To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

Everything that happened last night at the restaurant couldn’t leave my head no matter how hard I tried. Cocooned in my blanket, I’d made up my mind not to go downstairs for the rest of the day.

“Ava! Breakfast is ready!” That would be the third time he’s calling out to me but his face is the last thing I wanted to see this morning.

“Ava? I swear I’ll break the door down if you don’t answer me now and have breakfast.” He threatened and I could tell that he was already by the door.

“I’m sick, carry on and I’ll join you later.” I lied as I called back to him. I wasn’t sick, I just didn’t want to be in a close range with him.

He confuses me a lot and I have no idea what to do about my feelings for him. I didn’t even feel like this when Xander kissed me so why am I feeling like this now after our little eye contact and hand holding?

Just hearing him talk makes my heart race, his smile makes my breathless, and the sound of his laughter makes my stomach fill up with a weird heat. Thinking about those things right now was enough to make my mouth feel extremely dry and right now, I’m going crazy just thinking about it.

My cheeks felt hot and I couldn’t be anymore grateful when I heard his receding footsteps.

I heaved out a sigh of relief when I was sure he was completely gone and I picked up my phone to call Nicole at once.

She picked up fast as usual and I explained everything to her, how he made me feel and I asked if I should even be feeling like that.

“I have a question,” she started after I was done explaining things to her, “do you think that maybe you’re starting to develop some kind of feelings for him?” She asked and I gagged.

Why would she even think that? Feelings? There’s none that Nicole might be thinking about.

“I’m starting to tolerate him.” I answered in a way that seemed like I was correcting her misconceptions.

“Right, but all these you told me about your heart beating fast anytime you see him and all that is Love if you ask me.” She explained and my eyes widened.

Love? What does she mean by love?

“Yeah, it’s love but I don’t think it’s something you want to act on because I feel him holding your hand, keeping you safe during the storm and all that is just him doing big brother duties.” She continued her explanation.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Big brother duties?” I asked, mouth twisting in disgust at that word.

“Yes, your parents are not with you so I think he might’ve taken it upon himself to be a big brother to you, you can’t possibly be falling in love with him because both your parents are married, Ava, he’s your brother.” She pointed out as if I had no idea that Mason is my brother.

Hanging up, I tossed my phone on the bed and I don’t know why but Nicole’s words hurt me so much but I knew she was only telling the truth.

Laying back on my bed, I tried to sleep but I couldn’t get Mason’s voice, the sound of his laughter and his smile out of my head.

I was already dozing when I heard a bang on my door that made me jump out of my bed in fear and I only relaxed when I realised it was just Mason.

“Ava?” He called again, hitting the door harder than he did the first time, “your food is getting cold, are you okay?” He asked and I couldn’t miss the hint of worry in his voice.

“I feel sick, just go on. I’ll be fine.” I called back but the bang on the door only increased.

“Get the hell out of your room now or I swear to God that I’ll break this damn door down and drag you to the hospital for a check up myself!” He yelled.

His voice was firm and they sent chills down my spine as he banged on the door again.

Why does his words sound sexy to me when they shouldn’t?!

I mentally slapped myself and tried to behave as I cautioned myself that I shouldn’t be feeling like this, especially towards Mason, he’s supposed to be my brother for goodness sake!

Angrily, I stormed out of bed and flung the door open, the worry on Mason’s face soon got replaced by surprise. He probably wasn’t expecting it.

“GO AWAY AND LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!” I yelled as I stomped my feet on the ground, “I don’t want to hang anywhere around you!”

I’d expected him to get mad too and shout at me but he only took my hand in his, making my mouth fall open in confusion.

I stared at his hand which was wrapped around mine before lifting my gaze to meet his eyes, he moved closer to me and placed his other hand on my forehead to check my temperature.

“Ava, if you’re sick you need to eat for strength and so you’ll also be able to take some drugs.” He explained softly and something about the way he said my name made me melt.

“Just get out. GO AWAY!” I yelled after shaking my head in order to get any stupid thoughts out of it, and as I pulled my hand away from his hold and tried to turn away from him, I felt a sharp tug on my hand which made me gasp as I was jerked back till I landed on his broad chest.

Lifting my flaming face off his chest, my eyes widened when his other hand snaked around my waist to tug me tightly against him. My heart was thumping really hard and I could barely breathe in properly. His lips were curled downwards as he regarded me with soft but intense eyes and I was unable to look away from it.

“Say it, one more time,” he started, voice husky, “ask me to leave again if you can, and I promise that I will never bug you again.” He said, and even though only a few inches were currently separating our faces, it still felt like a whole lot.

His lips were calling out to me and I was having an internal battle on whether to listen to it or just move away, but the way he bit his lower lips next only made me yearn for it even more.

And so without thinking twice, I stood on my tippy toes and pressed my lips against his.