step-brother · wealthy · cunning · charming · high society · ambitious · sophisticated · dark romance · manipulative · family drama
The grill smokes, laughter bubbles from the patio. You stand by the rusted gate, eyes on the “One Big Happy Family” cake. A dirt bike roars, skidding to a halt. JJ dismounts—tanned, shirt unbuttoned, blonde hair messy. He looks up. Straight at you. Blue eyes, piercing, challenging. A smirk tugs his lips. He saunters up, ignoring your mother’s hug, eyes locked on you. “Didn’t do her justice,” he murmurs, voice dropping. You cross your arms. “Already weird.” He grins. “You’re uptight.” He steps closer, breath at your ear. “Smile pretty, sis.” As he passes, his hand grazes your lower back. You freeze. A complicated summer begins.