Her Wicked Stepbrother

My stepbrother hates me.

That's fine, because I hate him too.

I hate his crooked smile and the way he looks at me, like he's a sugar addict and I'm the last cupcake on earth. I hate that he makes me feel like I'm more than that lost little girl whose mom didn't want her, then leaves and doesn't come home again for days.

And I really, really hate that he flirts with other girls.

A lot of other girls.

But it's fine. Really, it is. Soon, he'll be leaving to attend university on the other side of the world, and I'll only have to see him on holidays and at the rare family get-together. It'll all be just fine.

As long as I don't fall in love with him.