CHAPTER 1

TARA

Who said a step brother and his step sister can't be besties?

Well, I was against that idea when father first introduced me to my future step mother and step brother, Dennis.

My father knew how much I loved being the only child in the house. But due to his new found love for my future step mom, he began to lecture me on the importance of having a sibling and all that crap.

"Trust me dear, you'll love them," Dad said, trying to persuade me.

But I didn't like it.

I don't want any addition to our family. It has always been us against the world.

Father and Daughter, best family duo. But somehow, love found my dad out of nowhere and now our special father-daughter team was over.

Now I won't just be having a step mom but a step brother too?

"You're going to love them. Just wait and see."

"Whatever," I grumbled, rolling my eyes to let father know how unhappy I was.

He held back his unhappiness, hoping I'd change my mind soon and give our new family a shot when we finally meet.

"Now you head to school, my love. And don't forget about tonight's dinner. It needs to be special."

"Bleh!" I mouthed, grabbing my bag, walking out of the house.

Didn't even give my dad a goodbye hug. I was just upset.

At school, I told my friends about my dad's obsession with this new family addition, and they all had one or two things to say about it.

"Anything step family is a no no for me. My neighbor had a step husband who ran away with all her money," Sonia shared, tsking and swaying her head.

"I heard of a lady who's a stepmom to a little girl of ten years old. That monster of a woman had a kid of her own and made sure all the love and attention came to her child," Judy added.

But one of the trio groaned over this, finding it nuts.

"You guys are being dramatic. Just because it happened to others doesn't mean Tara's case would be the same," Stella said, believing the others were exaggerating.

"Girl, look at the bright side of everything. You know your dad well, don't you?" She asked, arms crossed under her big boobs.

"Totally. I know him," I nodded.

"Then you shouldn't be worried about this!" She giggled, throwing her arm across my shoulder.

"Your father loves you so much, and he will never bring home a chaotic woman to ruin his daughter's happiness," She said, lifting my mood a bit.

"I'm sure your stepmom is going to be great. Not just that, you're gonna have a step brother too. Isn't that fun? Sibling duo!" Stella chuckled, tickling me on the stomach.

I laughed over this, taking in her words.

This is why I love my friends. Whenever we share out problems amongst ourselves, one person will definitely provided a reasonable idea to save the day.

The last time I was facing one, Sonia was the hero. Today, it's Stella.

"Thanks Stella. I'm going to stay calm."

"That's the spirit," She smiled, giving me a fist bump.

She faced my other friends and said, giving then the middle finger, "Stella rules."

"Fuck you too, bitch," Judy returned, giving her double.

We laughed, making our way to the cafeteria.

"Well looking at the bright side of this, Tara is getting herself a step brother. I wonder if he's hot."

"Um, he could be a kid you dummy."

"Nah, I bet he's matured."

"Or maybe he's an ugly clingy nerd who likes clinging to mommy. Now that he's getting a new sister, Tara will be his new mommy," My friends joked, using my life as their board game.

I was laughing too because I never really thought about that. But I had to go with the idea that he's a kid.

I mean Dad didn't say if he's an adult. He just said I'm going to enjoying having him around.

"He's definitely a child. Well that's a score for me. I'm going to be an older..." Before I could complete that, someone pulled me away from my friends and straight to the side.

"Hey!" I snapped, turning to face this person with a slap when suddenly... "You?"

"Hey sugar," Xavier, my ex-boyfriend, smiled at me.

His action provoked my friends, who came near to lash at him.

"What's your problem?!" Sonia had barked, ready to pull me to the side.

That's when Xavier requested to speak to me alone. "I won't take long. I promise," He swore, finger crossing his chest.

Just like my friends, I didn't want to be around my ex nor talk to him even for a minute.

What he did to me still hurts.

After giving this asshole my heart and body to fuck, he had the audacity to fuck the school cheerleader, Vivian, at his party!

Honestly, if I hadn't plan to surprise him that very night, I wouldn't have known that he was a jerk.

When I caught him ik the act, I didn't hesitate to break up with him.

Since then, he's been following me around, begging to talk to him. But I refused, until now.

"Fine, be quick," I accepted, signaling my friends to give us some privacy.

They did, leaving behind a nonverbal warning to Xavier.

"Your friends are pretty violent this days. Back then, they loved me."

"Cut to the chase, Xavier. What is it that you want?" I questioned, crossing my arms.

Xavier suddenly gave me the puppy eyes and begged me to come back to him.

"What happened that night wasn't my fault. I was intoxicated and lured into the room by Vivian. You have to believe me."

"Intoxicated? Do you really think I'm a kid, Xavier? I saw how you banged that bitch, calling out her name!"

"No, I was calling out your name. I was seeing you in her place. I swear," He begged, taking hold of my hand.

"Give me another chance, Tara. I promise you, I'll never allow such chaos to repeat itself again. I miss you," He spoke lovingly, staring into my eyes.

But I couldn't look him back the same way after what I witnessed.

In fact, I didn't trust any word that came out from his mouth. But I was going to put him to the test. He won't see it coming.

"Fine, but we aren't fully back yet. You have to prove to me that you and Vivian have nothing going on."

"You have my word," He promised with a smile, pulling in for a kiss.

But a drew away, walking back to meet my friends.

They wanted to know what we discussed.

.

Evening at home, I was helping my dad set up the dining table for our special dinner with our future family.

He noticed how different I was from this morning and didn't miss to give me kisses and hugs for coming around.

"Dad, stop. This is the eighth time you're hugging me," I murmured in his hold, waiting for him to let go.

"I'm sorry, Tara. It's just that I'm happy to see you all excited about tonight," He said letting me off at last.

"Well, I have no choice. I'm meeting my new family," I said, reaching for an apple, and munching down on it.

"I won't just be getting a mom but a kid bro to boss around as I please."

"Kid bro?" Dada uttered, arching his brow at my words.

"Yeah, my step brother. My kid bro. Surprised?" I chuckled, assuming he was amazed at how fast I had declared his lover's son as my minion.

Before he could say a word, the door bell rang.

It's them.

Dad and I rushed over to the living room to welcome my future step family.

The moment he opened the door, I was left blown away.

Beside Dad's lover stood a tall handsome good looking well built hunk.

"Oh my," I moaned under my breath, flushed by this stranger's charm.

Dad was busy kissing his girlfriend while I had an itch to say hello to her friend. But I couldn't even lift a finger when this hunk looked into my direction with his cold calm gaze.

Fuck! I'm stiff.

"This is Tara," Dad introduced, gesturing me over.

I came near as he wanted, trying hard not to keep all attention on hunky bunny next to his girlfriend.

"How are you?" She greeted with a smile, hugging me tight.

Her embrace felt like Dad's hold. It was really comfy and nice.

"I'm fine. Welcome," I greeted, finally lingering my eyes to the young man next to her, waving at him.

"Hi," I voiced, hoping I didn't sound weird.

Despite his coldness, he responded, "Hi."

And it blew me away!

"His voice is even deep. AHHH!" I screamed in my head, unable to take my eyes off him.

That's until Dad said, dragging me forcefully out of my Dreamland.

"Tara, this is Dennis," He introduced.

Just as I was about to extend my hand to hunky Dennis, "He's going to be your big brother," Dad blew the bomb, shocking me instantly!

"Big brother?" I uttered in disbelief, staring at Dennis then at Dad and his lover.

They're dead serious!

This handsome pillar is my step brother?!