Mess With My Stepbrother

Chapter 1

Lily

I knew going camping with my family was a terrible idea but let myself be talked into it anyway. I'm not opposed to camping, in theory, as long as a hotel is involved. In the very least, a nice RV, but my parents like to kick it old school. Which is why I'm trying to keep up with everyone while a gigantic pack strapped on my back keeps trying to tip me ass over teakettle onto the dirt path we've been following for the last twenty minutes and mosquitoes feast on me like I'm a giant Slurpee.

Dad and my stepmom, Sarah are leading us, I'm in the middle of the group, and Ethan, my stepbrother, is taking up the rear. If I fall over in front of Ethan, there's a better than fifty percent chance he's either going to make fun of me or just step over me and keep on walking. Either scenario would be devastating for what little pride I have left.

So I force myself to move faster, all the while daydreaming about air conditioning and the Kindle I tucked into my pack. Dad said bring the essentials and I did. My entire library is at my fingertips.

"And we've arrived." My dad throws both hands up like he's presenting a prize on a game show. We've arrived alright. There's a lake to our right and a tired looking firepit not far from shore with some half-rotten logs tucked in around it for seating. Not far from the firepit is a sagging picnic table.

"Oh, this is beautiful," my stepmom gushes as she drops her pack and turns with her hands on her hips.

I feel Ethan nudge me with his elbow. I glance up at him and swallow on a suddenly dry throat. "Did you pack the sunscreen?" I nod. "Better use it, then. Your ears are turning red."

"Yeah, I will in a minute." He turns away from me and drops his own pack. I have to force my eyes away from him. It's been like that ever since our parents married four years ago. There's just something about Ethan that draws the eye. Even dressed in basketball shorts and a tank top with his ballcap flipped backwards, he's a feast for the eyes.

"Alright, kids, let's get the tents set up, then we can go exploring." Dad claps his hands together, and we all get to work setting up the tents.

Me and Ethan are paired together to set up our own tents, side by side. We stumble through the process, with him grunting orders every so often, and me sweating and cursing under my breath. I end up smashing my thumb.

"Shit!" I curse under my breath, as I stick my thumb my mouth.

Ethan raises an eyebrow at me, concern written all over his face. "Are you okay, Bookworm?" he asks.

I remove my thumb from my mouth before I humiliate myself further. "Yeah, it's fine." I say through clenched teeth. "It's just a stupid thumb." I try to hide my pain, but I know Ethan sees right through me.

"Let me see it." Ethan is already reaching out for my hand. "I don't even want to see it. It feels like half of it's missing."

"Stop being a baby and let me see." I hesitate, wanting to refuse, but knowing he won't give up until he does. I hold my breath and allow him to take my hand while I turn my head in the other direction. If I'm about to bleed out, I don't want to know.

His fingers brush against mine, sending shivers down my spine. I can't help but notice how warm his skin is compared to mine. Maybe I should look?

Ethan examines my injured thumb carefully, his touch gentle despite the roughness of his hands. "There's a small cut by the cuticle," he tells me, his voice low and soothing. I crack an eye and sure enough, it's barely a scratch, but the thumb has a heartbeat, despite how tiny the wound may be. He grins when he sees me relax. "We better clean it before it rots off."

"You're hilarious. I think I can handle it."

"I've got you, Bookworm." I cringe at the nickname he hung on me the moment we met. I was fifteen and had a Kindle clutched to my chest when I opened the door to let him and his mom inside for dinner. And now I'm never going to live it down.

Ethan retrieves the first aid kit and helps me rinse off the wound with some peroxide, even though I put up a token protest. As he cleans it, I can't help but feel the heat radiating from his body. His eyes flash when I let out a little moan, then cover it with a cough.

My cheeks flush slightly, and I avert my gaze. This is so embarrassing. I'm not sure which is worse; being a clumsy idiot or being caught swooning over my stepbrother. If he knew the way he affects me, I'd never live it down. I'd have to move to Tasmania or the Arctic Circle. The far side of the moon.

"There, all done," Ethan finally declares, his voice a little rougher than usual. "That should do it."

"Everything okay over there, guys?" My dad hollers from their side of the campground.

"All good. Lily just smashed her thumb while we were setting up the tents. No harm done." With that, he holds out his hand to me, and I take it, allowing him to pull me to my feet. I can't look at him. I'm too afraid of what he might see in my eyes.

I know I'm blushing. "Thanks," I murmur softly, my heart racing in my chest.

"No problem," he replies, his voice sounding deeper than usual. "But please, be more careful next time."

"I will," I promise, even though I know it's likely I'll end up hurting myself again. It dawns on me that he hasn't let go of my hand yet. My stupid heart skips a beat as he slowly laces our fingers together.

"Who wants to help me gather wood for a fire?" Sarah's tone is sharp, and I jump away from Ethan like I've been caught with my hand in the cookie jar.