Beautiful Brute: A Stepbrother College Romance (Court University Book 3)

by Eden O'Neill

  It’d been known to happen, and though I wasn’t shy about approaching a group, I did wonder what was up.

  Was this still about Jax?

  I started to text her back before a shrieked and startled, “Watch out!” shot from my right. Next thing I knew, a tennis ball had sideswiped my face.

  I jumped, stumbling back, and a girl with a dark ponytail and wide eyes approached me. She wore a black tennis outfit that exposed her navel, her hair almost as dark and coal-toned as her outfit. She also had pretty pale skin, definitely not a local and obviously on vacation. The thing was, her hair and skin tone made her look like some kind of majestic princess, a freaking-the-hell-out princess as she dropped her tennis racket and sprinted over to me in her white tennis shoes.

  “Oh my fucking God. I am so sorry,” she said, cringing as she made it over. “Are you okay? I told them not to let me play.”

  “Them” being two other girls, the rest of the group I noticed when I came in, who were currently rushing over to me as well. The redhead made it first, freckled and classic-looking with her high-waisted skirt and perfect skin. She seriously looked like some on-screen goddess, then the other girl, little and with hair so blond it looked white. I honestly questioned if she was some kind of anime character or something out of Final Fantasy. She had the big eyes and everything, ultra cute and chibi-like.

  Between the three, they were definitely a sight to be had and were all definitely freaking out that I just got sideswiped by a tennis ball. Well, almost sideswiped. I was fine, though, and actually started to laugh at them freaking out and fawning over me.

  “Oh my gosh, girl. Are you okay?” Redhead, not freaking out as much. But still freaking out. “We can call someone.”

  “Yeah, do you need water? An ambulance?” The dark-haired princess this time, the one who had nearly hit me. She bit her lip, then wrestled to get her phone. She had it propped right in the front of her skirt. “I’ll get an ambulance.”

  “December, I don’t think it’s that serious.” Redhead screen goddess started to laugh now, waving her down. She looked at me, appearing a little older than the others. She didn’t necessarily look older, but the way she carried herself was definitely different. Her smile was warm. “You don’t need one, right? Maybe just some water?”

  “I can get that!” The little one, blond girl and so chipper. She rushed off to the court coolers while the others hovered over me. I didn’t actually need water, was fine, but I took it when she came back. After all, she made the effort.

  “Thanks,” I said, recapping it. “I’m fine, though. I swear.”

  “How could you be? Christ, I nearly knocked your fucking nose off.” The dark-haired girl tapped her head. “Okay, I’m so not playing anymore. I almost killed someone.”

  “No, it’s cool.” I chuckled, but she frowned.

  “Are you sure? I’ve like never done this before. Billie tried to teach me, but I suck.”

  “You don’t suck,” the redhead, Billie I guess, said. She grinned. “You’re just inexperienced. I wish I didn’t know as much as I did about tennis. I grew up around country clubs.”

  The dark-haired girl bit her lip. I recalled Billie calling her December. December tugged at her ponytail. “Well, I’m a hopeless case. You and Greer go.”

  “Oh, I haven’t played either.” The blond, Greer, chuckled. “You don’t play I’ll really look bad.”

  “Gee thanks,” December said, but did laugh, which was good. She’d literally been freaking out up to this point, and I really was okay. She faced me. “You’re good, though?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Good.” Elation took on a new form with her smile, the girl truly gorgeous. All of them were. Honestly, I got up this morning, put on some workout pants and a sports bra to come play, but these three looked literally Instagram-ready. Even the chibi blond looked cute in her silver workout outfit. We’d essentially worn the same thing today, but she appeared ready for an aerobics video.

  After assuring them I was good, again, I let them go, but December refused to play again.

  “I don’t want to hit anyone. Anyway, we have an uneven number of players,” she said, waving the other girls. “You guys go on ahead.”

  “Oh my God, you won’t hit anybody. You just need to work on your swing,” Billie assured her. “You’re hitting it now like you’re hitting a baseball. You just need to relax into it.”

  December didn’t look convinced. She groaned. “Doesn’t matter. Like I said, we don’t have enough players.”

  “Sure, we do.” But then, Billie looked at me. She waved her racket. “Wanna play or are you waiting for someone?”

  Since I was, but had been advised to seek others for a match, her request did sound like a good idea. “Actually, I am waiting for someone, but she told me if I could find a group that needed a player to go ahead. She said she’d be a while.”

  “Oh, perfect. See, December, now you can play.” Billie nudged her with her racket, but December looked anything but thrilled.

  “Joy-gasm,” she stated, more than sarcasm in her voice, but she laughed. She swung her ponytail at me. “You don’t mind playing with the human destructo machine do you?”

  I laughed. “Of course not.” But then, I stopped. “But maybe we should be on the same team just in case.”

  That actually made them all laugh and surprised me too. This morning had been more than stressful. Hell, this whole weekend so far.

  Dark-haired princess put out her hand. “I’m December,” she said, shaking my hand. “And this is Billie and Greer.”

  She pointed to the redhead and blond respectively. I shook both. “Cleo. Nice to meet you guys.”

  And it was really nice. With Kit being sick, I wasn’t sure how today was going to go at all. I mean, my parents were upstairs going over something that had to do with my nightmare of a stepbrother.

  So yeah, this was nice.

  We got right into it after I texted my parents and ended up telling Mom she didn’t have to rush. I’d obviously found a party who needed a fourth, and since I filled that slot, I was good for a while. She’d gotten back right away, apologizing profusely. She said some stuff came up with Dad and it was probably a good idea for them to have a quiet breakfast in the suite anyway. I didn’t ask what was wrong, but when Mom took it upon herself to say nothing was wrong I didn’t feel the need. She literally texted, “Nothing is wrong. Don’t worry,” with a smile emoji. She also told me to have fun so I decided to.

  I played on December’s side, the pair of us pretty good as I too had experience on the court and was able to help her. With Billie helping Greer on the other side of the net, we were pretty evenly matched. We got an amazing work out in between the four of us, and they all literally had me laughing by the workout’s end. December was a riot, and oh my God, she cursed like a sailor. It was hilarious, and she definitely didn’t take herself too seriously. I think, honestly, the Billie girl took things serious enough for all three of them. She was obviously older, not much but older. She had a maturity to her easily seen, but was also kind and had a nurturing sense about her. That was clearly observed in the way she helped both the girls, even me at some points in the game. She may have taken herself seriously, but she was really nice, and the cute girl, Greer, I took for the youngest. She just had a sweetness about her. Ironic as she cussed nearly as much as December.

  I think we really worked out December, because by the time we were done, she was sprawled out on the court with her face up in the sun.

  “Oh my God. I’m going to die,” she huffed, Greer joining her. She sat a slightly bit more proper with crossed legs, but looked wiped nonetheless.

  I was too, handing them all waters from the cooler. I chugged down mine. “You did really good today.”

  “Oh, you’re real generous.” December grinned. She literally was laid out on her back, her hand on her chest. “You and Billie did good.”

  Screen goddess had her shades on, smiling at us all. I
swear, the girl didn’t even sweat, barely a glisten on her brow. She shrugged. “Eh. I had a good day.”

  “A good day?” December propped up on her elbows. “You and Greer annihilated us.”

  “More like Billie annihilated.” Greer chuckled. “I was just along for the ride.”

  We all laughed at that, and after, December and Greer got back up on their feet, we all walked to gather our gear up.

  “A day of sailing and sun will be welcome after that,” December said, shouldering her bag. “And, Cleo, you should come with us. We’re heading out after the girls meet up with their boyfriends and I do with my fiance.”

  Oh, that sounded fun, me being seventh wheel. I shook my head. “Probably shouldn’t. I’m supposed to be doing stuff with my mom this weekend.” Though she hadn’t made it down currently, I probably should be around for when she was free. Then with Kit being sick, I obviously needed to be around for her. I’d texted her earlier, but she hadn’t answered so I assumed she was still asleep. “Besides, you girls are going to be enjoying things with your guys. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

  “Oh, girl, you totally wouldn’t be.” December passed off with a grin. She shielded her eyes with her shades. “Anyway, you wouldn’t be the only single. One of my guy friends, Jax, is going to be there too.”

  The name obviously gave me pause.

  As well as the next person I saw.

  The guy came out of nowhere, which was freaking hilarious since he was built like a small Mac truck.

  Knight, Jax’s friend, Knight came charging onto the tennis courts with one goal in mind. Clearly, as he not only tackle-hugged one of the girls I’d been playing with, Greer, but completely whisked her off her feet.

  She squealed, but not with delight. She charged her little fists at Knight as he swung her around, nothing but a deep chuckle eliciting from his behemoth-sized frame. He was basically half naked in a pair of basketball shorts and a tank that showed all the abs. I recalled Lawson wearing something similar—it barely covered any of the guy’s body it hung so low at the neck and sides. It gave complete way for this guy’s big arms and massive chest.

  “Knight! What the fuck!” Greer shot, Knight hugging her close. He got her on the ground, and with their size difference, I’d be freaking terrified.

  “I missed you, baby,” was all he said, laughing while the other girls, December and Billie, shook their heads. Eventually, Greer got Knight off her enough to breathe, but if she was upset before, she clearly wasn’t now.

  She melted before him, the guy hugging her into his body as he kissed her deeply. The pair were in their own little world until December strode by and groaned at the sight.

  “God, you oof,” she stated, rolling her eyes. “Needy much? She doesn’t want your ass all the time. Jesus.”

  A darkness hit Knight’s eyes. He slowly let go of Greer. Next thing we all knew, Knight darted off after December.

  She shrieked and he chased her all the way to the net until the appearance of another stopped him mid-chase.

  “Calm the fuck down,” Royal barked, another friend Jax had introduced to us yesterday. He was dressed more in the average fair, a T-shirt that hugged his firm biceps and big chest. He’d sweated basically through it, though, glistening in the sun, and his blond hair was tousled. He gathered an arm around December, kissing her cheek before growling at Knight. “And no, I did not just see you chasing my girl.”

  “Chill, bro. She can handle herself.” Knight chuckled, his arm around Greer now. It seemed she really had forgiven him for scaring her before, because she currently had her arms looped around his thick waist like a little girl and her huge teddy. He squeezed her. “And I should be scared. You know your girl.”

  “I do.” He pressed a kiss on the top of her head, nothing but complete adoration in his eyes as he looked at her. He pinched her chin. “Don’t have to worry anything about that. Hey, princess.”

  “Hey, Mr. Prinze.” She crooned, completely giddy for this guy. He cradled the back of her neck when he kissed her until a whack above his head from a walking man tower passed him. This guy was also half naked, nothing but a pair of sweatpants on that cuffed at his ankles and hung low on his chiseled hips. He also sported a gold cross around his neck and I recalled him being introduced as LJ.

  He received nothing but a growl from Royal’s direction for the hit, and December had to physically tug Royal back when he started to stalk the guy’s way.

  She patted Royal’s chest. “Easy, babe.”

  Still, Royal didn’t let up as his friend, LJ, winked at him before finding Billie. He too picked her up, but was a bit more civilized about it. He got her right around her waist, lifting her up in the air while he kissed her. This took her easily three feet off the ground, her petite body sliding down his as he returned her to her feet.

  “Eew. Sweaty!” Billie groaned, all LJ’s glistening and muscled man-parts all over her. She smacked at his chest. “You don’t touch me until you have a shower.”

  “That shit ain’t gonna happen.” He pretty much tongued her into submission after that, which got more than one towel thrown in their direction. They all hit his Fabio-like locks, which hung down on his shoulders today instead of being tied behind. He threw one or two towels back at the group.

  “You deserve that shit, asshole.” Royal snarled, his teeth actually bared. Considering he wasn’t the biggest nor the tallest guy, he intimated the most out of all of them. It was just the way he carried himself, completely intense, but I watched the mold shatter at just a pinch at his clothes. He found December’s eyes then, his smile on her as he kissed her. He brushed her chin. “You girls ready to go? We just got done at the courts.”

  “Yeah,” she said, but then panned. “Where’s Jax?”

  “Pardon me, if I’m not as eager to get here as the rest of these fuck—”

  A bounce of a basketball before I found my stepbrother’s eyes, his speech completely cut off. He’d been laughing… smiling when he said the words. I knew because all the joy, all his complete humor wiped away…

  At seeing me.

  It was like he’d completely transformed, the light completely evaporating from his eyes. It shifted to a deep internal darkness I’d always seen, but this time?

  It made me sad.

  I’d never seen my stepbrother, in all these weeks I’d known him, genuinely happy. When he put on smiles before it’d always been false, but this time, it was real. This time it was genuine because he was with his friends. He hadn’t expected to see me.

  I guessed I’d crashed up his plans again.

  Another bounce of the ball as he came over, his feathered curls tousled and damp. He too only wore a pair of sweats. Well, shorts as they cut off right below his knees, his toned calves shifting and flexing with every step and bounce of the basketball. He had a shirt, but he chose not to wear it, the thing hanging slack on his big shoulder. He had a mole on his right pec near his nipple, something I remembered as I stared at it while he slept.

  I’d studied everything about him that night we were together, every beautiful flaw and tiny detail. I just remembered recalling how I couldn’t fathom being so close to something so wildly perfect.

  And wild had been right.

  My stepbrother was completely untamed, a fiery inferno concealed in the frame of a beautiful male. He’d studied me too when he came over, passing each and every one of his friends. He stopped right in front of me, his jaw stiff and temple pulsing. He jerked his chin at me. “What the fuck you doing here?”

  Silence, absolute in that moment. Before those seconds, everyone had been laughing.

  But no more.

  His friends, LJ, Knight, and Royal finally realized I was standing there. I hadn’t been surprised. I mean, they’d been with their girls, so why would they have noticed me?

  They sure did now, studying me. LJ and Knight’s eyes flashed open, but Royal, well, he looked away. He rubbed his jaw in the seconds and started to swing his gaze back t
o Jax.

  Until December launched a towel at him.

  She literally picked it up, throwing it right at Jax’s head. With Jax’s sight on me, he obviously wasn’t paying attention. It hit him right in the forehead, and when he ripped it away, he growled at her. “What the fuck was that for?”

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” she blazed, then shot a finger at me. “Apologize to my new friend.”

  “You’re new friend?” If Jax could physically transform, he would. I mean, he honestly appeared to grow three sizes like right in front of me. “Fuck that. My stepsister isn’t your friend.”

  “Your stepsister?” December’s eyes twitched wide. She passed a look to me. “Wait. Cleo? You’re that Cleo?”

  That Cleo.

  I wanted to be sick, feeling about a million sizes small. He’d obviously talked to them about me, all of them about me.

  And they probably hated me too now.

  Whatever venom my stepbrother spewed was, clearly, about to be the opinions of these girls I’d had a pretty good time with today. My next thought was to dart for the hills until December literally came over.

  And put her arm around me.

  I froze, not knowing what to do. She stood there, completely confident with my stepbrother in both our faces.

  What the…

  The sudden stance flared Jax’s eyes like nothing else, his jaw clenching. “What the hell, Em?”

  She jerked her chin in my direction. “This girl is my new friend. The girls and I hung out with her today.”

  Obviously flummoxed, Jax’s lips opened and closed like a fish. He started to say something else until December pulled me closer.

  “We had a good time with her, and she’s great. We’ve also invited her to go sailing with us.”

  “Sailing?” Eyes heated pools, Jax’s fists physically paled as they clenched at his sides. “Like hell she’s going sailing with us.”

  “Well, that’s up to her, isn’t it?” December stated, dropping her arm from my shoulder. “Now, you don’t have to like it. Hell, I don’t care if you like it. She’s my friend. Not yours and you will respect my friends.”