IN LOVE WITH MY STEPBROTHER

CHAPTER 9

JASON'S POV

I stood there a little longer. She was not driving away even though she tried to show that she didn't want anything to do with me. All I could think about that afternoon was the kiss in the Janitor's closet. I had crossed that line knowing that I couldn't come back from it but I didn't regret it. Her lips were sweet and soft, timid and innocent like she hadn't done it before. Kissing her had livened my entire body, every muscle pulsating with an urge to have more of her. I never got hard as easily as I had in that closet with Tess's body, small but mature in all the right places against me.

She was right. I had raging hormones but they weren't leading me to any other person. She was growing to be my weakness so easily. After the kiss, I had remained there longer to cool myself off and I wasn't even sure she had realized what she had done to me. The best worst thing was that she hadn't pushed me away. I had felt her respond to me, her lips parting slightly to let me in. She had feelings towards me otherwise why would she be angry that I had smiled at other girls? All she needed was time to realize that she couldn't keep running away from her feelings and I would make sure I reminded her of that.

I was about to turn when her friend suddenly appeared beside me. It was then I realized that Tess had been waiting for her.

"Hey, Jace!" Ava greeted me and gazed into my eyes expectantly. She had a crush on me that was too obvious. Her eyes were all over my body.

I turned towards the car with a smile and locked eyes with Tess. She was looking right at us and deciding to take advantage of that, I returned Ava's smile. I wasn't sure Tess could hear us but I hoped she could.

"Ava!" I exclaimed. She produced a soft giggle and shifted nervously. "I was headed to the field for practice. Do you want to stay and watch? We could grab milkshakes later."

My suggestion had been meant to make Tess jealous. I stole a glance at her and found her frowning. She had heard everything and looking at Ava, Tess knew as much as I did that her friend wasn't going to say no.

"I would love to!" she exclaimed, an elated smile spreading across her face.

She was pretty. I couldn't deny that and the fact that she didn't walk with the popular mean girls in the school was a bonus. Well, it would be if I was attracted to her at least a little bit. She was however convenient for my pursuit and I wasn't afraid to use her to get what I wanted.

"Sweet! Let's go then."

Ava hesitated and looked at her friend. A sudden sadness took over and she turned to me apologetically.

"Jace, I want to believe me I do. But I have to go with Tess otherwise she will never give me a ride again." I sighed pretending to be disappointed. "Maybe we can do it tomorrow?" she added quickly.

"For sure," I smiled and placed a hand on her arm lightly. She chuckled nervously but before she had another reaction, I broke the contact and started walking away backwards.

Tess had a death stare at me. My heart melted with satisfaction and I couldn't hold back the grin. It was just a matter of days and she would have to face me every day. For the first time in my life, I was excited to move into someone else's home and I couldn't wait.

That evening after practice, I found my mom already preparing dinner at my aunt's place. No one else was home and I was sure she hadn't been there the whole day. I hadn't expected to see her there until moving day but there she was.

I grabbed a soda from the fridge and joined her, still in my football jersey. She looked at me once after I had greeted her but she had a smile on her face.

"You better know where and when to be in what you are wearing by the time we move in with the Prescotts," she commented.

"Why? What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I asked casually even though I knew what she meant. She turned to me reproachfully and I grinned. "I know Mom. Trust me I've already had an earful from his daughter even before we moved in." My mother was very particular about sweaty jerseys and gym clothes which was the same with Tess.

"Oh?" she paused her activities and turned to me fully. "You two getting along?"

I nodded, "It can't happen overnight you know? But aren't siblings always butt-heading?" I asked and grabbed a carrot from the chopping board. She slapped my hand.

"Manners! I can't keep telling you everything and you can't keep being a Mama's boy, Jace," her tone was raised but she was teasing. I knew she was just happy to see me cooperating with her. As much as it made me happy that she was happy, my enthusiasm was only because of Tess.

"At what time are we moving on Saturday?"

She looked at me apprehensively, "Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothing. Just that you seemed a little enthusiastic about this."

"Didn't you want me to be?"

"No, of course I'm happy about it. I was a bit nervous that I had forced you into this and at some point thought about letting you stay in our former town but you seem... You seem okay," she exhaled in relief.

"Mom, as long as you are happy, that's all that matters," I responded. "Sure, I would have wanted to stay in my former school but I've realized I have so much potential here. My football is finally working out which is something I can do even in college and further and they have the best resources."

I wasn't lying but I had completely deviated from the real truth. She couldn't know the real reason I was looking forward to it and I hoped Tess wouldn't say anything to her father or her best friend. My mom smiled.

"Friday evening," she stated. "Because Jimmy and I will be going for a two-day trip to follow up on our wedding plans so you have to be there for the weekend to stay with Tess."

My heart stopped for a moment. Two days on a weekend? Alone with Tess? What could ring more perfectly in my ears than that? I didn't want to show my excitement so I held it in. My mom went on after I had taken too long to answer.

"I know you are not used to responsibility and you might feel a bit oppressed having to watch over her but it's only for two days. We will be back on Sunday evening. Please do this for us, Jace," she pleaded.

"Okay," I nodded. "I'll be there."

The joy my mother showed was nothing compared to what I was feeling inside. As I turned to leave, a smile curled up on my lips and my heart thudded in response. Now I only wished the weekend would come sooner.