Rockstar Bay Academy: A Stepbrother Romance

Chapter 2: Slap Shot

After freshening up in the bathroom and fixing my makeup, Kennedy introduces me to her new friends. Kai and Jacob are as hot as Kennedy promised, and they're also funny, kind and attentive. I can easily see Kennedy and I double dating with the hot blonds except for one thing: they're brothers. And I still have baggage over the way my last relationship ended because of one brother's opinion of me.

At least, I finally have the opportunity to practice my flirting skills that are rusty from lack of use.

"I can't believe Michael McManning lets you drive his Lamborghini," I say, doing my best to sound suitably impressed that Kai has been behind the wheel of one of the movie star's prized possessions.

Kai nods. "Michael has us over all the time. The last time we were there, we watched The Hangover."

Jacob grins, showing off two incredibly cute dimples. "You two should come with us next time we visit."

"We'd love that, right, Lilah?" Kennedy asks me.

I open my mouth to agree but freeze when I see Asher stalking across the grounds towards us, his gaze locked on me. I nod and turn my attention back to Kai and Jacob, trying hard to concentrate on what they're saying. A moment later, however, Asher comes to a stop beside me, startling me by laying his arm across my shoulders and invading my space. I can count the number of times he's touched me on on the one hand, and never has one of those times been like this – a mock affectionate gesture.

I try to shrug his arm off me, but if anything, my action makes his hold on me firmer, his fingers skimming over the shoulder near my dress strap, causing me to shiver. From repulsion, of course. Kennedy glares at me, demanding with her eyes and a slight shake of her head that I move away. Ah, can't she see that I'm trying?

Just as I think I'm about to break free, Asher hauls me against him, pressing me against his side, making my stomach lurch.

"Kai. Jacob. How're things?" Asher asks.

Kai and Jacob are the sons of another musician friend of Jesse's, so it makes sense that Asher knows them.

"What's up, Ash?" Kai asks, fist-bumping Asher.

"Not much. I just need to borrow my new stepsis here for the family photos."

"Oh, yeah. No worries."

Jacob, the brother who seems to be most interested in me, winks at me. "Save me a dance later?"

Before I can respond, Asher replies for me. "She'll be busy later, but she'll call you."

"She doesn't have my number," Jacob says, frowning.

"Give it to her now then," Kennedy prompts.

"Sorry, no time," Asher states, swinging us around and marching away with his arm still around me.

As soon as we're far enough away for Asher to loosen his grip, I shake him off and whirl around to face him.

"What the hell was that!" I demand, rubbing my shoulder as if I can scrub his fingerprints off me.

Darkness flares in his eyes as he smirks and takes a step closer to me. "You were the one insisting it's my duty as best man to be in photos. You do realise the same applies to you as Maid of Honor, don't you?"

I glare at him. "Don't touch me again. It makes my skin crawl."

"Really?" he challenges, taking another step closer to me. "Doesn't touching the son of a rock legend get you all hot and bothered? Don't tell me it only applies to Ethan."

"You're disgusting," I hiss, adrenaline racing through me and my heart suddenly thumping hard in my chest.

He drops his head and whispers. "My music pedigree isn't in the same league as Ethan's, is that the problem? My mother is a groupie and not Carin Dalton."