CHAPTER THREE
“She got her looks from her father.
He’s a plastic surgeon.”
-Groucho Marx
GIANNA
I was glad to escape the meet and greet with Scott’s son. No way would I have been able to be sincere. It gave me time to think and decide on the best game plan for dealing with my new stepbrother. I would cautiously give him a chance since we’d be living in the same house for the foreseeable future. I pulled my Jeep into the garage and entered the house through the kitchen.
“Gianna, honey, we’re in the dining room!” I heard my mom call out. I headed that way, feeling a mixture of anxiety and curiosity.
Walking into the dining room my eyes instantly fell on one of the hottest guys I’d ever seen. He had black hair almost long enough to fall into what I thought were hazel eyes. He stood up when I entered, making to move around the table. At a little over six feet, he seemed to tower over Chance who was still seated and shoving mashed potatoes into his mouth. As he passed by my mom I studied his getup: black tank top that showed off muscular arms, straight jeans hanging on lean hips and retro Vans.
My mom introduced us as he neared, “Caleb, this is my daughter, Gianna. You’ll be starting at her school tomorrow. Isn’t it so convenient you’re in the same grade? Maybe you’ll share some of the same classes, but either way she’ll be able to show you around.” I didn’t second that offer.
Caleb met me where I still stood in the doorway. I didn’t like the smirk on his handsome face. The light from the hallway behind me glinted on a piercing in his eyebrow. I was startled as he pulled me in for a hug. His muscles contracted as I gripped his biceps, not about to wrap my arms around him.
“Nice to meet you, sis,” he said with a chuckle. I felt his warm breath on my ear as he added in a whisper only I heard, “Wanna sleep in my bed tonight?”
Feeling his hand reach down to pat my butt, I pushed him away and yelled, “Get off me, asshole!”
“Gianna, what’s gotten into you? Caleb was just trying to be friendly. Is that any way to greet him?” She looked appalled while Scott wore a disappointed expression. Chance stopped eating, his eyes riveted to the dinnertime drama.
“Yeah, well he was trying to get a little too friendly. Mom, do you-”
Caleb cut me off before I could finish, his face displaying false hurt and confusion. “I’m sorry, Julie. I’ve never had a sister before and didn’t know hugs weren’t allowed.” As I saw Scott’s eyes narrow I realized at least one person was suspicious. He may be able to fool my mom, but his dad obviously knew better. Not that Scott would call him out on it and risk upsetting his wife.
“It’s okay, Caleb, hugs are allowed. We’re a very affectionate family,” my mom encouraged. We were? “That was very sweet of you,” she said before throwing me a hard look. “Now let’s just sit down to enjoy our first dinner as a family and we’ll talk about this later, Gianna.”
I couldn’t believe my mom was falling for his crap! No wait, I totally could when I thought of how my mom always liked to sweep problems under the rug, pretending they didn’t exist. Like when our family was splitting up and she insisted her and my dad would reconcile. Or the past three years when Scott’s absentee son was only a picture on his desk when he should’ve been a frequent visitor.
After dinner, which I finished last with being late, I ran up to my room, ignoring the fact my mom wanted to talk to me. I turned on some music, a new electronic group Cece wanted me to check out, and flopped down on my bed. I looked at my phone to see eighteen new text messages. I ignored the ones from people at school and found one from Cece.
Cece: How’s the new brother?
I immediately texted her back.
Me: Stepbrother! And I’ll probably start a fire outside his bedroom door tonight
Cece: That bad?
Me: Worse
If life got any worse, I’d be moving to Houston to live with my dad. Scratch that, I could never leave Cece and the boys. Guess I was stuck with-
A loud banging on my wall interrupted my thoughts.
“Turn that shit down!” Caleb shouted through the wall separating us.
Glancing at my door to check it was locked, I turned the volume up on a crappy song that made me wonder what Cece was thinking when she called this band genius.
It was funny how people were always telling me how lucky I was. Lucky to be so beautiful. Lucky to do well in school. Lucky to be dating Josh. Right now, when it came to stepbrothers, I was feeling decidedly unlucky.
CALEB
Damn, how lucky could one guy be? I’d already worked my way through all the hot chicks at my old schools. Now I’d get to live in the same house as an even hotter chick. Maybe living in the ‘burbs wouldn’t be so bad after all. One thing was for sure, playtime with my sister was going to be fun. Even if she was hands off, I’d still be able to check out that ass whenever I wanted.
Too bad she had shit taste in music. The ruckus coming through our adjoining wall made me turn up my own music to drown it out.
Going through my phone, I checked my messages. One from a one night stand the other weekend asking why I hadn’t called her back yet. She’d made weird sounds when she was coming. Another from Dante wanting to know if my new stepmom was hot. A text from Hailey checking if I wanted to go out tonight.
I answered Dante and Hailey, telling no to both. Although, my stepmom could be hot if she didn’t have the suburbia stick up her ass. If I were home at my mom’s I would’ve taken Hailey up on her offer, but no way was I going to make it all the way back home driving drunk. Plus, my dad would be pissed if I ruined my new start so soon.
Feeling tired, I kicked off my jeans and pulled off my tank. I’d unpack my stuff tomorrow. At least the bed was comfortable, with all these pillows and the fluffy comforter.