Alex eased the SUV away from the curb, tires humming over asphalt. Laura sat shotgun, black minidress riding high on her thighs, red hair glowing like molten copper under the streetlights. She smelled of vanilla and rebellion.
"Why the long face, brother?" she chirped, buckling in. "You should be thanking me."
He shot her a sideeye, merging onto the main road. "And why's that, sister?"
"Because I'm giving you a rare chance to meet my friends. You'd never get within ten feet of girls that hot on your own."
"Oh, thank you," he deadpanned. "I'm truly blessed."
Silence settled, thick and electric. Laura drummed her nails on the console. "What, no comeback?"
"Nah. Don't wanna boil my blood talking to you. Might run over an innocent pedestrian."
"Loser."
"Same to you, ma'am."
Five minutes later, Laura pointed. "Pull over in front of that house."
Alex eased to the curb. Laura hopped out, heels clicking. "Wait here. I'll grab them."
The front door burst open. Four girls spilled out, laughing, phones glowing. Jess led the pack: long red dress clinging to every curve, blonde hair in loose waves. Behind her: Mia (short black bob, leather skirt), Sarah (curly brunette, crop top), and Angelica (sleek ponytail, denim shorts).
Jess spotted the car. "Laura, your loser stepbrother's driving, right?"
"Yes, Jess. Not many options."
"Then you sit with him."
"Why me?"
Mia chimed in, "Jess is right. Why should any of us sit next to a loser the whole way? You brought him—you deal."
Laura's face twisted.
Her friends are worse bitches than her, Alex thought, smirking.
He climbed out, leaning against the hood. "Ladies, relax. Plenty of seats in the back. No one has to sit beside the driver."
Four heads swiveled. Silence.
Sarah whispered, "Jess… he's super hot."
Jess's eyes widened. "Bitch, you didn't recognize him? That's Alex: junior year. Hottest guy on campus." She turned to Laura, voice dripping venom. "You didn't tell us your brother was him?"
Laura opened her mouth. Nothing came out.
Jess sauntered forward, hips swaying. "That wouldn't be fair. Someone has to guide you to the party." She slid a manicured hand along the passenger door. "I'll take the front."
Mia shoved forward. "Why you? That's not fair."
"I planned the whole night," Jess snapped. "It's my call."
Sarah grinned. "How about turns?"
"No!" Jess barked, already opening the door.
Laura stood frozen on the sidewalk, red hair whipping in the breeze, eyes blazing.
Alex slid back behind the wheel. Jess claimed shotgun like a queen, dress riding up as she crossed her legs. The back doors slammed: Laura squeezed between Mia and Sarah, arms crossed, lips tight.
The engine roared to life.
Jess angled toward him, perfume flooding the cabin. "So, Alex… got a girlfriend?"
He kept his eyes on the road. "Nope."
"Really?" She traced a slow circle on the gearshift. "A guy like you? Single?"
"Guess I'm picky."
She laughed, low and throaty. "Smart. Most girls are basic. But me?" Her knee brushed his thigh. "I'm the limited edition."
In the rearview, Laura's reflection burned: eyes locked on Jess's hand, jaw clenched.
Jess tilted her head, blonde waves spilling over one shoulder. "So, Alex… what do you really do for fun when you're not playing chauffeur?" Her fingers slid higher, nails grazing the inside of his elbow. "Bet it's something dangerous."
He kept his voice flat. "Video games. Gym. Boring stuff."
"Boring?" She laughed, low and throaty. "With a body like yours? Please." Her knee nudged his again, deliberate. "I could think of way better ways to burn calories."
From the back, Laura snapped, "Jess, he's driving. Maybe save the porn audition for later."
Jess didn't even glance back. "He's not your boyfriend, Laura." She leaned closer, lips brushing Alex's ear. "Ignore her. She's just mad, she's stuck in the kiddie section."
Alex pulled into the crowded lot behind a sprawling lake house: bass thumping, colored lights strobing. He killed the engine.
Jess unbuckled, leaning in. "Text me when you're done being a good boy." She slipped a folded note into his palm: her number in red ink. Then she climbed out, hips swaying.
The back doors flew open. Mia, Sarah, and Tara spilled out. Laura lingered, eyes locked on Alex.
He raised a brow. "Problem?"
She leaned in, voice low. "Don't you dare take her up on it." Then louder: "Let's go."
As the girls disappeared into the party, Alex sat alone. The note burned in his hand. Laura's flushed, furious face burned hotter.
He started the engine… then killed it again. Just make sure she's okay.
Inside, the house was a fever dream: bodies grinding, red cups everywhere, music rattling the walls. Alex slipped through the crowd, soda in hand. Jess found him first, pressing a shot into his palm. "Loosen up, Hot boy."
He set it down untouched. "Where's Laura?"
"Somewhere." She tugged his arm. "Dance with me."
He pulled free. "Later."
Minutes later, a brunette in a silver dress cornered him by the keg. "You're Alex, right? Junior year?" She bit her lip. "I've seen you in the gym. Damn!"
Another girl—blonde ponytail, crop top—joined. "He's even hotter up close. Wanna shot?" She leaned in, breasts brushing his arm.
Alex smiled politely. "I'm good."
Then Laura appeared, red hair wild, eyes glassy. She grabbed his wrist. "Alex, stop talking to them."
Silver Dress raised a brow. "Jealous much? Are you his girlfriend?"
Laura's grip tightened. "No. He's my brother."
Crop Top laughed. "Then go enjoy the party. Let your brother live."
Laura's face flushed crimson. She stormed to the kitchen, snatched a bottle of tequila, and poured three shots in a row. Downed them like water.
Alex watched, gut twisting. This is gonna end badly.
An hour blurred. The party grew wilder: bodies on tables, someone crowdsurfing. Alex fended off flirts—Jess grinding against him on the dance floor, Mia whispering, "My room's upstairs." He kept scanning for red hair.
Nothing.
Jess found him again, breathless. "Still looking for Laura? She's fine. Focus on me." She pressed her body to his, hands sliding under his shirt.
Alex stepped back. "Where is she?"
Jess rolled her eyes. "Probably puking in a bush. Let her be."
He pushed past her, heart pounding. Checked the backyard: no. Kitchen: no. Upstairs: locked doors. Downstairs bathroom: line out the door.
She drank too much. She's sick. He remembered the women's restroom near the garage—quieter.
The door was cracked. He pushed it open.