Page 20 of Make You Beg

Of course, he doesn’t. That’s why I’m wearing pink dresses and mimicking a human doll most of the time. We need to be perfect and not showcase our flaws in front of others, right?

“Got it. I’ll stay in my room until I finish it, no worries,” I say, putting my book down. “Anything else?”

“Yes.” Mom approaches me now, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I want you to get along with your brother.”

Oh. So this is what this is about.

I sit up. “Not a chance.”

Just because we’re a family now doesn’t mean we need to be all lovey-dovey. Besides, it’s not only me—it’s mutual.

“Maddy…please.” Mom purses her lips and places a hand on my lap. “I know Kayden may seem harsh, but he’s been through a lot.” Her brown eyes plead with me. “Lucas said he’s always had problems socializing.”

“No kidding.”

Though I don’t see him having problems socializing as much as he has problems socializing with me.

Even after the wedding when everyone at school found out we’re stepsiblings, he never made an effort.

Why would he start now?

“Try talking to him. Please? I know you’ve been at each other’s throats, but enough is enough. We’re a family now. You can’t be sneaking bugs into each other’s plates during family dinners, and stealing each other’s homework at school.”

Oh, if she only knew the half of it. Those are the harmless pranks.

In fact, I’m almost out of ideas. After the panty-cutting Kayden hit me with, I got back at him by staining all his pants so it looks like he either shit himself or jizzed, and that’s only the tip of it.

My favorite was when I drew a big dick on the side of his hockey helmet, along with the word ‘I’ and a heart on the other side. He can be childish, but so can I.

“Mom, you don’t get it,” I say. Because, sincerely, she doesn’t. “He hates me.”

“No, he doesn’t, Maddy. Don’t be ridiculous. He’s not used to being around us. And women. He’s been alone for a long time. You know, I don’t know if I told you this, but his mother passed when he was a kid.”

My stomach churns. I didn’t know that.

I don’t like Kayden, but that doesn’t mean I’m a fucking monster without feelings.

“That’s horrible.”

“It is.” She pauses, staring at me. “So, please, honey. Give him a chance? Maybe talk him into a truce? If there’s anyone who can convince him, it’s you. Be gentle with him. Okay?”

I sigh. I don’t want to do this.

I really, really, don’t.

But I would like the back-and-forth pranking to stop. It’d be nice to fall asleep one day without having to watch my back. Most importantly, Mom really wants me to do this.

“Okay,” I tell her. “But I’m only doing it for you.”

“I know you are, baby. Thank you.” She kisses the top of my head and stands up, heading for the door. “I love you, okay?”

***

I climb the ladder in the middle of the second floor—the one that leads to Kayden’s room—and knock on his door. Kayden’s room is in the attic, the place he claimed as his as soon as we moved into this house.

“Kayden?”

No response.