Page 11 of Jealous Stepbrother

Her lips part in a surprise, and I know this is the last thing she expects to hear from me. Still, I don’t let that deter me from pouring my heart out. Hell, if you told me months ago that one day, I’d make a confession to my stepsister in the parking lot, I would’ve laughed out loud. Now, it isn’t so funny anymore.

“Callum…” Caroline wraps her arms around herself and rubs them. I don’t even have to think about it as I take off my suit jacket and drape it over her.

“Let me finish, Caroline. Please.” I rub the back of my neck and take a deep breath. “When you’re not around, I keep thinking of you. I couldn’t concentrate at school for the past two months because my mind always strayed to you. Yes, even when you were nothing more than a virtual stranger, you already had me wrapped around your finger. But now you’re here, and it’s driving me crazy because you’re off-limits. Forbidden fruit. Someone I shouldn’t even think about this way. This” —I point to her then me— “Whatever this is between us shouldn’t be happening, but God knows I’d die if I don’t touch you, kiss you, or hold you in my arms.”

Caroline gives me a sad smile. “They won’t approve, Callum. They’ll throw both of us out into the streets.”

“Yeah?” I snort. “My mother never wanted my existence in the first place. Besides, I’m not as useless as you think. I’m twenty years old, and I can find a job. I’m not sure if you know, but I’m good with cameras. I’ve been learning photography since I was in high school.”

“But that means throwing this good life away because of me.” The disbelief is clear on her face.

“What good life, Caroline? Is it the fact that my mother constantly breathes down my neck with everything I do? Or is it her regular reminder that, without me, she would have had a massive career in Hollywood? That night at the club? That was the first time in a year I went out without bodyguards trailing my car.”

“I-I didn’t know, I’m sorry.”

“The thought of someone else kissing you or touching you … It feels like I’m about to explode.” I stop pacing and stand before her, cupping her face and surprised to find her cheeks wet with tears. “Why are you crying, Caroline? Does it make you sad that I want you as mine?”

Caroline blinks quickly, but it’s no use. Her tears are falling freely now. “Give me time, Callum. I-I need to think about this.”

The words hit me like a gut punch. Here I am, ready to risk it all, but she’s not. I try to keep my voice steady and even, though I can feel my chest splintering. “Sure, take all the time you need.” It tastes bitter on my tongue, of course, but I force them out because if she has learned anything by now, it’s that I will give her what she wants … every single time.

She nods and darts her eyes away from me, her voice shaking. “T-thank you.”

I watch her walk away, every step twisting in my gut like a hot knife. I follow her with my gaze and watch as she raises an arm to hail a taxi. A yellow cab pulls up, and she glances at me one last time, her lips curving into another sad smile.

As the door closes behind her and the taxi speeds off, the ache in my chest spreads and hollows me out.

There goes the love of my life. The only woman who made me want to become a better man.

6

CAROLINE

The only reason I asked for space was because Callum’s words struck me so deeply I was surprised I didn’t crumple on the ground. He said the same exact thing I felt.

Besides, I didn’t think it was real. Love at first sight? Or, more aptly, love at first fuck.

It’s the stuff of rom-coms and fairy tales. It doesn’t happen in real life. Right? But there’s no other explanation for it. From the moment we talked to each other and all the other times we’ve spent together, I always felt light and happy with him. He’s good-looking, sexy, and funny. All those things are true, but there’s also a deeper reason. Something I still can’t explain, as though a part of me waited for him long before I knew he existed.

That night at the club, the pull was so strong it should have scared me, should have sent me running the other way. But the universe had other plans. Of all the people who could end up being my stepbrother, it had to be him.

What a sick, awful joke.

My dad is going to cut me off and kill me, probably in that order or in reverse, I don’t know anymore. I’m not sure what he’ll do to Callum, even if he’s married to Callum’s Mom. God, my thoughts are all over the place. Part of me wants to call Callum, but the other part wants to really think this through. I have to since it will change the course of my life—for better or worse.

I’m still mulling over what to do when my phone buzzes.

Sperm Donor:Breakfast at 7

Yes,I have that saved as my contact because the choice is either Deadbeat Dad—kind of inaccurate as of now because he pays for everything, and I’m mighty glad I don’t need to take on several jobs to get through college—or Sperm Donor. I chose the catchier and funnier of the two.

I respond with a thumbs-up because I can’t be bothered with a proper reply. Dad will hate that, but whatever, he’ll be furious no matter what I do.

Throughout the taxi ride home last night—thank God for non-chatty drivers who respect my need for silence—I found myself thinking back to the vulnerability in Callum. The raw honesty was so rare in my life that I had no idea how to react. It was just too much, too soon, even though I was well aware he was speaking for both of us. He felt the same thing I did. The only problem was he had enough strength and daring to follow his heart, and I didn’t … at least not yet.

Callum will be at breakfast; that’s for sure. And after the way I left last night, I don’t know what to expect. I told him I needed time and space, but really, I’m just trying to process my feelings. If I stop lying to myself, I can just fling myself to him, and we’ll ride off into the sunset. But that’s easier said than done.

What happens to me, then? My content creator money isn’t enough to finance my last year in college unless I put in more time and effort. I mean, sure, I can quit school and go full-time as an influencer, but I promised Mom I would come home with a degree. I always fulfill my promises, especially to her. If she finds out my dad has cut me off, she’s going to work double shifts at the pharmacy again.

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