Series: Peach State Stepbros Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78418 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78418 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Just that it’s the best on campus,” Ash flirts. “That and my dick, depending on what someone’s in the mood for.”
While Brenner never used to annoy me, we’re not super close to him either. Since Troy and Atlas started dating, Brenner and Taylor are around more because they’re Atlas’s friends. Hell, I didn’t even know Atlas had friends before he fell in love with my best friend.
“I mean…I’d have to test them both out to say for sure.” Brenner sits beside Ash, who smiles at the compliment.
“His ass is cute. All tight and round,” I say, and Brenner’s mouth drops open. “What? It is.”
“Um…” Brenner looks back and forth between us.
“Colin didn’t mean it like you think he does. And it’s not you. We’re just weird,” Ash replies, which kicks my protective stepbro instincts in again.
“Also, keep your hands off Ash’s butt.”
“I’m so confused. Did something change between you?” Brenner scratches his head.
“No. Why?” I ask.
“Because you’re telling me what his butt looks like?”
“No, I’ve been seeing that for ages. This isn’t new.”
“Not sexually,” Ash throws out.
“Obviously,” I reply.
“I’m not saying I wouldn’t be interested…” Brenner interrupts us. “Might be fun being between two stepbrothers.”
“We don’t have sex with each other, or with the same person at the same time,” Ash says in unison with my, “I’m straight, and I said hands off Ash.”
“Are you sure you’re straight? And are you even connected to reality right now?”
“Fuck off, Brenner.” I dig into my food, taking a bite, then point to Ash with my fork. “You need to eat. We spent a lot of time talking, and you have to go to class soon.”
“I’ll do what I want, thank you,” Ash replies playfully, but he does start to eat. I think he likes that I pay so much attention to him, which works because I like paying attention to him. It was an interesting dynamic when he had a crush on Troy. I had to work harder not to let it show that I’m protective of him, but for some reason, I also knew that Troy and Ash would never happen.
“Anyway, I don’t want to interrupt this brotherly lovefest. Hit me up.” Brenner nods at Ash, stands, and takes off. I feel Ash’s gaze on me, but I don’t meet it on purpose.
“You know I could have sex with Brenner if I wanted to, right?”
“I know.” And really, I don’t care. Much. But sometimes I wonder if I do…or why I would. “Do you want to have sex with Brenner?”
“That’s beside the point.” Ash takes another bite.
“Want me to go get him for you?”
Ash glares at me, the hints of gold and green in his hazel eyes sparkling in the sunlight.
“Aren’t brothers supposed to protect each other’s honor and shit?” I ask. “I’m just trying to do my job. We look out for each other.”
No one else would see it, but I think Ash melts a little. While his parents love him, they’re not the most attentive people in the world, and lucky for him, I am. Well, lucky for both of us, since I enjoy it too.
“You’re too sweet for your own good.” Ash gives me a cocky grin. “Take me to class?”
I roll my eyes, pretending it’s the last thing I want to do, when really, I’m here for it. “Just halfway.”
We dump our trash, and then Ash climbs on my back. I spoil my stepbrother by carrying him the whole way…and feel strangely proud of myself when I do.
3
Ash
The following Tuesday, after I finish my classes, I head back to the Alpha Theta Mu house. I hurry through my usual routine—snack, brush my teeth, shower up. I get dressed, then let my gerbils out of their cage and spend some time with them on my love seat while watching TV. Sagan’s crawling around on my chest while I roll Darwin up in the hem of my shirt—she’d spend her life this way if she could.
There’s a knock at my door, and I answer it with Sagan on my shoulder and Darwin still rolled up in my shirt.
“Oh, you got the mice out,” Lance says.
“You know they’re not mice.”
“Yeah, Darwin and…what’s the other one?”
“Sagan. I would’ve expected them to be great friends, but Sagan nips at Darwin a bit. Don’t you, girl?”
Lance pulls a face before smiling. “Okay…some of the guys were gonna head down to the rec center for pickleball, if you want to come with. I almost texted, but then I was like, I can get off my lazy ass and knock next door.”
“I would, but today’s my meeting with Mom.”
He chuckles, closing his eyes. “That’s right. Maybe I was trying to block out the fact that you have to schedule your meetings with one of your parents.”
“I’d complain, but since our therapist suggested this, it’s actually been a lot better.”