sensible part of me triumphed.

"Fine, you stay here. I'll go." I got down from the bed, planning to leave.

He groaned in clear infuriation, his frame stopping me. "Can't we just talk like normal people?"

"No." I answered, ducking and moving to the door.

"Why?"

"Because the sky is so high." I snorted, walking out.

I sighed once I was out. That idiot, how can he just come and talk and then kiss me fervently like nothing ever happened? I'll give him a taste of his own medicine now.

Some part of me knew I should give him a chance to explain and set things right but another bitchy part wanted him to realize what he had lost. I wasn't going to be a second option.

My mind still reeled from the unexpected kiss and somehow the feel of his lips on mine couldn't seem to leave my brain. It kept rewinding the scene again and again, making me wish I was still in the room, doing things that would make people say 'Drink holy water'.

Snorting at the ridiculously impossible idea, I walked downstairs. The farmhouse looked exactly the same. Wooden furniture, ancient paintings, dreadful designs on the walls and creaking stairs. I winced as another stair creaked beneath my foot.

"Be calm? She slapped me!" I heard Max exclaim as I reached down.

I chuckled. "Who slapped you?"

Everyone stared at me with astonishment. I raised my eyebrows at them. "What?"

"You don't remember?" Janice asked.

I scanned my pounding mind. Now thinking of it, I hardly remembered anything. I remembered that creepy guy touching me and I shuddered. I remembered Sean saving me and telling me not to tell anyone. Logan coming and then we went into a car. I vaguely remembered slapping guys and vomiting. "It's a blur." I finally answered. The kiss entering my mind again, I gritted my teeth. Will it ever leave?

Max scowled deeply at me. "You don't remember slapping me?"

I blinked and gasped in horror. "No! Why would I slap you?"

"You did!" Max exclaimed, throwing his hands in air as if that was the most shocking thing to ever happen. "'Then you shouted five down, zero to go. You go bitch!' And ran away."

Logan and Alan burst out laughing while Dylan slapped my back proudly. "You go bitch!" He teased.

I slapped his arm. "Shut up! I kind of remember saying that but I didn't know it was you."

"Well thanks for forgetting me!" Max remarked angrily.

"Hey! I was drunk!" I defended.

"Drunk in love!" Dylan teased.

"Shut up! I already have a headache." I shouted, walking into the kitchen for water.

"Where's Ace?" I heard Logan ask.

"Probably going through Joanna's panties." Dylan answered.

My eyes widened and just as I turned to dash into my room, Ace came down, a paper in his hand.

Sighing in relief, I took a bottle of chilled water and joined them. I couldn't even look at Bryan without feeling a mix of annoyance, need and desperation to kiss.

"What's this?" Max asked, pointing at the paper.

"Where's Brittany?" I looked around.

"Still sleeping, she's too drunk." Janice answered.

"Who dropped her here?"

Max shifted uncomfortably. "Me."

I looked at him and then at Ace. "Are you going to let Bryan make decisions for you again?"

Bryan glared at me while Max winced. "No."

"Then when are you asking her out?"

"She likes that stupid Australian guy." He sounded so angry.

A small smirk settled on my face and me and Janice exchanged amused glances.

"How do you know?" Janice questioned.

"They were dancing so closely like isn't there a rule that there should be at least two feet distance? And when I was driving her here she said she loves his accent." His lips twisted into disgust.

I rolled my eyes. "All girls love accents, it's a major turn on."

"Yeah but we don't necessarily date the accent guy or I would be dating Jasper now." Janice said.

"You better not be." Dylan warned possessively.

"Aww jealous?"

"Of that dumb accent?" Dylan grunted. "I am way better than him."

"Oh please. Have you seen his light green eyes? They are to die for." Janice said in a dreamy voice. A blind man could see she was teasing but of course Dylan couldn't.

"Blue eyes are so much better." He retorted immediately, pointing at his own eyes.

Janice snorted. "Hell no, light green are so different and mesmerising."

"Yeah well there are contacts-"

"Jack and Jill went up the hill." Logan screamed, effectively shutting them up.

"To fetch a pail of water." Alan continued.

"God knows what they did there."

"They came down with a daughter." They both said together.

We were used to this. They did it every time any of us fought. But judging by the surprised expression of Max, Dylan and Ace they were hearing it for the first time.

"What was that?" Dylan finally spoke.

"The new version of Jack and Jill." Logan answered proudly.

"It's awesome!" Max exclaimed.

Alan grinned. "I know right."

"We should scream that in every lecture, especially literature." Dylan suggested excitedly.

"Yeah that'd be so much fun." Logan instantly agreed.

"This is our three day plan." Ace said, efficiently changing the topic.

All of us clouded over the table. Dylan pushed me towards Bryan just as I leaned besides Janice. Idiot. I stood immobile, not going anywhere near Bryan. He sighed irately, pushing himself between Logan and Alan, making place for me between Logan and Max. I quickly got in between them before someone pushed me out again.

The plan was simple. We were to rest today until evening as Brittany was still sleeping. Then we could go for swimming or bowling. No drinks. Thankfully. The next day we were going to complete another thing from my bucket list- BASE jumping and in the evening for ice skating (Janice's idea), the last day we were just going to rest, eat, drive to some lake or something and back home. Sounded fun until I came to know the driving teams.

There were 3 cars-Logan, Dylan, Alan in Dylan's car. Max, Brittany and Janice in Max's car. And guess who's with me? Despite all my protests. The God of devils himself- Bryan Cooper! So much fun. Not.

Bryan turned to me with a promising and heated look. "Seems like you are stuck with me Muffin."

"Unfortunately." I snorted.

He's lucky he looks hot or I wouldn't even talk to him!

~~~

Asdfghjkl!

They kissed again! I love writing their banter, gives my brain an exercise. LOL!

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