Chapter 1
*Lacy’s POV*
My bully became my stepbrother. Ever since his mom passed
away and his dad David married my mom Melina, we had been
living under the same roof.
Last fall, when Kol went off to college, it was like finally being
able to breathe. The house felt lighter without his presence
looming in every corner. There were even moments where I
missed Kol. He was not awful all the time, he could be funny.
and protective. Sometimes I could see a glimpse of the boy I
used to be friends with.
I almost forgot how much I hate him until he returned when
summer came. It had been three months after he returned now,
and somehow, he was worse. He kept his eyes on me even
more than he ever was before. He found new ways to needle
me every day, with his friend Jim always tagging along, ready to snicker at whatever jab Kol throws my way.
Just like we were sitting at the long oak dining table now. My
mom and stepfather were completely oblivious, but across the
table, Kol was glaring at me as if trying to intimidate me, while
his ever–present best friend, Jim, was smirking. I didn’t know
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what the joke was, but it was clear that I was the clown.
I tried to tell my mom about Kol but she brushes it off, saying,
“Boys tease the girls they like.“As if that’s supposed to make me
feel better.
It was gross, Kol was my brother.
My mom and David got married when we were high school, then
Kol and David moved into our house. My mom was a famous
actress, and our house was basically out of a lifestyle magazine.
Now my tormentor slept in the bedroom next to mine.
Mom stood up pouring herself a glass of water, David was glued
to his phone, and I was just trying to grab a slice of bread.
That’s when Kol decided to knock it out of my hand.
The piece fell onto the table with a softthud. He leaned closer, just enough for me to hear, and whispered, “Careful eating bread like that chubs. Or you’ll never lose your virginity.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught his friend Jim suppressing a laugh. David, as usual, was oblivious, now answering a call
and walking out of the room.
“Asssole, I swear-“I hissed under my breath, but before I could finish I grabbed the bread and chucked it at his face.
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He lifted a hand and deflects it into Jim’s lap just as my mom.
spined around from the fridge and shouts, “Hey!”
“Lacy!” she scolded, her tone dripping with disappointment.
“Come on, you’re 18, Stop being childish.”
Kol sat there, looking like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He
was always good at playing innocent in front of adults. I
muttered something about not being hungry, picked up my
plate, and stomped back to my room.
Melina rolls her eyes, and Kol and Jim snicker.
Lying on my bed later, I stared at the ceiling, still fuming. The
subject of my virginity unfortunately came up earlier by him, and
now I was pretty sure I wouldl never hear the end of it.
I tried to carve out a little peace for myself in the afternoon. The
sun was warm, and the lounge chair by the pool called my
name. I brought my Kindle outside, hoping to soak up some rays
and escape into a good book.
But, of course, Kol and Jim showed up.
They cannonballed into the water, sending waves crashing
against the edges of the pool and onto my legs. I glared at them. over the top of my sunglasses. I know they want to bother me but I take a breathe and ignore them, burying myself in my book.
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It was just getting to an interesting part. The protagonist was
having an affair with her boyfriend’s father, and the tension
practically crackled on the page.
My cheeks flushed a little as I read, though I told myself it was
just the heat.
Eventually, disappointed that I wasn’t paying them enough.
attention, they’d gotten out of the pool and each taken a lounge
chair on either side of me, turning to face me with mischievous
smiles.
“Whatcha reading, Lacy?” Kol’s voice pulled me out of the story.
I glanced up to find him dripping wet and grinning down at me.
“Nothing you’d understand,” I muttered, shifting the Kindle
slightly to hide the screen.
Kol wasn’t buying it. He leaned closer, his voice mock–sweet.
“Come on, don’t be shy. Is it a romance? Or…” He paused, his
grin turning wicked. “Something spicier?”
“No” I shook my head quickly, even if I was reading the the part
where heroine was making out with her boyfriend’s dad.
Awkward.
But Jim, ever the opportunist, leaned over and snatched a
glance at my Kindle before I could lock the screen. His eyes
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widened, and he let out a low whistle.
“Oh man, you’ve got to hear this,” Jim said, loud enough to make my soul cringe. Then, in a dramatic, booming voice, he read
aloud, “His hands traveled down her body, lingering at the small
of her back before dipping lower. His horny voice sounded at
her ear’Dirty girl, are you wet for me?“”
