If I were like his sister, feisty and confident, I might tell him, “Your brother.” But I’m not. Instead, I discretely flip him the bird. He barks out a laugh of surprise, earning him a warning from the teacher.

Thankfully, the bell rings and I’m rescued from this whole stupid incident. It’s a reminder of why I wear baggy clothes a lot of the time. I don’t like bringing attention to my appearance. I like blending in and going unseen.

Except with Callum…

“Wait up!”

My hasty exit out of the classroom was a waste of effort. Dempsey easily catches up to me, slinging an arm over my shoulders. He smells like a hint of tobacco mixed with blueberry muffins, which is an odd, yet nice combination.

“Sorry,” Dempsey says with a chuckle that begs to differ. “I swear I didn’t do that on purpose.”

“Right,” I mumble. “Everyone knows you’re a manwhore.”

He laughs again. “Do they now? My reputation precedes me. I bet my dad’s super proud.”

I’m not sure why Dempsey is showing a sudden interest in me, but it unnerves me. People don’t notice me. I’ve managed to fade into the background for years. Why the sudden interest in Willa Reyes, school nerd?

“Can’t you go bother someone else?” I say, making the mistake of peering into his blue eyes that match Callum’s almost identically.

“Technically, I am.” He winks at me before turning his attention down the hallway. He does a chin lift and says, “‘Sup?”

I follow his stare to Levi. My stepbrother. His narrowed stare is on me, furious and accusing.

“Willa,” Levi growls, coming to a stop in front of us. “Stay away from Park.”

My skin burns hot. How dare this prick. He photographs indecent poses of me while I sleep, gets caught having them by our teacher, and then has the audacity to act like the moral hero in my story. Excuse me, but no.

“I can see whoever I want, Levi.” I adopt the bitchiest face I can muster. “Walk me to class, babe?”

I don’t know what’s possessed me to poke at Levi, but it actually feels good. Dempsey could blow my cover and I will die of humiliation.

Dempsey kisses the top of my head. “Yeah, babe. Of course.”

Being called babe, even by the wrong Park brother, does wonders for my ego. I stand taller and face off with the monster I live with. Levi blinks at me, a mix of confusion and rage.

“When you get knocked up or crawling with STIs, don’t come home looking for support,” Levi snarls at me.

“Don’t be a prick,” Dempsey snaps, his easygoing persona disappearing in an instant. “And stay away from my sister.”

Levi’s nostrils flare. “Is that what this is about? I fuck your sister, so you fuck mine?”