To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

Ignoring Mason didn’t go as I’d planned it, I didn’t think ignoring him would be so difficult but it was, because the moment I saw him, I felt myself calm at just the sight of him and I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of the day with him.

I shouldn’t even be mad at him, he was only trying to keep me safe and away from predators, he’s older so he knew better.

The crippling feeling of guilt soon starts to eat me up and I couldn’t help but just try to apologize and hope he accepts my apology.

“I’m sorry for acting like a jerk the other day,” I apologized and Mason’s head sprung up as he lifted his gaze from his phone to meet mine.

“It’s fine…”

“No, No, it’s not fine because you were only trying to look out for me and I spoke to you rudely which I should’ve done so, no, it’s really not fine and stop acting like it is!” I immediately cut in before he could say another word.

Anytime I try to apologize for something stupid that I’ve done he always makes it seem like I shouldn’t be blamed for being so rude to him.

“It’s fine, really,” he said amidst laughter as he shrugged, “I shouldn’t have been that over protective, you’re no longer a child and I don’t have to always look out for you.” He added and my heart sank.

He doesn’t think he should look out for me?

“So, from now on, you’re free to do whatever it is you want to do and you won’t have me there to disturb or tell you how to act.” He finished with a smile.

Although he’d tried to hide it, I just knew that he was hurt by the way I’d spoken to him the other day.

“That’s not how a big brother acts…” I mumbled loud enough for him to hear, wincing at how weird the sentence sounded in my head and he laughed.

“I’m not going to interrupt whatever fun thing you’ve got going on but that doesn’t mean I still won’t protect you. You’re free to hang out with guys and all that but not like those irresponsible dudes at the club.” He pointed out and I found myself nodding at once.

I said my thanks to him and we both proceeded to have breakfast. We made it together and neither of us passed any horrible comments at each other.

Shocking.

As we ate, we both decided to play 20 questions and I couldn’t help but gasp at every nasty thing Mason had done.

“Don’t be so shocked, I have sky diving and skinny dipping in daytime at the beach on my list before I hit 25.” He added with a laugh and my jaw dropped in shock.

We both enjoyed each other’s company and it wasn’t long before we finished breakfast and did the dishes together too.

After a long day of having to laugh at each other, the day went by fast and we both retired to our different rooms for bed.

I was already falling asleep when I heard a loud thunderstorm that jolted me out of my sleep at once. It was raining already.

Why does it always pick the worst time to rain?

Picking up my blanket, I got out of the room to lay on the couch in the sitting room but I still couldn’t sleep because of the loud and heavy storm, and because I was the only one downstairs right now.

My eyes darted across the sitting room to the stairs, I was waiting for Mason to also come downstairs like he usually does since he must’ve heard the thunderclaps.

I was already used to having him in the sitting room because that was the only way I could fall asleep but after waiting and waiting, I laid on the couch in disappointment.

Closing my eyes, I tried to summon sleep when I heard another loud thunderstorm that made me jump off the couch.

“No, I’m not staying here.” I mumbled to myself as I climbed up the stairs, heading towards Mason’s room, and then I stopped when I got to his door.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I’d tried to knock but thought it was a bad idea and held myself for a while, I paced around the hallway trying to come up with a reasonable excuse as to why I should be let into his bedroom by this time.

A loud thunderstorm echoed once again and it seemed as though it had a force that pushed me because I knocked instantly and it wasn’t long before Mason swung his door open, hair hanging in different directions and hand rubbing his eyes, making him appear so soft and adorable.

“Ava?” He questioned sleepily. This was why he hadn’t come downstairs tonight, because he was fast asleep and didn’t hear the thunderclaps.

I cleared my throat and apologised for ruining his sleep and before I could say anything, he welcomed me in since he already knew why I was in his room.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” He asked, voice gravelly as he spoke and a small shiver slid down my spine as I hastily shook my head in response, declining his offer.

“Would you like to come in?” He asked and I nodded once, biting on my bottom lip as my cheeks burned in embarrassment. He pulled back and let me in, and the sound of the door getting shut made me jolt a little.

The room smelled so much of Mason, making me suppress another shiver. When I glanced back at Mason, he was staring at me and I hastily averted my gaze.

“Are you sure you don’t want the tea? It’s no trouble.” He offered once again and I nodded my head firmly.

He’s already nice enough to let me spend the night in his room, allowing him to make me a cup of tea would be me pushing it too far.

Next, we both slid into his bed from the two sides, laying extremely still and leaving more than enough space between us. The gap between us didn’t prevent me from feeling his body heat, and his sheets were warm and smelling so much of him that it was almost maddening.

I was still lying stiffly, and an embarrassing squeak left my mouth when another thunderclap rumbled.

Moments later, I felt Mason’s palm settling over mine and intertwined our fingers together. My breathing ceased at first before I slowly allowed myself to relax.

He was lightly stroking my palm with his fingers, moving them softly and it wasn’t long before my eyes grew tired.

I didn’t realise when I fell asleep.

~~~

I slowly blinked my eyes open and unconsciously tried to feel the bed for Mason, but he wasn’t in it. I sprung up at once after that to see that I was still in his room, in his bed… but where is he?

Waking down the stairs, I saw Mason in the living room and on his phone. He was shirtless and his pants hung low on his hips, making my mouth go dry at first. When he noticed my presence, he smiled at me, and I could only blush In mortification.

“Good Morning,” I greeted, tucking a chunk of my hair behind my ear, “and I’m also sorry for waking you like that in the middle of the night and disrupting your sleep.” I apologised again and watched as he pushed off the back of the couch he had been leaning against to close the distance between us and bop my nose lightly, a trading glint visible in his eyes.

“It’s okay, It was no problem at all.”