One Night With My Stepbrother Mate

My feet tapped incessantly against the floor as I tried not to choke on the scent of antiseptic coming from the janitor's closet that was cracked open at the other side of the hallway.

My gaze flitted to the classroom door and I resisted the urge to go peep inside where was he?

I don't know how long I stood there but I felt a hand clamp down on my shoulder and I jerked, almost dropping my phone in my startled state. “Jesus!” I exclaimed, whirling around to see Elowen Mirelle standing there, her face set in a grin. “Don't do that!” I almost snapped at her, clutching my chest while I swatted her hand away with a nervous chuckle.

She looked over my shoulder and sighed. “Will you stop following him around during school? You're beginning to make this a whole lot obvious.” She rolled her eyes at me as she hooked her hand around mine and pulled me forward against my protests.

“No Elowen, wait. We're supposed to grab coffee after school so I was just waiting for him ” I quickly said, trying to pull my hand away from hers but her grip was firm.

“Absolutely not.” She shook her head at me, giving me a small smile as she led me to the general hallway where the notice board was. “You can talk to your boyfriend later after school but right now…” She paused and went behind me as she pushed me forward, her hands coming up to cover my eyes.

“What the hell are you doing?” I said, making no effort to remove her hands even as I blindly navigated forward.

She didn't say a word but after a few seconds, she led me to a stop and moved her hands away. “Ta-da!” She grinned, unable to keep happiness out of her voice.

My gaze darted around the mess of papers that had been attached to the board and I frowned, wondering what she was talking about when I suddenly froze oh God.

Holy fuck.

The notice read: Performers for the annual rally prep for rugby and right there among the few cheerleaders selected was my name. I made it. Oh jeez, I was going to dance in front of the whole school! My dream had come true! If this worked out how I wanted it to, it would help boost my popularity, I would be able to get into Professor Hilda Laurent's class and… and

The bell rang, jerking me out of my thoughts just as class doors began to open and students started to fill the hallway with their voices as they all maneuvered their way home.

I still stood there starstruck, looking at the list like maybe if I looked away, it would change then

“Hmph, picking a charity student is way below the school's league.” A very familiar voice sneered behind me and I could feel Elowen shrink beside me.

Slowly, I turned around to see Aurelia Duvain lead cheerleader who clearly didn't want me in the team under the pretense that I was a liability to the team, but everyone secretly knew that she was scared of me taking her position. Not like they would ever let a nobody like me take it though.

Her friends flanked her and I could feel the condescending gazes they gave me, their lips turned downwards in a scowl as they glared openly at me.

“Congratulations on making the list.” I forced a smile while trying not to choke on my words. I was scared of her. No terrified. She could ruin my life if she wanted to. That was the power she held at this school.

Her face scrunched up in disgust like it was an insult to be complimented by me. “Ew.” She rolled her eyes and stalked off, her minions trailing right behind her.

Elowen let out a sigh of relief. “Jeez.” She shook her head as though coming out of a daze. “I'll see you later, yeah? Need to see Mr. Lancaster before he goes home because I flunked chemistry unfortunately.” She smiled one more time at me before sprinting down the almost empty hallway.

Right.

Blinking, I looked down the hallway and past the heads of students who were just going home where was Thorne Valerius?

Maybe he had gone out to his car. I started walking out of the building, feeling the cool air brush against my face as I stepped out into the day, my gaze glued to my phone while I dialed my mum's number. She was going to be pleased to hear this.

The phone rang three times then I heard a click followed by a shuffle. “Yes, baby? What is it?” My mum's soft voice came through the speaker.

“Mum! You won't believe it! I made the list! I can't wait for you to be here tonight at the rally!” I squealed into the mouthpiece, my eyes wide with excitement as I literally skipped through the parking lot.

At least before I heard something that made me freeze. “I can't come, baby.” She sounded breathless and I froze instantly.

“Where… are you, Mum?” I asked, my voice a mumble because something told me that I wouldn't like whatever she had to say.

There was silence again not for long though, because she gasped softly and I could swear I heard a groan in the background as well as the faint sound of flesh meeting.

Without thinking, I ended the call, tears stinging my eyes as I found myself drawn back to reality the reality that my mum was a stripper and slept around with men for money.

Right.

I wiped the corner of my eyes with my hoodie as I sighted Thorne Valerius leaning on his Audi, his fingers tapping away at his phone, brows scrunched up at the screen.

That right there was the only thing that made sense in the mess of the world I lived in my boyfriend and the most popular rugby player in school who asked me out in the first year. At least, asked me out then told me that my reputation was in a different world from his so we had to keep things a secret for years.

I couldn't blame him. I wouldn't be caught dead dating myself too. I had been bullied all my stay at this school so he was simply protecting both of us by keeping our relationship a secret no matter how infuriating it felt sometimes.

“Baby,” I called out, walking briskly to him with a wavering smile.

He looked up but the look on his face was nothing short of annoyed what was wrong? No one was around.

He pushed himself off the car, his face set in a frown as he turned his phone toward me, his other hand tucked into his pocket. “Seriously? When were you going to tell me? It’s bad enough that I have to date you, but I can’t date a stripper’s daughter,” he spat.

Str… stripper?

My heart pounded as tears blurred my vision. On his screen — posted less than two minutes ago in the school group chat — was a picture of my mum, scantily dressed at the bar, wrapped around a customer.

Laughter broke out behind me. More phones lifted. Recording.

Something inside me snapped.

Before I even realized what I was doing, my hand flew across his face.

The crack echoed through the parking lot — and everything went dead silent.