Page 2 of Her Pucking Stepbrother

Jessica pours out three glasses and shudders. “I couldn't imagine driving all that way alone, in the middle of nowhere.”

I grab the glass and swirl it before taking a sip, watching Dad do the same. I've never liked wine, but new house, new university, new me, right? I force the sip down and take another, hating the way it burns.

Dad is done with his by the time I look over. “How’d Mr. King like his terrarium?” Dad burps.

“It's wonderful, Dad, really, thank you. He loves it.”

“All Jessica’s idea, we really wanted to make it feel like home for you.”

Jessica does a dramatic bow and Dad laughs. “Jessica,” I say, “I didn’t know you liked snakes.”

“Oh, I don't,” she says a tad too bitterly before clearing her throat. “But I like Taylors!”

Dad stands up. “Well, better call it a night, I'm sure you're exhausted.”

I nod and forgo the fact that I have slept for most of the day already. As more time passed, the more anxious I grew that Elijah was going to walk through those doors.

We all head back to our own quarters, and I feel content with what the future holds. I take King out of his terrarium and snap a selfie of us two, posting it on all my socials.

#Minnesotaduo #Welcomehome

2

TAYLOR CROMWELL

It’s late morning when I wake up to the sound of my door being opened, and then slammed shut. My vision’s still blurry when I sit up in bed and lay eyes on a guy about my age standing in my room, dressed in a loose-fitting hockey jersey and dark blue jeans.

“Can I help you?” I ask, covering my bottom half with my comforter before reaching toward the nightstand for my glasses.

His back settles against my door as it rattles and shakes behind his stout figure.

“Levi, I swear to God, if you don’t open this fucking door! ” Elijah’s voice yells from the other side.

“I’m Levi,” the intruder says with a goofy grin.

“So, I see.” I yank the covers over myself, realizing I’m not wearing a bra or pants.

“Usually, this is the room I sleep in when I stay over. I didn’t know it was occupied.” He puts his hands on his hips and nods like Dad sometimes does when he’s proud. I bite back a giggle at the familiar stance.

The pounding on the door behind him grows more intense, and he steps out of the way in time for Elijah to come barreling in, nearly faceplanting on my fuzzy pink rug.

“Oh my god.” I scoot my ass to the base of the headboard.

Elijah straightens himself and looks down at me half-naked in the bed.

“Taylor.” My name sounds different leaving his mouth. Likely because his voice is deeper than I remember. He stands taller now, too, with shaggy black hair and shadowy tattoos that creep up his muscular arms to the base of his thick neck.

I look over to find Levi opening the side door to King’s terrarium and grabbing him from under his new favorite log.

“Hey, be careful. He’s sensitive,” I warn.

Levi seems to take heed, eyeing King in amazement. “Kickass.”

“Sorry, he barged in like that,” Elijah explains. “I tried to stop him. Right, Levi?"

His friend ignores the question as he handles King, making me incredibly nervous, might I add.

“Anyway, we’re leaving.” Elijah pats the corner of my headboard awkwardly, clearly avoiding eye contact with me.

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