The Stepbully She Craves

Chapter8

Hailey

Not that the new version of Cole is entirely bad, either, to be honest. Little Cole didn't have grown-up Cole's broad shoulders, six-pack abs, and wicked blue eyes. He could be a little nicer, sure, but I can't stop thinking about the feel of him in my hand and his breath on my neck. I can't believe we actually did that, that I touched him in that way. I can't believe I made both Cole and Xander come.

I mean, they were halfway there already, but still .

Cole and Xander have been friends since they were kids, and girls are crazy for them. Each of them has had a string of girlfriends I can name off the top of my

head. I don't think they're gay. But I can't get the image of Xander on his knees in front of Cole out of my mind. Maybe it's because they're so not the types. They

were the mega-jocks in high school.

I wonder if they do that often.

I wonder if I'll ever see that again.

I manage to spend the whole day in my room, turning the same thoughts over and over in my head, stuck on a roller coaster of anger, frustration, arousal, and joy.

When my mom comes up to check on me in the afternoon, she's annoyed to

find me in sweats, with unwashed hair. "Francesca is here now," she says tersely, and I hustle into the shower to wash my hair while my mom goes downstairs to get hers done first.

Francesca is my mom's hairdresser, and she's here to get both of us ready for a dinner tonight. My mom's favourite director is being honoured and there'll be

some press outside the restaurant, so we have to look our best, Greta especially.

We're all going, making an appearance as a family-me, Greta, Barry, and Cole. I have no idea how to act around Cole when I see him. Will I feel

embarrassed Shy In any case, I hope I got some of my mom's acting genes, because I certainly don't want our parents finding out anything about what

happened in the movie room last night.

No matter how I feel about it, I just need to play it cool.

Cole comes into the kitchen while I'm getting my hair done, and I'm relieved when he acts exactly the same as he always does. He grunts in my general direction,

barely paying me any attention, and gets a Coke out of the fridge, while my mom starts harassing him about what he's going to wear.

For all that he's rude to me, Cole has always been very charming with my

mother. He lays a hand on her shoulder and gives her his nicest smile and says,

"Greta, I'm going to dress so nicely they'll probably honour me instead of that old man."

She laughs delightedly and swats his arm.

He has the power to turn his own stepmother into a blushing schoolgirl.

When we're all dressed and given the thumbs-up by my mother's stylist, who's also there, the four of us pile into the Escalade with Barry behind the wheel, and

Cole and I sit in the backseat like we always have.

I've been sitting beside Cole in the backseat of a car for the past ten years, but suddenly I feel awkward about it. With Greta and Barry engrossed in themselves, as usual, it almost feels like we're alone back here.

I can feel Cole's attention on me before he even looks at me; I know he's going to speak before he does. I'm so used to being teased by him that I've developed a special spidey sense for it.

"Hey, thirsty," he finally says in a low voice, the corner of his mouth turning up in a slow smile as he looks me over. "How you feeling today There's something

about you. You've got a certain glow."

"Don't call me that," I grumble.

"But that's what you are, isn't it That's why you read those books ." He

lowers his voice. "That's why you stay in your room all day touching yourself."

"Fuck off, Cole." I raise my voice more than I mean to, and realize that both parents are looking at us in the rearview mirror.

"What's going on back there " asks my mom.

"Nothing," I say, folding my arms and looking out the window. I need to stop letting Cole get such a rise out of me.

"Hailey's just thirsty," he says with a smirk. "Is there any water in here " "There are some water bottles under my seat," says Barry helpfully.

Cole reaches down and hands me one, but I just glare at him, refusing to take it. Shrugging, he uncaps the bottle and drinks it himself.

I hate myself for it, but I can't help but notice the line of his neck as he tilts his head back and swallows-the bob of his pronounced Adam's apple, and the sharp line of his chin and jaw. He's freshly shaved, and tanned from a summer spent by the pool, and it annoys me that he's so fucking hot.

"We're going to have a goodnight, kids," says my mom, cheerfully.

She loves any event with media attention, and she's the only one of us who is actually looking forward to this dinner.

"Oh yeah," Cole replies, staring at me. "It's going to be great. I'm already fully excited."

He grabs my hand and places it on his crotch. He's got an erection, and he

quickly shoots a glance at the rearview mirror to make sure no one's looking before he grinds it against my hand.

Suppressing a gasp, I tear my hand away. My cheeks flame, and I'm shocked. I glare at him and he just smirks back, daring me to say one word, and blows me a

kiss.