My Stepbrother: secret possession

Grand Canyon

"Why do we have an Escalade in our driveway?" I search for an explanation in everyone's smiling faces, including Lilith's.

"It's a surprise, Ava," Mum laughs at my dumbstruck reaction and shows us the way to our ride.

We all get into the luxurious car, and I do everything in my power to avoid looking at the person whose eyes are fixed on me. The journey takes almost thirty minutes before we arrive at an aeroplane hangar where various jets are parked. Where on earth are we going?

Christian and Mum head towards two men dressed in pilot uniforms, who probably know and respect Christian. After a brief discussion, Christian asks the three of us to follow their lead as I hold on tightly to Lilith in case Leigh has any intentions.

We trail behind them until they both stop by a shiny black helicopter. The helicopter practically screams 'Boyce' with its bold branding.

"No way," I exclaim in surprise.

At the same time, all four people I consider family smile in unison.

"It feels wonderful to finally surprise a kid," Lilith chuckles, and I don't even bother arguing over her statement. I'm starting to understand and connect with her since our conversation yesterday. Lilith surely enjoys having a sister and having me as the youngest makes her feel warm and secure.

"Sorry," I bite my bottom lip.

"Okay, I'm not going to be polite with you this morning," Lilith complains while Leigh smirks at me.

Two ladies deliver three boxes to the helicopter before Christian starts. "Alright, we should be departing now."

"Where are we going? London?" I ask, looking completely unaware.

Laughing, everyone ignores me as they all board the helicopter. I sit by the window opposite Leigh. He flashes me his enchanting smile and whispers, "So persistent, obsessor." Looking around the small space of the helicopter, with Mum and Christian discussing and Lilith going through her playlist, I intentionally kick Leigh's leg hard until he groans in pain.

The ride is exhilarating as Christian shows me places from thousands of feet away. The Las Vegas Strip, which I watch in awe from a distance, Lake Mead, and fascinating flyovers of the Hoover Dam and the Joshua Tree Forest, as Christian mentions them all. My mouth hangs open as Christian explains everything to me in detail. Despite knowing Leigh's eyes are fixed on me, I do my best to ignore the peculiar feeling in my body and try to concentrate on Christian's commentary.

"It's so beautiful," I murmur.

"Can you take a picture of us?" Lilith hands her phone to her dad.

Christian takes several pictures of Lilith and me, while picky Lilith keeps deleting them. "Dad, these pictures aren't Instagram-worthy."

"I'm trying, girls. I'm not a teenager, remember?" Christian grins and takes another picture of us. "Leigh, take some with your camera. I think that fancy thing of yours can meet all the standards, can't it?" Christian pats his son on the shoulder.

"I don't need his camera. Ava, let's take a selfie." Lilith rolls her eyes at Leigh. She's been mad at him ever since what happened on Wednesday in the cafeteria, and I don't blame her. Leigh is a womanizer.

"Lilith, can you at least be respectful? He's your big brother," Christian chides.

"I don't give a shit if—" Before she finishes her sentence, a flash from Leigh's camera blinds my vision for a second. "What the fuck?" Lilith exclaims.

"Language." Christian and Leigh say in unison. With a smirk on Leigh's lip, he winks.

"Delete that photo from your camera right now," Lilith commands.