IN LOVE WITH MY STEPBROTHER

CHAPTER 14

JASON'S POV

I had never thrown a party before but I had been to most of my classmates in my former school. Normally I would wait to arrive later than anyone else to make an entrance but this time I was stuck in the middle of it.

Tess's father was trying too hard with me and suggesting this party was his way of showing how supportive and cool he was. I wouldn't have agreed to it because I didn't care that much about things like this. But I did and now here I was. I figured that it wouldn't hurt to create a more welcoming environment from my new classmates and schoolmates but more importantly, I was doing it because of Tess.

At first, I hadn't been sure about her feelings towards me and I was so afraid to act and cross that line but that morning everyone had changed. She hadn't tried to run away, well, except for the moment my person decided to embarrass me. This party was supposed to be a distraction from her and all those thoughts I had about her but now, that didn't matter. It was all about having fun and even though she hadn't left her room for nothing more than to get snacks, I was sure she would eventually. Thanks to Ava who was the most excited than anyone else.

"Thank goodness you moved here!" she groaned as she arranged plastic cups on a table in the living room. "Do you know Tess has never thrown a party here despite having the best house and pool in the whole class?"

She was talkative as long as I didn't look at her in the eyes. She became shy and tongue-tied when I did, evidence of her hard crush on me. My mind however refused to leave Tessie completely especially now that I knew how she felt about me.

"So... Jace," Ava called startling me from my straying thoughts. I turned to her and found her smiling. She was standing too close to me and the look in her eyes didn't seem very innocent. I could almost guess what was on her mind before she spoke. "Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked shyly.

"No, no girlfriend," I responded and looked away busying myself with other activities.

"Any prospects?" she went on hesitantly.

I couldn't bring myself to look at her. If I told her no, I'd be encouraging her and that was the last thing I wanted unless it was about making Tessie jealous. Maybe I had brought this on myself by suggesting a milkshake date which I was now regretting. I knew what she wanted but I couldn't give her that. If I did, I'd only be leading her on while my heart and mind were elsewhere.

"Ava, look," I stated. A cloud spread over her face as she seemed to realize what I was about to say. I felt bad for a moment but I couldn't hold back. However, I decided that a nice play of words was better to let her down easily than drop her shattering her into pieces. "I'm not looking at the moment for anything more than friends. Can you accommodate that?"

She sighed and nodded quickly, "Sure. Friends." Her tone was flat and unflattering. She was disappointed but I couldn't do anything about it. It was for the best, right? She dropped a bag of snacks on the table and stepped away. "I'll go get Tess out of her room now."

I watched her as she hurried upstairs without looking back. There were no regrets about what I had told her but I hoped she would be okay. Of course, she was going to talk to Tessie about it since they were best friends which made me wonder how Tessie would handle it. Would she ever acknowledge what we had between us?

An hour later, music was blaring coupled with multiple voices of loud teenagers bringing the party to life. I walked around talking to some of my new friends who were mostly from the football team. Our team captain eyed me from a corner just like he always did whenever we were in the same room but I didn't pay him much attention. I knew that he hated me. Why he had decided to come to the party was unknown to me but I didn't care. Not until he came up to me as I was refilling my cup.

"Chambers," he stated flatly, a smug grin resting on his face.

"What do you want?" I asked with disinterest, my face remaining hard and cold.

"Relax man," he raised his hands as if in surrender. "We are not in the field, this is your house and I come in peace." I stared at him indifferently and waited for him to go on. "Look man, I need a favor."

"Oh?"

"I didn't know you were Tessie's brother until now. And you know..." he smiled. My stomach turned in knots as thoughts about what he was about to say formulated in my head. He better not mention anything like- "I have had a crush on her for like forever and -"

"f**k off dude," I stated in disgust without realizing it. I couldn't keep listening to what he had to say and mentioning once more about me being Tessie's brother was going to make me do something I didn't want to. I started walking away.

"I'm trying to be nice here," he shouted. "Not that I need your approval or anything, I just thought we could at least get along as bros."

What was that feeling rising from the pit of my stomach to my throat? Jealousy? I couldn't look at him because all I wanted was to punch him. I didn't want anyone wanting Tessie the way I did. She was the forbidden fruit that I couldn't stop thinking about. I'd had a taste but that wasn't enough. Without paying him attention, I went upstairs and headed to my room.

My room was locked from the inside. I banged on the door loudly threatening to break in but the thought of walking into teenagers having s*x on my bed wasn't so appealing. I should have locked it alongside the master bedroom but my mind had been too preoccupied to think about that. I needed to go to the bathroom but I couldn't get in through my door. I walked back to Tess's door and went in without knocking.

"Get out you moron!" she shouted and then turned around. Panic set in her face the moment our eyes met and I couldn't help but stare.

She was naked, in her panties and a bra. Her thighs and hips were even more curvaceous without pants and her breasts...well... I swallowed as my eyes dropped on the cleavage. I never would have thought she was that full because she was always wearing oversized t-shirts and shirts. She was so perfect and for a minute, I forgot that I was trying to get to the bathroom and got lost in her naked form.

It wasn't until she pulled on the t-shirt that I managed to speak.

"Someone locked themselves in my bedroom. I need to use the bathroom," I explained with a clipped voice.

She shrugged and didn't say a word. I disappeared inside and finished my business, her image stuck in my head. I had expected to find her gone the moment I walked out but she was still there. She looked up and held my gaze.

"Um..." I shoved my hands in my pockets and looked around. "Why aren't you coming down to the party?"

"I don't feel like partying."

"Come on, it will be fun," I smiled.

"So I can watch you ogling every girl you lay your eyes on? No, thank you."

"What?" I chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Tessie huffed and completely avoided my eyes. I walked up to her and sat down on her bed. "Tess, what do you feel about me?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Yes, you do. And I'm not going anywhere until we talk about what's happening between us." She looked up and exhaled deeply.