Page 71 of Before We Were Us

Yes, I was my brother's best man. Yes, some might find that strange. We fight a lot, we challenge one another at every single turn. Right now I may hate him for the doubts he is giving me, but the truth is, Sebastian is one of my best friends. I know he’s looking out for me in the best way he knows how. He’s a hard man, he’s always been that way. He doesn’t know how to make things light and airy, he says what’s on his mind when it's there, without thinking it through. But there are times, much like this very evening, that he isn’t my favorite person.

I step up to my brother's side and lean in, but the space between us is obvious. I force a smile, he stares ahead, and when I glance at him I can tell he is looking past the photographer. His eyes narrow and it hits me. “Are you fucking serious?”

Sebastian turns his attention to me. “He’s gonna hurt you.”

“And when he does, if he does,” I correct, “that is my problem and not yours.”

“Now you know that’s shit.” He chuckles and it's the first time I see a genuine smile on his face as he reaches out and hooks my shoulders pulling me in closer. “If someone hurts you, they better fucking run.”

Laying my head on his shoulder I close my eyes as his words sink in. No matter how much I fight it, no matter how hard I push and pull, he will never turn a blind eye. He has never been that kind of brother and I know he never will be.

“Everything okay?” Jensen sways with me as he rests his hands on my hips. I’m well aware of the fact that I’m looking anywhere but at him.

“Yeah, everything's fine.”

The minute the words leave my mouth I feel him chuckle, triggering me to look up at him. “Baby I think we both know that things are so far from fine.” I arch my brow. “I know your brother doesn’t like me. I also know that he’s confident that you and I aren’t going to work and I’m somehow the bad guy in this scenario.”

“He’s concerned.” I have no idea why I’m trying to defend my brother's actions. I’m in my current mood, feeling insecure and unsteady because of him.

Leaning in, Jensen rests his forehead to mine and he closes his eyes. “He’s your brother, so I won’t get pissed about him putting doubts in your head. But I will say, I adore you, I love you, and the fact that you’ve given me a second chance means the world to me. I don’t take it lightly, and I won’t hurt you.”

I take a deep breath, slowly letting it out.

“I can honestly say before we were us, I was a man that I didn’t like.”

“And now?”

“I’m exactly who I want to be.” He wastes no time responding. “You bring out the best in me, you make me want to be a better man, for you.”

Curling in closer, I tighten my hold on him and rest my cheek onto his shoulder, nuzzling his neck. Jensen turns into me, his nose grazing my cheek. “If it takes me a lifetime to prove to you how important you’ve become to me, then I’ll spend every day showing you just that. But you’ve got to know one thing,” he pauses, kissing my temple. “I screwed up by not telling you from the start. But I could never, have never, and will never cheat. I’m not built that way babe, that you never have to worry about.”

“I know,” I confess, hating where we are right now.

“Do you?” I lift my head and look up at him. “Do you know that I’ll never hurt you?”

Nodding, I look him in the eye, seeing the seriousness there.

He lifts his hand to cup my face, as he stops moving and ensures he has my full attention. “No one has ever made my heart race and calm me all at the same time. There isn’t anything I won’t do for us, you and me, I want it more than anything.” Then without another wasted second he presses his lips to mine and in the middle of the dance floor he shows the entire room of guests that I’m all he sees.

forty-five

. . .

Jensen

“I’ll have another.” I hold up my glass to the bartender and he offers me a nod. With my elbows leaning on the bar top, I slowly scan over the area around me. Seeing Sebastian Webster approaching I turn my head forward and grin, chuckling.

The guy spent more time glaring at me during his entire wedding and reception than he paid attention to the festivities of the actual event.

“Something funny?” He leans in at my side, mirroring my pose. Putting on like we are just two guys chatting but in reality I know without a doubt he is boiling with irritation inside.

“I’m good,” I say, glancing over at him. “You?”

“Where’s your wife?” His nostrils flare.

“Where’s yours?” I counter back knowing I shouldn’t bait him. But honestly the guy is starting to piss me off. The relationship his sister and I have is ours. He’s looking for an issue that isn’t there and planting doubt in Brynn’s head and it’s weighing on my patience.

“My divorce papers were signed.” Not that I owe him an explanation. Truth is he doesn’t like me and I’m fine with that. He isn’t the Webster that I plan on spending forever with.

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