Anti-Stepbrother

“Mmm-hmmm.” I walked beside him the short distance to the Land Rover, but it wasn’t until we pulled up in front of my dorm that I thought about asking the obvious question.

“Why did you let me go with you tonight?”

His forehead wrinkled, but he didn’t pretend about what I was really asking. He shrugged, relaxing back in his seat with the engine still running. “I thought you were another Matthews groupie.”

My gaze fell to the floor.

“Then I thought you were another one of him—a pain in the ass—but you weren’t.”

I looked back up, but Caden wasn’t looking at me. He peered out the window, almost lost in his own thoughts.

“I don’t know Avery very well, but I know she dated my brother, and I know he wasn’t as much of an ass when he was with her. And that girl seems to like you. I figured out you weren’t much like your stepbrother at Marcus’ party.” A twinge of humor lined his voice. “You made me laugh when you stood next to those girls and stared right at us. Marcus was on edge because Avery was there, and they’d all been pretending he wasn’t there, but then you came out.” He turned to look at me and grinned.

My heart fluttered.

“I liked that you didn’t pretend,” he said. “I’m surrounded by too many people who do.”

I stamped down the fluttering. That was a bad idea. Very bad. I coughed. “So, what you see is what you get with me.”

“I guess so. You’re a little awkward in some social situations, but you’re not fake. You’re honest. And you’re funny.”

I am?

“I like that about you.”

I was warm all over. “Thank you for letting me come.”

I reached for the handle and was about to open the door when he stopped me. “I didn’t let you, Stoltz. You kept me company. That’s different.”

My throat swelled. “Thank you for that, and I’m sorry you didn’t get drunk or have sex tonight.”

He smirked. “The night’s still young.”

“Oh.”

He laughed. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I’m sure. Have a good one.”

I got out and headed inside, this time not caring about the girls who noticed I’d gotten out of Caden Banks’ vehicle. I was funny, honest, and awkward. He liked me.

The flutters started again, and I didn’t try to stop them.

I was on cloud nine all day the next day, and my classes sailed by. The girl I was partnered with for a project in my last class had kept giving me weird looks, but I didn’t care. I kept on doing me, and I only felt better as I headed back to the dorm at the end of the day. I hummed under my breath as I passed Avery’s room on the way to mine. She was just leaving.

“Hey,” she called.

“Hey back.” I smiled on the way to my room.

“Have you talked to Caden today?” Her gaze shifted away. “Or anyone else?”

My smile faded, and I stopped. I looked over my shoulder. “What are you talking about?”

“Caden. You took off with him last night, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah.” She’d mentioned anyone else. Why’d she say that?

My euphoria was leaving. Avery was about to pull the rug out from under my feet. I waited for it. “Why?”

“Was he pissed when he dropped you off?”

She should’ve asked what we did last night, where we went. She wasn’t saying anything about that. She didn’t ask if I got laid. There was no excitement. She was all business. The rug started to move.

I swallowed tightly. “He was fine.”

“Was he drunk? Everyone’s saying he was drunk.”

“No. He had a couple at first, but he was sober. He drove home.”

“Oh.” I heard the worry in her voice.

“Did something happen last night?” I slowly pulled my bag around to hug it to my chest. “Is Caden okay?”

She snorted. “Caden’s just fine.” She began backing away. “I wasn’t there, and I have to get a meeting, but you might want to call him. I know you guys have some type of friendship going on.”

“What happened?” I started after her.

“Call him, Summer.”

“Why? What’d he do?”

She was at the door to the stairs now. She paused and let out a sigh. “He beat the shit out of someone last night.”

“Who?”

“Your stepbrother.”

One quick yank and the rug was gone. I was on my ass.

I didn’t have Caden’s phone number so I tried Kevin. No answer, so pulling on my big-girl panties, I marched the eight blocks to their frat house.

Okay, I didn’t march. I started out marching. I was dragging myself when I finally got to their block. My calves were tight and burning.

Note to self: I needed to work out more—or at all. This was embarrassing for a sports medicine major.

I walked up their front sidewalk and rang the bell.

I wasn’t sure who to ask for, Caden or Kevin. For some reason, the sympathy card wasn’t there for my stepbrother. With the shit he’d been doing, he probably had it coming. I knew Caden wouldn’t kick me out this time, but as I waited for someone to answer, I still felt some nerves in my gut.

…and I kept waiting.

And waiting…

I frowned, knocking again, this time harder.

“It’s a frat.” A girl spoke up behind me, reaching around me to open the door. She held a box in her hand and stepped inside. “Just go in. No one’s going to answer the door unless there’s a cop on the other side.”