1. Welcome Home

MEGHAN

One year later...

"I'm serious. your mother and I are very excited to have you back."

I looked at my stepfather Steve and smiled. It was the end of my first year in college, and things were going well for me as far as my social life and school goes. I fell into a routine, and it was fine with me.

"Thank you for saying that. I was nervous about coming back to live with you guys. Are you sure I won't be a burden to you?" I asked him. I couldn't get over my insecurity so easily. Steve wasn't my real father so it was hard to imagine him being so okay with me living there.

"You are not a burden, sweetheart. It has been lonely since you left. Adrian hardly stays home anymore. Always out and about, wildin' out with his friends," Steve chuckled.

I thought I could stay with my father for the rest of my college year, but everything changed when he suddenly decided to remarry too.

I could not stand my new stepmother, and frankly, my stepmother felt the same way about me. All we did back home is argue about the dumbest things. It was as if my mere existence irked her.

Luckily, my mother was happy to take me back as Steve said, so I transferred back to a university in Miami.

My heart clenched as Steve pulled into the driveway. Memories from that night came flooding back. I wondered if Adrian had thought about me this past year.

I tried to reach out to him and keep in touch, but he never wanted to talk to me. It was as if he was trying to erase me from his life.

I couldn't blame him. Not after all the things I said to him before leaving for Boston. I knew I had broken his heart, but what choice did I have? I couldn't risk falling for my stepbrother. My mom would've hated me if she found out about us and I'd wind up getting hurt.

But if only I could erase the memory from that night. I still remembered how it felt when he touched me. So soft and warm. The way he tasted, his warm breath on my ear when he whispered how much he wanted me. His hazel-green eyes burning into mine when he was inside me....

Dammit, Maggie, stop thinking about it, you are seeing someone else now, I scolded myself in my mind. I needed to let him go.

I had been talking to this guy I met at the high school in Boston. I figured once I moved back here he would want to break up with me but Emmett insisted that we stayed together and try he long distance thing. I didn't have a high hope for us but I was willing to give it a shot.

"Maggie, you are here!" my mom Natasha exclaimed as soon as I stepped inside. She threw her arms around me and pulled me into an embrace. "I've missed you so much!"

"Mom, I called you every day!" I laughed.

"Yeah, but it's not the same as having my little girl right here, " she cooed.

"Is...um...is Adrian here?" I asked nervously. His father had mentioned earlier that Adrian didn't move out yet and was planning on staying home for another year.

"He went to see his friends, but he will come back to join us for dinner," mom let me know. "I left your bedroom just as it was, so why don't you go and freshen up before dinner?" she said and smiled.

I nodded and headed to my bedroom. I paused right in front of Adrian's room. His door was cracked open, so I couldn't hold my curiosity and peaked inside.

Adrian's room was slightly messy. Typical Adrian, I smiled.

I walked away before someone saw me snooping around. Tonight, I will try to make things right with Adrian. He couldn't stay mad at me forever.

***

I could smell my mom's famous chicken carbonara on the way to the dining room. I spent most of my day unpacking and getting ready for dinner. I didn't hear Adrian's voice, so I wasn't sure whether he had made it home or not.

My eyes darted to the place where Adrian usually used to sit, but it was empty.

"There she is!" Steve exclaimed when I entered the dining room. "Why don't you take a seat next to your mother? We will start once Adrian gets here."

As if on cue, the door suddenly opened, and someone walked in. I turned my head immediately and my eyes locked with a pair of piercing green eyes.

"Adrian!" I breathed. I jumped up from her chair and strode toward him. I couldn't wait to embrace him and tell him all about Boston.

I wrapped my arms around him, expecting him to hold me tight like he used to, but instead, he lightly touched my back and then subtly pushed me off. "Hey, Meg."

I cringed at his cold tone. Was he not excited to see me? "Adrian. I've missed you," I tried to kiss his cheek, but he pushed me off again.

"I am starving. Let's eat, shall we?" he said curtly, then walked off to the table without saying another word.

I didn't move from my spot for a minute. I could sense he cold aura surrounding me and it made me uncomfortable.

"Meghan, come sit down!" mom called me, snapping me out to reality.

I walked over to the table and sat down without saying another word. This wasn't the warm welcome I expected. It has been a year. Didn't he miss me?

The first few minutes were unbearable as I couldn't help but notice the contempt in Adrian's eyes.

Whatever, I'll just talk to mom and Steve, I decided.

"It was rough trying to get along with my stepmother, and my dad didn't help either," I complained.

"Must suck to have to share the spotlight. I'm sure your ego was really beaten down by the lack of constant admiration. It's a miracle you survived," Adrian sneered.

"Adrian!" Steve shot him a warning glance.

"You aren't being fair. She really hated me and made my life miserable. I should've just stayed here with you guys," I told him.

"Sure. We could have kept your spirits up as your personal fanclub. Is the role of President still open? I'm dying to apply," Adrian bit back.

"What is the matter with you? Why are you acting like a brat?" Natasha interjected.

"It's okay mom," I said quietly.

"It's not okay, Meghan. I know you are trying to be sweet but I won't sit here and let Adrian disrespect you," Steve declared.

"And who made you her knight in shining armor?" Adrian snapped at Steve.

I felt confused. What the hell is going on? "Why are you being so mean? Are you trying to tell me something?" I drew a sharp breath. I didn't expect to fight him on my first day of arrival.

"Oh no. Did I offend you, your highness?" Adrian snarled.

"Adrian!" Steve snapped, his tone indicating he was one hundred percent done with his son's rude attitude, "If you can't be civil, you can't stay at this table."

I expected Adrian to fold then because he was a young guy who always seemed to be starving. I mean, he was the whole reason we had to order an extra pizza when we did delivery. He hadn't reacted the way I expected so far though and it seemed he wasn't ready to stop surprising me.

In the worst way.

"Fine. I know when I'm not wanted. Pet your princess all you want. I'll be in my room."

Adrian stood up and gave a mocking bow, "Please excuse me, princess. I have to take myself to my room before I get sent to the guillotine for not kissing your feet fast enough."

Adrian left the table without looking back at me once. I felt my eyes sting at his rejection before my mom reached over to touch my arm.

"I'm sorry about him, honey. Adrian has been going through some things. I'll make him a plate for later. Let's just enjoy our dinner together," my mom tried to comfort me.

"Yes," Steve said, trying to sound cheerful even though the whole mood felt ruined, "Why don't you tell us more about Boston?"

I could feel tears threatening to fall soon so I decided to excuse myself too. I stood up and forced a smile. "I...I am a bit tired so I think I'll just go to bed if that's okay."

Steve frowned. "Oh honey. You seem upset. Don't take anything he says to heart. Like your mother said, he is not feeling his best recently and..."

I raised my hand. "It's okay, Steve. Really! I'm not upset at him. I really am just tired, that's all. I'll get a goodnight sleep and everything will be fine in the morning."

"I agree sweetie. When you wake up tomorrow, why don't you ask him for a ride to the college and talk things through?" mom suggested.

If this is how he felt about me? How can I get along with Adrian for the rest of the semester?