IN LOVE WITH MY STEPBROTHER

CHAPTER 8

TESSIE'S POV

"Whoa!" My mind screamed the moment Jace broke the kiss. I had tried to resist him but the moment his smooth lips brushed against mine, I felt my whole body transform. His breath was that of ripe berries, intoxicating and pulling me in opposed to what I had always considered boys' breaths were like. If my first kiss had been with him, maybe I would never have taken a step back from dating.

I breathed hard staring at him. I couldn't believe that had just happened but it had. Jace was a jerk but he was a great kisser. I could still feel him on my lips and regardless of the sharp voice at the back of my head that warned me that this was wrong, I didn't hate it. It had been too brief but how could I say that?

I wasn't sure he could read what was on my face as he stared back at me as if waiting for me to say something. What could I say? That I wanted him to kiss me again? No, I would never tell him that. It was best if I ran out and hid from him for the rest of the day until it was inevitable to keep doing it. I adjusted my bag and got out quickly.

English was the last class that day but instead of heading there, I went straight to the bathrooms. I didn't care to watch the door to avoid banging it but the sound didn't register to me. I stood in front of a mirror and stared back at the disoriented face in front of me. My skin was pale and unrecognizable. That wasn't the person I had known for seventeen years and I didn't know what to do with her. What would happen once Jace moved in with us?

"Oh God!" I gulped and quickly turned on the faucet then splashed water on my face.

It was cold and luckily it helped me regain my composure, cooling my body down. I had honestly believed that I would go through high school without having any relationship with a boy. I had promised myself that I would never look at a boy in a way that could lead to what I was feeling now but Jace wasn't just any boy. He was my stepbrother. Well, not yet but our parents were together. Why did I want him so bad?

Five minutes later, I walked into my English class. It had already started but I quickly went to my desk after apologizing. I don't even know why because he never cared if one was late as long as one maintained good grades and handed over assignments on time. Ava however looked at me apprehensively. I was sure she would see the change on my face so I avoided her eyes completely.

"Where have you been? You've never been late for class," she whispered leaning towards me.

"Emergency check-up," I stated dismissively taking out my book. After the math class, Ava had been left behind talking with some of her other friends and I had been trying to get as far away from Jace as I could. The moment in the Janitor's closet sprung up in my mind but I quickly pushed the thought away.

"Oh, are you okay? I could have taken you."

"It was a false alarm, no biggie."

Ava wasn't convinced. I could tell that she was concerned. That was her full-time job but I couldn't tell her the truth. How would I tell her the guy she liked had kissed me? Throw in the fact about the weirdness of that relation and I would lose her. I couldn't risk that. The last thing I wanted was my friend judging me so I stood with my response.

"You are so edgy, Tess. I swear something weird is going on with you."

"The only weird thing here is you looking at me like that instead of listening to the teacher," I responded.

It wasn't the first time we were talking as the teacher continued with the lesson but I hadn't taken time to think my response over. Luckily, Ava looked away without another word. I exhaled nervously.

I was about to get in my car at the end of the day when Jace came running towards me. He was in his football jersey and shorts, holding his helmet in one hand. I hadn't seen him in time because I would have gotten inside and driven away before he got there. It was too late now and I also had to wait for Ava to give her a ride. Even so, I pretended not to see him until he spoke.

"Tessie," he stated standing a step away from me. I raised my eyes to him pretending to be startled but he smiled and shook his head. "I know you saw me coming over here."

"Maybe I did but I don't have to acknowledge you," I responded arrogantly and crossed my arms. "What do you want Jace? To ambush me again and force yourself on me?" I added without thinking.

"Whoa! What the hell, I would never do-" he shook his head and stepped closer. "Tess, I know I took you by surprise but I wasn't trying to force myself on you. I like you and I have a feeling you like me too."

I looked around us quickly. He was bold. How could he say that out loud in public? What if anyone heard him? No one in school knew that we were going to be siblings but they would soon enough. I didn't want that reputation. I was already the weird nerd, I couldn't afford to be the girl who dated her stepbrother too. The blame would fall on me, not him. He was perfect, he was everything everyone wanted. Cute, dreamy, abs, a football player whose skills had already been recognized by the whole school. What did I have?

"What are you scared of?"

"What are you not scared of?" I shot back then closed my eyes quickly rolling back my thoughts. I hadn't meant to suggest anything or give him the slightest hint that he was right so I added quickly. "You are unbelievable! This has to stop or I will speak."

"What? It's not like anything has happened. Don't be so stiff!" I looked away. "Are you denying it?"

At that moment, two senior cheerleaders walked by and acknowledged him with seductive smiles. He smiled back and I found myself rolling my eyes. He was a charm and I wasn't immune. In fact, I was jealous.

"Why don't you go after them and satisfy your raging teenage hormones and leave me alone!" I snapped. Without waiting for his response, I opened the car and locked myself inside. I ignored his hand tapping the window. What had I just done? I couldn't lose my cool just like that because of him. What was happening to me?

"Tess, please," he raised his voice but I closed my eyes in silence. "Will you at least give me a ride after the game then?"

"I'm going home. Get your own ride."