Free Side Swiped By My Step Brother by Scarlett Ward

night go smoothly. Do you think that could happen?”
                  “Yeah, of course.” I feel like I’m wearing a corset. I can barely extend my legs enough to take a normal step. Jessica and I follow Mom out of the hotel room.
                  “Well,” I whisper to my sister. “At least this night can’t get any worse, right?”

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    Jai
     
     
                  Between golf, drinks, and then waiting to go the family dinner, I find myself with a few spare moments, so I ring Mum.
                  “I went golfing today,” I tell her.
                  “You went golfing?”
                  “I did. I was more like a glorified caddy. But Dad was happy as a pig in shit, so I suppose that’s all that matters. I’m not really looking forward to the dinner tonight, but that just puts me one day closer to coming home. Why did I let him talk me into spending two weeks out here? That’s half a month.”
                  “Oh, honey.” Mum sighs. “I think it’ll be good. I know your father has a lot of guilt about being absent from so much of your childhood, so you two getting to spend this time together will be a good thing. And that’s nice you’ll get to see the lake house. I do miss that place.”
                  “I know. There is a part of me that won’t mind going back there for a bit, honestly.”
                  I do actually have some fond childhood memories of my dad’s house on Toluca Lake—swimming, lying on the dock, going out in my father’s boat.
                  “Well, I don’t blame you for wanting a little relaxation. You’ll have a good time out there. Thank you for calling. Do tell your father I send him my best, will you, darling? I’m sure I’ll talk to you before the wedding . . . And good luck at the dinner tonight. I’m sure your new family will be very nice.”
                  “Thanks, Mum.”
                  I am actually looking forward to this dinner, because aside from a few cups of tea and the blueberry muffin that Emma didn’t eat, I haven’t had anything to eat today.
                  Despite this, when we get to the restaurant, I find myself making a beeline for the bar. I’m still no lightweight when it comes to drinking, but it hits me a little harder when my stomach is completely empty the way it is now. I get an IPA. I drink it slowly, hearing the hum of conversation behind me. I figure I need to drink at least one beer now, to get me through the litany of questions from people I don’t even know, most centering around my accent and what part of England I’m from, and who it is I’m related to here, and how did it come to be that an American like my dad has a British son?
                  I’ve almost finished my beer when I hear my stepmother-to-be calling my name. She really doesn’t seem that bad, to be honest, though she does have this nervous sort of high energy that one might associate with a Chihuahua, or other small dog. Perhaps it’s just the pre-wedding jitters.
                  “I want you to meet someone,” she’s saying, and I don’t know if she’s talking to me or the person she wants to introduce to me. Doesn’t matter—I just need to finish this beer and it’ll be fine. I tilt the last of the liquid down my throat, set the bottle on the bar, and turn.
                  “Hello,” I start to say, but stop dead, because standing in front of me, looking shocked and sexy as hell in a dress that’s about three sizes too small—yet somehow she is managing to pull off—is Emma.

 
    Chapter Nine
     
    Emma
     
     
                  I’m too busy adjusting my scarf to escape my mother’s grasp before it’s too late. When I look up, Jai is turning around, rearranging his face into a pleasant expression, holding his hand