To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

“Did you get to see Mason before he left for school?” Danny asked and I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about Mason, talk about him or anything related to him at all right now.

I should never have even attempted to swallow my pride like I had did when I had asked him if he’d be dropping me off this morning, since it had been off no use.

Selfish, stupid bastard.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“He left early because he doesn’t want to drive me to school this morning.” I finally let out with a shrug and Danny took his gaze off the road for a moment to regard me for a moment.

“Now why would you say that?” He asked, sounding genuinely curious and I huffed out a breath.

“It’s because I just know it, he left early because he knew he would be obligated to drive me to school and I don’t even care if…. You know what? Never mind.” I tried to explain but stopped halfway when I realised he would never understand.

“You know, I love how you both bicker here and there.” He said amidst quiet laughter and I rolled my eyes, “It’s almost like when two people who are deeply in love argue, it’s just so funny, you know?” He added and I retched in disgust.

There’s no fucking way he thinks Mason and I fight like lovers. If he wasn’t even my supposed step brother, I would never even look his way or try to get in touch with him.

“I love your mother so much,” He randomly started to say all of a sudden after a while of silence and I let out a slight smile, “And I want you to know that I love you too, just as much.” He continued and I couldn’t help it, my heart ached.

“Oh please don’t… you’re going to make me cry.” I let out on a small breath. It felt like my heart was starting to ache fondly, a feeling which I usually get for my mother alone, but years.

But now I was feeling the same thing for Danny, or something related to that.

“And I want you to know that whenever you’re in trouble or whenever you need my help, you can always come to me without hesitations and I’d always be so glad to help, hm?” He continued,

“You’re already more than just a stepdaughter to me in such a short period, I see you as a daughter now.” He finished with a smile and I felt my heart ache some more.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve told you this before but I’m glad my mother ended up with you.” I said and when he regarded me with a twinkle in his eyes, I shrugged before continuing.

“You’re so good to her, you treat her so well and you treat me so well. I like you a lot for her and frankly, there would’ve been no other man better for my mum out there like you are.” It was obvious that all what I had just said meant a whole lot to him because he was beaming brightly.

“This honestly means a lot to me, Ava. Thank you for telling me all of that.” He breathed after a little while and I smiled at him softly.

A comfortable silence settled over us until I broke it after some time.

“But you know I’m not really comfortable with calling you dad just yet, right?” I breathed out and he nodded eagerly, “I really will love to but I’m not too comfortable with it just yet, and you know, it’s a gradual process for me.”

Danny cleared his throat after a few moments.

“It’s okay, Ava. There’s no rush at all and you can take as much time as you want. I’m not in a hurry. I don’t even mind you calling me Danny,.” He said with a warm, encouraging smile and I nodded affirmatively.

We’ve both come to an agreement and I liked how understanding he is. How easy it is to have a conversation with him.

“We could go out though.” I suddenly said after a little while.

“What?” He responded and I grinned.

“Yes, it’s a fun idea. We could go out and do those cute stuff that father and daughter do, you know? We could take pictures, go to amusement parks and do some fun things,” I explained, “If you want to, of course.” I added and he smiled.

“Of course I would really really love that, I would be so honoured to go out with you.” He finished, laughing from chin to chin and talking like I was some kind of a big celebrity.

“Alright then.” I answered, leaning into the car seat to relax properly and enjoy the rest of the ride.

We soon got to my uni’s building and Danny pulled up as I unbuckled my seat belt and grabbed my bag.

“Should I also pick you up after school?” He asked and I shook my head negatively.

“No, don’t bother. I’ll just get a taxi and be fine.” I answered as I slid out the phone.

“By the way, what happened to your head? How’d you get this little bump?” He asked, gesturing to the recent bump which I got this morning.

It was as a result of me tripping when I had been about to punch Mason.

So, it’s technically his fault.

“I only tripped and fell, it’s nothing to be worried about.” I answered, choosing not to mention Mason’s name on remembering his warning this morning.

~~~~

“Oh my goodness, what the hell happened to your head?” Nicole asked after we were sitted to have our coffee and my hair has shifted off the bumb.

“It’s that stupid dick’s fault,” I responded in a small sigh. I need not continue for Nicole to know who I was referring to, “The son of a bitch made me trip this morning.” I answered and Nicole breathed out a small laugh that made me level her with her glare.

Nothing about this situation is funny.

“Yeah, he’s such a jerk.” She finally agreed and I rolled my eyes once again.

“Is it just me or is that guy over there making passes at me?” I asked and Nicole subtly turned around to look before smiling as she turned back around to face me.

“He definitely is trying to flirt with you.” She answered and I groaned a little.

I tried to change the topic to no avail.

“You really should give him your number.” Nicole advised and I only scoffed. Nicole and I were currently on my way to our last lecture for the day when I realised that Nicole wasn’t with me.

I turned around to see her with the waiter I’d tried so hard to ignore, whom she had claimed had been trying to flirt with me.