Page 18 of Marrying My Brother's Best Friend

Trevor

We’re both quiet when we get back home. After our long hug outside, Gracie’s cheeks have maintained a rosy, crimson shade, and she’s been avoiding my gaze.

“Gracie,” I call when she hurries to walk away from me after we walk into the house. I take her wrist before she makes it far, and twirl her around so she faces me again.

She gasps, and her eyes widen. “I should get inside,” Gracie stutters before lowering her eyes from mine again.

Her lower lip quivers; it seems like she’s terrified of something.

Truth is, I get the feeling. That hug and spending the night with her is the highlight of my day. I haven’t enjoyed anyone’s company this much in years. Most times, when I hang out with my teammates or girls from the club, I find myself missing Gracie’s easy laugh and her vibrant nature.

She’s the best part of my memories of living in Golden Bay. Gracie makes it possible for me to forget all about my parents’ horrid past. The fighting, the cheating. It’s the reason why I must always protect Gracie. I must protect her from myself.

Her eyes have been on mine for a while, and I can see right through those sage-green eyes. It’s like they would pierce through my soul if I didn’t look away. The pressure in my chest builds as the seconds tick away, and I find myself leaning closer to her.

Gracie gasps just when I reach out to cup her chin and pull her close. I would have kissed her at that moment if she didn’t pull away. I would have given into my greatest desires and taken her lips.

“Goodnight,” she says, then hurries away from me. Her bedroom door closes and echoes through the entire house, sending a shudder right through me.

I stay rooted to that spot for a moment, then massage the back of my neck to get rid of the kinks there. My phone beeps a second later, and I take it out to read the text from Zane.

You’re back in. You should be at the next practice. I’ll let you know about renewing your contract later on.

Zane’s text is good news, and it should make me excited, but at that moment, Gracie is all I can think about. The twirl of desire running through my veins is more intense than ever, and I know there’s no fighting it.

***

A few days later, I’m back in practice, and my teammates are all excited to see me move on the court, dribble the ball, and make alley-oop passes to my teammates.

“That’s my man!” Billy, a team player, yells, and the rest cheer as I dribble and wipe the sweat off my forehead. My grin widens as we end the practice for the morning and gather around in a circle.

“Good to have you back, man,” my teammates greet me, and I shake hands with all of them, sparing hugs to those who come close. We’re a total of fifteen guys on my team, and each of us has to show up to practice, regardless of the call roster for the game.

“Are the rumors true?” Billy asks. “Dude, the media’s raving about your marriage to the small-town girly. Are you gonna let us meet her?”

“Trevor’s never gonna do that,” another team player chirps in.

They soon start talking to each other, and I chuckle a little before shaking my head. “Guys,” I call to get their attention. “I just got back, guys,” I say to them as I glance at their expectant faces. It’s a tradition for every team player to host a party after a successful game, and since we have a game coming up in a week, I’ll be the next host.

“Fine, fine…I’ll let all of you meet her after the game next week.”

There’s a lot of laughter and celebration in the air after that, and Billy walks over to pat my shoulder. “Can’t believe you got tied down, man. It’s insane,” he says with a cheery laugh. “No one would ever believe it.”

I’m still smiling as I watch them head out of the court. The ball’s still in my hand, and I stare at it for a while, grinning because getting back on the team is what I wanted.

My suspension has been lifted, and chances are my contract will be renewed because I’m a good player. So why does it feel like something is missing?

I am lost in solemn thoughts when I return home. From the doorway, I inhale the whiff of blended ginger and cinnamon. Whatever Gracie is cooking already makes my mouth water.

I head past the living room and get to the kitchen to find her humming and dancing while she stirs something in a pot. My heart stirs a little as I take in the sight of her once again.

She looks so at ease, like she’s meant to be here.

A pang enters my heart as I remember she won’t be here forever. When Gracie leaves, I’ll be left lonely again, and there’ll be no way to fill the void she leaves behind.

“What’re you cooking?” I ask, and she turns around with a gasp to find me watching her from the doorway. Gracie breaks into a smile and chuckles before she wipes her hand over the napkin she’s holding.

“A casserole,” she answers. “Remember my mom’s recipe?”

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