Page 16

CHAPTER 16

Tristan

I slip through the back door, quietly closing it. When I look up, I meet familiar aqua eyes lined with worry. I’m sinking into their depths, nearly forgetting my promise to my family at the gravesite. When she smiles, doubt rears its head, and a war begins inside my head.

My spine stiffens as I cock a brow at her. “Hey.”

“Hey. That’s all you have to say to me?” she hisses, hurt and anger on her face. “I texted you, but you didn’t answer.”

I shrug. “I was busy.”

Her eyes narrow as she frowns, glaring at me. She’s mad as hell, but I remain stoic, not reacting to it. I’m acutely aware of the weight that lifts from my chest simply from her presence.

Hurt flares in her irises, but I don’t crumble. It’s best that this ends now before we fall any deeper. “Where’s my food?”

Jordyn points to the refrigerator, not saying a word. I turn my back on her so I don’t have to hide the ache that permeates every part of me. It’s persistent enough that I almost want to break my promise to my family, grab her in my arms, and hold onto her forever.

“Hey, Tristan.” Josh’s voice comes from behind me, pulling me from my musings. I look into his bloodshot eyes, frowning as he staggers into the room. “We missed you at the bar tonight.”

I grab my sandwich and plaster a fake smile on my lips. “Hey, Josh. How’s it going?”

“Great, man.” His bloodshot eyes reveal how much he had to drink, and he stumbles as he tries to take a seat on the stool.

Jordyn scowls at him, folding her arms over her busty chest. I take a moment to drink in her cut-off jean shorts and black tee. Why does she have to look so fucking gorgeous?

“How much did you drink tonight?” She snaps, clearly out of patience. I can’t help but wonder if a part of that is directed at me. But I continue as though I’m unbothered, unwrapping my sandwich and taking a huge bite before setting it on the counter beside me while I watch them.

“Don’t you worry about it, lil sis.”

“I’m not your sister,” she hisses, eyes narrowing. “I’m your stepsister .”

He waves his hand. “Semantics.” His gaze slides to me before giving me a sloppy grin. “You should’ve come with us, T. It was a blast. Puck bunnies all over the place. I ended up fucking Janelle in the bathroom.”

Jordyn scoffs as she brushes past me on her way to the fridge. She grabs a bottle of water and takes a long drink, bristling at the mention of Janelle’s name. Luckily, Josh is busy chattering about the night and doesn’t notice.

Images of Jordyn and me in the shower fill my head. As I swallow the bite of the sandwich in my mouth, Jordyn bends over to pick up the napkin she dropped, and her shorts ride up, exposing her ass cheeks.

I choke at the pornographic thoughts inside my head. How the hell am I going to stay away from her?

“You okay, Tristan?” Josh leans forward, the stool wobbling precariously. Jordyn looks concerned by my coughing, hurries to the refrigerator, and then hands me a bottle of water. I take it, downing half the bottle before I answer.

“Yeah. Wrong hole,” I rasp out.

“Speaking of the wrong hole, you missed out with Janelle. She’s a damn good time. I don’t know how the hell you couldn’t get your dick up with her.”

Jordyn nearly spits out her water. I level her with a look before I take another bite of my sandwich, unbothered by missing a shot with Janelle.

Josh is oblivious and continues rambling. “I fucked her pussy and then her ass in the bathroom of the bar. Boy, she loves dick in her ass.”

Jordyn rolls her eyes, disgust on her face. “Please, Josh. I just ate. I don’t wanna lose my dinner.”

My laugh sounds hollow as I lean forward, feigning interest and excitement. “She likes it in the ass, huh?”

Jordyn stiffens, pained aqua eyes latching onto my face, but I pretend to ignore her, even though I’m acutely aware of her every reaction.

This is for your own good, Jordyn.

“Oh, man. She loves it. She was screaming, ‘Fuck my ass harder, Josh.’ I think the whole damn bar heard her.”

Jordyn’s eyes narrow. Her voice is full of suspicion when she asks, “How are you allowed in a bar? You’re only twenty, just like Tristan and me.”

“Kevin, the owner, is a huge hockey fan. As long as we get an Uber to take us home, he’ll serve us.”

“Does your daddy know?”

Josh glares at her. “No, and he won’t find out.” A threatening look is on his face as he leans closer to her. “My image stays pristine. Got that?”

His outburst pisses me off, and I’m about to intervene when Jordyn scoffs, unbothered by his threats. “Like I’d tell your asshole father anything. Besides, he’d never believe me if I did.”

Josh relaxes and turns back to me. “Anyway, if you ever change your mind, Janelle would be down for it. Hell, she’d probably let us both fuck her.” He gives me a sloppy grin. “Have a go at her ass. It’s fucking tight.”

The stool scrapes the kitchen floor as Jordyn jumps to her feet. “This conversation is disgusting. Janelle has no self-respect, and neither do either of you.” She’s shaking as she storms past me. “I have homework to do. Don’t interrupt.” Her eyes simmer with anger, but I see the hurt in them before she turns away.

Josh shakes his head. “She’s wound too tightly. You know what she needs? To loosen up and have some fun. Maybe find some nerd to bang.”

I grip the water bottle so hard that a stream shoots onto the counter and floor. “Uh-huh,” I say through clenched teeth. The thought of Jordyn fucking anyone else makes me want to destroy the whole fucking town.

Josh laughs. “Anyway, I’m gonna join the guys for a round of NHL. Wanna play?”

Shoving the rest of the sandwich in my mouth so I don’t say something I’ll regret, I shake my head. Once I’ve chewed and swallowed, I speak. “I need to shower and write a paper for English Lit.”

Josh shrugs. “Sucks to be you. That’s why I chose an easy major, man.” He stumbles as he gets up, and I shake my head, irritated as hell by him. “Hey, my nerdy sister is taking that class. You should ask her for help.”

Yeah, there’s no way she’s helping me. But I nod at him so he’s not suspicious before I turn toward the stairs.

As I head to my room, the ache inside my chest is nearly unbearable. This wasn’t supposed to be so hard .

I can’t resist looking at her closed door, wondering what she’s thinking. She probably hates me now.

It’s what’s best, my brain argues.

But my heart has doubts.

Grabbing a clean pair of sweatpants, I whirl around and head toward the bathroom, knowing one thing for certain. Jordyn will be on my mind the entire time I shower.