Chapter 2 – Rumors Ride Fast

Asher’s POV

I didn't want a stepsister, especially one like Lila Monroe.

She was all sunlight and weird energy. She hummed when she drew, talked to herself when she thought no one was looking and dressed like she was in season one of Shameless.

I hated her. Because of her mother, my father remarried just after a year of my mom's death. How could he? How could he move on so easily? I stopped counting how many times I wanted to smash something since then.

I was never going to like her, and her mother, and I wanted her to know that. I was toasting my bread that morning when he said, “You'll drive your new sister to school, Asher.”

I stared at him across the kitchen island. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” he said without looking up from his phone. “Lila isn’t taking public transportation. She’ll ride with you.”

“She’s not a kid.”

“She’s family,” he said.

Lila walked in right then, her dirty blonde hair tied up in some messy bun, wearing a yellow sweater that looked like it belonged in a children’s show. She blinked at us, holding a cup of coffee with both hands.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“You will have to ride with my son to school, Lila. Your mom and I will be taking the driver for a thing later.” My father answered her. His whole face seemed to light up at the mention of my new step mom. 

“No, I don't want to ride with him.” She replied, barely looking at me.

That was odd. Most girls after last night would try to win my attention, and she doesn't want to ride with me? 

“You know what, I'll drive her to school dad.”

She frowned. “Can’t I walk or take the bus?”

“No.” Dad cut in. “Asher knows the route. You’ll go with him.”

She stared daggers at me, then at the Ducati parked outside the house. “You mean on that dangerous motorcycle?”

But I climbed on anyway. 

****

At Harrington Academy, everyone was staring at us. Well, me. We’d barely made it through the gates when Vivian stepped in front of us. Vivian was the school’s queen bee, and I knew she had a massive crush on me. She’d been my mistake last year when I slept with her and it was one I didn’t plan to repeat.

“Who’s this? Don’t tell me I’ve been replaced by a new girl,” She ran her hand up my arm. 

“Vivian stop it.” I took a step away from her. She frowned and threw her hair over her shoulder, then she turned to Lila.

“Why do you look like that? Like you’re poor?” 

Lila blinked. “Excuse me?”

Vivian tilted her head. “You must be a charity case. Asher always had a soft spot for lost things.”

“Back off, Viv,” I said, she just didn’t know when to stop. She took a threatening step toward lila. 

“Watch your back here, new girl.” Vivian warned, stabbing Lila’s shoulder with her nails. 

I had to do something before she wallowed Lila whole. “Hey stop that Vivan. I mean it!” I pulled her away from Lila and she scoffed, hitting my arm.

“No one’s taking you away from me, Asher.” Vivian spat out. 

“Don’t be crazy, Vivian. She’s my stepsster.” She sneered at Lila and then walked away.

Lila looked at me like she didn’t know whether to thank me or hit me. When Lila turned back to me, her face was red. “I didn’t ask for your help.”

“Yeah, I noticed,” I said. “You looked like you were doing great out there.” I scoffed. “You’re welcome.”

That should’ve been the end of it, but she stormed off and I followed her. She was probably still mad at me for ripping her sketch book. She pushed open the door of an empty classroom and threw her bag on a desk.

“Why are you following me?” she snapped.

“Brcause there’s something about you that makes me curious. Also, people like Vivian will chew you up.”

“I can take care of myself.” She shot back, angrily pulling her hair off her face, she looked so innocent in her miniskirt and tank top.

“Right. Because that went so well five minutes ago.”

“Why are you so annoying? You didn't even apologize for my sketch book.”

 I moved closer, she had a smart mouth. “You’re already messing up my life just by being here.”

She stared at me like I’d slapped her. “I didn’t ask to move in. I didn’t ask your dad to marry my mom.”

I ran a hand through my hair. Something in me snapped and I didn’t even know who moved first. One second we were arguing, the next my hand was on the wall beside her head.

She stared at me, “What are you doing?” 

I didn't know. I told myself I wanted to shut her up, but then I leaned in before I could stop myself. Her lips parted as I kissed her. Her lips were soft and the soft sound in her throat made me want more. I pulled back fast like I’d burned myself.  

Her hand lifted to her lips, but her eyes were fixed on me. “You kissed me…” Surprisingly she didn't look annoyed.

“I knew it, Asher.” A new voice called out from the doorway. It was Vivian, she was holding her phone like she had been recording us and she was not happy. She’d caught me kissing Lila.

Fuck.