Chapter 3

I paced the room back and forth frantically. I just did something really stupid. I take that back. I did a lot of stupid things in the past two days. 1. I listened to Derek. 2. I got married to Derek for a joke. 3. I confessed to my mom and George…about everything. The bit about Derek and me kissing was unnecessary. It was true but I really wish I hadn't told anyone- let alone tell it to the world! I groaned and continued to pace back and forth.

But there was one thing that seemed to feel dumber than all of that: I actually enjoyed kissing him. How silly is that? I must be going to hell. When those soft lips of his touched mine it was like the hallelujah chorus went off in my head. AH! What am I saying? This is my stepbrother. We've lived in the same house for over a year, he's a slacker, a total manipulator, a pranker, and a boy with really good kissing abilities. Oh my god. There was something seriously wrong with me. As soon as we got back to Canada I was going to go straight to Paul's office. I pursed my lips and nodded. Then I whimpered and shook my head.

Who was I kidding? I couldn't tell Paul that. If I did he'd probably tell my mom and then she might do something drastic. She might send me off to an insane asylum or take me for deeper therapy…or worse: leave George. I couldn't do that to my mom. She's been so happy since she married George. I would feel awful if she had to break it off just because her daughter had a lapse in brain function because her hormones kicked in when a really hot guy kissed her….who happened to be her stepbrother. AH! I just called him hot. Snap out of it Casey! I was about to slap myself when I realized that would have looked ridiculous.

"Will you stop? You're starting to make me worry," Derek said staring at me from the bed. I stopped pacing and stood there staring back. Oh dear lord. He was in that same sitting position as the time he talked about sneaking out for that party. It was very suggestive and my heart was racing. He looked so good and it was like his body was calling to me. I gulped and he must have noticed because he smirked at me.

"I have a question," Edwin piped up. I glared at him because he just interrupted the beginning of my fantasy. No, that's a good thing. I turned my glare into a grin and nodded him to go on. "Why did you guys do it?"

"Um…Derek, why did we do it because I don't seem to recall why on earth I'd agree to marrying you?"

He rolled his eyes and got up from the bed. He slowly made his way towards me and lazily wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "It was for a joke. I thought it'd be ironically funny since we never get along. I mean Derek and Casey getting married, who would guess?"

"He's right about that much," Lizzie laughed. I narrowed my eyes at my little sister.

"Do not encourage him."

"But what I don't understand is why Casey did it," Edwin said after pausing in thought.

"I did it because at the time I found it to be very funny," I said crossing my arms over my chest.

"But you never think his plans, schemes, or jokes are funny. Why would this time be any different?" Lizzie asked. I opened my mouth to speak but the stepbrother beside me cut me off.

"Probably because she's in love with me," he laughed as he bumped his hip against mine. It was my turn to roll my eyes.

"As if."

A knock on the door ended our discussion and Derek and I exchanged a worried look. I gulped and let my head fall to his shoulder. As soon as I realized what I did my head snapped back up. Derek didn't seem to notice and if he did he didn't show it. Edwin opened the door and in walked mom and George. They both had their lips pursed and had stern expressions. I gulped again. We messed up…big time.

"Edwin and Lizzie, why don't you two go hang out with Marti? We need to have a chat with Derek and Casey," my mom said as she took a seat on the couch with George. Edwin and Lizzie raced out of the room- although knowing them they were going to try and listen through the door. Derek and I took a seat on the coffee table across from them and I shifted uncomfortably.

"Um, can I say something first?" I asked. They nodded at me. "Look, we know it was a stupid thing to do but we understand now how stupid it really was. We're really sorry and I can assure you we have learned our lesson- at least I know I have."

"We understand how sorry you both are but this will be a lesson to you: there are consequences for your actions. I think you need to experience it before you can finally grasp that concept. So with that being said we have decided on your punishment," my mother said calmly. I inwardly groaned and looked down at my hands which were in my lap. Here comes being grounded for an eternity.

"We want you two to stay married," George said.

My head snapped up and I looked from George to my mom.

"What?" Derek asked beside me.

"You two wanted to get married well then by golly you two will stay that way," George said with a grin. My jaw dropped.

"We aren't getting it annulled?!" I practically shouted. They both grinned back at us.

"That's right. Until you two can act and take responsibility as a married couple and understand the true value of uniting as a whole with another person, you can get it annulled. But until that moment, you two will continue to stay Mr. and Mrs. Derek Venturi."

"How could you possibly know that?" Derek asked.

"Oh we'll know. Now, we'll have to discuss the arrangements when we arrive back home," my mom said.

"The…arrangements?" I repeated. She grinned and nodded.

"That's right. Well, George and I are going to go see if our lucky streak can continue. You both can stay right up here. I'm sure you both have a lot of talking to do. Oh, don't forget to set your alarms. Our plane leaves at one so get up around nine-ish."

XOX

Sleep that night was a horrible one. So many things were replaying back in my mind. It was like a movie inside my head. I constantly woke up. It sure annoyed Lizzie. I ended up just getting up at six in the morning; which was probably the reason why I was falling asleep on the plane ride home. I was just so tired. Unfortunately, I was stuck sitting next to Derek. My mom, Marti, and George sat two rows ahead of us, Lizzie, Edwin, and this other girl they made friends with in the row ahead of us…which left us sitting next to each other. I had been so angry but I was too tired to put energy into an argument I knew I wasn't going to win.

I yawned and felt my head tilt back onto the seat. My eyes drifted close and my mind was slowly drifting into unconsciousness.

Derek was standing in his suite at the altar of the wedding chapel. I was slowly walking down the isle while Tom and Martha watched. The closer I got my heart raced faster. His cute, charming smile was making me melt inside. The pastor soon announced we were married and it was time for his soft lips to touch mine.

He was grinning and he ran his hands down my bare arms. His skin against mine felt so soothing. I closed my eyes and sighed in complete bliss. I opened my eyes and his face was near inches from mine. He leaned in for the kiss and I closed my eyes and puckered.

"Casey," he whispered in my ear.

"Mmmm," I said with a sigh.

"Casey, it's time," he whispered- his hot breath on my skin sending chills up my spine.

"Time for what?" I asked breathlessly.

"Time to wake up."

My eyes snapped open and I looked up. Derek was grinning down at me. I suddenly realized my head was leaning against his chest. I shot out of my position and accidentally cracked my neck in the process.

"Ouch!"

"You probably shouldn't move that fast after sleeping in a weird position for awhile. That might happen," he laughed. I rolled my eyes.

"No kidding."

"So what boy were you dreaming about?" he asked with a smirk. My eyebrows furrowed together and my face contorted into a confused expression. "Your lips were puckered and you had this dreamy look on your face. It was actually kind of cute." I felt my cheeks burn and I looked away. Derek did not just call me cute. Calm down you stupid heart of mine. He merely said one of my actions was cute. There's a huge difference between the two. I merely shrugged. "Anyway, the plane landed."

After we got all of our luggage, we got into three separate cabs. George, Edwin, and Marti got in one cab, mom and Lizzie in the second cab, and me and Derek in the third one. I groaned. Of course they would lump us together.

The car ride was uneventful surprisingly. The real surprise was when we got home. Before we could head to our rooms, George and mom stopped us.

"Derek and Casey, we need to discuss the arrangements now," Nora said. I sighed as we both took a seat. "Now, you have two options. Option one: you both sleep in Derek's room. Option two: one of you sleeps in his room and the other sleeps on the couch. However, since this time is technically your honeymoon time you both are required to sleep in the same room for the rest of the week."

"Mom! This is totally unfair!" I shouted.

"Casey, this is what married couples do. Now, despite the fact that you both are married I do not want any fooling around up there. This is still our house and you will follow our rules. No sex whatsoever."

"Ew! Like I'd ever want to have sex with her," Derek said with a disgusted expression. I slapped him. "I mean, ohh yea! Bring on the sex, Case. I totally want to tap that ass of yours." I slapped him again.

"What kind of girl do you think I am?!" I screamed. I started to stomp up the stairs.

"I can't win."

"That's marriage son. Men are never right," George chuckled. Those were the last things I heard before I walked into my room and slammed the door. I collapsed onto my bed and closed my eyes. Derek's words focused in my mind. "I totally want to tap that ass of yours." The worst part of it all was that I really liked what he said. I grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.

Hey everybody! I am back with yet another chapter. The end was very entertaining to write. It's a little OOC but oh well. A little OOC couldn't hurt anybody. I hope you liked this chapter. It might have been on the short side but its a chapter. I will try to keep this short although I can't make any promises. I can't believe how many reviews I got. It is unreal! Thank you so much! I'd also REALLY like to thank my anonymous reviewers. Your reviews are just as awesome as the others. I truly appreciate it. I hope you liked the chapter and please review!

J.S. Goldberg