Chapter 4 Stepbrothers.

Asher's POV

“What?” Roman and I exclaimed at the same time, unable to believe our ears but when my father stared at me with a stoic expression, I knew that they weren't kidding.

This wasn't a joke at all.

“We're getting married,” Father repeated her words and I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief.

“This is impossible, Father. What do you mean you're getting married again? And to—” I paused for a moment, not wanting to say something hurtful and Roman turned to glare at me.

“And to what? Say something vile about my mother and I swear to everything, I will make you regret it.” Roman said in anger, taking a step toward me but his mom grabbed his hand, stopping him.

“Let's calm down now, shall we?” Vera spoke with a soft voice as she smiled at me and I lowered my head. “I know this is shocking news for both of you. But your father and I have been in a secret relationship for quite a while now.” She turned to smile at my dad who in turn, smiled back at her.

Seeing him smile at someone else who wasn't my mom made my stomach churn. Yes, she's dead, but who permitted him to move on? And with Roman's mom?

What the fuck?

“So, we're going to be stepbrothers?” Roman asked, a frown on his face and Vera nodded. “Of all people, it had to be him? What if I don't want this? I don't want to have to call an asshole like him ‘brother’.”

“Funny, it's not like I want to call you that either. And if I had a say in this, I would gladly reject anything that would make me related to you.” I spat back in anger and Roman raised his brow at me in amusement.

“Really? You seem to like being around me so much that you search for me all the time, even when I'm not interested in talking to you.” He replied with a smirk that I wanted to wipe off his lips so bad with my fist.

“You fucking—”

“ENOUGH!” Father thundered and I stiffened, taking a step back almost immediately. “This is also one of the reasons we would be getting married. To end this stupid rivalry. Maybe when you both are forced to live together, you would learn to tolerate each other and not act like a bunch of immature kids!” He bellowed, looking furious and I let out a sigh.

I didn't want to live with Roman. Especially not after what happened last night—

Hold the fuck up. We slept together last night.

Does this mean I slept with my stepbrother?

I glanced at Roman, my eyes widening in horror but he seemed indifferent, his gaze neutral as he stared at me like I had lost my mind.

“This can't happen…” I muttered, more to myself than to anyone. “I don't want to be his stepbrother! He's a fucking asshole and he's not who you think he is!” I yelled and Father facepalmed, while Vera rubbed her forehead gently.

“I don't want to be yours either!” Roman retorted but Father slammed his hand on the table, making me flinch.

“I don't care what you want to happen! The wedding is only weeks away. And you both will suck it up and be whatever we tell you to be.” He said, pointing at both of us. “Unless you'd like to be off the hockey team.”

“No!” Both of us exclaimed at the same time and Father stared at us with a smug grin before grunting in agreement.

“That's what I thought. You can leave. Start packing your things as well.” He said as he dismissed us both but I stopped in confusion.

“Why are we packing our things?” Roman questioned, beating me to it and Father looked at us both in amusement.

“Have you forgotten the school break begins tomorrow?” He asked and my face lit up with happiness. “We'll all be moving to my apartment to live as a family till the wedding. We're leaving today.”

“What? No! Come on, Dad, I can't even have this break to myself?” I asked in frustration but Vera walked up to me, a soft smile on her face.

I don't hate her. But I just can't digest the fact that I have to call her mom from now on.

“I'm sorry if it's inconvenient for you, Asher.” She said softly, placing her hand on my shoulder. “But we're doing this for your good. Both of you. Please try to understand us.” She added and even though I didn't want to, I ended up nodding.

“I doubt he has a sense of understanding,” Roman said with a snort as he made his way out the door, making me clench my fists in anger. “See you later, stepbrother.”

I genuinely want to kill that piece of shit.

“I must not hear that you got into a fight with him till we're out of here. Or I'm suspending you from the hockey team.” I heard my father say after Roman left and I had no choice but to nod.

“Got it, Dad,” I muttered through gritted teeth and made my way back to my dorm.

It felt like my life had turned upside down in a span of twenty minutes. First, I wake up to the knowledge that my rival fucked me when I was drunk. And now, this same rival was to become my stepbrother. And I had to stay with him in the same house.

As if my life couldn't get any worse.

I screamed into my pillow even though it didn't help afterwards and then started to pack my things. It couldn't be that bad, after all, my dad's house had about three rooms.

If he and Vera shared one, then I could have my room to myself and Roman would take the guest room.

With that knowledge, I smiled to myself. It couldn't be that bad. I just had to avoid him no matter what.

Seven hours later, after an annoyingly long drive where I had to sit at the back with Roman— he almost made my life unbearable as he kept stepping on my toes— we finally arrived home. And the first thing I did was rush to my room. To claim it.

But Father's voice stopped me in my tracks, making me freeze in horror.

“You and Roman would be sharing your room. Show him where to drop his things.” He said and I turned to him in horror.

To my shock, Roman didn't look surprised. Instead, he looked…

Excited?