Read Online Step Brother by Jayna King - Free Book Online

you.”
    “Come the fuck on,” Chelsea said, downing half of her twenty-dollar martini. “You’ve spent years giving me shit about my exploits. Let me enjoy the fact that you acted like a total slut last night. Not that I blame you, of course. Reed’s gorgeous.”
    I shook my head and flashbacks from the night before threatened to short circuit my brain. “You don’t have to remind me. I just can’t believe Dad married his mother, though. I finally hook up with a guy who’s not only ridiculously hot, but smart and successful, and he turns out to be my stepbrother. Seriously—out of all the women in the world, why did Dad have to marry Tina?”
    “There’s nothing wrong with dating your stepbrother, Tatum. It’s not like you grew up together. If you had, then that would be gross, but you didn’t. I’d hit that every chance I got.”
    “I can’t, though. How would I explain that to my dad?”
    “Who says you have to tell your dad anything?”
    “Well, I can’t just lie to him.”
    “C’mon. You and I both know that his interest in you is only going to last as long as there’s something he wants. From the sounds of it he’s the king of fly-by parenting.”
    “Yeah, as sad as that is, you’re probably right. I can’t believe he’s actually going to run for office again. You’d think he’d have learned his lesson.”
    “Are you sure he is? He didn’t actually tell you, did he?”
    “No. But I’m sure. I know the signs, and honestly, it was just a matter of time. He craves the attention. Can’t get enough of it. His campaigns are more important than anything to him.”
    “Wonder if your new stepmother knows that.”
    “She will soon enough. I can tell he’s been grooming her for her role. She’s using fancy words that aren’t entirely comfortable for her, and she’s started up her new charitable work. She’s practicing to be a politician’s wife.”
    “Sounds like a match made in heaven.”
    I knocked back most of my martini. “Costa Rica, actually.” We both laughed, and I pointed to the terrace outside. “You ready?” I asked.
    Chelsea grimaced. “Did I mention that I’m afraid of heights?”
    “Why did you pick Ghostbar, then? Where did you think the elevator was taking you?”
    “It was on the list of the must-visit clubs.”
    “Well, here’s the must-do while you’re here,” I said, grabbing her hand and taking her outside.
    The wind tugged at our hair, and I held my skirt down with one hand while I dragged her to the edge of the terrace and waited for the inevitable reaction.
    Chelsea looked out over the glittering lights of the Strip. “Oh my God.” She made sure to stay a full arm’s length back from the railing, and I knew she’d flip shortly.
    “Look down,” I said.
    She looked positively green as she looked straight down—fifty-five floors down. The glass section in the terrace floor made it feel like you were suspended high above the city, floating in midair. Though I didn’t really need to be drinking expensive martinis, Chelsea’s reaction was totally worth it.
    “I don’t feel so good,” she said, and I took pity on her and led her back inside to our table.
    Once Chelsea’s color returned to normal, she laid out the rest of her plan for the evening.
    I interrupted her. “If Jax shows up at Tao, I’m gonna head home. I have some stuff I need to prep for my interview, and I’m just beat.”
    “That’s fine. I know you’ve had a hell of a day.”
    “Understatement.”
    “So, why does it bother you so much that your dad’s going to run for office? I’d think you could benefit from his being in politics, given that you’re an attorney.”
    “Whatever gain there might be won’t be worth the public notoriety.” I shook my head. “I know most people would love to have their fifteen minutes of fame, but let me tell you … it’s highly overrated.”
    “Most people didn’t have to move in the middle of high school because their fathers went