Page 100 of Falling for my Brother's Best Friend

“Opposites attract.”

“He’s a recovering playboy… I hope.”

Austin sits on the edge of the couch. “Liam isn’t a playboy. I’m not sure he ever really was. I know he might’ve gone through a phase, and sure, he had his share of fun, but the guys used to hang at the house a lot. As bad as this sounds, our brothers were the bad influence on him. He helped them when they got in over their head more than once.”

“Really?”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Do you know your brothers at all?”

“Of course, but I always figured Liam was right there with them.”

“He was, but not with the same dumbass ideas. I mean, he had that house and the barn long before Denver or Rome got their shit together. He owns Smokin’ Guns, and he’s at all the fundraisers and town events.”

I don’t need reasons to think highly of Liam. In my mind, I put his past where it belongs—BS, Before Savannah. Which also happens to stand for bullshit, which is what I think of him sleeping with other women, but I can be mature about it. Regardless, hearing Austin go to bat for him is nice.

“All right, well, I wanted to see your face when I confronted you about it. But just so you know, if I was only in town for eight hours before Denver told me, I’m pretty sure all of us Baileys know. But I’m the only one who will bring it up.”

He stands to leave, and I do too, then hug him. When he hears me sniffle from the tears that are building, he not only puts his arms around me but tightens them.

“Are you okay, Sav?”

I draw back, wiping my eyes. “I’m going to tell you this, and if you tell a soul, I will kill you.”

“How well do you know me?”

Austin’s right. We were each other’s confidants for so long, but since he’s been married, I’ve felt that he was only Holly’s.

“I let Liam do this whole experiment thing with me.”

“Yeah, let me call Holly. I’m not sure this is something I wanna know about.” He turns toward the door, but I grab his arm.

“Not anything sexual.”

He stops and waits.

“It was about finding the person I was before Mom and Dad died.”

He nods and rocks back on his heels. “And?”

“And I think it’s working and now I’m constantly crying. I’m a hot mess!”

He laughs and squeezes my shoulder. “Then I’d say you’re almost there. You’re finally getting back in touch with your emotions. That’s huge for you.”

My forehead wrinkles. “What does that mean? I’ve always cared for everyone.”

“I’m not saying you’re heartless, but right after Mom and Dad died, you and I were thrust into new lives. We had to worry about getting our younger siblings through the grief of losing our parents and set our own aside. Through the years, I’ve noticed you shut down your feelings.”

“That’s not true. I cried at your wedding.” I teared up, but close enough.

He sighs. “I don’t think you ever properly dealt with your feelings about losing Mom and Dad. After a while, any time you felt something—good or bad—you kind of… pushed it away. Other than anger, I’d say your emotions are pretty locked down.”

“I’m starting to take offense.” My jaw clenches.

He laughs, running his hands through his hair. Him and his casual shorts and T-shirt because he’s a teacher. And his baseball team just won state. And he just got married. Mr. I Have Everything I Ever Dreamed Of is calling me out for not showing my emotions?

“Tears are awesome. If Liam is responsible for you finding yourself or whatever you want to call it, I couldn’t be happier. I love Liam. He’s like a younger brother to me.” He runs his hand down my upper arm.

“That’s another reason I questioned this thing between us. We’re five years apart. When I was nineteen, he was only fourteen. Isn’t that creepy?”

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