Page 4 of Shared By My Brother's Best Friends

Webster serves the other two before taking a seat on the couch with them and his own plate on his lap.

We all eat.

I finish first as the boys take turns, playing and eating.

“That was delicious, Webster. Thank you,” I tell him after he finishes his turn.

“Yeah. Your best yet,” Royal says.

Kelly agrees with a full mouth and an enthusiastic nod.

“Thanks. I love to cook,” Webster tells me as the other two get drawn back into their game.

“It shows. And it’s sweet that you have friends who appreciate it.”

“Is that not something you have? Friends that appreciate the things you do for them?” Webster asks.

“There’s more than one reason that I’m alone here. I thought I had friends. Turns out I had coworkers who used my misunderstanding of our relationship against me.”

“Fuck…”

“Don’t worry. I learned my lesson. Never telling anyone I work with how I really feel about my clients ever again.”

“Did you get fired?” Royal asks, startling me. I hadn’t realized he was listening.

“Not yet. But after the earful I got from my boss, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s in my near future.”

“What do you do?” Kelly asks.

“Marketing consultant.”

“Shit. I’m a marketing major,” Royal says.

“Oh, don’t let my experience deter you. I love the job, I just hate the clients sometimes. Like, seriously. They pay us bucket loads of money because we’re the experts, right? Then reject everything we bring to the table. It’s so damn frustrating.” It’s odd how attentive these guys are. They don’t need to care about me or what I’m saying, but I believe they do.

“I take it you came out here to get away from work. So, no more work talk,” Webster says. “Now that we’re here, we’re going to make sure you have the best weekend away ever.”

“Oh, yeah? And how do you plan on doing that?”

“Not by making you watch us play video games.”

“Eh.” I shrug. “As late as it is and as stuffed as I am, watching you guys game is about all I have the energy for tonight.”

“Fair enough,” Webster says. “We’ll start our fun-packed weekend tomorrow. Starting with my world famous waffles.”

“Sounds perfect.” I settle into my oversized chair, resting my head on one arm and draping my legs over the other as they pick up their controllers and start their game again. It’s not long before the room disappears and I fall fast asleep.

four

Rule #1

“No. Jake will kill us.”

“But she’s fucking perfect, Web. Just fucking look at her.”

When I hear voices, but my eyes are still shut tight, I wonder if I’m dreaming.

Perfect?

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