Chapter 2

*Beep* *Beep*

The sound of my alarm clock had awakened me from my slumber. “Argh!” I groaned, still very sleepy. My alarm continued to go off slowly bringing me back to my consciousness. I sat up rubbing my eyes as a yawn escaped my mouth. 

“Good morning, world, ” I mumbled after giving my body a good stretch. I hopped off my bed sliding on my angry bird puff slippers before walking into my bathroom.

I stood in front of the mirror staring back at myself as I passed my hand over my bare face. “I really need to get rid of these eye bags, ” I mumbled running my fingertips across the dark, saggy bags underneath my eyes before continuing with my morning routine. 

After my morning routine, I exited the bathroom to change into my tracksuit since every morning I usually go for a run. Tightening my ponytail as I checked myself out in the long mirror before grabbing my phone and ear pods.

Jogging towards the kitchen to fetch a bottle of water, I met my mom and Roger having breakfast acting all lovey-dovey. 

“Hey, honey!” Her mother greeted her with a warm smile. “Good morning, mom, good morning Roger, ” I greeted back while searching for a bottle of water. 

“You know, you can call me dad, right, ” Roger said with a reassuring smile. 

“I know, but it's just so foreign to me ever since, you know, ” she said, glancing at her mother who sent her an 'I'm sorry' look. 

“It's alright, Ashely, call me whatever you want as long as it makes you comfortable, ” he said as she gave him a small smile. 

“Thanks, Roger, now I gotta go, enjoy your breakfast, ” she said, getting ready to leave. 

“Okay honey, have fun on your run and be safe, ” her mom yelled as Ashely jogged towards the front door. 

“OKAY MOM! I WILL!” she yelled back before opening the front door. 

As Ashely was about to rush out she abruptly stopped when she saw a young man who was about to ring the doorbell. The sight before her instantly made her weak in the knees leaving her speechless.

The guy stood before her in a white t-shirt with a black leather jacket over it, black pants that fit perfectly over his thick, muscular thighs, and black shoes. He had black hair nicely parted with fades to the sides and back of his head. He wore tinted sunglasses blocking his eyes and the right side of his nose laid a sexy nose piercing. His lips were thin but still plumped and he had the sharpest jawline she has ever seen, his neck was covered with different designs of tattoo and so was his hands.

In his hand was a green army duffle bag that caught Ashley's attention. “Is he from the army? Who is this guy?” 

Clearing his throat snapped her out of her thoughts. “Uh, does Roger James live here?” He asked as his deep, husky voice sent chills down her spine. Without taking her eyes off him, she yelled. 

“ROGER, THERE'S SOMEONE AT THE DOOR FOR YOU, ” both Ashley and the guy stood there waiting for Roger's arrival. 

Soon his footsteps were heard. “Ashely, I thought you left- 

Roger's words trailed off as he saw the guy in front of the door. Ashely stood in between them in confusion. 

“Jake!” Roger said in a breathy tone.

“Hey Dad, ” the guy says leaving me speechless. I turned to stare at Roger but he just looked at the guy named Jake.

“Wait a minute, did he just call you Dad, Roger?” I was still shocked, but I got no answer. 

“Hello, is anyone home?” I asked trying to get their attention before my mom walked in. “Hey, is everything alright?” She asked snapping the two guys out of their staring contest. 

“Katie, Ashely, this is Jake, my son, ” he introduced earning a soft gasp from me and my mother. Jake stood there with a smirk while checking out both me and my mom. I scrunch my face in disgust before my mom greeted him. 

“Hey, Jake, I'm Katie, your father didn't mention he had a son, it's nice to meet you, ” she said while glaring at Roger before Jake chuckled bitterly. 

"How could he when he's busy cheating," he mumbled but loud enough for my bat ears. 

My mom invited him in as we all headed towards the living room. I wasn't even in the mood to run anymore. 

 I was beyond pissed, first, it was the stepfather bullshit now he has a son, oh no, that's crossing the line. 

We all sat there in silence, rather awkward silence before Roger cleared his throat. "Uh, girls, could you give us some time alone?" He asked and before I could open my mouth to protest my mom dragged me to the kitchen leaving them alone.

"Mom, could you believe this," I said as my mom sat holding her head in her hands. "How could Roger not tell me he had a son," she said followed by a sigh. 

"That's because he's a secretive bastard," I thought, which was interrupted by shouting. 

Both my mom and I rushed to the living room to find both Roger and Jake on their feet staring intensely at each other.

"Is everything okay, Roger?" My mom asked, feeling the tension between them. "Everything is fine, Katie, but Jake will be staying here for a while," he said causing my jaw to drop. 

"WHAT!" I yelled, earning Jake's attention as he smirks. In my mind, I just wanted to wipe that smirk off his stupid, good looking face.

"Is he really staying here?" I asked, desperately wanted an answer. "I'm sorry, Ashely, but Jake has no choice but to stay here," he said, sending my blood pressure up. "Unbelievable!"I mumbled while exiting the living room.  

"Ashley, where are you going?" My mom asked coming after me. "I'm going on my run, I honestly don't want to be here right now," I said as my mom sighed. "You know I wouldn't be acting this way if he had told us, he had a son in the first place," I argued, "I know honey but," she said but I quickly cut her off. "I'm sorry mom, but I don't want to be here right now," I said before leaving. 

Walking around the neighborhood just listening to music, minding my own business when suddenly someone shouting my name. Since the music was blasting in my ears I couldn't quite hear the person so I continued walking.

Out of nowhere I was tackled to the floor. "Ow, what the," I winced before a familiar voice caught my attention. "Ashley are you deaf or something, I've been shouting your name for God knows how long," she scolded while I just stared at her with widening eyes. 

"ANNA!" I screamed, pulling her into my embrace as she giggled. "Hey, bestie," she said as we both got up from the floor. "Girl, I miss you like hell, how's college without me?" She asked as I sighed linking our arms. 

"Girl, I have some much to tell you, I don't know where to start," I said as she chuckled, "Well, let's get some coffee because I want to hear some tea," she said as we walked to the nearest cafe. 

(AT THE CAFE)

"So how's it been girl, we haven't talked since you left for college after your mom's wedding," she said as we both sat down drinking our coffee. "Yeah, sorry about that bestie, school has been so hectic and annoying," I said remembering how annoying Daniel was. "Why? What's wrong?" She asked in a concerned tone. "Nothing really, it's just this guy keeps bothering me," I explained as she smirks. "Ooooo!" She teased. "More like Ewww," I said back as we laughed.

"Come on, he can't be that bad," she said, causing my eyebrows to raise. "Seriously, he's the worst, he almost slept with all the girls in our college," I explained as she scrunched her face in disgust. "You're right that's so Ewww," she said as both laughed again. "So how's your mom and your new stepdad?" She asked as I sighed, placing my coffee down. 

"I thought everything would have been okay, but this morning made me hate their marriage," I said causing her to frown. "What happened this morning?" She asked. "Turns out that he has a son named Jake and he will be staying with us," I explained as she gasped. "No way, is he hot?" She asked as I rolled my eyes. "That's not the point Anna," I annoyingly said. "I know but is he?" She asked again. "Yes, he's smoking hot, but I can't believe Roger hasn't told us about him having a son," I said shaking my head. "Well maybe Roger and his son had a bad history, you could never know," she said. "Maybe because he's a secretive bastard," I mumbled. "Come on Ash, give this a chance, maybe you and Jake might get along," she said as I sighed. "Maybe you're right," I said as she smiled flipping her hair. "Of course I'm right, I'm always right," she said as we both laughed.  

Anna and I spent the entire day just talking and catching up until we went our separate ways. 

                                                              (AT HOME)

I had just arrived home to meet an empty house. I sighed, "At least I had quiet and peace," I mumbled. "Roger and Katie left, they'll be back tonight," A scream immediately escaped my lips as I suddenly heard his voice. I turned around and there he was leaning up against the door frame. " So, you're my step sister huh?" He asked, causing me to roll my eyes. "No shit, Sherlock," I said as he chuckled. "Oh, she has a potty mouth," he said while walking towards me. 

"Look, I know you hate me staying here and I hate it as much as you do so let's make a deal, you stay out of my way and I stay out of yours," he said as I nod. "Deal!" I said before he walked away.

"Maybe this wouldn't be so bad," 

TO BE CONTINUED -》 -》 -》