Page 8 of Hey, Stepbro

I smirk as I walk into the room and see Blakely on the couch. He's reading on his Kindle, which is to be expected.

I haven't talked to him much since he and his dad moved in, but I can't help that. I've been busy as shit, and truth be told, he seems standoffish.

I can't deny that I don't normally converse with bookworms like him. With his floppy brown hair, judgmental eyes, and invasive stare, I feel like I'm on trial.

Blakely looks up from his Kindle and gives me a tight-lipped smile. "Hey, Brock," he says, before returning his attention to his book.

I take a seat on the chair across from him, trying to ignore the tension between us. "Whatcha reading?" I ask, trying to make small talk.

Blakely glances up at me and raises an eyebrow. "It's a book. You know, those things with words on pages that people read for enjoyment or to gain knowledge."

I roll my eyes. "I know what a book is. What's it about?"

"It's none of your business," he says, before quickly composing himself. "Sorry, I don't feel like discussing it."

His attitude annoys me, but I try to let it go.

I watch as he continues to read, his eyes scanning the pages with an intensity that belies his seemingly laid-back demeanor. Despite his prickly exterior, I can't help but be intrigued by him. Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye.

As I sit there, heat rises in my body. I try to ignore it, but it's hard when I'm sitting across from a guy who looks like he stepped straight out of a J. Crew ad. Sure, he's not as muscular as me or my bros on the football team, but his T-shirt clings to his thin chest, outlining every rib, and his jeans fit him in all the right places.

I shift in my seat, trying to get more comfortable, but it only makes things worse. What the hell is going on?

I must be feeling weird because of Amanda's betrayal. That shit threw me for a loop.

Suddenly, Blakely looks up from his book, catching me staring. I quickly avert my gaze, uncanny embarrassment bubbling up inside me. But when I look back up, I see a hint of something in his eyes. Something that makes my heart race.

"Are you okay?" he asks, concern etched on his face.

"I'm fine," I manage. "Just... lost in thought."

Blakely studies me for a moment before nodding. "Okay," he says, before returning to his book.

As I sit there, I think about what just happened. Did I feel something for my stepbrother? Was it a fluke, or is it something more? I've never been attracted to guys before, but there's something about Blakely that makes me feel things I've never felt before.

I try to shake off the feeling and focus on something else, but my mind keeps wandering back to Blakely. I start to wonder what it would be like to touch him, to kiss him. Would he be into it, or would he reject me like I imagine he would?

All at once, Blakely looks up from his book again, catching me in the act of staring at him. This time, he doesn't look away. Instead, his eyes seem to be searching mine, trying to find something.

A foreign fire burns inside me. It's like all the things Amanda didn't want me to do over the past few months return with a vengeance, and I'm desperate to explore them with someone who actually cares. Someone who won't trample over my feelings like she did.

Is Blakely even into guys?

Blakely breaks the silence. "Do you want something to drink?" he asks.

I'm taken aback by the sudden shift in the atmosphere between us. "Like what?" I ask, my heart racing.

"I don't know," Blakely says, his eyes locked on mine. "You seem... thirsty."

My breath catches in my throat. Is he suggesting what I think he is?

"I'm not into dudes, if that's what you're insinuating," I grit out.

Blakely shrugs. "I am, like our dads. There's nothing wrong with it if you are."

I stare at him again, his red lips speaking to a side of me that I never thought existed. I'm not sure if I'm ready to explore those feelings yet, but the way he's looking at me makes me want to find out.

"I've never done anything like this before."

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