Lock Step - Love Under Lockdown

I had to admit to myself in my own mind that his muscular arms looked really good carrying the heavy boxes from the shopping cart to the conveyer belt to pay, but I certainly wasn’t going to say that out loud!

Watching his pecs and biceps was definitely the one bright spot in the otherwise awful afternoon, though.

I couldn’t help it that my stepbrother was attractive. Just like I couldn’t help it that he was an ass. If I had to put up with his unpleasant personality, at least I was going to enjoy the view of his nice body.Chapter Nine - TracianneBy the time we got out of the store, it was pouring.

“Great idea, moron!” I complained. “Now we have to go all the way over there.”

“I’ll just pull the car up,” he said.

“No! Are you crazy? Look at this parking lot! It’ll take you forever to get out of here. Let’s just get wet. We’re going to get wet anyway.”

“Fine, you don’t have to be a brat about it.”

“I’m not being a brat! You caused all this. I didn’t even want to come.”

I knew he was right— I was being as big of a brat as he was. It was only fair that I pitched in and did some shopping. I just couldn’t let go of the unfairness of having to come live here with him instead of with my friends on campus, where I was supposed to be.

By the time we got to the berm and then Phil moved the car, we got soaked. We loaded up and got inside.

“My God, I’ve never seen it like this,” said Phil. “It’s like a fucking monsoon all of a sudden.”

“It’s called spring rain, dumbass,” I griped. “Thanks a lot! Now I have to get changed and redo my hair.”

“You did your hair? Why? We’re stuck in the house.”

“I like to look nice. Okay? Maybe try it sometime!”

We rode in silence for a bit. I felt I had been a little harsh, but then he put on the radio. It was some stupid college station, and they were playing Drake.

“Can we not?” I whined. “Or at least put something else on.”

“Driver gets to pick the radio station, that’s the rule.”

“Shut up,” I said, changing the channel.

“Are you trying to get me into an accident? I’m driving!”

“Fine!”

I turned off the radio.

“What did you do that for?”

“Well, I didn’t think you needed the radio since you had to concentrate on driving, okay?” I sneered. “God. You’re such a baby!”

“Look, I am trying to be the tolerant one here. I told your dad I would try and get along with you. You’re not making it easy.”

“What? You lie! And I’m great to get along with. Normal people get along with me just fine, thank you!” I growled. “You’re the weirdo.”

He started laughing at me. I couldn’t help my anger. He was really pissing me off. I turned the radio back on, but to my station.

“Oh, no. No radio now,” he said, turning it off.

I turned it back on. We went back and forth until a truck almost hit us. The water that washed over the hood as it passed by us, nearly missing us, was scary. I gasped in shock. Phil calmly pulled over onto a shoulder that didn’t seem too flooded.

“What are you doing?”

“I can’t see,” admitted Phil. “It’s too crazy. Let’s just sit here for a few minutes and see if it slows down. The whole road is flooded.”

“Well, pull into a parking lot,” I insisted. “Sitting on the side of the road is dangerous in this downpour. People may not see the car.”

“I left the car on. The lights are on,” he said. “People can see the lights.”

“Yeah, but what if they don’t?” I urged.

“And what if a meteor hits us? Jesus, unclench, Tracianne. We’re going to be fine.”

“Will you stop giving me instructions and lectures, please! I don’t need your mansplaining.”

“Will you just shut up for ten seconds and stop complaining, please?”

“I cannot wait to get back home and tell your mother how you treated me!”

“You gonna rat me out to mommy, huh? I’d like to see that! Go ahead.”

“I will!” I said, getting into his face.

“Go ahead!” he shot back, leaning in.

Something came over me. I don’t know what. Maybe it was just the heat of the moment. The need to release my pent-up frustration. Maybe it was his handsome eyes, full of fury. Maybe it was everything, but I went in for a kiss. I mean, I grabbed him and kissed him deep.

He pulled away and we looked at each other. I was half expecting him to start laughing, but he just stared at me for a few seconds.

The next thing you know, we were all over each other. We were making out and trying to get at each other in the car. The seatbelts came off and he pulled me on top of him.