The Love of a Stepbrother

Chapter 11

Simone walked almost reflexively up the stairs to her place. She had to pinch herself a couple of times to make sure she was awake… and lo and behold, it was no dream. William, her stepbrother whom she had been daydreaming about since her college days, had asked her to be his lover.

She wished she had someone she could talk to about this. Colette was a good friend of hers but she knew she could be judgmental about things. For a while, she didn’t know what to do. And then, she decided to post her story succinctly on Reddit, in the hopes of feeling less guilt.

She had to reread her post a few times before she hit send.

It began with:

Am I to blame?

For years, my stepbrother has been starring in all my fantasies. He has always been caring despite his cold demeanor, and has been my rock through the good and the bad times. We have recently kissed, and now he’s asking me to become his lover. I don’t know what to think and have no one to confide in.

Thoughts?

Simone soon went to take a shower. And under the soothing hot water, as her muscles loosened, she could almost forget all her concerns.

Already, putting her story out there was a big step for her, and it felt liberating.

She was drying herself with a towel casually as she walked back into her room, when she saw she had a notification on Reddit.

Her nervousness came back full force, and she could feel that her palms had gotten sweaty. There was dread but also anticipation warring within her as she clicked on the notification.

The first comment was rather encouraging, and it read: Stepbrother? As in you’re not blood-related, right? YOLO sister!

The second comment, however, was that of someone who might have been wiser: Sure, you’re not related, but have you cohabited together? Won’t it be weird? What about your parents? Not in the picture?

And thus, Simone felt less on edge with this whole dilemma – to follow her heart or reason.

The pros and the cons were obvious, but she knew deep down she would regret saying No to William, and live with the what-ifs. Truth be told, Simone would rather have regrets over something she did than something she didn’t do, if it made sense.

She remained on her laptop for roughly an hour, replying to the comments but also scrolling through other similar posts.

** ** ** **

William was at a local bar with his best friend and lawyer, Anthony.

“You have a little bit of peps to your step, bro,” Anthony commented, as he watched him with keen eyes.

“I am not even walking,” William retorted cheekily, the ghost of a smirk settling over his lips.

“Oh my God! Did you just tell a joke?” Anthony was rather shocked, before he added in earnest, “Who are you? And what have you done to my best friend?”

“Very funny,” William rolled his eyes dispassionately, schooling his expression into his usual unreadable mask.

“You know what I mean, Will,” Anthony then let out. “You rarely ever ask me for drinks. I am the one who usually has to beg. And I find you smirking to yourself, and you even go so far as to c***k a joke. What am I missing?”

William chuckled as he recalled the flustered look on Simone as he asked her to be his lover and Anthony just about had it with him.

“Are you going to tell me or do I have to get it out of you?” He then threatened.

William chuckled again, dryly this time, “I would love to see you try.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I know I might have landed myself in deep trouble, but this feels like the most exhilarating thing I ever did,” William admitted sotto-voce, and Anthony listened with rapt attention, even nodding at him, urging him to continue. “You know Simone, right?”

“Simon? The name doesn’t ring a bell,” Anthony shook his head negatively, a little bit of a frown on his face. “Is he a competitor or a partner? Have I met him?”

“Yes, you’ve met her. Simone as in my stepsiter,” the smirk was back on William’s face.

“Oh? OH?! Are you telling me you’re going after her at long last?” Anthony then asked.

William nodded, his smirk broadening.

“I pray to the gods she changes this steely heart of yours, and makes you more human,” Anthony let out jokingly. “I see she’s already doing her magic.”

“That, she is,” William let out before chugging his drink.

“Is this why you asked me for drinks? Are we celebrating?”

William shook his head negatively before saying simply, “Not yet. I wanted to meet you to have your legal advice on this. I want to draft a binding contract for me and Simone.”

Anthony gave him a pat on the shoulder and said, “The only contract I will be drafting for you is a prenup if you ever ask for one – and I don’t believe you will if it comes to that.”

“We’re not there yet,” William shook his head negatively yet again.

“If she doesn’t reject you right off the bat, and gives you a chance, try to make the most of it,” came Anthony’s advice, “Buy her flowers, chocolate, invite her out, and ask about her day… Shower the woman you’ve been pining after with attention, and that will be what binds you together. I refuse to draft a contract which will only complicate your relationship.”

“Thank you,” William told him, more sober now than he was earlier, despite the couple of drinks he had.

“Anytime,” Anthony smiled at him. “I hope to see you settled soon.”

William merely chuckled. Simone was a woman he could see himself with for the rest of his life, or at least for as long as she would allow it. And though he was making a wild bet, by putting her on the spot, giving her a week for her response, he could only pray their sizzling chemistry would help in the decision-making process.