Chapter 4

(Ashely's POV)

Ever since the incident between Jake and me, we have been pretty much avoiding each other. Anna suspected something going on between us but I was always reassured that there was nothing. But, it’s Anna, she’ll never let this go especially with some as hot as Jake.

“Hey, girls!” Mom exclaimed as she entered the kitchen with a grin plastered on her face. “Hey, mom!” I greeted, “Hello, Mrs. K!” Anna greeted as we both spared a quick small smile before refocusing our attention back to Anna’s phone. 

“What are you girls looking at?” She asked as Anna and I immediately faced each other, trying to think of an excuse. “Um!” I stumbled as Anna rolled her eyes before answering. “Hey, Mrs. K, you know, how Ashely loves those vampire romance fairy tales-

“Hey! There’re not fairytales,” I exclaimed, nudging her as she glared at me. “Anyway, Mrs.K, I was just showing Ash that instead of buying those waste of time books, she could just read off her phone,” she said as mom nods in agreement. I looked at both of them in disbelief.

“Uh, excuse me, books are not a waste of time, it’s better than reading a book online where you have to wait for an author to publish chapters when you can have it all in the palms of your hands,” I said as Anna scoffed, “Yeah, whatever, how about we go upstairs so I can try to convince your boring behind otherwise, bye Mrs.K,” she said dragging me out the kitchen as mom giggled.

We stopped at the staircase as a sigh of relief escaped from our lips. "Damn, you're a good liar," I said as she scoffed, "And you're a terrible liar, Mrs.K could've seen right through you," she said as I rolled before continuing my way upstairs. "Yeah, whatever, hurry up so we could discuss this online reading in my room," I said as I climbed the stairs but suddenly stopped when I didn't hear any footsteps. I looked behind me to find a confused Anna, who stared at me with a frown.

"What online reading?" She asked as I stared at her in disbelief but she cracked a laugh. "I'm just kidding," she said before jogging after me. "You play too much," I scolded, smacking her arm as she reached the top of the stairs. "OW! What was that for?" She said as I rolled my eyes.

We continued to discuss this online reading all the way to my bedroom door before the sound of another door caught our attention. Jake walked out of his room shirtless with simple grey basketball shorts, his hair was messy as he ran his tattooed hand through while his eyes were glued to his phone.

Anna and I were in a trace. His bare tattooed chest was so hard not to look at especially since it was so built, his pierced nipples were so intriguing and the way his body would just slouch in such a sexy way made shivers run down our spine.

Jake felt the two intense stares burning holes through his body as he looked up from his phone. Both Anna and I's eyes widened as a smirk slowly stretched upon his lips. "Do you ladies like the view?" He asked, giving us his full attention. "Hell, ye-

"No, we don't, goodbye," I quickly said, cutting Anna off as Jaked rolled his eyes before I dragged Anna inside. "What the hell was that Ash, I was loving the view," Anna complained as I scoffed, "Don't feed his ego, Anna, he's a total asshole," I said as she plopped herself on my bed. "I thought you say nothing was going on between you two," she said as I took a seat beside her, "There is nothing between us," I answered back as she raised an eyebrow.

"Then, why do you hate him so much?" She asked as I was caught off guard quickly changing the subject. "Um, can we not talk about my asshole stepbrother?" I asked as she chuckled, "Fine, but this conservation is not over," she said with a playful glare before we continued our conversation about the party.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"You remember the plan, right?" Anna asked as I nod, "You're doing all the talking, got it," I repeated before mom called us down for dinner.  

 We entered the kitchen to find Jake and Roger setting up the table while mom was organizing the food. I took one look at Jake before turning to look at Anna, who blushed at the sight of Jake. 

I furrowed in disgust before nudging Anna who looked away embarrassed. "Ah, girls, so glad you could join us," mom said as both Jake and Roger looked our way. Jake had an annoying smirk plastered on his lips as he stared at Anna.   

The moment his eyes met mine, I glared at him but the smirk still sat comfortably on his lips. "Ashely, Anna, could you come and help me with the food?" Mom asked, "S-Sure, Mrs.K," Anna stuttered, still feeling Jake's intense stare. 

After we helped mom with the food, we all sat at the table, said grace before digging in. Everyone sat in silence before mom cleared her throat catching everyone's attention.  

"Ashely, aren't you going to introduce your stepbrother to Anna," she said as Anna blushed and Jake smirked. "Yeah, Ash, aren't you going to introduce this beautiful girl beside you," Jake said as Anna blushed hard almost resembling the tomato in our salad. 

"Actually, no, I don-

"Hey, I-I'm A-Anna," she stuttered while stretching her hand out for Jake to shake. I watched as Jake wore his best sweetest smile before holding onto Anna's hand before pressing his lips against her palm. 

I gagged as I pulled Anna's hand away from his which made him glare at me. "Flirt much," I said as he scoffed, "Jealous much," he said as I rolled my eyes. Everyone went back to eating silently before I nudged Anna underneath the table. She looked at me from the corner of her eyes as I nodded. I felt eyes on me as I looked up to find Jake eyeing me suspiciously. 

"Mrs.K!" Anna called out trying to contain herself, "Yes, Anna?" Mom answered as all eyes were on Anna, "Is it okay if Ash spends the night at my place?" She asked as Jake looked at us with raised eyebrows. 

"Sure, why not, it's been forever since you girls had a sleepover," she said as both Anna and I smiled. "Thanks, mom," I said before we continued eating our dinner. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

After dinner, both Anna and I rushed to my room to get our stuff ready. "You got everything right?" Anna asked as I nodded, "I can't believe we're really doing this," I said as she giggled, "I know it's going to be really awesome," she said before we left to go downstairs. 

"Mom, we're leaving," I announced as we were heading to the front door, "Alright, have fun, girls," she yelled from the living room before we exited through the front door.

"You're up to something," Jake unexpectedly said as he startled us. Anna and I instantly turned around to find him leaned up against the wall while smoking a cigarette. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said as he scoffed, "You may be able to fool your mother but you can't fool me, I was 18 once," he said as I folded my arms, "Okay, you were 18 once the only differences are that I'm nothing like you," I said as Anna nudges me while Jake shook his head before letting out a breathy laugh.

"You're right, you're nothing like me," he said, putting out his cigarette before heading back inside the house. "What was that?" Anna asked as I sighed, "Nothing, let's just go," I said before we headed to her house. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"Ashely, are you ready?" Anna asked as I double checked myself in the mirror, "Yeah, I'm ready, is your cousin here yet," I asked as she came to stand beside. "She's on her way," she replied while fixing her hair until a honk caught our attention. "Oh, she's here," Anna said before we gathered our stuff to leave. 

We met Anna's cousin Tatiana in the driveway as her car was pumping loud music. "Hey, would you turn that down, there are people in the neighborhood sleeping," Anna said as we entered Tatiana's car. "My bad, cuz, but what's up, haven't seen you in ages," she said as they both hug it out. 

"Girl, I've been around, by the way, this is my best friend, Ashely," she introduced as they both turned to face me. "Hey, Ashely, I'm Tatina, but you can call me, Tati," she said as I shook her hand, "Nice to meet you, Tati, you can call me, Ash," I replied as she smiled.

"Yo, Tati, races started," Anna asked, as we pulled out of her driveway, "Naw, but there's this new racer, he's really fine," she said with a smirk painted on her lips. "Who is he?" Anna asked and the thing Tatiana said made my heart stop. 

"His name is Jake, do you guys know him?"