Bully stepbrother

17. Fest

MADISON

"It's nice to meet you, Madison. I wish I had more time to chat, but there's always another opportunity. Perhaps later?" Jeffery winks, his grin transforming into a wide smile, revealing teeth that aren't exactly perfect.

"It's nice to meet you too." I respond politely, though it's quite the opposite. It's not like I can unload words on people like they're deserving of it, as Caden Thaddeus is.

After Jeffery departs, Caleb and I work well as a team, offering refreshing drinks to the older folks visiting our booth. In between serving, I inquire about the party, learning that Jeffery resides in a fraternity house and he and his friend frequently throw impromptu parties during weekdays. According to Caleb, they're known as the party animals of SU.

Jeffery is also a junior, majoring in history, although Caleb claims he knows next to nothing about his chosen field.

As Caleb continues sharing stories about the fraternity, we attend to incoming visitors. Hours pass by pleasantly until Caden's memories resurface to haunt me during what should have been a good time.

"Hey, sis-in-law, it's great that you have your own booth. I'm so worn out," Avery complains, collapsing into a chair beneath our small canopy. Why is she even here?

Not that her appearance catches me off guard. I've been aware of her presence for hours. A few minutes after we arrived, I spotted her exiting a cab and blending into the festival crowd.

I can't fathom what a disagreeable girl like her is doing at such a benevolent event. She should be at the battle of the bands or with Jeffery, prepping for yet another repetitive party.

"What are you doing here?" I cut straight to the point. I'm tired of her and my stepbrother constantly meddling in my affairs.

"Waiting for the king. Isn't it obvious?"

"He told you he'd be here?" I burst out laughing at the absurdity.

I thought the opportunity to outdo every girl in pleasing Caden would at least make her realize he's not one to keep his promises around the collar of his shirt. Instead, she disappoints me yet again, just like the others who fail to see through Caden's facade of lies and deceit. Pathetic.

"He will," she retorts, a comeback I'm certain she's regretting. I caught the beads of sweat forming on her forehead before she wipes them away with the back of her hand. She's utterly pathetic.

"I truly wish that for you," I sneer and return to work, attending to a bald-headed man who's stopped by our booth for a drink.

Avery must sense the awkwardness in the air, as she quickly concocts a story to explain her perspiration. "California heat can be quite intense."

I manage a half-laugh, half-choked breath in response.

"It also depends on how much heat one struggles to generate," I quip over my shoulder.

"I can help, you know?" She offers, attempting to be helpful.

"I've got assistance here. He's just fetching more supplies from the store." I practically decline her offer as I hand the last zero-sugar canned drink to an elderly gentleman.

"Now that we know our boundaries, I think we could get to know each other better, don't you think? Even for the sake of your brother? Caden is a peaceful person." All her words, while mostly drivel, the last part almost make me fall flat on my face. Caden and peaceful? That's a different story as far as I'm concerned.

Before I can respond, Caleb walks in with two guys carrying more cartons of beverages.

"You're back rather quickly," I smile at him as he places the mountain of water bottle cartons beneath the table.

He looks like a whole meal, clad in an ultra-white undershirt that showcases his impressive physique. His shirt is tied around his waist in a vintage style that has every girl under the canopy swooning.

Coming towards me, he pushes his lips forward for a kiss. "A reward, perhaps?" His lips curl up as I oblige his playful request.

I brush back the locks of his red hair falling across our faces with my palm.

"I think we're all set," I remark, my lips still curled into a smile.

"Are you sure? Now that you've given me a taste, I can't seem to get enough," he smirks and plants several more kisses on my lips, each one causing laughter to bubble forth. Caleb raises his hands in a gesture of surrender, indicating that he's done, and takes a step back.

"Look at you two lovebirds. Aren't you just the cutest?" Avery's tone oozes with sarcasm. I roll my eyes and direct my gaze at Avery, who's lightly tapping her nails on the arms of the chair. "I suppose your other hand has arrived, then?" Her attitude is apparent, although I can't quite define it. Amusement dances on her arched lips, but there's something else lurking beneath the surface.

"Well, yes. You might want to head off now," I reply pointedly, hoping she'll catch the hint and leave.

A wicked smile spreads across her lips, her eyes gleaming with interest. She rises from her seat and begins to stroll over to Caleb.

I watch her every move, noticing a strange expression on Caleb's face as he appears uneasy.

"I think I'd like to stay a bit longer," Caden's sin interjects.

I can understand Avery's ability to manipulate, but Caleb? No, he's the refined version of Caden-a nice, handsome guy who doesn't have a boatload of issues.

But why is her presence affecting him?

"I have something in mind. Do you want to get out of here?" Caleb suggests, turning towards me and leaving me even more baffled than before.

This is moving beyond the realm of comprehensible strangeness.

I'm struggling to process everything that's transpired in the past minute when Caleb grabs my handbag and takes my hand in his unoccupied one. His lips press against my temple, delivering two gentle kisses.

"These two will take over from here," he murmurs in my ear, indicating the two guys who helped him unload supplies from his truck.

"I-I thought..." I begin, but Caleb cuts me off, leading me away from the crowded area. "It's a free day. I've got plenty to show you," he says with a smile.