IN LOVE WITH MY STEPBROTHER

TESSIE'S POV

I turned lazily and accidentally kicked the alarm clock off the bedside table. The shattering sound it produced was enough to wake me up fully knowing that I had gotten myself in trouble. My dad had definitely heard that which meant that was another item added to the list of the things I was yet to pay for, all I had broken because of my clumsiness.

I held my breath with my eyes closed waiting for his voice from downstairs but after two minutes, it didn't come. I frowned. Where was he? That was so unusual but maybe it was my lucky day. Maybe I was going to have a great start of my junior year but that would only happen if I got out of that bed and got ready. I was already running late as it was and my best friend Ava would be up my ass again.

My phone rang. *Talk of the devil.* I thought as I flipped it to see the caller ID.

"Hey bitch!" Ava greeted as soon as her face appeared on the screen. "You are not dressed yet?" she gasped.

I lowered the camera trying to hide my pyjamas but it was too late.

"Give me five minutes tops. I'll be right out."

"The thing is, I'm not going to pick you up. My car broke down and I can't get it repaired on time. Can we take yours?"

"Ava! You know I'm on probation. I can't drive before my doctor gives me the go ahead."

"We have to take the bus? Come on Tess!" Ava was disappointed but I knew if I listened to her, I would be in trouble. If I dared to take the car out of the garage, my dad would kill me before the migraines that had forced me to stop driving did. I couldn't risk it regardless of how much I loved Ava. Sometimes she was a bad influence and I did most things because of her. It wasn't once that I had gotten in trouble because of something she had convinced me to do. It was so hard to say no to her and I wouldn't lie and say that I didn't have fun.

Being the silent nerd in class, the wallflower who only moved just when displaced by someone not because she wanted to had seen me missing a lot of fun other teenagers had. That had been until I met Ava. She was the opposite of me. She was my extrovert and in most cases she had to defend me or stand up to bullies for me. Sometimes I admired her confidence but no matter how hard I tried to be like her, I ended up being uncomfortable almost like someone had scraped off my skin. I had eventually stopped trying and let her be the outgoing person for both of us. However, it only took her a few cute words to convince me and rope me into her escapades and this time was no different.

"Come on Tess. Don't make me ride with Tim on top of having to share classes with him."

I chuckled. Tim was Ava's ex boyfriend. They had dated for the whole of sophomore year until he had cheated on her over the summer. The break up was still raw and Ava was nowhere near getting over him. How could I say no and make my friend more miserable than she was? While I could not heal her broken heart, I could at least make it better by fulfilling her wish that morning.

"Okay. Meet me down the street in ten minutes."

I quickly dropped the phone, took a shower and dressed up quickly. Within seven minutes, I was done and heading downstairs hurriedly. I descended in twos and threes hoping to bypass my dad before he saw me. I grabbed the car keys by the door slowly trying not to alert him but just as I was about to step outside, he appeared.

"Tessie, hold up!"

My heart froze in my chest for several seconds. I was sure I had been busted and I wasn't sure what to do next. My dad knew me as his sweet little girl who never got in trouble and whenever I did, he never blamed it on me. Those were the moments I wished my mother was still alive because she could have been stricter. I closed my eyes briefly and then turned around, holding the keys behind me.

"Hey Dad!" Instead of speaking, he bit his lip lightly and stepped forward avoiding eye contact. This was something he did whenever he wanted to talk to me about something serious. "What's going on?"

"There is something I have been wanting to talk to you about but I hadn't found the right moment."

Well, at least it wasn't about the keys. I could deal with the consequences later but whatever it was, he looked even more nervous than I was. Was it something I wanted to know before my first day of junior year?

"Dad, I'm already running late for school. Can it wait until I come back in the evening?" He hesitated and then met my eyes directly. He sighed heavily. "You are scaring me now."

He shook his head, "You are right, honey." He handed me a bag. "Don't forget your lunch."

"Thanks." I accepted the bag but remained staring at him questioningly. I had to admit to myself that I had never seen him like that. Questions ran freely in my head but I couldn't ask them except for one. "Are you okay Dad?"

"Yeah," he stated and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Just do me a favor and come back straight home from school. We have some guests coming over tonight."

"Okay." It wasn't the first time we would be having visitors.

His work partners often came by, my grandma and my mom's sister often dropped by for dinner so I wasn't surprised by that. My father's edgy face and masked voice was what made me question what exactly was going on. A message from Ava popped up on my screen but I dismissed it.

"See you later honey."

I watched him as he headed back to the kitchen without another word. I stood there for several more seconds before I finally moved. I looked at the keys in my hand and without second thought, I placed them back on the rack and left.

Ava was waiting for me down the street and I could see the disappointment in her face the moment I showed up without the car before I even reached her.

"Dude!"

"I couldn't do it." Ava exhaled exasperatedly, her hands drooping to her sides. "My dad was acting all weird and I couldn't risk doing something to make him worse. I'm sorry."

"So now I have to see Tim, first thing on my first day of junior year?"

"What are you saying. You saw me first," I responded and shoved her playfully but Ava scowled at me. "You need to show him that you don't care about him anymore. Show him that you have moved on."

"As if it was that easy. Who am I supposed to move on with?"

I was the wrong person to ask that. I didn't know the first thing when it came to boys because I tended to avoid them at all costs. That was the only thing that Ava had failed to rope me into, not because I hadn't tried but because I was always awkward where boys were involved. I was no love expert and she knew that. However that was about to change and neither of us had an idea.

I was preoccupied in my thoughts about the interaction with my dad as we waited for the bus when suddenly Ava tugged on my arm roughly. At first I thought she was about to throw another tantrum regarding Tim but then I saw her eyes blinking with a sparkle I had not seen for a while.

"What now?" I asked without much enthusiasm but Ava just pointed ahead of us.

A few steps away was a young guy about our age or slightly older walking towards us with calculated and confident strides. He looked up and pushed back short strands of his tousled hair that fell over his forehead exposing the hottest face I had ever seen. How I knew he was hot was not an explanation I could give because I just felt it. The sleeves of his t-shirt hugged his biceps perfectly showing muscles of a person who regularly worked out and his face even without smiling was that of a rockstar. Only one word came out of my mouth at that moment.

"Damn!"

TESSIE'S POV

"Did you get the pages for the maths homework?" I asked Ava as soon as I got back to class from a bathroom break only that Ava's mind was elsewhere. "Ava!" I shouted snapping her out of her daydreams.

"I'm sorry, what?" she asked suddenly gathering her books. I sighed and sat down heavily. "What? Don't look at me like that, I'm heartbroken."

"Or you are fantasizing about a certain hottie who isn't even in your class and is obviously worse than Tim."

"Don't be so mean. How could you even compare him to my ugly ass ex? I also sat behind him in AP History. Apparently juniors and seniors are going to have it together this semester so joke's on you." I shook my head. Whenever Ava got like this, getting her back was next to impossible. I didn't blame her though. Any girl who set her eyes on the mysterious new student was prone to acquire that fever and even I had found myself thinking about him in one occasion or two and I didn't like that he was distracting me during my classes. What I knew however was that he wasn't the kind of guy who looked twice at girls like me. Even Ava would be lucky if he at least said hi to her because hanging out with me made her like me. The friend of the unwanted nerd who didn't fit in any group.

"Did he notice you?" I challenged and Ava blew raspberries. "That should tell you something so stop dreaming and tell me what we have for our maths homework today."

"I didn't get it."

"Ava!"

"What? It's not my fault that they decided to put a maths class after lunch. I was dozing off."

"No, you weren't. You were just thinking about a guy who is never going to consider dating you!" I blurted out only realizing after what I had done. I had gone too far even though we could both agree it was true and hurting my best friend's feelings hadn't been nice. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

"You are right. Mean but right. How could he choose someone like me while the cheerleading team has like the hottest and most popular girls who I'm sure are more his type."

Even though I sometimes found the obsession with boys a bit stupid, I felt bad for Ava. I could see the hurt in her eyes as she spoke and even though I couldn't understand the pain of a heartbreak, I knew that I didn't want to see her like that.

"You are hot," I stated.

"Coming from you doesn't count, Tess," Ava pouted. Sometimes the constant validation that girls needed from boys irritated me but mentioning that out loud was likely to bring more backlash towards me. Ava would say that it was because I had no experience in love and maybe she was right. Or something was terribly wrong with me. "Can we hang out before going home? My mom is making me bus tables at the coffee shop but if I'm with you she won't. Please say yes. I need a distraction."

"Ava, I can't," I stated already feeling bad for turning her down. I could tell that the real reason she didn't want to go there was because Tim and his new girlfriend were regulars at the shop but I didn't say anything. "My dad wants me home early. Something to do with some guests."

"Don't you have guests regularly and you don't even need to be there?" Ava asked with a frown.

"I don't know, it feels different this time. My dad seemed off about it and I have to go find out what it was all about." Ava dropped back on her desk and groaned loudly. Normally I would have reconsidered my decision and turned down my dad's request to meet his guests but this time, it just didn't feel right. I had to go. "I will call you later. Love you," I stated and gathered my books before leaving a disappointed Ava behind.

I knew that something was seriously off the moment I stepped inside the house half an hour later. I was welcomed by a strong fragrance of a recently cleaned house combined with freshly baked dough. The air was crisp and inviting and the tidy living room wasn't just because my dad's work partners were coming over. I frowned but stepped inside hoping to get an explanation of whatever was going on. The dining table had already been set for four people but my dad was nowhere in sight.

I went up to my room, dropped my bag and then went back downstairs only to encounter another shock of the day. There he was, adjusting his favorite shirt's collar and sleeves. He hadn't worn that shirt for years but it still fitted him perfectly.

"What do you think, Tessie?" he asked, adorning a perfect smile.

I leaned against the doorframe and stared at him questioningly.

"Are you having a date over?"

"What? No!" he responded forcing a laugh. He was nervous about something.

"You are wearing your favorite shirt, you cleaned up, you shaved and I can smell your cologne from here. You also baked, let alone cooking." He chuckled softly. "What's the special occasion?"

My dad paused and sighed deeply but the smile remained. He motioned for me to sit on the couch and being the obedient daughter he had brought up, I did so without question but my heart was sending unsettling ripples through my blood.

"Tessaiah," he started, referring to me by my full name. "I think you are now old enough to handle these kind of conversations like an adult," he added.

"Dad, just spill. You are making me nervous."

"I um... Remember when your mom left us?"

"I was five. I don't remember much."

"Right. But you remember the letter she left you. The one that I gave you on your fifteenth birthday?"

"Yes, I do. What does it have to do with all this."

"She told me to give it to you once I was ready to... move on and you were old enough to understand that I needed that." I stared at him blankly. A part of me knew where this was going and maybe because I wasn't ready to believe it was true, I didn't know how to act or what to say. He went on. "Well, I think I have found the right woman and -"

The doorbell rang, interrupting his speech. As if he had been waiting for it to save him, he turned quickly heading there. I stood up and followed him quickly, his words reverberating in my head and suddenly it was like I was hearing them for the first time.

"Wait, what?" My expression was a combination of surprise and shock but it had come a little too late.

I was standing a few steps away when he opened the door ushering a tall woman, pretty with long black hair and a smile that lit up her face almost the same as my dad's did when their eyes met. My jaw dropped as they shared a kiss right in front of me but luckily, it was brief.

"Welcome to our home," my dad stated and took her hand as they turned to me. "This is my daughter Tessaiah and Tessie, meet Diane. My fiance."

"It's nice to meet you, Tessaiah," Diane stated with a warm smile. "I have heard so much about you."

My heart jumped to my mouth. The word 'what' had formulated on my tongue but the moment I tried to utter it, only my lips moved silently. I looked at the two, smiling ear to ear like two teenagers in love. I hadn't even been in love to know how that felt like but I could see it in them. How could he do that to me? After eleven years of just being the two of us, no secrets between us only for him to spring up on me with such a surprise. I wasn't sure how long I stood there in silence until he spoke again.

"Tessie?" he chuckled awkwardly.

I knew what he was asking for so with my best smile, I stepped forward and shook the woman's hand.

"It's nice to meet you too," I stated and pulled my hand away after a brief shake then turned to my dad. "Can we talk?"

"Tess, we have a guest. Can it wait at least until after dinner?"

"No, it has to be now!"

JASON'S POV

Playing football with the school team in my new school had been the highlight of my first day in the new town and just like my appearance had caused a stir the whole day in all my classes, the football field was no exception. I never cared about my looks like everyone else who wasn't me did. I never wanted to come off as obnoxious but the situations around me forced me to be using that as the only way to push people away from knowing who I really was. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Those were the moments I had to embrace and fit in but it was only because of my mother. Everything I did was for her otherwise I wouldn't have agreed to move states leaving behind the life I had known for eighteen years to start over in a new school in my senior year.

I had just changed back into my regular clothes when a message popped up on my screen. It was my mother reminding me of the meeting we had with her new boyfriend. I loved her and it always made me happy to see her smiling especially after we lost my dad eight years before. It had been too long since I last saw her as happy as she was now talking about the man I was yet to meet. I knew they had been dating for quite a while and moving could only mean one thing. I was going to have a stepfather and I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

"Jason Chambers?" I looked up as the football coach approached me.

"Yes, sir!" I stood up respectfully but to my surprise, he shook my hand.

"Good game today. Are you by any chance interested to join the varsity team? We could really use your expertise in our coming game."

I could feel the eyes of the rest of the team on me. I wasn't sure whether they approved of the bold approach of the coach praising me in their faces and looking around didn't get me those answers. However, my gaze met the team Captain's across the locker room and being the teams favorite player, I knew he wasn't too pleased. I hadn't gone there to make enemies but I also loved playing football. However, I decided to take my time with my answer at that moment.

"Can I think about it first?" I requested.

The coach chuckled and nodded but his eyes displayed disappointment which he shrugged off with a smile.

"For sure. Just let me know soon." I nodded and grabbed my bag ready to head out. I was almost at the door when suddenly the Captain stepped in my way blocking me from leaving. I sighed and met his eyes calmly. His lips extended in a grin, his eyes sparkling with pride. I knew those types of guys so his words didn't come as a surprise.

"You might be a hotshot with the girls out there but when it comes to the field, I own it. You better know your place, newbie," he warned. I observed him quietly for a while until he narrowed his gaze at me. "Got it?"

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and smiled.

"So you think I'm hot?" I shot back eliciting laughter from his teammates. Without another word, I sidestepped him and left him nursing his bruised ego. I had better things to do than compete with someone like him. Anything that wasn't something to do with girls wasn't worth my effort and he needed to know that.

I looked at the added my mother had sent me and frowned. That wasn't the hotel she had mentioned earlier. However, I was already running late so I decided to head straight there. As I stood outside observing the area lined up with beautiful bungalows, I couldn't believe my eyes. I had lived in a two bedroom apartment with my mother, a tiny one at that. I was still staring when my mother got out and spotted me.

"No way!" I stated the moment I saw her on the porch of the biggest house but then stepped forward.

"Where have you been, Jace?" she asked almost apprehensively. "I asked you to do one thing, just one thing not to be late for our first dinner and here we are."

"Chill, mom. I was just playing football and lost track of the time. I'm only a few minutes late," I responded gently. I knew how she needed everything to be perfect and how she never wanted to disappoint anyone. It wasn't anger in her voice, she was anxious and nervous. I offered my arms and embraced her gently. "It's going to be okay, Mom. Please relax."

Just as we were pulling apart, the door opened with a light click. I looked up and met his eyes. He had a warm and inviting smile but I wasn't going to buy it. It wasn't the first time my mother had fallen for someone like him, rich with the good looks and polite face which ended up being our greatest nightmare. This time however had been different. She was different than any other time I had seen this happening so I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Mr Prescott," I stated respecting.

"Jimmy," he responded taking my hand. "Please call me Jimmy. You are... Jason, right?"

"Guilty as charged," I stated and managed a smile as I stepped back but out of my peripheral vision, I noticed someone else step out behind him. My attention was diverted towards them and the moment our eyes met, my mouth went dry. Where had I seen her?

Right. At the bus stop in the morning but who was she and why was she here? I turned to my mother who just smiled and turned to Jimmy.

"This is my daughter, Tess. I'm sure your paths have crossed today but we wanted to wait until we were all together to introduce you two.

He took my mother's hand and my eyes flipped back to the girl who stared back at me in as equal surprise. Was it really what I was thinking?

"Jace," I turned to my mother unable to say anything. "I'm getting married to Jimmy so Tess is going to be your sister."

Standing there looking at them, I didn't know what to think. I felt like I was hanging on a balance and I couldn't decide which side of me weighed more. I loved my mother and I loved seeing her happy like she was as she stated that but at that moment, all I could feel was betrayal. She had lied to me for the first time in my life and that didn't feel good. I shook my head and scoffed.

"I can't do this. Not today," I stated and turned around to leave.

"Jace, don't you dare turn your back on me!" She grabbed my hand forcing me to stop. "Please, just listen."

"You have been dating for months! You knew he had a daughter but you never cared to mention that. Don't you think you should have the moment you knew that you were taking things this far?" I asked feeling like the veins in my heart were tearing apart.

"Is it really that bad?"

"Bad?" I asked. "Mom, this is something you can just spring up on someone." I scoffed. "What's next? We are moving in with them?" She sighed and went silent confirming my guesses. I nodded, "Wow."

"Can you do this for me, please?" She took my arm and squeezed. "Jimmy is a good man. Give him the chance to prove it. I haven't been this happy, truly happy since your father died. I was lacking something that Jimmy has finally filled." She exhaled. "I really think this will be good for us. Just give it a chance." I looked up past her and found the two gone. She added, "He hadn't told Tess about you either. Or even me."

"So they are fighting." It was more of a statement. My mother nodded. "Well, this is going to be fun."