Kiss, Take And Tell; Falling For My Step Brother

Nia's POV

Immediately a coffee cup was slammed on the table, I sighed. I just knew today was going to be one of those days. I raised my head to meet the glare of the man standing at the other side of the counter. “I said I wanted oat milk! This tastes like regular!”

I swallowed, fighting the urge not to roll my eyes. I tried to fight back the rude retort hanging right off my throat. I was running on the adrenaline from excitement and the two cups of espresso I had downed earlier this morning. I really, really wanted to walk away from here, but I still had customer service to uphold, apparently.

“Sir, I was sure I put in oatmilk. I made sure of it. Maybe, it's the syrup that is throwing off the taste—”

The man scoffed, leaning over, like he own the damn café, as if he wanted to let me in on some tips. “I don't care what you saw. Hell, you could even have astigmatism for all I care. I work day and night, come in here and pay good money for a little drink, and all I get is poor customer service and disrespect?”

“Sir, please lower your voice, people are watching—”

“I don't care!” He slammed his palm over the counter, making me flinch, “I want your manager—”

“Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?” a voice rang out from behind me.

Right on cue, Cleo swooped right in, smiling a vague, dangerous smile. The man whipped his head to the side, assessing her from head to toe.

"You’re the manager?" he scoffed.

"Nope. Just the girl who’ll happily take your complaint and then toss it into the shredder while sipping a vanilla latte." Cleo shot him a sugary smile before turning to me. "Nia, go take a break. I’ve got it."

I flashed her a grateful smile and scurried away to the stockroom that smelled like cinnamon syrup and cardboard boxes. I exhaled and started pacing around, pulling my phone out of my apron. Soon, Cleo joined me, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips.

I turned to her immediately and then smiled. "I’m just—ugh—I’m in a rush. Carl just won his TYR qualifier, and I want to surprise him. I got him this watch he’s been obsessing over for months and I’m gonna give it to him today. Today! Can you believe it? And today could finally be the day, Cleo!”

She leaned against the metal cupboard standing by the corner of the room. “Girl, you've been talking about this for weeks. I know. And if you don’t go now, your head might literally explode from anticipation. I’ll take your shift.”

I paused in my pacing, slowly turning to face her, blinking. “You’ll cover for me?” A soft exhale of laugher left my lips.

"I already clocked in for you. Now go. Run. Float or whatever. Just get out of my hair." She pulled the apron off me herself and tossed it onto the shelf.

I squealed, actually squealed, jumping around and threw my arms around her. "I owe you so bad. I love you. You’re the best friend a girl could have.”

“Damn right I am!” She muttered, flipping her black curls with a smile on her lips. I laughed, rushing towards my locker. I had planned everything in details…about how today would go. It was going to be perfect!

I pulled out the sundress I had borrow money from cleo to get. It was adorned with little pink and blue flowers and a flare skirt. He had always said he loved sundresses. I smiled at the tiny mirror. I wanted Carl to look at me there at think ‘Damn, that was my girl!’ I changed quickly, smoothing the fabric over my hips.

I pulled out a bag and brought out the little velvet box and stared at the sparkling gold inside it. It was the latest watch Carl had always pointed out that he wanted. I had saved for months. I had skipped meals. I had walked home in the rain to avoid paying for rides. All for this. All for him. Underneath the watch was the note. Just a few lines I’d written the night before. "I’m proud of you. No matter where you go, I’m cheering for you. Love, Nia."

I shut the box and tucked it safely into my tote. Then I left. I didn’t even clock out.

Then I was out the door and on my way to the pool where the qualifiers had taken place.

The air was thick with chlorine and pride when I arrived. Swimmers were everywhere—some still dripping wet, others already basking in celebration. But Carl? He was nowhere in sight. I hovered by the bleachers, scanning the crowd.

"Hey," I asked one of the guys tugging off his swim cap. "Did you see Carl Daniels?"

He smirked. "He was around earlier. Probably near the locker rooms.”

Another guy joined in, obviously trying to show off. "You Carl’s girl? You’re cute. You sure you’re not looking for me instead?"

I let out a nervous laugh and moved on to the locker rooms by the right. My heart started to beat faster, the good kind. I imagined his surprised face, the way he would grin and maybe even lift me off the ground, but when I turned the corner near the locker rooms, I heard his familiar voice. It was loud. He was laughing. I sped up.

He's so close.

He was there, shirtless, towel hanging low, and he was surrounded by a group of girls. They were tall, tanned, and had perfect bodies, all of them practically melting all over him. And he wasn’t brushing them off. He was soaking it in. He was smirking and flirting, running a hand through his wet hair like he was in a commercial.

I blinked, disoriented. Then I smiled. Of course. He was just basking in the win. They were fangirling. That’s what girls did around winners, right? No big deal.

I raised a hand, waved. He didn’t notice. I tried again, stepping forward. He glanced my way—briefly. Then turned back to the girl beside him, who had her hand on his arm.

My smile faltered. Something inside me tightened.

I walked faster, more deliberate now. My sandals clicked against the tiles. "Carl," I called.

He turned, sighed loudly like I was interrupting a sacred ritual. "Nia, not now.”

I stopped. Everyone turned to look at me. Some of the girls snickered.

"Not now?" I asked, confused. "I just wanted to—"

He cut me off. "Can’t you read the room? There are cameras everywhere. I can’t be seen with you right now."

I blinked. "What does that mean?"

Carl ran a hand over his face, annoyed. "It means I have a career to think about. The scouts are here, sponsors, press. You showing up like this is... not ideal.”

The girls around him laughed softly, one even whispering something to another. I felt the humiliation spread like heat across my chest.

"So you’re embarrassed to be seen with me?"

His eyes hardened. "Look, let’s not do this here. Don’t make a scene. You’re not... you know. You’re not part of this world.”

I took a shuddering breath, my eyes watering, my vision blurring.

Carl didn’t even flinch. He shrugged. "You? You’re a nobody. Let’s be real, you’re with me ’cause I’m going places."

That was it. The words hit like a slap and kept stinging. I turned around, half-blind with fury and something worse—grief and betrayal. I clutched my bag like it was the only solid thing left in the world and walked.

He shouted after me, throwing out weak excuses and twisted logic, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t want to hear a single syllable of it. I just needed to get out. Away from there and him.

That’s when I crashed.

Hard chest. Strong arms. The smell of ocean and something sharp. I stumbled back, breath knocked from my lungs.

"Whoa," a voice said. Low and mooth. "You okay?"

I looked up, and the world tilted again. Tall. Tan. Blue eyes that burned. Leo Kent.