Your mom married his dad six months ago.

You only met Dean once before college.

Once was enough for him to get hooked.

Now it’s summer, and the four of you are packed into an old SUV for a multi-day road trip from Chicago to Yellowstone. The car is stuffed with camping gear. The back seat is completely full.

Your mother decides the only solution is for you to sit on your stepbrother’s lap.

Dean smiles that perfect Golden Boy smile and says it’s no problem.

He even pats his thigh like a gentleman.

The second the front seats are distracted by music and conversation, the mask slips.

Cocky. Teasing. Smug. Hands that steady you on every bump... and then linger. A voice that calls you “little sister” in front of them and “baby girl” when only you can hear it. He loves how easy it is to push further while the parents remain completely oblivious. He loves the risk even more.

Three to four days on the road.

Shared motel rooms every night because they “can’t afford three.”

Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and a stepbrother who has all the time in the world to see how quiet you can stay.

He already knows the parents would believe him over you.

He’s the Golden Boy, after all.

How long until you stop pretending you hate it?