chapter 2

Jessica’s POV

The next morning, I woke up with a jackhammer pounding in my skull and my tongue dry as sandpaper.

The world spinned as I tried to sit up, ignoring my aching head. The sunlight filtering in through the blinds was too bright and far too cheerful for someone whose heart had been stomped on a few hours ago.

My room looked like it had survived a hurricane.  It was exactly how I left it after last night’s emotional meltdown.

Crumpled tissues littered the floor, empty beer cans rolled near my bed, and my phone lay face down on the floor like it couldn’t stand to look at me either.

Everything that happened at the bar replayed like a cruel joke.

Nate Lincoln, the golden boy, the star hockey player, the reason I had shown up in the first place looked me dead in the eye and told me, “You’re not really my type.”

It was as if I had been auditioning for his affection, when all I did was exist… and maybe stare a little too long.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push the memory away but it clung to me like smoke. Humiliating, heart wrenching and stupid.

Last night was the first time I had done something so dumb like that and I swear I'm not going to repeat that ever again.

My head throbbed harder as I climbed out of bed and as if that was not enough torture ready, I stepped on one of the crushed cans.

Wincing as I leapt on a foot, I shuffled around gathering the mess. If I left my room like this, my mom would lecture me into another headache.

I was just about to collapse back into bed when a knock came at the door.

“Jessica?” my mom’s voice was muffled but firm.

“Yeah?”

“Come down and help me make breakfast.”

“I’m not really up for it,” I groaned, rubbing my forehead.

“I wasn’t asking.” She smacked her lips, pushing the door open but by the time I shifted my gaze towards it, she was already gone.

Dragging myself to the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth with slow, sluggish movements, and then pulled my hair into a messy bun.

Now back in my room, I threw on a hoodie over my singlet and then stepped into a pair of leggings before trudging downstairs like a zombie.

The smell of eggs and toast hit me as I stepped into the kitchen. My mom was already at the cooker, humming to herself like she didn’t just ruin my morning.

“Grab the tomatoes and start slicing,” she said without looking up.

“Good morning to you too.” I huffed, rolling my eyes at her before I went to do as she asked.

“You look like you slept in a dumpster.”

Locking eyes with her, I scoffed, “Thanks, Mom.”

“Maybe next time, don’t drink yourself to oblivion because of a boy.”

“You don’t know what happened.” I scowled, glaring at her as memories came rushing in.

“I saw the beers in the recycling bin and your puffy eyes and you say I don't know what happened.” Smacking her lips, she added, "I raised a girl, and several years ago, I was a girl so I know a lot of things."

“Right,” I muttered, reaching for the tomatoes. There was no point trying to lie now, she knows what happened but I wasn't going to delve further.

“I couldn't get hold of Hazel too, it seems she got knocked out like you did." I didn't respond as I wasn't in the right frame of mind to strike a conversation.

“By the way, your stepbrother’s coming home today.” She said a few minutes later.

My hand froze mid-slice, “What?” I gasped.

She looked over her shoulder like she hadn’t just casually ruined what was left of my sanity.

“Your stepfather’s son, he’s joining us for breakfast this morning.”

“Since when do I have a stepbrother?” I chuckled, waving her off. She must be trying to lighten my mood but unfortunately, it wasn't going to work this time.

“You’ve always had one, you just haven’t met him.” She sounded serious and I couldn't ignore her anymore.

“And he’s suddenly showing up now?”

She returned her attention to the pan and flipped the eggs, “I have no idea honey. All I knew about Seth when  we got married was he has an estranged son but I guess things have cooled off between them now."

Blinking rapidly, trying hard to wrap my head around her words, I mumbled, “You’re telling me this now?”

“I didn’t think you’d take it well.”

“You think?”

“Look, Jess, I know it’s a lot. But this is still his home too. You’ll get along just fine once you meet him.” She sang like a canary like it was as easy as she painted it.

Tossing my knife on the table, I leaned against the counter. “I don’t know this guy. Why should I care?” My voice was rising an octave higher with each second.

“You don’t have to care but you do have to be civil, he’s family.”

“Not to me, moreover, I have to check up on Hazel. You just said she was knocked out.” I ratted out as I increased my pace. I had to get out of her before my so-called stepbrother moved in.

“You’re staying home to meet him.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

“I have plans.”

“With who? Of course it is Hazel, you always use her as an excuse when you want to escape life?”

I pushed the pan off the counter, fuming with anger, “I’m not staying home for some stranger, Mom.”

“He’s not a stranger, he’s your brother…”

“Stepbrother,” I cut in sharply.

“Still, he’s part of this family and you have to meet with him.” She said with an air of finality while I crossed my hands on my chest.

“Since when have you ever cared about who’s part of this family? You married some guy five years ago, barely talked about his son, and now suddenly I’m supposed to welcome him with open arms?”

Her jaw tightened, “I have told you several times that Seth is your step father and not some guy."

With a pleading voice now, she added, “I’m asking for one thing, Jessica. Just one thing, Jess.”

Holding my shoulders, she peered into my eyes, "You have to be here when he arrives, you don’t have to talk, you don’t have to smile, just be here.”

With my gaze still on her, I was caught somewhere between defiance and exhaustion. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want him, whoever he was. I already had enough of my own.

“I’m not playing house,” I muttered.

“I’m not asking you to.”

Before I could argue further, the doorbell rang and immediately, we both turned our heads towards the door.