Forbidden Sins: One Night With My Stepbrother

The Last Day Nadia “I’m telling you, it wasn’t a breakup,” Justin said, leaning against the low wall. “It was a highly strategic pause. There’s a difference.” “Justin, she blocked your number. Just accept it and move on.” “She did me a favor.” I choked back a laugh. Someone stepped in front of us. A girl who looked somewhat familiar from my economics class approached us, her blonde highlights perfectly styled, and her makeup fully done. She ignored Justin entirely, her glossy lips curving into an overly sweet smile. I blinked, taken aback. “Hey.” “Oh my God, congratulations on graduating!” She patted my arm like we were old friends. “Uhm, I know this is super random, a little birdie told me you’re Caden West’s stepsister. Like, you guys live in the same house.” Beside me, Justin crossed his arms, clearly enjoying himself. “Yes,” I said slowly. “Okay, so you see him every day.” She smiled. “Can we talk privately.” She looked over at Justin. Justin cleared his throat, then excused us. “So what now?” I asked. “What can I do for you to put in a good word for me? Seriously. Hook us up. Tell him it’s Maddie from Econ thinks he’s hot. Or just give him my Snapchat? I can give you my username right now.” I stared at her, completely speechless. She thought I was her ticket to hooking up with Caden. They all thought I was the gatekeeper to Caden. Maddie wasn’t the only one who had ever approached me about him. “Excuse me?” I managed, a dry laugh slipping out. “Please?” Maddie pleaded, pouting. “I know he’s dating Arianna right now, but everyone knows it’s an on-and-off relationship. Nothing serious.” “I, uh… I don’t usually interfere with Caden’s social life,” I said, trying to find a polite but dismissive tone. “But… I guess I’ll see what I can do if I run into him.” Maddie’s face lit up. “Really?” I gave her a smile. “Sure.” “Your phone, please,” she reached for my phone. I gave it to her and she typed in something that was probably was her Snapchat handle. “Thank you,” she smiled, blowing me a dramatic kiss before spinning on her designer heels and rushing back to the two other girls waiting. “Yeah.” Justin, who had been standing nearby, walked back over to me. “What was all that about?” I sighed. “The usual. Girls approaching me to get to Caden.” He laughed. “Are you a pimp now? For your stepbrother?” “Funny.” “What’s funnier is she believes you’re going to do that.” Panic flared in my chest, making my hands turn cold. “Why do you say that?” “Come on, Nad. It’s me, Justin. I know you’d rather jump off a cliff than give another girl his number.” I opened my mouth to defend myself, to lie, to brush it off like I always did, but Justin chuckled and pointed toward the main stage where the faculty members were starting to take their seats. “The ceremony’s starting.” He stood up. I let out a sigh of relief that he let it go. I followed him into the crowd as he held my hand. Did I really look that transparent? *** An hour later, the ceremony was over, and the lawn outside the ceremony hall was filled with flying caps, loud cheers, and proud families. I stood off to the side, clutching my empty diploma folder, watching a girl nearby get pulled into a tearful group hug by her parents and siblings. Her father was beaming as he carried her flowers and a small suitcase. A familiar ache settled in my chest. I looked down at my hands. Nobody had been there when my name was called. Diana hadn’t even showed up. I spotted Justin a few feet away with his parents. A few moments later, he left them and walked over to me. “Hey.” He looked at me, concern crossing his face. “Are you okay?” “Yeah,” I lied, forcing a breath. “Just thinking.” I was thinking about my biological father. Somewhere out there, he was probably in a bar drunk, completely unaware his daughter was graduating today. Before the alcohol took over, there was a time he actually cared. But Diana had completely erased our past to fit into Arthur West, her billionaire husband's world. “Is that Caden West?” I heard one of the girls nearby whisper to her friend. “Yeah. Oh my God, he looks good.” “He’s coming this way.” I kept my eyes down. Justin glanced over his shoulder, then leaned to me. “Nad, your brother is heading this way.” “He’s not my brother,” I whispered. Justin let out a quiet laugh and shook his head. “Okay, Nad.” Caden reached us. His hazel eyes settled on me, and he gave me an easy smile. “You skipped the department photo,” he said. “I looked for you.” “I wasn’t in the mood for pictures.” Up close, he looked annoyingly good. He always had. His graduation gown was slung over one shoulder, leaving his white shirt visible underneath it, the collar slightly undone. His dark hair was a little messy, and somehow that only made him look better. I glanced past him, noticing a few girls still watching us. Caden followed my gaze, then looked back at me. “Come on.” He started walking toward the quieter path beneath the oak trees, and I followed him. Miles and Justin stayed behind, already talking about the after-parties. Once we were far enough from the crowd, Caden turned to me. “You okay?” I nodded. “You like you’re trying very hard to convince me of that.” I sighed. “Diana didn’t come.” His expression changed. “She didn’t?” “She sent a text. She said she was busy preparing for the graduation dinner tonight.” Caden shook his head. “Of course. That matters more.” I looked down at my diploma folder. “This is an important day for you. Your mother should be here, no excuses,” Caden said again. I didn’t have an answer. Caden reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. “Happy graduation.” I stared at it. “What is it?” “Open it.” I took the box and lifted the lid. A delicate diamond anklet rested against the velvet cushion. My eyes widened. “Caden…” “You like it?” “It’s beautiful.” I looked up at him. “But this is too much.” I tried to hand it back, but he closed my fingers around the box. Then he gently removed a strand of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. “Nothing’s too much for you. It’s yours.” “Caden, I…” I didn’t know what to say. My fingers tightened around the box, and I was suddenly very aware of how close he was standing. My breath hitched. “You don’t have to say anything,” he said. “I’m glad I made you smile.” I looked up at him, and my stomach fluttered when our eyes met. His phone buzzed. He glanced at it and sighed. “My father wants me at the house early. I have to go.” He gave my hand a little squeeze. “See you at dinner, Nadia. Don’t be late.” He walked towards his car. I opened the box in my hand again, smiling as I stared at the diamond anklet.