Anti-Stepbrother

“Where are we going?” I put my hand in his, and he pulled me to my feet.

“I got roped into saying I’d help put those flamingos in people’s yards. You can keep me company.”

I glanced out the window, my hand still in his. “It’s getting dark out.”

“That’s the point.” He looked me up and down. “You’re going to have to change.”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I had on jeans and a grey sweater. I thought I was fashion forward today. Then I noticed him. He wore black, all black. “I have to dress like you?”

“That’s the idea.”

I had no idea what was going on, but Caden gave me a ride back to my dorm, holding my hand the entire time. I tried not to think about it, but friends didn’t hold hands. I was pretty sure that was a rule…or was it? I couldn’t imagine holding Avery’s hand, but then again, I couldn’t imagine Caden holding anyone except a girlfriend’s hand.

He let go when I started to get out of the Land Rover. “Hold on.” He put it in park and turned the engine off.

“What are you doing?”

He gestured up to my room. “I’m going up with you.”

“Why?” All the girls would want him. He was mine.

“I have to go to the bathroom. We have to pick up the flamingos at Jill’s house, and I’ve been there before. She has seven roommates, and they always have friends over. I’ll take my chances in a girl’s dorm.” He followed me out, shutting his door. “You must have a guy’s bathroom in there, right?”

“I guess.” I had no idea. My life was spent between my room, Avery’s room, classes, the lunch area, and Caden’s. The possibility of sneaking a guy into my room had eluded me, but it was still technically day hours, so Caden was allowed on my floor. As he followed me, I ignored how the clerk’s eyes got big, and how she watched us go past with hawk-like precision. I also ignored all the girls in the stairwell who got quiet, and how the reception was the same when we got to my floor. Some of the girls had their doors open, and when we walked past, the conversations stopped.

I went to Avery’s room and knocked.

She opened her door. “How’d it go with—Caden!” Her eyes got big too, just like the clerk’s. “What are you doing here?”

“I know you sneak my brother up here. Where’s the bathroom for him?”

“Shut up!” She looked up and down the hallway, then seemed to relax when she didn’t see anyone. I didn’t have the heart to tell her they were all listening, probably standing as close as they could to their open doors without being seen. She gestured all the way down the hallway to the back door by my room. “Take the stairs all the way to the basement. There’s a bathroom to your immediate left. Guys can be down there all the time, just not up here.”

He started off, shooting her a look. “I know the rules. I dated someone in here my freshman year.”

“You’re old. I didn’t know if the dementia would have kicked in yet.”

He flipped her off, and then disappeared past my room and through the exit door to the back stairs.

Once he was gone, Avery clamped onto my arm. “Holy shit. What’s Caden doing here?”

She yanked me into her room, slamming the door.

I held up my hands before she could pounce any further. “It’s nothing. We’re fine.”

“Fine?” An eager grin started to show. “Like fine fine? Like we just screwed fine? Or—”

“Like, we’re friends fine. He’s doing that flamingo thing tonight. I’m helping him.”

“Really?” Her shoulders dropped, dejected.

“I know. I thought you guys did the flamingo thing a long time ago.”

“No.” She scratched behind her ear and laughed softly under her breath. “I didn’t mean the flamingo thing, and we did, but it was so popular that a second round is going tonight. A bunch of guys are supposed to flock the lawns. He must be helping Marcus. It’s his crew that’s in charge of it.” She paused, a glimmer of regret appearing. “I got excited. I’m sorry, Summer. I thought maybe him being here meant something else.”

“Well, it doesn’t. He’s a friend.” A friend who held my hand and told me I was beautiful. I kept that to myself.

She studied me, and a determined gleam appeared in her eyes. “Maybe he just needs more convincing?”

She reached for my hair, but I backed toward the door. “I’m good. I don’t want a change my appearance.”

“Come on. Just let me experiment.”

“No. My hair is shiny. I don’t need to lose weight. I know my skin is clean and smooth. Other than having bigger boobs, I don’t want any other changes.”

“I know. Your hair is gorgeous, long and thick. Those doe eyes don’t hurt either. Maybe he wants you to show more skin.” She began to reach for my shirt.

I slapped her hands away, yanking the door open. “Hands to yourself, woman. I gotta change clothes anyway. I’ll be back.”

“Summer!”

“Can’t hear you,” I yelled over my shoulder, hurrying to my room. The once empty hallway was not empty anymore. My floormates had taken point, sitting down with textbooks, laptops, notebooks, and whatever else they needed for studying.

I snorted as I opened my door.