E I G H T

ELIZABETH.

“Wow. This is looking huger than when I came. “ Mom says immediately we walk through the front door of our new home, each with our luggage in hand.

“I helped pick this out. “ James whispers to me with a smile, obviously proud of what he’s done.

“You won’t tell me what good job I’ve done?” He frowns when I don’t answer and I shake my head as I drag my luggage forward. The house is quite big. Bigger than our previous home and I can tell a considerable amount of money must have gone into this.

“I’m sure you kids must be tired. You should retire to bed. “ Mom announces. She’s still in her after-party white feathery gown and she hasn’t stopped glowing; I guess that’s what being genuinely happy does to you.

“Goodnight. “ I mutter before I start to drag my luggage up the stairs.

“I’ll take this one. “ James appears out of nowhere, calling dibs on the right room and I look to my left before I return my gaze to him. “I got here first. “

“I said it first. “

“You can be so childish sometimes. Do you realize that?” I lift a brow and he only chuckles as he unlocks the door and walks inside. I only get a small peek of the inside before he shuts it.

I drag my luggage to the room he left me and I remove my shoes the second I step in, wriggling my feet to stop the ache.

“Here we are. “ I breathe as I turn on the lights, bringing the room to its full potential. It’s really spacious and everything is already set in its place. I just need to arrange my stuff and it’s all good.

“So what do you think?” I jump at the unexpected sound that comes from behind and Mom laughs teasingly as she stays behind my door with only her head peeking through.

“Jesus. You scared me. “

“Sorry. I just wanted to check in on you. “ She says.

“Come on in. “ I offer and she nods before she walks herself in. She still hasn’t removed her gown and the first thing I noticed as she stops before me is that glistening diamond ring on her finger. It looks truly perfect on her; like it was made for her to wear her.

“And your answer?” Mom says and I take a glance around the room before I open my mouth, “It’s good. I love the house. It feels like we’re the only ones here and it’s closer to school than our previous. I love the room too. Love the decorations. “

“I was hoping you would. “ She smiles. “Come here. “ She holds my hand and leads me to the bed. We both settle on it and mom wraps a hand around my shoulder to press me against her side as she speaks. “Thank you for being with me today. It truly meant more than you think. “

“I love you, mom. “ I tell her and she hums as she starts to rock me softly. I let myself bask in the peace that comes with her presence and the silence that fills the air as she continues to hold me in her arms for a few more minutes before she stops.

“I’ll let you get to your stuff now. Try to get to sleep early, alright?” She cautions and I nod, assuring her I would before she leaves the room.

I let out a tired sigh and fall back on the bed as I stare at the white ceiling.

A new home with new people around me.

I turn to lie on my side, my eyes on the wall this time and I wonder what goes on on the other side. Is James sleeping right now?

I still can’t believe he went from being a phone call away to being my next-door stepbrother.

~

The reflection of the light cast through the window hits my eyes and disturbs me from my sleep.

I let out a hiss as I turn to bury my head in the sheets for a few minutes before I sit up on the bed. I yawn as I look around me, registering the look of my new place before I leave the bed and make my way out of the room.

I pass by James's room and resist the urge to stare longer than necessary.

“Mom?” I call out as I walk down the stairs, wondering why the house is so quiet. I mean given the area, I know it’s bound to be but it’s like there’s no living being in this place.

“Mo–“ I close my mouth and stand star-struck by the kitchen door at the magnificent view before me.

Holy Christ. Maybe it’s not a bad thing to live together after all.

James is standing before the counter, doing something I’m yet to figure out but what makes me hot from the inside is the fact that his back is bare. He has no shirt on and his back muscles tightens and relaxes with each small step he takes.

I’ve seen James's chest naked more times than I can count but this… This is different. With his loosened pants around his waist and the way he moves like he’s familiar with the place, it almost feels like… Stop that thought Elizabeth.

I shake my head and lean against the kitchen door as I watch James continue to do his stuff. He doesn’t seem to notice me yet, giving me more time to enjoy the view.

He has such a beautiful body. A sexy one and I’ve never seen this boy work out.

Isn’t it unfair? He gets a pretty face. A pretty body and even a pretty voice. James is the perfect definition of the saying: God has favorites.

Realizing I probably look like a creep just watching and admiring his bare back, I step inside the kitchen and clear my throat, attracting his attention.

“Hey, you’re up. “ His front image is even more damaging than his back. His hair is messy on his head, which means he must have woken up not quite long too, and the belt around his trousers is loosened with the zipper pulled down a bit, giving me a small peek of the red boxers underneath. How does one wake up looking that hot?

“Where’s everyone?” I ask him, tearing my eyes away from his lower body.

“No idea. I got a text from Dad saying he had to leave to somewhere with your mom. They should be back before the day ends. “

“Oh. “ I mutter and he nods as he returns to what he’s doing.

When he turns back to me, he’s holding a coffee mug and a small smirk rests on his face. “So we have the house to ourselves till then. “

“You’re gonna do something I don’t like. Aren’t you?” I lift a brow and he chuckles. “Probably. You want some?”

“Sure. “ I say and he steps to the side for me to get mine.

“Wow. “ James exclaims, causing me to turn back to him. When I give him questioning eyes, he says, “Your ass looks really good in that. Your back looks sexy. “

Redness covers my cheeks at those blunt words from him and I’m glad I’m not holding the mug yet cause I’m pretty sure I’d have dropped it from shock.

“What?” It’s the only thing I manage to say.

“I’ve never seen you in wears like that. “ He nods to my nightwear and I stare down at the two-piece pajamas I have on; a short sleeve button-down shirt with shorts that only reaches my mid-thighs.

“I’ve worn pajamas with you around before. “ I tell him and he shakes his head. “Not ones like this. Your ass looks really great in this one. It looks so sof–“

“James! What the hell? Stop that. “ I turn away from him to hide my red cheeks. No doubt I’ve turned to a tomato. God, if he doesn’t stop saying words like that, I’ll really lose it.

“Why? You don’t like me complimenting you?” I flinch at how close his voice sounds and he’s truly behind me when I turn. Close. So close I can feel his breath on my face and my heart starts to beat fast in my chest when he cages me between his body and the counter.

“I compliment you all the time though. “ He looks into my eyes as he says the words, a small smile on his face and I wonder if he can hear how fast my heart is beating.

My eyes wander across his face to his bare chest then back to his face, focusing on his full pink lips. He’s taken up my space, my breath, and apparently my sense because I’m starting to have thoughts I shouldn’t.

Thoughts like what would happen if I just push forward?

No Elizabeth. No. Have some damn self-control.

“Stop it. “ I raise my hand and hit his chest lightly like a stupid girl. My hand drags down the skin to my side and I inhale sharply. It’s just for a second but the way his skin felt against my fingertips. It feels too good. I want to touch him again. Feel him again.

Before I can do anything stupid though, James laughs and steps back. “I know you love my compliments. “

“Loser. “ I mutter before I turn back to get the coffee I had long forgotten.

“You’re the only one who calls me that. “ I hear him say and I can’t help the smile on my face.

I bring the mug to my lips to hide it as I turn back to James.

“What should we have? I’m famished. “ He says.

“I don’t feel like cooking. “

“We can cook together. “

“Are there even any groceries in here? It’s a new house. “ I remind him and he whispers, “Right. “ We both laugh, the echoes of the sounds bouncing off the walls.

This doesn’t feel bad at all. Waking up to him standing in the kitchen, joking around and chatting about food. It almost feels like we’ve been doing this for a long. It feels so warm and comfortable.

And just as that thought settles in, I hear the doorbell rings.

“That’s for me. “ He raises his hand and drops his mug before he disappears out of the kitchen. I should stay out of it but my curious self got the better of me and I find myself standing a bit away from the kitchen door as he opens the door.

“Hey, you. You got it. I told you my location would be a great help. “ He chuckles as a girl steps in. It’s the same girl from the wedding… Janet wasn’t she?

I watch as James wraps his hands around her waist while she buries herself in his chest and that’s enough for me to step back into the kitchen.

I drop the mug into the sink and hold onto the edges of the counter to stop my shaking hands but I’m afraid nothing can stop my aching heart.

He brought a girl home already.

I guess that’s the harsh slap of reality I needed from whatever fantasy I was having minutes ago.