I never thought I’d be the one turning my step-dad into a nervous wreck every night.
Carmen’s been married to my mom since I was twelve. Late forties, built like he still carries lumber for fun, quiet most of the time, always fixing something around the house. He’s the kind of guy who says three words when one would do. Solid. Dependable. Hot in that rugged, older-man way I pretended not to notice until I turned eighteen and suddenly couldn’t stop.
Mom works night shifts at the hospital three or four nights a week. That’s when it started.
At first Carmen would just poke his head into my room after she left … “You good? Need anything?” voice low, casual. I’d roll my eyes, smirk, say “I’m not five, Carmen,” and he’d chuckle and leave.
But I started messing with him.
I’d stretch out on t
