Teaching My Bookworm Stepsister

Kapri's P.O.V.

Prove it? Really? That's what I decided to say back? God, I'm so lame.

When Maverick told me that he wanted me.. I wasn't sure what to think at the moment. My heart started beating wildly. I wanted to jump onto him, and tell him that I wanted him to. His words had made me instantly happy. I hated it.

The rational part of me, the part that was still pretty pissed off at what he said, won. I kept my glare pointed at him. Even as my heart went crazy in my chest. Even while I wanted so desperately to kiss him. Then I told him to prove it. Like what!? How is he even supposed to do that?

Maverick had only replied with 'okay'. That was it. Just 'okay'. What does 'okay' even mean?

After that, Maverick finished his shower while keeping me in there with him. Then he dried me off, and dressed me. He did the same with himself. I thought he would go to his own room after the way our conversation went, but.. Maverick got into my bed with me, and slept with me all night. Waking up to him working out is going to kill me one of these days. It's too much. A shirtless, sweaty Maverick first thing in the morning.. Ugh!

I've been trying my best to be normal since that night. To just act like I didn't tell Maverick Penton, my bully, the richest guy in school, my stepbrother, to prove that he wanted me. To stop thinking about all of the questions swarming my head.

Like, what does 'I want you' even mean to Maverick? Why is he so defensive about Sally? Was he lying about what he told me they did? Why am I even worried? Could Maverick really tell that I'm jealous?

It's been a couple of weeks though. Maverick has made time for me every single day. Whether Brooke is over or not. If she is, Maverick just hangs out with us. If she's not, he and I hang out alone.

Sometimes we do stuff, sometimes we don't. Which is super confusing. Why are we even hanging out if it's not to explore?

It's making me nervous. My feelings just keep growing. Which makes my anxiety grow, and keeps the questions swarming in my brain.

Although, I've really been enjoying hanging out with Maverick. I know that I shouldn't. That it's only going to end terribly for me, but.. I have such a good time. No matter what we do. Even if Maverick just hangs out in my room while I work on schoolwork.

I never thought that I would enjoy Maverick's presence so much. We get along better than we ever have before, and I don't understand why. It's so different than.. well than ever before.

Maverick still takes Sally home every day after school. Only, now.. He completely bribed or threatened Brooke. Maverick did something to her, because she refuses to take me home anymore. I could never seem to find Josh, and I honestly didn't want to string the guy along anyway.

I tried to walk a few different times, but guess who always found me. I had to ride in the back seat while Sally touches all over Maverick in front of me. I made gagging noises every time she flirted with him.

I really have no shame. Sally probably thinks I've lost my mind. Catching feelings for my freaking stepbrother.

Not that I care. I don't know what it is, probably the fact that Sally is so fake, but.. I feel the need to be myself extra when I'm around her. I have no filter. I hold nothing back.

I can tell that it irritates Maverick, but he never says anything. I don't know if that's for my benefit, or Sally's though. Sally always acts like I'm joking. She knows though. It's just part of her fake-ness.

I can't believe Maverick practically forced me into those situations though. I mean, we drop Sally off, and then always hang out after. I have to admit that I always take pleasure in the looks that Sally gives me while I get into the passenger seat. "Kapri, what's going on in your brain?" Maverick asked.

I shook my head, and turned my head to look at him. I was in the middle of grabbing books out of my locker. I didn't even notice Maverick next to me.

"Huh?" I asked him.

What's he even doing over here? Maverick doesn't usually come to my locker at all. I didn't even know he knew where it was.

"I was calling out your name you geek." Maverick said teasingly.

My cheeks heated, and I turned my head back to my locker. Even his stupid insults make me excited now. My heart beats faster, and my stomach twists into knots.

Ugh, I hate this.

""Sorry." I mumbled.

""Hey," he said.

Maverick grabbed my chin, and forced my eyes on his. He's looking at me with knitted brows and a worried expression. Excitement coursed through me, but I tried to choke down. "What's wrong? Did something happen?" He asked.

"U-uhm, n-no." I said.

I tried to pull my face free, but Maverick wouldn't let me go.

"What's wrong?" He asked again, this time it was demanding.

I frowned up at him.

"Right now, the fact that my stepbrother won't let go of my face," I stated.

Maverick gently rubbed his thumb across my chin. His eyes flickered down to my lips. Then he let me go.

""What's wrong, nerd?" He asked for the third time.

"Nothing is wrong, Maverick," I said.

Maverick raised a brow at me.

"What?" I asked, annoyed.

"Something was on your mind." He called me out.

"I'm a smart girl, there are lots of things on my mind," I replied.

"This was different. What were you thinking about?" He asked.

I looked up into Maverick's honey-brown eyes. It's not like I can tell him the truth. That I can't stop thinking about the feelings I have for him. The ones that are growing stronger and stronger. I would look like a complete fool.

"I don't want to go home with you today." I blurted out.

Maverick frowned at me.

"Why not?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes as I turned back to my locker.

"Do you have to ask that?" I snapped. "I don't want to sit in the back while Sally fawns all over you. All so you can be mad at me the moment I say something snarky. I'm tired today, and I don't wanna." I whined. I turned my head back to Maverick with a pout.

"I'm taking you home today, Kap. Get over it." He stated.

I frowned at him.

"Sally isn't coming today. She's getting out of school early for something," he added.

My mood instantly changed.

"Really?" I asked happily.

"Yup," Maverick replied.

"Just the two of us then?" I asked. "Should we go get food before we go home then?" Maverick chuckled at me.

"We're going somewhere else to eat. I have something I want to ask you." He told me. "Okay." I replied happily.

Yay! No Sally!

"Hey, did you know that Trevor asked Molly to homecoming?" I asked Maverick.

"Yeah, I didn't think he would there for a while," he replied.

"I'm happy she said yes." I said. "Trevor is a nice guy."

"He is. He was so nervous about asking her. I didn't get it at first. All he had to do was blurt out the words," Maverick said.

I snorted.

"It's not that easy when you like someone," I said.

"Don't I know it." Maverick muttered.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing." He said, shaking his head. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you about that too. Trevor is convinced that Molly isn't interested at all. What do you think? Help my boy out." He said.

I raised an amused brow at him.

"Help your boy out?" I asked with a laugh.

"You know what I mean, Kap," Maverick said, bored.

I laughed again.

"Okay, okay. So, I have no idea if Molly likes Trevor romantically. She hasn't really mentioned having a crush on anyone, but Molly never does. Usually she just calls guys hot. I think she has had hard time taking guys seriously since-"

I stopped abruptly when I realized what I was about to say.

"Is it because of her real father?" Maverick asked lowly.

I looked at him shocked.

"H-how did you know about that? No one knows about that," I said.

Maverick shrugged.

"I know a lot of things. My father was involved in the case that put her dad in jail." He said.

What?

"I think you forget that a lot of our parents have been friends since high school. From what I gathered, my dad had seen something take place at one point. I heard him say something about watching her dad hit her, when Molly was just a little baby, and then her mom. He stepped in. So he testified in court." He told me.

"I.." I trailed off.

That's shocking..

"You don't have to say anything, Kap. I just wanted to know if my boy had a chance." Maverick said.

"Uhm," I said. "Well, Molly says he's hot, and seems comfortable around him. Just tell him to keep being himself, and to take a risk. Molly probably doesn't even think that he likes her like that."

"No wonder the two of you are friends," Maverick muttered.

"What?" I asked him.

"Trevor is head over heels for that girl. How is going right over her head?" He asked.

I chuckled at him.

"I don't know Mav," I said.

The warning bell rang just then.

"Come on," Maverick said. "I'll walk you to your next class."