Free Score - A Stepbrother Romance by Caitlin Daire, Alyssa Alpha Page A

stopped to look at the shot as a warm and tingly feeling filled my stomach. It made me smile to see him so happy. He seemed so on edge at times, especially around his Dad.
    Remembering my intentions to get a refill, I headed for the kitchen again. The music was a little softer here, and I appreciated it. The heavy drum and bass in the other room had been starting to make my head pound.
    Heading inside the room, I spotted a few girls I’d seen around the halls on campus. They seemed like your typical popular gang; pretty, tall and willowy, each with her own designer purse and expensive outfit to boot. Their highlights alone probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.
    “Hey, Jessie,” I said to the one I knew, a shy smile on my lips. She was the daughter of a prominent Republican politician, so she was rather well-known around Chicago because of her father. Just like Chase. In fact, I was quite sure her father was actually Peter’s main opponent in the gubernatorial race, but I’d have to check to make sure.
    She gave me a strange look as I said hi, so I headed for the fridge, realizing she probably didn’t even know my name. It was silly of me to assume everyone would be friendly, I guess—you can’t have everything.
    I was pouring myself a drink when someone bumped into me, hard. Coke spilled over the edge of the glass and all over the floor. I stepped aside just in time to salvage my shoes.
    “Oops, sorry,” a voice snickered behind me. I turned around, sidestepping to avoid the puddle of Coke on the floor, and I looked up into a pair of cold, hard blue eyes. It was Jessie, the girl I’d said hello to before.
    “That’s okay,” I replied with a smile. “Were you trying to get something from the fridge?”
    She gave me an incredulous look and the girls behind her laughed at me. I felt uncomfortable now, like I’d stumbled upon some serious trouble.
    “Nope, I was trying to salvage your outfit, sweetheart,” Jessie replied condescendingly, giving me a once-over. “Was just doing you a favor. Too bad I missed; I’m sure you’d look better naked than in this horrendous get-up. Those shoes need to go.”
    She strolled right up to me, giving me a syrupy sweet smile as she delivered the last blow. “And so do you, sweetie. Go on now. Shoo.”
    My eyes started watering before I’d even comprehended her words, and I was left staring at her in disbelief. Had I somehow taken a wrong turn and stumbled onto the set of Mean Girls 2?
    “I’m sorry…what?” I asked in a shaky voice. Surely she couldn’t be for real…all the mean girls should have been left behind in high school, right?
    Jessie stepped even closer, her thick perfume cloying the air around us. Violet and orange blossom. I’d never get that smell out of my nose now.
    “I said, get lost, you cheap slut,” she slurred, already a bit drunk and very, very pissed at me for whatever reason. “You don’t belong here. I don’t even know who invited you.”
    Tears were starting to fall from my eyes, as hard as I tried to hold them back. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Once more, I was a fish out of water.
    “Watch your mouth, Jessie,” a growl came from behind me. I didn’t need to look over my shoulder to know it was Chase. Instead, I focused my gaze on the floor, swallowing the lump in my throat.
    “Chase, hi,” Jessie purred. I could tell she had no idea that Chase and I knew each other, let alone the fact that we were soon-to-be-related. “You didn’t come speak to me all night…thought you’d forgotten all about me.”
    “Might as well,” he said. “Apologize to Lina, please.”
    “What?”
    “You heard me. Say you’re sorry. You shouldn’t treat people like that.”
    “You’re defending this…” I could feel her eyes on me, even though I was busy inspecting the carpet and fighting back tears of anger. “Trash?”
    Ouch, that stung…badly.
    “Apologize,” he snarled at her, and I could tell he was getting angrier