Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward Read Free Book Online

early birthday trip to the Berkshires. He’d
    already packed the car by the time I woke up! I didn’t want to wake you. It will only be one night. We’ll be back late Monday. There are plenty of leftovers for you and Elec in the fridge. Call my cell if you need anything. Love you.
    How convenient. I was sure my stepfather had arranged this to avoid having to deal with what
    happened last night. I immediately grabbed my phone and texted her:

    Enjoy your trip, but when you get back we seriously need to talk about what’s going on with Randy
    and Elec.

    Elec didn’t come downstairs until two that afternoon. He looked like death warmed over as he dragged
    his feet over to the coffeepot, his hair disheveled and his eyes bloodshot.
    “Good morning, sunshine,” I said.
    His voice was groggy as he whispered, “Hey.” He poured some coffee into a mug and nuked it.
    “So, apparently, our parents took off on an overnight trip. They’ll be back Monday night.”
    “That’s too bad,” he said.
    “That they went away?”
    He took a sip of coffee and said, “No, that they’re coming back.”
    “I’m sorry abou—”
    “I can’t do this.” He shut his eyes and held out his palm. “I can’t talk to you. Every time you speak, it
    sounds like a chainsaw.”
    “Sorry. I get it. You’re hungover.”
    “Well, there’s that, too.”
    I rolled my eyes, and he winked, causing my heart to flutter.
    I sat with my legs crossed on the sofa adjacent to the kitchen. “What are your plans today?”
    “Well, first I have to find my fucking head.”
    I laughed. “And then?”
    “I dunno,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
    “Would you want to get some takeout later?” I asked, trying hard to seem casual.
    He looked apprehensive and rubbed the scruff on his chin. “Um…”
    “What?”
    He checked his phone. “No, actually, ugh…I have a date.”
    “With who?”
    “With, um…”
    “You don’t know?” I laughed.
    He scratched his forehead. “Give me a minute…”
    I shook my head. “That’s sad.”
    “Oh! With Kylie…yeah…Kylie.”
    If Kylie only knew how interchangeable she was. I was just secretly relieved he didn’t say Victoria,
    because I knew she still had it in her mind to contact him despite the scene he caused on our “double date.”
    She’d texted him at least once yesterday, and her desperation really annoyed me.
    Early that evening, I’d curled up on the couch with my book when Elec walked downstairs. I
    instinctively sat up and straightened my clothing. His cologne wafting through the room was enough of an
    aphrodisiac before I even turned to look at him. He was dressed in black pants and a fitted maroon shirt
    rolled up at the sleeves. His hair was styled into a controlled mess, and aside from the cut that remained on his bottom lip, he looked better than I’d ever seen him. Actually, even the damn cut was sexy. The energy in the room seemed to change anytime he walked into it. All of my senses were hyperaware of him.
    I remembered his text from the other night: Have some self-respect . Ugh. I forced myself to return to my book since apparently, I couldn’t seem to hide my attraction whenever I looked at him. Just thinking
    about that text again had put me in a bad mood. I had kind of forgotten about my vow to never look at him
    again after everything that happened with Bentley and Randy.
    He grabbed his keys. “I’m headed out.”
    “Okay,” I said, making sure to keep my eyes fixed on the book.
    The door slammed shut, and I breathed out a sigh of relief. It had been a long time since I had the
    house to myself and although the pathetic side of me wished Elec had stayed in, there was something to be
    said for privacy.
    I ended up ordering some Chinese takeout to be delivered. Shortly after I opened the carton of shrimp
    lo mein, the text alert on my phone sounded.

    I had this flashback from last night.

    Greta: Oh?

    Elec: You were on your knees at the foot of my bed. Did you take