To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

We got home late, laughing about how Mason lost a game of scrabble during his second year in college, “You really are dumb.” I commented amidst laughter and he shot me glare.

“You can’t blame me, I tried my best but that game is complicated.” He shot back at me in his defense.

Our parents were in the sitting room when we got home and they called us over for an important announcement.

I passed my mum and Danny the cola I forced Mason to get for them and they both gave me a smile that made me turn to look at Mason with a look that says ‘I’m the important child’ and he rolled his eyes.

The excitement on my mum’s face made my stomach churn. I always love seeing her happy but this was just over the edge and I really am happy for her but some news I’m not expecting her to share.

“Oh God, please do not give us pregnancy news,” I started, “you’re not pregnant right?” I added and Danny chuckled.

“So what if she’s pregnant?” He asked and I groaned.

“Are you kidding me? Mason is already a lot to handle adding another child would make me wish for death so please.” I explained and Mason shot me a death glare while I only pouted.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“No, Ava. I’m not pregnant,” my mother clarified and I let out a sigh of relief, “and I don’t plan on getting pregnant anytime soon because I want to enjoy my husband.” She added.

The wink Danny and my mum shared made Mason and I let out a choking and gagging sound as we both asked them to carry on with their news instead of flirting with each other in front of us.

“The surprise is for you, Ava.” My mum finally said and I was excited for a while before whatever the surprise might be clicked.

“If this is about the time I asked to live in the dorm then you shouldn’t bother because I don’t want to go there anymore.” I let out with a pout and Mason agreed while my mum rolled her eyes as she massaged her head.

“No, it is not about the dorm and maybe you’ll get to know what it is if you stop cutting me off and let me finish.” She answered in a yell that made me jump.

“I’m sorry,” I mouthed and she rolled her eyes again as she rested her back on the couch, giving up on telling me about the surprise, “what’s the surprise?” I asked, hoping that would make her talk but it didn’t.

“Well, your mum told me about how badly you’ve always wanted a car for yourself.” Danny started and my heart began to race.

I could hear my heart pounding in my chest as I braced myself up to get through the rest of the news coming.

“So, I got you a car.” He finished and I shrieked as I threw myself at him. I’ve always wanted a car and this was like a dream come true for me.

Turning to look at Mason, I thought he was going to be happy for me but instead he only looked at me angrily but I shrugged him off.

“Mason, would you please take me for a midnight drive?” I asked but he refused before stomping out of the sitting room to his room.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take you.” Danny offered as he stood and I followed him out. I couldn’t wait to get a ride in my new car.

The ride with Danny was fun, the smell of fresh air, the cold night breeze that brushed our face as we drove. We stopped to get barbecue at a place that was still open and Danny even let me have a sip of his tequila.

My throat burned and I thought tequilas were supposed to be all chocolatey and sweet but I was wrong.

“We need to get you a driver to teach you how to drive so you’ll be eligible for your drivers license.” Danny started and I told him not to worry about that and that Mason would teach me.

He agreed with me and we both went back home, when we got home Danny tried to act right and get the smell of alcohol out of him.

“Promise me something Ava,” he started and I raised an eyebrow, “that you won’t tell your mum I gave you some of my drink, you know you’re not 21 yet?” He added and I nodded.

“I got you Danny, I won’t tell her.” I smiled and he nodded.

“One more thing, don’t tell her I drank and drove. Let it be a secret between us, father and daughter.” He added and I laughed as we both got out of the car.

Taking a long stare at my car after Danny had gone inside, I brought out my phone to send a text to Mason to meet me in front of the house.

I waited for his reply and I checked my text again to see that he’d read the text and had decided not to reply to me.

Giving up on waiting for him outside, I went up to his room to knock on his door. I could hear him playing his usual loud music but I didn’t mind.

“Mason!” I called over and over again but he didn’t answer me and he only increased the volume of his music making my voice get lost in the sounds.

Pissed, I walked to my room to sleep but some part of me was hoping that he would come to my room and explain to me why he didn’t reply to my text or heed to my calls.

Tossing and turning on my bed, I looked out of the window but he was nowhere outside. Closing my eyes, I silently prayed that he would come around at midnight since that was the time he usually gets to come into my room.