Page 6 of Forbidden Mischief

ZAYNE

I’m in the locker room with the rest of the team after school and I’m beat.

I didn’t sleep well last night, and Mrs. Watts was tough on us today in PE.

The sticky layer of sweat already covering my body is proof of how hard we all worked, and now I have football practice.

I’m going to sleep like a fucking baby tonight.

“Yo, Zayne! Where’s your brother? I wanted to give him shit about him dating Prunes,” Mario smirks as he talks to me.

Looking around the locker room, I don’t see Asher, but that’s nothing new.

Since he joined the team, he’s been changing in a bathroom stall and not in the main area like the rest of us.

I thought that was just all part of him being shy and, ya know, not wanting to be naked in front of people.

But now I’m wondering if it has to do with what I learned at dinner last night.

He’s into guys, which is cool, and no one in the school would have issues with it.

Supernaturals don’t confine themselves to one sex–or hell, even one person, sometimes—when it comes to being intimate.

“Not sure, man. Maybe he went out to the field already?” I tell him.

Part of me feels bad for not defending him about dating Pru, but that’s his story to tell, not mine.

I may be avoiding him like the plague because that dream still has me freaking the hell out, but I’m not going to out him to the rest of the team.

Mario just shrugs and sits on the bench to lace up his cleats, while I head to the water fountain to grab a drink and take a herb capsule for this pounding headache I can feel coming on.

Human medicine doesn’t work for supes so Alice made some ginger, turmeric, and white willow bark capsules to help with pain relief.

I’ll tell you what, I don’t know how my dad snagged her, but while I’m having my own issues with Asher right now, his mom is a sweetheart and I already adore her.

As I stand back up after getting my drink, I see someone coming out of a bathroom stall.

I turn to head to the field when my eyes lock with Asher’s.

My magic instantly starts to simmer under my skin, and I feel like one false move will accidentally unleash a wave of power.

It’s like I’m a brand-new warlock, just learning how to control my powers.

Why does Asher make my magic act so unruly?

He gives me a small smile and steps up beside me. “Are you okay, Zayne?”

“I’m fine,” I force out through clenched teeth.

“Are you sure? You look uncomfortable or mad. Is it about dinner last night?”

“No, Asher. You like who you like, and that’s fine with me. I meant it when I said it doesn’t bother me. I just have a headache and Watts made us run the 5K today, so I’m just worn out already, and now we have practice,” I tell him, and my magic begins to settle once more.

“Okay. I just wanted to be sure. We’re family, so I don’t want any problems between us. My mom is really happy here with your dad, and I’m starting to settle in too.”

“There’s no problem. Just a headache, but we better get out there before Coach has our asses.

” He breezes past me out of the door and I follow.

His woodsy, citrus scent fills my nose, and it’s like my headache instantly dissipates.

What the hell? No, it wasn’t him or his delicious scent, it was the capsule Alice gave me. It has to be.

As soon as we burst through the locker room door onto the field, I jog to the center where Coach is and my temples begin to throb again. Fuck! What in the hell is going on with me?

“Zayne! Asher! How nice of you to join us! We’re going to start with some shuttles and then run a few plays to prepare for our game next Friday. Zayne, you’re the captain, so lead the team in their warm-up.” He blows his whistle, and we all stand, moving to the first line.

“Alright, guys, let’s get this over with, so we can move on to the actual practice!” I holler. The guys all cheer, and when I see everyone on the starting line, I give the signal before taking off to the next line.

An hour later, Coach blows his whistle once more and we run to the sideline to get a drink before meeting him once more in center field.

“Settle in, gentlemen. We’re gonna run a few plays and when you have them down pat, then you’re free to go.

Until then, your asses are mine. Now, I wanna see I Back Pitch .

Take the field!” His whistle sounds again and we take our places on the field.

I take my place behind our center and take a deep breath. “Blue forty-two. Set. Hike!” Ro hands me the ball, and I take a few large steps backward. My eyes scan the field for my running back, there he is . My eyes meet his chocolate ones, and somehow I know he’s smirking even under his helmet.

Sending the ball down the field to Asher, I watch as he leaps into the air, catching it before Mario can make contact with him.

He cradles the ball in his arms, and takes off down the field, dodging and weaving the defense until he’s in the end zone.

Touchdown! Too bad this is practice and not the real deal.

This goes on until we have the I Back Pitch , R Screen Pass , and the Q Diamond Power down pat, and there isn’t one player on the team not drenched in sweat. “Good practice, guys! See you tomorrow at lunch. Hit the showers!”

At Coach’s words, we hurry back to the locker room.

I sit on the bench, unlacing my cleats, and quickly tear off my practice clothes.

Wrapping a towel around myself, I head toward the shower.

I hang the towel on a hook and turn the water on.

Instantly it’s hot, and I step under the spray. Damn, today was a rough fucking day .

We killed it in practice, and if we play our games as well as we do in practice, I have no doubt we’ll be champions this season.

Ready to be home and in my bed, I hurry though my shower.

Once the water is off, I step out to the dry end of the shower stall to get my towel, but it’s gone.

One of those bastards took my towel. Not being one to be modest or really give a fuck, I pad to my locker stark naked.

As I stand next to my locker, I call out to my asshole teammates.

“Thanks to whoever took my towel. I’ve been meaning to show you all I have the biggest cock on the team. ”

No sooner than I finish my sentence, Asher steps out of the bathroom, his eyes locking on my cock.

His eyes widen, and my dick twitches at the fact that he’s staring.

What the hell is going on with me? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Asher was the warlock in this dynamic, and he cast a spell of some sort on me.

But I’ve heard him howling in the woods behind the house a few nights a week, and Alice has mentioned him letting his wolf out to run.

Asher blushes and for some reason that annoys me.

Not wanting him to know how he affects me until I figure out what the fuck is happening, I hurriedly slide my shorts on to cover my cock and pull my shirt over my head.

Asher isn’t there anymore when I look up, but I easily find him by his locker, putting his cleats away.

Slamming my locker shut, I strut his way and lean against his locker with a smirk on my face. “Like what you see, little brother?”

His cheeks darken even more, and he shuts his locker, hurrying away from me and right out of the locker room.

I follow him, wanting to ask him what the hell his deal is.

Does he have the hots for me? I mean, I get it, I’m a catch, but I’m his brother.

We now pretty much share a mom and dad, so what does he think is going to happen?

Why am I even thinking about this? I’ve never been into men, and I’m still not.

I don’t think? But then why did I like it when he stared at me like that?

I’m about to grab a hold of him to make him face me and get some answers when my name is called. “Zayne, Asher. Boys! I’m glad I caught you!”

“Mom, what are you doing here? I told you Pru would give me a ride home,” Asher tells her as he wraps his arms around her in a hug.

“Prudence is a doll. I met her just a few moments ago. I told her I wanted to take you boys home, so she left, but we exchanged numbers. You were right, Asher, she’s sweet as pie.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, Mom. What are you doing here?”

“I was driving home from doing some errands, and I thought I’d stop to take my boys out for ice cream,” Alice explains with a smile.

“Mom, you make it sound like we’re ten,” Asher laughs.

“You know what I mean. I just want to do something with the two of you together, just us. Just me and my boys.” She playfully slaps Asher’s shoulder. “So, do you wanna go or not?”

“Yeah. I could go for ice cream. Zayne?” Asher and Alice both look my way. I’m slightly taken aback that he spoke directly to me to ask.

“Sure. Let me just text Mario that I’m leaving with you.” I pull out my cell and shoot a text off, following Alice back to her car as she fumbles with the locks.

“Sorry. Still learning how to work this thing. I love it, don’t get me wrong, but it has a lot of bells and whistles to learn.

” She finally gets the Mercedes unlocked, and we climb inside.

I take the back, letting Asher ride beside his mom.

Dad bought her the Mercedes a few days ago, even though she insisted the rust bucket she and Asher showed up in was fine.

It’s one of the reasons I like Alice so much.

She’s not with my dad for his wealth or his status as leader of our coven.

She pretty actively tries to avoid him buying her gifts or upgrading her things.

Treating me like her son, same as she does Asher, is the biggest reason, though.

Everyone has seen the evil, mean stepmoms in television and movies.

So I’m glad that Alice is the exact opposite.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling up in front of Cream and Sprinkles, and Alice parks the car.

She slowly exits, and Asher is right on her heels.

This isn’t the first time I’ve noticed this behavior.

He is very protective of his mom, and while it’s honorable, I have a feeling there is more to the story than what I know.

I hold the door open for Alice and Asher, and they both give me a thank you, to which I just nod in response.

We stand in front of the ice cream machines looking at all the flavors, trying to decide what to get.

Alice goes for pineapple, Asher fills his bowl with plain vanilla, and I decide to go with my tried-and-true Tiger’s Blood.

Once we’re at the toppings bar, Alice puts on some cherries, sprinkles, and like three gummy worms. Asher piles the Oreos and caramel syrup on his, and I roll my eyes at how simple his dessert is.

When it’s my turn in with toppings, I dump a ton of fresh strawberries and Reese’s peanut butter cups in my bowl before meeting the others at the checkout.

We weigh our bowls and, as usual, mine is the heaviest. Alice hands over two twenties and tells the young girl behind the counter to keep the change. She then leads us over to a table by the window, and Asher sits beside her. “I’m so glad you boys could join me. How is football?”

“It’s good. So far I like it, and I’m glad I joined. Pru is going to come to the game next week. I told her she could sit with you and Dexter since she said she usually sits alone. I hope that’s okay?” Asher tells his mom.

“Of course, baby. We would love to have company at the game. I ordered a jersey with both your numbers on it, and it says ‘Those are my boys on the field’. Zayne, I hope that’s not crossing a line.

I just wanted one for Asher, and you’re my son now too, so I wanted to represent you as well.

” Alice looks at me nervously. I peek over at Asher to find he’s staring at me with a threat in his eye.

Like if I don’t answer his mom how she wants, he’s going to rip my head off.

What he doesn’t know is that no one has ever done something like that for me.

Sure, my dad has never missed a game, but he’s never gone out of his way to make a shirt or anything with my name on it, announcing to the world I’m his.

Swallowing hard, my eyes dart between the two of them. “I’m more than okay with that, Alice. I-I-I’m just caught off guard. Not in a bad way, more like… I-can’t-believe-you-thought-to-add-me kind of way.”

“Of course I would, Zayne. When I married your dad, you became my son. While I never want to or would try to take the place of your biological mom, I’d love to have a special place in your life, too.” She smiles softly at me, and I return the gesture.

“Thank you for the ice cream, too. I’ve enjoyed it,” I tell her.

“Good. I love that you two are getting along so well. I was worried you’d be enemies.” She quirks the side of her mouth in a half smirk as she looks between us.

“Yeah, we’re figuring out our dynamic,” Asher says coyly, and I raise my brows at him.

“Fantastic.” Alice claps. “We should get going or your dad will worry.” She gets up from her chair and heads to the trash to throw her bowl and spoon away.

“Figuring out our dynamic?” I ask when she’s out of earshot.

“Yeah, what was I supposed to say?” He shrugs. “She’s the most important person in my life, and she’s happy. I wouldn’t say we don’t get along, so I enhanced the truth to not upset her. Deal with it!” he snaps the last part at me, and I raise my hands in surrender.

Standing up, I throw my trash away and follow Alice to the car. Asher is a confusing man, and I’m not sure what to even think of him anymore.