Tease: A Stepbrother Romance

by Daye, Veronica

  Tease

  A Stepbrother Romance

  by

  Veronica Daye

  About Tease

  “I haven’t decided what I’m going to do after you come. Will I use my tongue on you or make you ride my cock?”

  Sierra

  Growing up, Jagger Myka tormented and teased me. Just hearing his name was enough to ruin my week. But as luck would have it, our parents got married, making the one guy I hated the most, my stepbrother.

  Jagger is spending the summer with us and despite how much I hate him, I can’t get him out of my mind. Okay, not really just him, more like his...well, I can't say it but yeah, I saw it and I’ll never forget it, who would?

  The problem is now he’s decided to tease and torment me again. But this time in a different way; a way that means I get to see a whole lot more of him. I don't know how much longer I can resist.

  Jagger

  Teasing Sierra has always been one of my favorite things. But as soon as I saw her cheeks turn red after seeing me naked, I knew I found a new game to play. I know she hates me, but now that we’re under the same roof, she can’t avoid me.

  But all that dirty talk has made me realize I don't trust myself to not fall for her. If only I had more time before leaving for the Navy. Maybe then she'd see I'm not the bad boy she thinks I am.

  Part One

  ~ One ~

  Sierra

  “Sierra,” Mom called from the backyard. “Sierra, I need your help. Bring me a towel!”

  “I’ll be right there!” I yelled from inside the house.

  I slipped my feet into my flip-flops and stepped out onto the deck. My mother was standing in the middle of the garden with small pots of flowers lined up waiting to be planted. Her curly dark red hair was covered with a large floppy hat, her hands were covered with soil, and her khaki shorts were soaked.

  “What happened?” I asked as I handed her the towel.

  “Promise you won’t laugh,” she said. “I was on the phone with Phil and it slipped from my shoulder. I tried to catch it, but ended up tripping over the watering can.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t laugh, Mom. I just realized where I got the klutz gene from.”

  “I’m surprised it took you so long to figure that out. You are my mini me, you know. Or have you not realized that yet?”

  She grinned at me as she wiped her hands.

  Phil Myka was my mother’s boyfriend. They had been living together for a couple of years. Every few months, Phil went to Tucson to visit his asshole of a son Jagger. I was glad Phil always went to him.

  “How’s Phil doing?” I asked as I pushed my own dark red hair behind my ear. “Is he staying his usual two weeks?

  “He’s good. No, he’s coming home tomorrow night.”

  “That’s early. Did something happen?”

  “Sort of. Melanie got upset when he told her we were getting married. I don’t know all the details, but he decided to cut the trip short and come home instead of staying. Anyway, he asked Jagger to be his best man, so he’ll be staying with us this summer.”

  My stomach sank. I tried to keep my face straight, but my mother still saw how unhappy I was.

  “I know you don’t like him, but he is going to be your stepbrother,” Mom said.

  “I know. I’m just kicking myself for not realizing sooner that he’d be my wedding partner.”

  “Give him a chance. You’re both eighteen now. I’m sure you’ve both changed a lot.”

  “You’ve said it yourself, people don’t change. I know him. He’s the same jerk now that he was the last time I saw him. I’m still upset you made me go to that party.”

  “When was that? Five years ago? You were children then.”

  “That just means he's had all those years to perfect how awful he is. I can’t believe I have to spend time with him. It’s been five wonderful years since I last saw him. And it was five years before that when I met him for the first time. I guess just like bad luck runs for seven years, Jagger shows up to torment me every five.”

  “Just try to be nice to him. He’s flying in for the wedding, but I don't think he’s staying for too long,” Mom said as she looked at the ground.

  “Tell him to be nice. He’s the one who was always making fun of me.”

  “You know what they say about boys who do that.”

  “Yes, Mom, that means he liked me. Right, he liked me so much he decided to make my childhood a living hell.”

  I hated Jagger. I've hated him since the first time I met him when I was eight. We went to school together for five years and every chance he got, he teased and tormented me. Nothing was going to change my mind about him. Absolutely nothing.

  Fall

  Ten Years Ago

  The tan brick building of my new school loomed against the sky as my mom’s car pulled up in front. I looked down at my plaid uniform and pulled at the skirt, wishing it was a little longer and hoping no one could tell it was secondhand.

  “I know you’re nervous, but I’m sure there will be other kids starting third grade, too,” Mom said.

  “Why did we have to move? I miss having my own room. And I miss my friends.”

  “I’m sorry, honey. I promise once I get a better job we’ll be able to move to a nicer apartment, one with two bedrooms and in a good area. I know it’s been hard on you these past few months, but I’m doing the best I can. This is a really good school and I’m sure you’ll like it here. I know you miss your friends, but you’ll make new ones, I promise.”

  “I miss Dad.”

  “I do too, sweetie. I really do.”

  Mom gave me a big hug before I got out of the car. A small woman with warm brown eyes walked towards me and waved to my mother as she placed her hand on my shoulder.

  “Welcome to Saint Peter’s. I’m Sister Anne, the principal here. I’ll take you to your classroom.”

  I nodded as we entered the building. Paper flowers decorated the hallway. Everywhere I looked, people looked happy. I tried to force a smile, but Sister Anne frowned in response.

  “Sierra, while I would love to see a smile on that face of yours, it’s perfectly normal for you to be unhappy. Starting a new school is hard. Just remember that if you need anything, I’m never too far.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  My first day went by in a blur. Before I knew it, I was standing outside waiting for my mom to pick me up. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed two boys from my class walking in my direction.

  Dex was pudgy with freckles and orangey hair in a buzz cut. Jagger was tall and lanky with jet black hair and blue eyes. They were horsing around with each other when one of them knocked into me, making my book bag fall and my pencils spill out. As I bent down to pick up my things, Jagger yanked my skirt up. I spun around and pushed him as my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

  “You have granny panties,” Jagger teased.

  “Shut up,” I said.

  “Or what? You gonna tell your dad on me?”

  My eyes filled with tears. Jagger started laughing and pointed at me as the tears fell from my eyes.

  “Ha! I made her cry,” he said. “Look, she’s crying.”

  My dad had always taught me to stand up for myself. He warned me about bullies, but I never had to deal with any until that moment. Dad said the best way to deal with bullies was to not back down.

  “I wish I could tell my dad about you,” I said as my hands balled into fists. “But he’s dead.”

  Just as I was ready to hit him, my mom pulled up to the curb in front of the school and honked her horn. Jagger and Dex ran down the sidewalk. I picked up the rest of my things and put them back in my bag before getting into the c
ar.

  “Everything okay?” Mom asked. “Were those boys bothering you?”

  “I hate them,” I choked out.

  “I’m going to talk to Sister Anne.”

  “No, you’ll only make it worse. I just want to go home.”

  “I know it’s been a rough few months, Sierra, but I promise it’ll get better.”

  She was right. I ended up loving going to Saint Peter’s, but nothing changed how I felt about Jagger. Over the next five years, he continued to tease and embarrass me whenever he had the chance. I hated everything about him.

  Present Day

  One Month Later

  “I still can’t believe Jagger Myka is going to be your stepbrother. You’ve got the worst luck,” Issy, my best friend, said. “When does he get here?”

  She was looking out my bedroom window towards the street. She had straight blonde hair that made me a little jealous. While her hair fell straight, mine seemed to have a mind of its own and was all over the place. I picked up a ponytail holder and pulled my hair back, trying to keep it wrangled together.

  “Any minute now. Phil called my mom when they landed, and that was an hour ago,” I said. “You’re right, I do have the worst luck. Of all the guys in the world, why him? I’m glad you’re here though. I need some support.”

  “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I hate him just as much as you do. He and Dex were the worst. They teased and bullied all of us. Remember in sixth grade when Jagger told everyone Simon Roma was your boyfriend? I was embarrassed for you.”

  “Ugh, yes. I thought I was so lucky getting the smartest kid in class as my science partner, and then that happened. I was mortified! Then Simon thought I liked him, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.” I shook my head thinking about how everyone had teased me. “Jagger was such a jerk. I don’t know how many times he told me I was ugly. I bet he’s ugly now. You know how it is, he was kinda cute back then, but now, probably not so much. You know, karma. Please let there be some karma.”

  “I don’t know. Dex turned into a hottie. Who would’ve expected that?”

  “Yeah, but that’s my point exactly. After Jagger left, Dex didn’t have him around to pick on other people with, so he changed. He became a nice guy. I’m sure Jagger didn’t.”

  Phil honked the horn of his Mercedes Benz as he pulled into the driveway.

  “Well, you’ll get your answer soon enough.”

  Issy and I looked out the window. The trunk was up, blocking our view of Jagger. I held my breath as I waited for the trunk to close.

  “Quick, let’s go downstairs,” Issy said.

  We rushed out of my bedroom and down the curved stairway. As we reached the foyer, the front door opened.

  Please be ugly. Please be ugly.

  Phil entered first, followed by Jagger. Jagger ran his hand through his tousled black hair as he entered the house. He was tall, easily an inch taller than Phil, who towered over my mother and I.

  “Holy shit, he’s hot,” Issy whispered.

  He was. And it made me want to hate him even more. He had defined cheekbones and his face had the hint of a five o’clock shadow. His short sleeve shirt was a little loose, but as he walked, it teased me as it clung to his body, hinting at a six pack underneath.

  “Jagger, if you want to bring your things to your room, make a right at the top of the stairs, go through the loft, and it’s the first door on the right,” Phil said.

  Jagger’s eyes swept over the staircase before they landed on me. His eyes were an intense blue framed by long dark lashes. As our eyes met, the room spun a little.

  “Hey,” he said.

  He gave me a lopsided smile as he walked past me and up the stairs. I couldn’t stop myself from turning and watching him as he climbed the steps in his tight jeans.

  “His approach was phenomenal, but just look at that departure,” Issy whispered. “I think I’ll be coming over a lot this summer.”

  “Uh-huh, sure, no problem,” I mumbled. “I’m sure he’s still a prick though.”

  I hate him. I hate him. But why does he have to be so fucking hot?

  ~ Two ~

  Jagger

  It had been five years since I had last been home. It didn’t matter how long Mom and I lived in Arizona, I would always think of San Diego as my home.

  As the plane reached cruising altitude, I glanced over at my father in the seat next to me. His hair looked grayer than I remembered even though I had only seen him a month ago.

  “You know you didn’t need to come out here early and fly with me,” I said.

  “I had a meeting in Phoenix and thought it would be nice if we could spend a little time together before flying back. It was great having those extra couple of days with you, like old times. Once we get to San Diego, there’s going to be a lot going on with the wedding and before I know it, you’ll be heading to Great Lakes.”

  “Please don’t start with that. I get enough of it from Mom.”

  The flight attendant smiled as she walked up the short aisle with a tray of ice water and orange juice. This was my first time sitting in First Class, but all I could think about was my Mom and the day we left California.

  Summer

  Five Years Ago

  Dad planned a going away picnic for the day Mom and I were moving to Arizona. Towards the end, his girlfriend Rachel showed up with her daughter Sierra, who went to school with us. As soon as they joined us, Dex elbowed me.

  “Sierra’s here,” he said. “Let’s go razz her.”

  “Nah, man, it’s my last day here. Let’s just hang out. Mom wants to leave soon anyway,” I said.

  “You’re a pussy. Is that how you want to leave? With everyone thinking you’re a pussy? Besides, she loves the attention.”

  Does she?

  “Maybe I’ll do just one last thing for old time’s sake,” I said.

  Sierra was away from the crowd, pouring herself a cup of cream soda. Her hair was loose and there was something about how the sun hit it that made it glow around her. She was the prettiest girl in school and I didn’t know why, but I loved teasing her. I left Dex and went over to where she was standing.

  “Hey, Sierra,” I said.

  “Oh. Umm, hi,” she said as her eyes darted around.

  “You look pretty...” As the words came out of my mouth, Dex’s hand slapped me on the back. “Ugly. You look pretty ugly.”

  As Dex cracked up, Sierra’s face crumpled for a moment before she clenched her jaw. Her face reddened and her eyes narrowed at me.

  “You know what? I’m glad you’re leaving,” she said. “I hate you and I hope I never see you again.”

  As she stormed away, I knew I had gone too far. Next to me, Dex laughed hysterically.

  “Shut up,” I said as I punched him in the arm.

  “What? It was funny,” he said.

  I didn’t bother answering. What was the point? I was leaving anyway.

  My mom waved at me from the car. The U-Haul was hitched to the back and I could tell she was anxious to go. As I looked around the soccer field at my dad and my friends one last time, my eyes kept returning to Sierra. I didn’t know what it was about her, but I liked riling her up. I thought she thought it was funny too, but now I wondered if I had it wrong all along.

  “Let’s get going, Jagger,” Mom yelled.

  I looked back one last time at Sierra. Her wild red curls waved in the breeze. Even though her back was towards me, I could tell she was still upset. It was better that I left her alone.

  “Sorry to rush you, but I’m hoping to make it to Tucson before dark.”

  “It’s okay. I said good-bye to everyone.”

  “I know you’re not happy we’re leaving, but it’s too expensive here and I refuse to take any more money from your father.”

  “Why? He’s offering it, and he’s rich.”

  She let out a long breath before answering.

  “That’s his money, not ours. You’re too young to understand this,
but there are a lot of people who would take advantage of someone like your father. We’re not going to be those people.”

  “But if he’s trying to help us–“

  “No, Jagger, it doesn’t matter. I don’t want you ever taking money from him. It’s just you and me. We’ll figure things out together, without his help.”

  Present Day

  “You alright?” Dad asked.

  “Yeah, just thinking.”

  “Your mom’s not taking this well, is she?”

  “It’s not you getting married, it’s me. She’s been like this since I told her I was enlisting instead of going to college.”

  “I really wish you’d reconsider applying.”

  “Nah, Dad. It’s too much money. The Navy will help pay for college, it’s no big deal.”

  “It is a big deal, Jagger. There’s a lot going on in the world right now. I’m sure your mother is worried about that, I am too. I wished you had talked to me about this.”

  “It wouldn’t matter. You know how Mom is. She doesn’t want me taking anything from you. She says it isn’t right.”

  “You’re my son. I should be able to pay for your college.”

  Dad sighed. He knew by now it was a losing battle. My mother was too stubborn. There were plenty of times growing up that I thought about how much easier life would have been if she let my father send us money, but I knew she had her reasons.

  What I couldn't tell anyone was that Mom was the reason I enlisted. She was tired all the time and had been for years. I couldn’t remember the last time she didn’t work two jobs just to make ends meet. She wanted me to go to college, but I knew she would try to help me pay for it. I couldn’t let her do that. She had sacrificed enough for me.