Chapter 001

ELIANA / ELI

“Need some help?” A deep voice cuts through the quiet air as I tiptoe, trying to reach for a mug from the high shelf on the wall cabinet.

A breath catches in my throat, stopping mid motion. Slowly, I turn into that one direction that I have been trying to avoid for the past three days, and there he is!

Jackson Freaking Harrison. My Stepbrother .The hockey captain of the HAWKERS team. My boyfriend’s biggest rival team.

He’s leaning casually on the door frame, his hands dipped in navy pants and the sleeves rolled up above the elbows. He's wearing a button down white shirt and the top button is open, the navy tie hanging loosely around his neck. His black hair is damp and I can tell that he's from the shower.

However, I don't miss that tiny curl on the corner of his lips. He raises a brow at me and that's when I realise I have been staring for a minute way too long.

“It-it's okay. I can manage.” I respond way too quickly, mentally cursing myself for stuttering.

He arches his eyebrows once again, the curl at the corner of his lips stretching an inch more.

“Well…I see you're managing it just fine.” He replies with a lazy shrug, pushing himself off the door frame and walks to the refrigerator which is located a step away from me.

“Asshole!” I mumble under my breath, not letting his words get under my skin, then turn my attention to whatever I was doing before he interrupted.

I tiptoe and try to reach for the mug once again but… fail. Before I can figure out what to do, a hand sneaks from behind me, easily reaching for the mug on the top shelf without that much struggling.

I inhale sharply when I realize whom that strong, masculine hand might belong to. Cautiously, I turn my head to check if my guess is right and gulp when I look into those blue piercing eyes that are staring back at me. Can't help but notice how deep blue they are as I gazed into them from close, like the deep end of the sea that is ready to swallow me whole to its depths if I’m not careful enough.

I can't help but notice how sharp his nose is, chiseled jaw line and full lips that I was quite sure had kissed countless girls.

All the things that I have never noticed because I have never come this close. I always watched him from the sidelines, every step measured, every breath careful, so that I didn't get too close.

Not this close that I can smell the fresh mint in his breath and his strong cologne that's almost suffocating.

This is what I have been avoiding since we moved in three days ago. However, here I am, trapped between him and the kitchen counter. Nowhere to run to and I hate it!

“Good morning?” My mind snaps back to the present when my mom’s voice echoes in the kitchen. Instincts kick in and I push Jackson away, creating some distance between us then turn to look at my mother who is standing at the door, Robert’s hand wrapped around her shoulders.

“Is everything okay?” My mother asks with creased eyebrows, darting her eyes between Jackson and I doubtfully.

I look at Jackson and he gives me one of those annoying smirks that I badly wanted to slap away from his face. Releasing a breath, I smile back at him so that it wouldn't look awkward then turn to look at my mother.

“Nothing to worry about. Jackson was helping me to reach for the mug from the top shelf.” I explain briefly, trying my best to keep my voice steady so that my mother won't notice discomfort in my voice.

I swallow back the bile rising in my throat and smile, “ We are good. Just a little sister and brother bonding, you know. Getting to know each other better.” I turn my gaze at him and he gives me one of those annoying smirks.

“That's right. I have learnt that even if my dear sister needs help, she won't accept it easily." He says, playing along and I could tell that he was enjoying the dumb game a little too much.

“ I knew the two of you will get along well.” My mother compliments and I can feel the relief in her voice,a big smile taking over her features.

My mother knew whatever Jackson said was the damn truth and that's why she didn't oppose it. I can be stubborn sometimes and I hate that she was siding with him.

How am I supposed to tell her the damn truth when she looks this happy? I can't find it in my heart to do so.

All I have ever wanted is for her to be happy and…I don't want to ruin it. I promised her that I will be a good girl and try to get along with my new family well.

“You’re worrying too much, my love. See, they're doing just fine.” Robert pulls my mother into a side hug and plants a kiss on her hair.

My mom smiles and looks so happy. Unlike his son, Robert Harrison is kind and easy to get along with.

Snatching the mug from Jackson, I walk to the coffee maker, pour myself a cup of coffee and walk to the island table.

Jackson is sipping on the protein shake while leaning on the kitchen counter. I can feel his eyes on me as I drink the coffee but ignore him.

_______

“So…since it's the first day of senior year. What's your plans?” Robert asks, walking to the coffee machine and pours two cups of coffee, one for him and the other for my mother.

I take a deep breath, feeling a little bit nervous but manage a smile because I don't want anyone to notice my anxiety. Not Jackson of all the people.

“I will focus more on my studies so that I can get good grades to join my dream university.Also…I will try my best to stay away from trouble because I would like to leave a good reputation behind.” Robert nods to my words, pleased.

My mother gives me a warm smile and I smile back at her.

That's all I have ever wanted, to make my mother and my uncle, James, proud because they're the ones who have been taking care of me while growing up.

Jackson's jaw clenches, his grip on the glass tightening when he hears the last statement because he knows exactly what I’m talking about. He shoots me a dagger look and my lips lifts up into a smile.

Robert turns his attention to Jackson, “What about you son? What are your plans for senior year?” Jackson lets out a low growl, taking a sip of his shake.

He's quiet for a while as though giving it a deeper thought, a brief silence falling over the kitchen. I put on a nonchalant face and pretend I don't care about his plans but…deep down I’m curious.

“Well, I will focus on my studies.” He shrugs, “I will try to stay out of trouble too.” I choke on my coffee, almost spilling it on the island table and all the attention shifts on me.

“Sorry, I think that was too much coffee.” I apologise. However, Jackson shoots me a hard glare as he doesn't buy my cheap lie.

“Oh, I forgot one important thing.” Jackson says, giving me a side look and I can tell that he's up to no good.

“As the captain of HAWKERS, I’m going to lead my teammates in training so that we can win the school's internal game and represent our school in the championship tournament. Our opponents better be ready.” His voice is loud for me to hear every single word, making it obvious that he was talking about Pythons since my boyfriend Ethan, is the captain and his biggest opponent.

"Good luck." My grip tightenes around the mug, my knuckles turning white. However, I put on a smile and pretend that Jackson's words didn't get under my skin.