CHAPTER 3: GIRLS' NIGHT

I shouldn’t have invited them over.

But after everything with Josh and the way Richard had looked at me that morning, I needed something normal. Something that didn’t involve locked doors and bruises hidden under long sleeves. So I texted Chloe and Maya and told them to come over after dinner. Sarah was out with her book club again. Richard was working late. Josh was supposed to be at the gym.

I thought we had the house to ourselves.

We were spread out in the living room—me on the couch, Chloe cross-legged on the floor with a bowl of chips, Maya scrolling through her phone on the armchair. Music played low from the speaker. The lights were dim. It almost felt like old times.

Chloe stretched her arms over her head and groaned. “I swear, if one more guy sends me a dick pic with no warning, I’m deleting every dating app. Like, at least say hi first.”

Maya laughed. “You’re one to talk. You sent that thirst trap last week and then got mad when people responded.”

“That was art,” Chloe shot back. “There’s a difference.”

I smiled, but it felt tight on my face. My mind kept drifting upstairs to my bedroom, to the way Josh had pinned me down two nights ago and made me promise I wouldn’t touch myself without him. The memory made my stomach twist.

Then the front door opened.

We all turned.

Josh walked in like he owned the place—black gym shorts hanging low on his hips, no shirt, skin still slightly damp with sweat. His hair was messy. His chest and abs looked carved under the soft living-room light. He had a water bottle in one hand and his earbuds hanging around his neck.

He stopped when he saw us.

For a second, no one spoke.

Chloe’s eyes went wide. Maya actually sat up straighter.

Josh’s gaze flicked over the three of us, then landed on me. Something dark and amused flickered there before he looked away.

“Didn’t know you had company,” he said, voice casual. He twisted the cap off his water bottle and took a long drink, throat working.

Chloe recovered first. “Holy shit, Josh. Warn a girl next time.”

He smirked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Didn’t realize I needed to announce myself in my own house.”

Maya tilted her head, not even trying to hide the way she was looking at him. “You go to the gym looking like that and then just… walk around shirtless? That’s illegal.”

Josh’s eyes slid to me again. “You complaining?”

I forced a laugh that sounded thin. “They’re just being dramatic. Ignore them.”

Chloe leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “Dramatic? Girl, look at him. If I lived here I’d never get anything done. I’d just stare.”

Maya nodded hard. “For real. Eliana, how do you even function? I’d be useless.”

Josh chuckled under his breath and started toward the stairs. “I’m gonna shower. Try not to break anything.”

He disappeared up the steps, still shirtless, the muscles in his back shifting with every movement.

The second he was out of sight, Chloe turned on me with wide eyes.

“Okay. What the actual fuck.”

I blinked. “What?”

“Don’t ‘what’ me.” She pointed upstairs. “Your stepbrother is walking around looking like that and you never thought to mention it? Like ever?”

Maya set her phone down completely. “I’ve seen him before, but not like… that. He’s gotten hotter. How is that fair?”

I shrugged, trying to keep my voice light. “He’s just Josh. I’ve lived with him for years. You stop noticing after a while.”

Chloe snorted. “Bullshit. You don’t just ‘stop noticing’ a body like that. I’d notice every single day.”

Maya leaned in, lowering her voice like Josh might still hear us. “I’m not even gonna lie. I would let him ruin me. Like, completely. No questions asked. He could be mean about it too. I wouldn’t care.”

My stomach dropped.

Chloe laughed and shoved Maya’s shoulder. “Oh my god. You’re so down bad.”

“I’m serious,” Maya said, grinning. “There’s something about him. He looks like he’d hold you down and not even ask if you’re okay. And I’d be like, please don’t stop.”

Chloe cackled. “Listen to you. ‘Ruin me, stepbrother.’”

They both burst out laughing.

I forced a smile, but it felt wrong on my face. My pulse was too loud in my ears. The words *ruin me* sat heavy in my chest. I had heard almost the exact same thing from Josh’s mouth while he was inside me.

Maya wiped under her eyes, still laughing. “I’m just saying. If he ever looked at me the way he looks at food, I’d be done for. Completely done.”

Chloe pointed at me. “And you’re over here acting all unbothered. Liar. I saw your face when he walked in.”

“I was surprised,” I said quickly. “That’s all.”

“Uh-huh.” Chloe smirked. “Keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile Maya’s over here planning her future children with your stepbrother.”

Maya threw a chip at her. “Shut up. I’m allowed to admire. It’s not like anything would ever happen. He’s Eliana’s brother.”

“Stepbrother,” Chloe corrected, still grinning. “Important distinction.”

They both laughed again, loud and easy, the way friends do when the joke is harmless.

I laughed with them.

But the sound felt hollow in my throat.

Upstairs, the shower turned on.

And all I could think about was the way Josh had looked at me before he walked away—like he already knew exactly what my friends were saying, and like he didn’t mind one bit.