Stepdaddy’s secret Novel – Chapter 1 Ava’s POV Mom picked the absolute worst fucking moment to drop her big surprise. Right as we’re closing in on the spot, she bursts out with this giddy energy, telling me and my dad—okay, stepdad—that we’re heading into the middle of nowhere for some epic desert trek. I shot a glance at Ethan. One look, and we both knew we were screwed. That same helpless “here we go again” vibe stared right back at me from his eyes. I’m not anti-travel or anything. Honestly, hanging out with Ethan is one of my favorite things. There’s this pull between us I can’t explain—like I’m drawn straight to him, no questions asked. But the idea of baking in a desert hot enough to fry your shoe soles? Sunburn, wandering off and never coming back, dying of thirst? Nope.
Give me a comfy chair, iced lemonade, and my Kindle any day. Problem was, Mom wasn’t hearing any of it. She’s like a tornado on caffeine, stuffing our giant packs with literally everything: water bottles by the dozen, clothes for a month, enough snacks to feed an army, sunscreen, tablets, and way too many damn wet wipes. Then she just slings the whole mess onto the two camels we rented, like that’s gonna work. “Mom, if you keep jamming crap on there, I won’t even have room to sit,” I grumbled, swiping sweat off my forehead while the sand basically cooked my feet. “Ava’s got a point. We really need to ditch some of this,” Ethan cut in, voice steady but no-nonsense. Mom didn’t even look up. “Not happening. Signal’s spotty as hell out here. If we get stuck, this stuff could literally save our lives.” Of course she’d pull the paranoid card. I turned back to Ethan. Our eyes met again, and yeah—we were toast.
Even in the middle of all this mess, I couldn’t stop my brain from drifting every time I caught sight of him. No surprise there. Ethan walks into a room and owns it. Broad shoulders, tanned skin, that shirt hugging his back just right. Rugged, sexy, effortless. When he turns, his messy brown hair catches the sun, and that sharp jaw? Always gets a second look. Crazy thing—he’s almost twice my age, but he’s got this fresh-out-of-college energy that makes my stomach flip. I sometimes wonder how Mom landed someone like him. Hot, confident guy who’ll follow her anywhere—even into this goddamn oven of a desert. And me? Just the awkward third wheel. That thought stings a little, leaves this weird jealous ache I can’t shake. “What if I just stay here at the edge?” I tried, hopeful. “I’m eighteen now. You two go play explorers. Someone’s gotta be around to call for help if shit hits the fan.” Mom zipped a bag shut, shaking her head hard. “Nope.
This could be our last family thing before college swallows you up. Quit complaining—we’re doing it. You’ll thank me someday.” Ethan folded his arms, brow creasing. “Only two camels, though. If we don’t lighten up back there, Ava’s barely gonna have space. I’m not making my girl walk the whole damn desert.” That’s the thing with a decent guy around—when he speaks, people listen. Even Mom. She grumbled something under her breath—“Should’ve rented three”—then sighed. “Fine. She rides with you.” Ethan blinked. I froze. “You serious? Why not with you?” he asked. Mom grinned, eyes twinkling. “Because I don’t trust you with the packs. Remember the camping trip fiasco?” Ugh, that memory. I was eight, dozing in the back when Ethan jerked the wheel and a suitcase flew out the trunk. “We had to go back for it,” Mom said, arms crossed. “Totally trashed. My favorite one, too.” “It wasn’t,” Ethan fired back, annoyed. “And that was ten years ago—can we drop it already?” Mom pretended to think, tapping her chin. “Nah.” Ethan threw his hands up. “You hold grudges like a champ.” “Facts. Ava rides with you.
At least then you’ll pay attention.” He looked pissed, but I jumped in to ease the tension. “Or you two ride together and I handle the bags?” Mom shot that down fast. “Camels can’t carry two grown adults. They’d collapse halfway.” “Awesome,” I muttered, kicking sand. “So I’m basically cargo now.” Ethan blew out a breath. “Alright. She’s with me. But let’s not make this weirder than it has to be, got it?” Mom lit up. “Deal.” I blinked. Usually they’d argue forever. This time he caved quick. Felt off. Like something big was waiting out in that sand, ready to flip everything upside down.