Falling For My Annoying Step Brother

As expected, Macy's mother insisted on throwing a welcome-home party for William.

Since he barely had friends to invite, Macy called Grayson, and Sage-as usual-showed up without needing an invitation.

It was a simple gathering, more alcohol than food, with music humming softly through the living room. By eight, her mother disappeared upstairs with Mr. Darwin, leaving Macy, Sage, and Grayson alone with William.

Macy had the sinking feeling that something was going on between her mother and Mr. Darwin. She could see it in the too-long glances, the awkward silences, the sudden disappearances. But the night was already dragging on, and she promised herself she'd ask in the morning.

William, meanwhile, spent the whole evening openly flirting with Sage. To make matters worse, Sage flirted back. Macy couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or Sage's usual flirtatious nature, but irritation simmered in her chest like heat.

Around ten, Grayson kissed Macy goodnight and left.

She lingered outside after walking him out, letting the cool night breeze wash over her. Part of her wanted to stay out there and never return, but she wasn't about to leave Sage alone with William. Not after the way he'd been looking at her.

When she finally walked back in, she was surprised to find Sage alone in the living room.

"Where is he?" Macy asked.

"He said he was tired, so he went upstairs."

"Right... then I guess we should call it a night too."

She turned off the music and began gathering empty bottles and glasses. The staff would clean up in the morning, but it felt wrong leaving the place a mess. After tidying up, the girls headed to Macy's room and fell asleep almost instantly.

★★★

The first thing Macy felt when she woke was pain-sharp, stabbing pain pulsing right behind her eyes. She groaned, rubbing her temples. "Ugh... did we really drink that much?"

She turned to her side, expecting to see Sage curled up next to her.

But the bed was empty.

"No," Macy whispered as dread slid through her chest.

She shot out of bed and stormed down the hall.

If Sage was in William's room-

She didn't even knock.

She shoved the door open, heart pounding-

And froze.

Sage was curled up in William's arms, both of them tangled in the sheets, his bare chest pressed against her back.

"What the hell, Sage?!" Macy snapped. "I specifically warned you not to do this!"

"Calm down, Mace-"

"Yeah," William added lazily, that smug grin lifting one side of his mouth. "Calm down, Mace."

"Shut the hell up, William!" she barked, fury flaring hotter. "Sage, why would you-"

"Liam," he corrected, folding his arms behind his head.

"What?"

"You called me William. My name's Liam."

She stared at him, disbelief and anger twisting together. Something this infuriating was happening and he cared about a nickname?

"Why the hell would you sleep with my best friend?" Macy snarled.

"She wanted me." He said it casually, as if commenting on the weather.

"So what? You just sleep with every girl who wants you?"

"Why not?" His eyes glimmered with wicked amusement. "You're not excluded, you know."

He winked.

Macy felt her frown deepen so hard it hurt.

"Look, big sis," William continued, "what happened between us was nothing serious. Just two healthy adults handling... natural needs."

"Correction," Macy snapped. "One immature adult and one overgrown teenager."

He only smirked wider.

"Why don't you join us?" he teased. "I can show you just how much of an adult I am."

Sage giggled. Macy's blood boiled.

What made her angrier was the split-second flash of curiosity that passed through her mind - what would it feel like to be in his arms? Warm. Strong. Dangerous.

She hated herself for even thinking it.

"Macy," Sage said gently, "Liam's right. It's nothing serious."

"Would you at least get up?" Macy snapped.

Sage scrambled out of bed, collecting her clothes.

Then William rose from the sheets too.

Macy immediately wished he hadn't.

He wore only a pair of briefs, and the sight of him-tall, muscled, toned in every perfect place-sent a rush of heat to her cheeks. Her breath caught. Any healthy woman would respond. And she was healthy.

He walked toward her, slowly, almost deliberately. He towered above her, and she found herself staring directly at his chest. She couldn't think. Couldn't breathe.

Her fingers twitched, wanting-betrayingly-to touch him.

He tilted her chin up with one finger. "My face is up here, darling."

He watched her. Smirked. Saw everything written in her expression.

"Ah," he murmured, satisfied, letting her go.

The spell broke. Macy blinked rapidly, grabbed Sage's hand, and dragged her out of the room without another word.

★★★

The next two weeks were hell.

William seemed determined to remind Macy exactly why she used to hate him as a kid. He teased her nonstop, called her names, smirked whenever she glared.

"Big sis!"

Every time she saw his face, her frown deepened.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" she snapped one afternoon.

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"When we were kids!"

Back then, she had begged him to call her his elder sister. He never did-he called her a witch or commoner instead.

"Macy," he said abruptly, "why do you dress like this?"

"What?"

"Oversized clothes. Cute, yeah, but..." He pulled out a photo-her photo-from a year ago. High-waisted jeans, a crop top, hair loose. "If I'm honest, this picture... turns me on."

Her heart lurched.

What was going on?

And how did he even get that picture?

He stepped closer. Macy's breath hitched.

He reached toward her hair.

"I love your hair. Have I ever told you that?"

She couldn't speak. Could barely think.

He slipped off her hair tie, letting her curls fall freely down her back.

"Let them breathe," he murmured. "You always look better with your mane loose."

Her heart pounded violently against her ribs.

Then he stepped back, gave her a once-over, and nodded.

"There. Now you don't look like a forty-year-old woman."

He smirked and walked away, leaving Macy's thoughts smashed into pieces.

★★★

Things only got worse when Sage and William grew closer after their night together. Macy hated it. She tried-subtly and not-so-subtly-to separate them, but every attempt failed.

"Mace?" Sage plopped beside her. "Are you ignoring me now?"

Macy stayed silent, scrolling through her phone even though the screen was blank.

William came downstairs. He didn't even glance at either of them-just walked straight into the kitchen. Sage sighed.

"Macy, seriously. What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" Macy scoffed loudly. "You're really asking that?"

William watched quietly from the kitchen doorway, sipping apple juice like it was a movie.

"I don't see the problem," Sage said defensively. "It's not like you can date him."

"It's wrong," Macy snapped. "It's so wrong."

"Why?" Sage challenged. "What exactly is wrong about it?"

Why?

Why was she so angry?

She'd been asking herself the same question for days, and there was only one answer she didn't want to say out loud.

"It's absurd."

"Absurd?" Sage repeated.

"Yes! Of all the men in the world, why him? Why William?!"

"Why NOT him? Why are you so against it?"

"Because he's mine!"

Silence.

Sage blinked. Confused.

William grinned like the devil.

Macy's heart dropped. "W-what I meant is... he's like my brother! That's all. You can't date him because-because he's basically my brother."

Even she didn't believe the words coming out of her mouth.

"I need to be alone," she muttered, fleeing upstairs.

★★★

She stayed in her room the entire day, pacing, thinking, spiraling.

She wasn't upset because it was awkward.

She was upset because she was jealous.

Jealous of Sage.

Jealous of William touching someone else.

But that was wrong. Wasn't it?

They weren't related by blood, but their parents-

No. No. It didn't matter. It was wrong.

A knock sounded on her door. She ignored it. Probably Sage.

Another knock.

She stayed silent.

"Your friend left," a familiar voice drawled.

Her heart stuttered.

She jumped off the bed and swung the door open.

William smirked down at her.

"What do you want?"

Instead of answering, he leaned in and pressed a soft, teasing kiss to her lips.

He pulled back slowly.

"Does that answer your question?"