Chapter 1
Dylan
The car hums along, the streetlights casting shadows inside as we drive home from the game. Ford’s laughter breaks the silence. “Ooooo weeee,” he cackles, leaning back in his seat. “That was some kiss and the slap! Kitty’s got claws.”
I know it was some kiss. I was the one with my sexy stepbrother’s lips on mine.
Jacob, sitting behind the wheel, growls in annoyance. “It’s not funny, Ford. Our girl was obviously upset. Are you okay, Pickle?” His voice softens when he addresses me, his concern evident.
I sigh, my mind still racing from today's events. “I’m fine. But how dare he act like he has the right to touch me, to put his fucking lips on mine after how he’s been since we moved in? He’s treated me and you guys like we’re beneath him because we’re younger, and now he kisses me? What the fuck does that even mean?”
Ford sits up, chuckling, clearly enjoying the drama. “Ummm, babe, I think it means he wants to fuck you.”
Jacob’s hand flies to the back of Ford’s head, delivering a sharp slap. “And you’re just okay with that?” His tone is heated and protective.
I want to know the same thing because I’m already with both of them, but I can’t deny that Matthew has me all turned around. One minute I’m making myself come from the image of him and the next I want to slam his head into a wall.
It—no, he is infuriating.
Ford rubs his head, a grin still plastered on his face. “Well, we could have found out what it meant, but our girl high-tailed it out of there. It’s not like he hasn’t been watching her, though. He’s seen her come a few times. I think it’s obvious he has the hots for little sister.”
My jaw drops. “What the fuck do you mean? He’s watched me come?!” I snap, shock coursing through my body.
“You know, one of those times in the hot tub?”
“Yeah.”
“He was watching out the window,” Ford says nonchalantly.
“And you knew!”
“Yeah, figured if he wanted a show, we’d give him a good one.”
“Ford!” I squeal, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. It’s not just anger. There’s a strange warmth in my belly and a tightening in my core. Knowing he watched me come undone has me feeling things I can’t quite comprehend.What the hell am I gonna do?
The car falls into silence, broken only by the hum of the engine and the occasional sigh from one of us. I lean my head against the cool window, the air outside a stark contrast to the warmth inside.
Jacob reaches back, his hand finding mine and giving it a comforting squeeze. “We’re here for you. You know that, right?”
I nod, squeezing back. “I know. It’s just… I don’t know how to deal with this. One minute he’s an asshole, the next he’s kissing me. And now I find out he’s been watching me? It’s a lot.”
Ford shifts in his seat, turning to face me. “Maybe he’s just bad at showing his feelings. Some guys are like that.”
“That’s no excuse for being a jerk,” Jacob mutters, still clearly pissed off.
“I know,” Ford says, his tone carrying an unusual gravity. “But maybe he has feelings for her and doesn’t know how to handle it. Doesn’t make it right, but it’s a possibility.”
I close my eyes, trying to process everything. There have been a few times he definitely gave off that vibe. But then he’s cold again. It’s giving me whiplash. “Maybe. But it doesn’t change how he’s treated us. Or how he just kissed me out of nowhere.”
The car goes quiet again, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The events of the night replay in my mind, his lips on mine, the slap that followed, and the shock on his face. I can’t deny the kiss stirred something in me, even if it is buried under layers of anger and fear.
I hope he doesn’t tell my mom I’ve been playing lacrosse. She’s going to find out; I have no doubts, especially now that we are State Champions. But I need to tell her on my own time, on my terms.
This better not fuck up my chance at getting out of here and going to CSU in the fall.
Jacob pulls into my driveway, and we sit there for a moment, none of us making a move to get out. “So, what now?” Ford asks, breaking the silence.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “I need to talk to him and find out what the hell’s going on in his head.”
