Five

Holy shit" Lexi's voice raged through the speakers. I facetimed her as soon as I reached my room.

"That's fucked up" she said and I nodded in agreement. It's more than fucked up.

"I can't believe Ryder's going to be my Stepbrother. I mean giving our story and all that" I pace around the room with my laptop in my hand.

"Well… might be a good thing you know…."

"No fuvkng way!" I charged

"Sorry, just kidding" she laughed but I knew she didn't mean it. There's no way in the world Ryder and I will get closer. He uses every chance he gets to remind me how awful my presence is to him. I hate him so much but now stepbrother??

After a little chat I ended the call with Lexi with the promise to catch up on Monday. I take a shower and put on my pajamas. I was about to start an essay that's due on Tuesday when I heard my phone chirping. I picked it up to find another message from Ryder.

What does he want from me?

Unknown; I know you aren't asleep

I left it on read but didn't reply but since Ryder's being Ryder he didn't let me rest.

Unknown; Are you ignoring me, sis?

Sis?

Is he being serious right now?

Almost immediately I got another message.

Unknown; Reply me and I will stop

Me; How do you get my number?

Unknown; I'm Ryder Saint,Sis.

I rolled my eyes as if he could see me.

Me; Cut the attitude and stop calling me sis and stop texting me. I care about my grades so I have to study. Goodnight.

I hit the send button then switched off my phone. Ryder texting me?? Unbelievable. I returned back to studying but Ryder seemed to have ruined my mood so I went downstairs to get a cup of water.

I met mom in the kitchen.

"Want a cup of coffee?"

She asked, watching me carefully. Since the surprise of throwing Ryder in my face we haven't discussed much. The car ride on our way back was silent. Neither of us didn't know what to say to each other. Somehow I believe I was acting like a bitch. This is the same woman who has taken care of me and gave me her all since the penis donor didn't want it. I want to blame all of this on whoever my father is, if he didn't abandon us in the first place, none of this would be happening.

"No thanks, I'll just have some water then go to bed"

I replied

"You're okay with moving with James right?"

So this was it. How do I explain that I'm okay with moving but not okay with having Ryder as my stepbrother.

"Of course, James is cool and Ryder I can deal with it" I feigned Excitement and shrugged it off like it's nothing.

"Are you sure"

I nodded. " You should get some rest"

She smiled and hugged me goodnight, and I closed my eyes and let the familiar floral scent of her perfume wash over me. I wondered if she’d start wearing something more expensive now that she was marrying a billionaire, and my heart ached a little as I thought of all the other little details that might change in the near future. Ryder

I still can't believe Genie McConnell is going to be my Stepsister. Out of any other girls with tities and a nice ass, it's going to be her. Since when did dad start seeing another woman. Hell, he's never seen anyone since mom left. All however was just a nice pussy to satisfy his urges. But seeing Genie mom with him, I'm pretty sure it must be serious.

It's been a week since my dad and Sophia announced their engagement and I'm still fuming. I don't understand why I'm angry. First, why does he have to throw that news at us without any warning. From the horrified look on Genie's face I'm sure it came as a surprise. Secondly, he hasn't been around ever since. I know he has a busy schedule but fuvk, he's settling down in a few months now with a soon to be Stepsister and a wife for Christ sake. I know he came in late last night anyways.

Throughout this week, I did something. Haven't done since the first time I set my eyes on her, I let her be. I avoided and stayed clear of her way. I even warned Juan not to be near her which earned me some suspicious looks from him, how in the world am I supposed to tell him Genie is going to be my Stepsister and will be moving in today. The only reason why I'm still in this house by four in the afternoon. Well, Courtesy of dad. Speaking of which, I heard some noise outside and looked outside to find a van outside with Sophia and Genie standing before it.

"Ryder, would you come and assist us?" I heard my dad's grunt voice as he was trying to lift a box.

"It's 2022 dad, we're not that poor not to afford a moving company service" I throw back.

His bright eyes shine, giving me a silent message.

"Okay, fine"

"Hi, Ryder, it's so nice to see you again" Sophia's voice sounded behind me and I turned.

"Nice to see you too" I smiled.

Holy fuck! Where did that come from? Nice to see you? I wasn't expecting that.

“Nice to see you,” Genie said in a sing-song voice under her breath as Sophia and my father headed inside, and I marched over to her.

"What did you just say rocks?"

"Don't call me that" she fired back and for the first time I noticed what she's putting on. What the fuck is she on? My eyes trailer her long legs to her tights. She has on a bum shot and a silly tank top that does nothing to cover her stomach. Part of me wants to at her to go inside and change while the other continue to stare. It took all of me to avert my eyes before she caught me ogling her body.

"It's just funny you acting like a nice kid when in front of our parents when we both know you aren't" she paused. "You know I could put up with all of your bullshit. I'm at school but try to act nicer to my mom and me" she rushed her words then walked away before I could say anything.

"Are you kids okay?" my father called out. "Ryder, Genie room I going to be the one next to yours"

“What?” I replied. “There’s tons of other rooms she can have. The one on the ground floor is spacious and has a nice private balcony she’d probably like.”

He pressed his lips into a thin line. “I’m well aware of the layout of my own house, Ryder. I just think it would benefit you two to be close. You can

spend more time together and get to know each other.”

That's one thing about James Saint, he never takes no for an answer.

“We already know each other. We fucking attend the same school”

“Not as siblings. She’s going to be next door to you, and that’s final.”

He marched back inside and I rolled my eyes. From the look on Genie's face, I could tell she wasn’t too happy about it either. I gave her a death glare, she fucking caused this.

Fuck all of this!

I went inside my room and didn't come out again.

Genie

I took a huge step over the parking strip while I followed my mom. All of our things are boxed up and some furniture my mom thinks she'd like to keep have been sent here earlier. So we only have a few things to pack, meaning we don't need moving services.

"James got it all covered" was my mom's reply when I asked her.

I stared at the house before me, hugged and at least three times the size of my old one. It stood at the extreme of the street with woods surrounding it. I suddenly like it here as I inhale the fresh morning breath and listen to the chirps of birds. I never knew James could like an environment like this. Heck even Ryder.

We followed the path to the front door, all mahogany and paneled just the way the rich would like it. All this while I try to steady my breath. Not only am I moving into a new environment which I like, surprisingly, I'm going to be living with the only boy who makes my blood boil.

Without entering I knew it had a nice layout. The garage alone is twice the size of my front yard in my former house. I can see my sports car there already and I smile. Don't judge me, I like my former house and it's not on the poor side of the city but it's but this big. It only has three bedrooms and a tiny place to fit my mom's ranger over and my new sports car.

"Sophia! Genie!" James' voice jerked me out of my train of thoughts.

"You made it early, I wasn't expecting you for another hour" he smiled and hugged me after my mom.

"Genie has a couple of things to set up in her room and it can take all day" my mom answered while James nodded. I doubt he understands how organized I can be with arrangements.

It was when we started unpacking that I realised who was missing. I mean my heart has been racing a Marathon since I know I'll be coming here so there's no way I won't notice his absence.

Where's Ryder?

Ryder, would you come and assist us?" I heard James grunt voice as he was trying to lift a box.

It was as if he could hear me or did I say that out Loud?? I hope I haven't.

I looked up only to meet the cold stare of Ryder. He stood there in shorts with one of his hands in his pocket. I looked away.

"It's 2022 dad, we're not that poor not to afford a moving company service" he fired back.

Whatever James said to him next I didn't hear but I know he later agreed.

That is new. Ryder never does anything against his will. No one in my school can make him do nothing. With all of his mischievous acts he never gets detention. Why? His father makes generous donations to the school. One fun fact about having a rich dad.

"Hi, Ryder, it's so nice to see you again" Mom had a huge smile on her face as she moved to hug Ryder

"Nice to see you too" he smiled back. For some reason I want to believe he is sincere but I know better. He only manipulates people to believe he is nice but underneath that is a monster.

“Nice to see you,” I sang a song mimicking his earlier gesture as soon as my mom went inside. I couldn't keep that to myself.

"What did you just say rocks?" He gave me the usual death glare and I looked backed. Looked directly into his eyes.

"Don't call me that" Don't call me that I said becoming angry. Me knows I hate that name and he uses it to torment me any chance he gets. "It's just funny you acting like a nice kid when in front of our parents when we both know you aren't" I paused. "You know I could put up with all of your bullshits I'm school but try to act nicer to my mom and me"

I didn't hear what James said to Ryder. All I know is that he looked angry and he passed by me and went inside. Such an angry bird. I'm pleased he left because I can finally focus on unpacking. It took us another two hours to get the boxes in each room. If I think the front of the house is beautiful, the interior is definitely gorgeous. And my room…

If I could use one word to describe it, I would say it's perfect and probably too spacious. The walls were a pale robin’s egg blue, and the furniture was mostly white and French-inspired. I opened the window and the sight before me was breathtaking. It is directly facing the pool and a part of the back yard. But that isn't what I like, I like the serenity and the songs of the birds I could hear from afar. I closed my eyes and let the sun hit my face.

"I like the view, it's beautiful" I said when I finally opened my eyes. I turned back to James.

"Do you like it?"

I looked around once again. "It's fine" It's twice the size of my bedroom at home and has a nice view. The paintings on the wall look old but it is still okay.

"I'll leave you to unpack or you need my help?" He asked

"Of course not. I can handle the rest myself"

He nodded and started to walk away when I called him.

"James?" He turned.

"Thank you for…. Everything" I fumbled with words. He gave me a reassuring smile. "You're family now, Genie"

With that he makes his way out of my room not forgetting to shut the door behind him.