Chapter 6~ Jason.

“Also it seems like you’re going through a lot.”

I let out a silent scoff. “Why would you say that? Did dad suddenly tell you that living with Maddox is one thing I hate?”

Mr. Smith didn’t reply as he kept his gaze focused on me.

He’s my dad’s friend—a loyal, lifelong friend who somehow ended up as my university department advisor and ever since I got in here, dad had made sure he kept his eyes on me. Still, we had never had this discussion, speaking about Maddox as though he’s an enemy I shouldn’t be breathing the same air with.

“I’m gonna have to ask him to come visit if you aren’t telling the truth. He needs to know how you’ve been doing… It has been weeks since you started living with Maddox.” Mr. Smith stated.

“Well if he wanted an update, he could get through to me.”

“You won’t open up though…” He chimed in.

I looked away from him as I grabbed my backpack from the chair beside me.

Was it middle school? Mr. Smith had been the only person I could safely tell how Maddox and his friends had treated me and that was how Dad finally realized his stepson and I were a terrible match.

But not anymore.

I can handle my own problems myself.

“Tell him he has nothing to worry about, on the contrary I’ll call him when I’m chanced, and let him know too.” I rose to my feet. “I’d be late for class.” I didn’t allow him any more words as I walked out of the office.

“Well, that was pretty quick,” Tina said glancing at her wristwatch as we strode down the hallway to the next class we’d be having in the next ten minutes.

“Dad wants to visit.” I huffed.

“That’s beautiful.” She said and I gave her a ‘you don’t mean that look.’

“Maddox doesn’t like him, and seeing Dad around would only make Maddox become more of an asshole!” I said rolling my eyes.

To even think that he brought up that deal—no I promised not to think about that.

There was no way I would be thinking about what Maddox had asked that we do.

I should become his errand boy or what was that? Obey him?

Well, to put it in other words, he just wants me to become one of his victims of bullying…

Heck, I hate him!

I wish people could see through his smiles.

“The midterms are approaching so you better not let him get too into your head and fuck your grades.” She said as we entered the lecture room.

I dropped my bag on the desk, sank into my seat, and stared blankly at my notebook as the professor started talking.

•

The lecture ended, and if you were to ask, what did I learn? Heck, I could barely hear the lecture more like I didn’t pay attention.

Tina was right after all. I might really end up bombing the midterms.

The locker room was the last place I wanted to be, because being here meant running into Maddox. I was so used to avoiding him that just the thought of facing him felt like an open threat.

“Hey, Jace. Don’t run late again…” Oliver, a teammate said as he walked out of the room with the rest.

Lazily, I grabbed my stick and finished strapping on my hockey pads.

Tina asked that I act naturally only if she knew about the deal I had.

I exhaled. “You can do this, Jason.”

I heard the locker room shut and strode over to the door. “Did you forget something?” I started to ask, stepping toward the door. The words died in my throat as I stopped dead in my tracks, my eyes colliding with his intense, unblinking stare.

I swallowed.

“What… what are you doing here?” I asked even though my voice was starting to betray me.

“What? Am I not allowed in here as your trainer?” Maddox asked, he really didn’t need to try hard to sound like he was made to be rude as hell.

“I… I will join others in the—“ I nodded, trying to force myself to make a move, but my legs completely betrayed me. I couldn't move an inch. The sheer weight of his gaze pinned me right to the floor.

Fuck me. I’d spent all these years avoiding him just to keep from falling under his spell. I hated him, but I wasn't blind—my stepbrother was incredibly hot. Dark hair, gray eyes to kill for, and a lethal physique.

Still, the person standing right before me was nothing but a devil sent just to torment me.

I was yet to make a move when Maddox began walking over to me, and with every step he took, my heart hammered violently against my ribs.

I should ask what he was doing.

I wanted to leave but the more steps he made closer to me the more I moved backward until my back slammed against the cold metal lockers.

Now what?

Maddox smirked—one of those arrogant, devastating smiles that made you question your entire existence.

Why is he doing this to me!

“You wanna know why?” He whispered as though he read my thoughts.

He was close this time, his breath just above my neck this time.

I should have pushed him away. But if I did, he’d only threaten me with our past again, and I was completely out of escape routes.

He narrowed his brows as if expecting me to talk and I nodded mumbling. “Why?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You agreed to do all that I asked.”

“Not this though.” I defended, quietly.

He scoffed. “Then what?” Slowly, he trailed his hand down the planes of my chest, and I couldn't ignore the wild rush of adrenaline flooding my veins.

“It was only… only to… to do as you say. Carry your stuff and—“ I wasn't even able to complete my sentence before he laughed, his face twisted in pure mockery.

“Really, Jace? Are you seriously going to pretend to be this innocent?”

I bit the inside of my cheek. It wasn't what I was thinking… Right?

But now that the pieces were clicking together, the horrifying reality was beginning to set in.

“You agreed to the deal, so don’t act like I’m forcing you," Maddox murmured, leaning in until I could feel the hard line of his body pressing flush against mine.

He leaned down, pressing a hot, heavy kiss against my neck. "You already know exactly what we are now.”

“But you’re my stepbrother,” I breathed, desperately trying to suppress the ragged gasp threatening to rip out of my throat.

Maddox trailed his tongue up my jawline before capturing my lips, his hands gripping my waist tightly, pinning me as if he wanted to consume me right then and there.

“Not just that, Jace…” He whispered against my mouth, his breath ragged. “We are so much more. And I hope we make the absolute most of it until this semester ends.”