I jerked awake to find that familiar jaw and throat above me.
His scent enveloped me- that cedar cologne he loved, now mixed with a faint trace of unfamiliar citrus. Probably Gianna’s perfume.
The room was still dark, the hallway light seeping in under the door. Our parents were asleep just down the hall.
Seeing I was awake, he leaned down with that cocky smile, trying to kiss me.
I panicked, turning my head away and shoving him back, scrambling to the other side of my bed.
“Playing shy now? After last night?” he chuckled.
I stayed silent, pulling the comforter over my head.
He started tugging at it. “Really, Iris? No goodnight text and your phone off? Since when do you ghost your favorite step–brother?”
Before I could stop him, he slipped under the covers and pulled me against him.
“Come on, we’ve talked about skipping breakfast. I went on an early run just to get those chocolate croissants from that French bakery you love. Waited in line forever.” His voice dropped lower. “Though we could always… work up an appetite first… while the dad and mom are still
sleeping.”
His breath was hot on my skin, his hands starting
to
wander.
Finally coming to my senses, I struggled against him. But at 5’4“, I was no match for his 6’2” frame.
“Henry,” I hissed, glancing at the door. “They could wake up.”
I couldn’t understand why he was even here. He had Gianna now – why couldn’t he just leave me alone?
“What’s wrong? Mad I didn’t take you to the party? You know Dad would’ve freaked if both of us disappeared on the same night.”
I remained silent.
He buried his face in my neck, laughing.
“Let me guess – Melody snitched about the party games? It was just Truth or Dare, babe. Why are you so jealous? You’ve always been like this- getting all moody whenever I talk to other girls.”
Fury surged through me. Remembering that self–defense class, I drove my knee up between his legs and bolted from the bed when he doubled
over.
“Iris!” he growled through clenched teeth, face red with pain.
I grabbed a hoodie to cover my pajamas and fled to the hallway, careful not to make noise that would wake our parents. I couldn’t be in my bedroom with him. Not anymore.
He followed shortly after, looking both angry and exasperated.
After a long pause, he asked casually, “You took the Plan B, right? We can’t have any… accidents. Our parents would freak.”
He picked up a boba tea from the table and held it out. “Come on, drink something. You know your stomach gets upset when you skip meals.”
I didn’t move or speak.
His arm stayed extended until his patience snapped.
Thou’re Crawling Back!
32.0%
Chapter 6
“What’s your problem? You can’t throw a tantrum without a reason, little sis.”
“I don’t deserve this,” I whispered.
He slammed the drink down so hard the plastic split, tea spilling across the carpet.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Who do you think you are? We hook up once and suddenly you think you own me? You’re suffocating me!”
His voice had never been so harsh, though he kept it low enough not to travel to our parents‘ room.
Instantly, tears streamed down my face, yesterday’s humiliation and pain flooding back.
Henry seemed startled by my reaction, suddenly awkward.
“Sorry, I was drunk last night. I shouldn’t have snapped.”
He crouched beside me, reaching to wipe my tears, but I flinched away.
He froze, hand suspended mid–air.
His phone buzzed. One glance at the screen and his expression changed completely.
“I have to go. Cool off, okay? We’re starting college soon – you need to grow up. No one likes drama. Besides, you know what Dad and your mom would say if they found out about us.”
Chapter 7
