Attracted by My Stepbully

Chapter19

Cole

" Terrible party," said Greta, with a dramatic flourish. Behind her, I saw my

dad's eyes go directly to the lounge chairs. Xander's shorts and Hailey's bathing

suit lay in two piles on the ground, and several empty beer cans were tucked under the loungers. I ripped my eyes away as soon as I'd followed his gaze, trying to

pretend I hadn't noticed what he was looking at. As if I knew nothing about it.

"I think Hailey's in her room doing her dumb podcast," I said, turning for the house and raising the barbecue lighter in a cheerful wave.

"Son," said my dad in a stern voice.

I turned to look at him with feigned innocence.

He looked pointedly at the bathing suits and beer cans.

"Oh!" I acted surprised. "Maybe she's out here somewhere.with a friend "

I shrugged and turned around, my heart hammering in my chest, and didn't

look back all the way to the house. I felt bad for abandoning Xan and Hailey out

there, but it was the only option. Better they think Hailey was drinking than fooling around with her stepbrother.

.And now it unfortunately looks like the plan worked. Just when I thought things couldn't get any more complicated than falling for my stepsister.they did.

I give Greta a big smile. "I'll text Xan," I say as brightly as I can.

Hailey buries her face in her hands when I tell her what Greta said. "Fuck," she says. "So they think me and Xander ."

I nod. "They think you and Xander. So what Just pretend it's a thing and then later you can pretend you broke up."

"But what about. " She hesitates and looks up at me, too afraid to finish her sentence, but I know what it is.

I step through the bathroom doorway into her room and close the door behind me, lowering my voice. "What What about you and me Is that what you were going to say "

She nods.

"Is that what you think is happening here, Hailey " I sneer. "That we're a thing Just a brother and a sister fucking dating each other "

"Cole. "

"What Do you seriously think that's okay Like, what are we, going to get married "

I take a step towards her and she steps back, looking upset. "No, but-"

"But what This is only about one thing, Hailey." I grab my dick. "I did you a favour by taking your virginity. If you think this is some kind of love story like in one of your books, you're more fucked up than I thought."

I turn back around and slam the door behind me.

I spend the rest of the day playing video games and ignoring Xander's texts.

I'm just in a shit mood. I don't even get up when I hear Xander's voice downstairs, arriving for dinner. I get in the shower, and by the time I'm towelling off my hair, Greta is yelling up the stairs.

"Time for dinner, Cole! Come on down before we eat all the appetizers!" Appetizers What the fuck is this Did Xander bring her a corsage, too

I head downstairs and find Greta, Barry, Xan and Hailey sitting in the formal living room, drinking wine. Even Hailey has a glass, although it looks like she

hasn't touched it. Xander looks up at me, looking stricken and uncomfortable, and Hailey smiles smugly, leaning in closer to him. Her look is pure defiance.

Fuck. I'm not going to like this evening.

I sit down and accept a glass of wine, refusing to speak, while Greta and Barry talk to Xander with more interest than they've ever shown in him, asking about

school and what his plans are after.

"Architecture school, I think," he answers, and I roll my eyes.

"That's so cool," answers Hailey, looking at me.

When we move over to the table for dinner, I discover that Greta's had the cook come in to make lamb shanks with roast vegetables, and it's all so absurd I'm

tempted to just shock everybody by telling the truth. It was the three of us fucking around last night, okay I've fucking fooled around with both Hailey and Xander.

I'm the one.

But apparently I'm the only person struggling with the subterfuge, because Xander and Hailey are deep in it. After a while, Xan even seems to be enjoying himself.

Hailey tosses her head back with carefree laughter in response to something Barry is talking about, and says, "Xander loves all those Marvel movies."

Xander grins and agrees, "Yeah, I do." They look at each other-they fucking look at each other like some new couple in love-and I think, how the fuck would Hailey even know what movies he watches She doesn't know shit about Xander.

She knows what kind of movies I like. It's fucking me she's talking about. I

glare angrily at her, and she gives me a little self-satisfied smile to let me know that she doesn't care if I'm upset.

After dessert, Greta turns to Xander and Hailey and smiles. "You guys going to watch a movie or something " she asks.

Hailey grins broadly, but before she can answer, I interrupt. "Unfortunately, Xan has to go."

"Oh " starts Hailey, but Xan, at least, has the sense to respond quickly.

"Oh yeah," he presses his lips together in disappointment. "Wish I could, but . big day tomorrow."

"What's tomorrow " Hailey asks, still looking at me. "Architecture exams," I answer, and Xan nods.

"Yup. Gotta study. Thanks so much for dinner, though."

We all see Xan to the door, and after he's left I turn to Hailey and say, "I'll watch a movie with you if you want, sis."

Hailey scowls. "I'm going to bed." She kisses our parents and shoots me a nasty look before heading up the stairs.