In Love With My Evil Stepbrother

Chapter Twenty-Three I’d never thought one day I’d be having dinner with my fake boyfriend, my stepbrother AKA my fuck buddy, and my mom. Ridiculous as it may seem, yet here we all are, sitting beside the same table at a fancy restaurant.

The waiter has taken our order and left, leaving the rest of us to suffer the awkward silence. As much as I would like to order a glass of wine and pour it down my throat, I can’t. Damn legal drinking age.

Eason’s face is bleak and sullen. He only spit out a few words when the waiter asked him what he would like for dinner. The rest of the time, he remains dead silent. Yet his dark eyes keep raking at Alex, not even trying to hide his disgust towards the boy. Alex, on the other hand, is in a complete trance. I thank him with all my heart that he didn’t rat me out when mom called him my “boyfriend” and I feel horrible dragging him into this.

Mom is the only one at this table who’s actually enjoying dinner. “Well, isn’t this nice?” Her eyes trail across each of our gloomy faces. “I’ve always wanted to host a family dinner but was never able to find a good time. We should do this more often.”

This is hardly a good time either! I want to yell at her. But instead, I can only tighten my grip on the napkin and grit out, “Mom, that’s enough.”

Mom shots me a complaining look and directs her attention to Alex. “So Alex, how long have you and Nat been dating?”

“Mom!” I raise my voice, losing it a little. “What? I’m curious. You never share these things with me. Unless, Alex, if you don’t want me to snoop around ”

“Umm…no Mrs. Ramirez it’s not that…” Alex seems embarrassed.

“Yes, let’s hear it.” Eason suddenly pipe in.

He dumps his napkin on the table, lean back on the chair and crosses his arms, eyes staring deeply at us. “When did it start? Where did you guys meet? Tell us Natalia. I’m so intrigued.”

That asshole!

I shot him a furious glare, but he simply ignores me.

Alex seems torn. He looks at me sideways obviously asking for help. My heart churns and I begin to make random things up. “Well, we met at one of Eason’s parties. We talked and found out we shared lots of interest. And we gradually started dating…and that’s pretty much it.”

I wrap up quickly. Hoping this hellish interrogation can be over now.

But someone clearly hasn’t done with his torture yet.

smile never reaches his eyes. “How nice.

to love why does time matter?” I say and then instantly

further and his eyes fix on Alex’s face. “So, when did this officially

to

keeping getting all questions?”

back. “What’s

immediately frowns and shushes me like I’m a five-years-old. “Natalia.

towards a chaotic mess. Me and Eason glower at each other fiercely, as if we

when Alex finally speaks

we just started dating a few days ago. After the ball. Sorry I was a bit nervous when you asked me earlier because it hasn’t been that long

proper answer. But my heart

Ah-oh. Not good.

was at the ball myself.

girlfriend?”

I bite my lip and try to hide my panic. Even my mom’s face drops a little this time as she looks at

on? Nat?” She

I’m being a

a deep breath and ready to come clean. I’ll tell her that I

just when I’m about to

all serious. “My ex-girlfriend Andria told me that it was you who called her and asked her to fly back. You said I didn’t have a date, which clearly

…What?

blank. What did he just say? Eason called Andria? How did he

Taman

just so that I couldn’t go to the ball with Alex? I feel rage, but more terrified. A chill fall upon me. Oh my god. I heave sharply, chest rising and falling rapidly. I’m pulling together all my

the restroom.” I say sternly and stand