Harry

The music vibrates in my ears as I snog an absolute stranger; I believe her name is Jane. I was with another girl earlier, but Melanie interrupted us, and she found some other guy. It's kind of annoying how much of a goodie-two-shoes she is. I also hate the fact that she and Matt are dating. I get a terrible feeling about that guy. I was jealous, but he talked to me when getting drinks for them, and I got shady a vibe. Plus, he was looking at every woman he came across as his prey. I may sleep with many women, but I've never cheated on one I was in a relationship with.

I'm usually the one who gets cheated on, that's why I'm taking a break from dating, the last girl seriously broke my heart. I loved Hanna, but she fell in love with a coworker and left me—three years wasted. I laugh at myself for wanting to propose to her a week before I found out she was unfaithful. It's for the best we were only 18, and I would have regretted not getting to enjoy being young and single. Only my father knows the truth about Hanna and almost proposal; I told my mates that I dumped her, and they believed me.

I pull away from Jane and push her off my lap, she scoffs, but I ignore her. I pour another drink of vodka and chug it down. In the living room, Melanie and Matt are dancing. She's practically grinding on him, and I only wish it was me instead of him. I enjoy watching her sway her hips and biting her upper lip. She's breathtaking in every way.

"Harry!" Tom breaks my focus on Melanie, and I turned to my blue-eyed mate.

"We're gonna play a game of beer pong, you in?" I probably should I'm too obvious looking at my stepsister.

Tom leads me to the backyard where they set up a table, and red cups scatter across it. Tom and I are on a team while my other two mates, Michael and George, are on another. We were good, but George was the best out of all of us. I ended up drinking more than I thought, and it made it more difficult to throw the yellow ball in the cup when the room is spinning. We lost and retreated inside while they went against another team wanting to play.

Melanie walks past us, not even noticing me, and goes to the loo upstairs. I look around and see her boyfriend talking to Sabrina, the first girl I made out with tonight. It wasn't a friendly chat, she was gentle racking her hands through his hair, and he doesn't stop her. Their overt flirting sickens my stomach. Sabrina grabs his cell and begins typing, probably her number. She whispers something in his ear and kisses his cheek before walking away. With a goofy smile, he stares at his phone.

"What a piece of shit. He's dating my stepsister, but he's getting other girls' numbers," I spat, and Tom nods, witnessing the same thing. I clench my fist, ready to give him what he deserves. Tom pulls me back and shakes his head.

"Harry, I'm pretty sure what we saw was true, but we don't know for sure what they were talking about. If you beat the shit out of him, he can file for assault. You got lucky last time."

After Hanna's affair, I went out to a pub with Tom and a couple of other friends. I told them I dumped her that afternoon, but not why. Her coworker, Blake, showed up and was talking about this girl he's been fucking to his mates. I was furious at how he was telling them and how vulgar he was. It pissed me off that someone with little respect for her won her over. I honestly feel more bad for her now for being with him.

I attacked him that night, and he didn't charge me with assault because Hanna convinced him not to. Tom and my mates were confused about why I even hit him in the first place, but I just shrugged them off and haven't talked about it since.

I stand down and let the prick go. I just hope Melanie realizes he isn't the perfect man she thinks he is. Blokes like him usually get what they deserve.

Melanie returns to him, and they dance again for a while until he leaves her. She stands to look around bored because she doesn't know anybody but me, and I'm currently not her number one fan. Melanie grabs a plastic cup and pours herself a drink. She disappears upstairs to her room, and I don't see her for the rest of the night.

A random redhead calls me over to her, and I oblige not wanting the fun to end tonight.

***

Everyone left the party for about an hour and a half ago, and I'm left cleaning the mess. I cleaned up the kitchen and bathroom first since that's where everyone seemed to puke last night. I'm relieved it was in the tiled room instead of in carpets. Miranda would surely notice a puke stain on her living room floor no matter how well I clean it up. I locked my room and Miranda and my father's bedroom, so I don't worry about cleaning them. I think some people used Melanie's room for shagging. Hopefully, she washes her sheets.

Around 5:30 am, I start to vacuum and finish a little after six. Melanie stands on the first step of the stairs, getting my attention. How long was she standing there? I hope I didn't wake her.

"Looked like you had fun last night," I smirk, playing off my jealousy most of the night. Her smiles last night came from him instead of me.

"I did until Matt had to leave," she pouts.

"I thought you were going to go somewhere else."

I sit on the couch, resting my aching limbs; I spent almost four hours cleaning. This party was the most outrageous one I've thrown. Miranda's house is more extensive than my last one, so more people could come.

Melanie walks over to sit on the opposite side. She always keeps her distance around me, and I wish I knew what I did to make her feel uncomfortable around me. I thought I hid my infatuation for her pretty well. Maybe she truly loathes me.

"I wanted to, but Matt wanted to stay."

"What do you even see in that guy, he's a total tool." I accidentally spoke my mind, but it's probably best if she knows the truth. Melanie frowned at my words.

"No, he isn't. Matt is the sweetest guy I know."

She clinches her first as if she wants to hit me. Of course, she wouldn't believe me; Matt brainwashed her to think he's the best guy on the planet. It sickens me how easily he was flirting with Sabrina last night while Melanie left him for a couple of minutes. A guy like him should never be trusted.

"Then why did he flirt with that girl I was snogging at the party." She needs to know the truth. I don't want her to be heartbroken when she finds out herself like I was. If someone gave me a warning, maybe it would have stung less.

"He didn't, how would you even know that?" She doesn't want to believe me, but I can sense part of her acknowledges he could. They have only been dating three weeks; that's not long enough to honestly know and trust someone.

"When you went to the loo, Tom and I saw him. He looked like he got her number. If you don't believe me check his phone, her name is Sabrina." Melanie's eyes waver, and she looks at the palm of her hands. She stays silent deep in thought to consider what I'm saying is true. I can see she's having an internal battle with herself to trust my word or not.

"I'm gonna sleep now please keep it quiet for the rest of the day." I break the silence and go to my room. My feet drag before plopping on my bed. When my face hits the pillow, I immediately fall asleep exhausted from last night's events.

***

"What were you about to say?" Her puffy eyes turn to me. Melanie tried her hardest, keeping her composure talking to her mother. I know Miranda would be here faster than a blink if she knew Matt caused her any pain. Seeing her broken up like this makes me realize I can't tell her my deepest thoughts.

"It doesn't matter. I have to go."

I grab my coat and rush out the door. I'm furious for being right about Matt, Melanie deserves better. I can tell this isn't the first time someone cheated on her if only I can prevent pricks from coming in contact with her.

I can't believe I almost told her I might have feelings for her. Honestly, I don't know what I feel for Melanie, but it has to stop, she'll officially be my stepsister in a couple of weeks.

I take a walk around the neighborhood to clear my head. On my way back to the house, the redhead from last night texts me to come over. I smile and get in my car. Maybe she'll help me forget.