Ntr: Living With My Stepmom[HIATUS]

: The Morning After

Zack hadn't slept much.

Every time he closed his eyes, the memory of last night surged back to him with embarrassing clarity. He'd caught Ashley in the most intimate of moments, and instead of looking away or leaving, he'd... stayed. Worse, she'd seen him. And what did he do? He gave in to his own baser instincts right there, watching her.

The way she had smirked, knowingly, as though she were daring him to keep watching—it made Zack's stomach twist. He felt guilty, ashamed even, but there was also something else. Something he wasn't ready to confront.

Now, as the sunlight poured through his bedroom window, the dread of facing her weighed heavily on his chest. He couldn't avoid her forever, not in this house. But how could he even look her in the eyes after that?

---

Breakfast of Tension

Dragging himself out of bed, Zack headed to the kitchen. The hope of a quiet breakfast was short-lived as he heard footsteps behind him. He didn't have to turn around to know it was Ashley.

"Morning," she said casually, her voice soft and lilting.

Zack froze for a moment, gripping the edge of the counter before forcing himself to turn around. Ashley stood in the doorway, looking as though she hadn't a care in the world. Her curly brown hair was piled into a messy bun, and she wore an oversized sweatshirt that hung off one shoulder, revealing her smooth, freckled skin.

"Morning," Zack muttered, his voice rough. He busied himself with pouring coffee, desperate to avoid her gaze.

Ashley stepped into the kitchen, her bare feet padding softly on the tiles. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep," Zack replied curtly, focusing intently on stirring his coffee.

"Hmm," Ashley hummed thoughtfully, grabbing a piece of fruit from the counter. "Me neither. Wonder why."

Her tone was light, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. Zack could feel her eyes on him, studying him, and it took everything he had not to look up.

"You okay?" she asked after a moment, her voice dipping with genuine curiosity.

"Yeah. Fine," Zack lied, taking a long sip of his coffee to hide his expression.

Ashley leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "You've been acting weird since yesterday."

Zack nearly choked on his drink. "What? No, I haven't."

Ashley raised an eyebrow, her mismatched eyes—one blue, one hazel—fixing him with a piercing gaze. "You have. You're avoiding me."

"I'm not avoiding you," Zack said quickly, too quickly. He set his mug down and turned to leave, but Ashley blocked his path, her arms still crossed.

"Are you sure about that?" she asked, her voice soft but insistent.

Zack's heart raced as he looked at her, his mind scrambling for an escape. "I... I'm just tired, okay? Can we not do this right now?"

Ashley's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "If you say so." She stepped aside, letting him pass, but not before adding, "You know, it's okay to talk about it. Whatever's bothering you."

Zack didn't respond. He couldn't. He hurried out of the kitchen, his pulse pounding in his ears.

---

The Living Room Encounter

Later that morning, Zack found himself in the living room, trying to distract himself with TV. The show barely registered as his mind replayed last night over and over, each detail more vivid than the last.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear Ashley enter until she plopped onto the couch beside him.

"Whatcha watching?" she asked, pulling her legs up under her.

"Nothing," Zack replied, shifting uncomfortably.

Ashley tilted her head, her curls falling over one shoulder. "You're really quiet today. It's not like you."

"I'm just tired," Zack repeated, his voice strained.

Ashley leaned closer, her mismatched eyes narrowing slightly. "You've already used that excuse. Try another one."

Zack sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know what you want me to say, Ashley."

Her lips curved into a sly smile. "Maybe start with the truth."

Zack tensed, his stomach twisting. Did she really want to talk about it? Did she even remember the look she gave him last night?

Ashley didn't wait for him to answer. She reached for the remote and turned off the TV. "Let's just clear the air, okay?"

Zack's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

Ashley shrugged, her gaze unwavering. "Last night."

The words hung in the air like a thundercloud. Zack's face flushed, and he looked away, his jaw tightening.

"I don't know what you're—"

"Don't play dumb," Ashley interrupted, her tone firm but not unkind. "You saw me. I saw you. It happened."

Zack groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Ashley, I... I didn't mean to—"

"To watch me?" she finished for him, her voice teasing. "Because you definitely did."

Zack's face burned hotter. "It wasn't on purpose," he said quickly. "I heard something, and I... I didn't know what it was."

"And once you did?" Ashley asked, her lips curving into a playful smirk.

Zack couldn't answer. He stared at the floor, his mind racing, his body tense.

Ashley leaned back, her smile softening. "Relax, Zack. I'm not mad."

His head shot up, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You're not?"

Ashley shook her head. "No. I mean, sure, it was a little weird, but... I don't know. I guess I kind of liked knowing you were watching."

Zack's breath caught in his throat. "Ashley..."

She laughed softly, the sound warm and melodic. "Don't freak out. I'm just saying you don't have to act like I'm going to bite your head off."

Zack rubbed his temples, his mind a chaotic mess. "This is so messed up."

Ashley shrugged, her smile widening. "Maybe. But it's not the end of the world, Zack. Just... try not to be so awkward around me, okay?"

---

A Fragile Peace

The rest of the day passed in a strange haze. Zack couldn't shake the feeling of tension that lingered between them, even as Ashley acted as though nothing was wrong. She teased him occasionally, her comments lighthearted but laced with a mischievous undertone that kept him on edge.

By the time evening rolled around, Zack was mentally exhausted. He retreated to his room, hoping for some peace and quiet. But even there, he couldn't escape the memory of last night—or the way Ashley had smiled at him earlier.

---

Late-Night Reflection

As Zack lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, he couldn't help but wonder how things had gotten so complicated. Ashley had always been confident, flirtatious even, but this was different. She wasn't just teasing him—she was pushing boundaries, testing limits, and he wasn't sure how to handle it.

Part of him wanted to confront her, to set some kind of boundary and put an end to this strange, unspoken game. But another part of him—the part that kept replaying her smirk and the sound of her laughter—wasn't sure he wanted it to stop.

Zack groaned, covering his face with his hands. He was in way over his head, and he had no idea how to get out of it.