Page 2 of I'd Never Date my Brother's Best Friend

I don’t immediately say anything, but my gaze flits over the three staff across the table from me. Warren manages to hold my eye for a few seconds before lowering it, but Marie and Franca will not even look at me. “So this is your magical plan?” I ask. “For me to disappear until everything dies down?”

“We are so sorry, Sean.” Marie shakes her head, “Trust me, we’re doing all we can. This is just a precautionary measure.”

“Precautionary measure,” I echo.

I can’t find it in me to be upset at this turn of events. Having been in this industry for as long as I have, I’m aware that some situations require nothing but silence and absence. There is little Warren and Marie can do to curb this. Situations like this must run their course until the little fingers behind the mob accounts decide to move on to other prey. I am not scared of these faceless trolls, but my brand and reputation are of the utmost importance to me, and I must protect them.

As I ponder this, a vibration in my pocket brings me back to the present. I take out my phone and stare at the device, an automatic smile crossing my face at the name flashing on the screen. It’s Jamie—my best friend of over two decades. His call feels like a reprieve, and I hit the answer button like my life depends on it.

“Hellooo, Jamie,” I sing.

Jamie pauses. “What? Why’d you call my name like that?”

A chuckle escapes my lips. “A man can’t miss his best friend? Wow.” This isn’t a joke. I miss Jamie so much; it’s like a physical ache. I haven’t seen the idiot in five years.

“Shut up,” Jamie laughs. “I don’t have time for your shenanigans today. I’m calling for a different reason.”

“What?”

“Remember our football team in high school? The Bears?”

“Yes?”

“I just got an invite to their annual game. They’re playing against the Panthers. It’s next week. If you were here, I’m sure you'd be the first one on the field.” Jamie is laughing, but I’m not, which is weird because I’m usually the one laughing. But a thick shroud of melancholy and nostalgia has descended on me; it’s hard to shake it off. The Bears were my football team when I was in high school, while the Panthers were our number one rival. The Bears-Panthers rivalry has existed for decades, and it’d be fun to watch the game play out.

“Also, Evelyn was contracted as the official supplier for the event,” Jamie continues. “That’s huge. Has she told you yet? She is—”

The mention of Evelyn is another knife stab to my heart. Evelyn O’Connell is my little sister, and although we talk on the phone as often as we can, I also haven’t seen her since my last visit home. I haven’t seen my family in five years!

As Jamie drones on in the background, an idea forms. Well, since my team thinks I should lay low for a few months, isn’t this the perfect time to go to Willow Falls for a visit? As soon as the idea forms, it takes root. The more I think about it, the better it sounds—excitement courses through me, igniting my blood. I am going home!

“Jamie,” I stop him in the middle of whatever he’s saying. I wasn’t listening.

“What?”

“Will you be able to come pick me up at the airport tomorrow?”

“Wait, what?”

“I’m coming home, Jamie.” Warren, Marie, and Franca stare at me with their mouths agape while Jamie almost screams my head off.

“I’ll be at the airport. Just send me the details. I’m so excited. This is amazing. Your family is going to flip! We’ve missed you so much, Sean!”

“Me too. And hey, don’t tell anyone. Keep it between us. I’m dying to surprise them.”

“You bet.” Jamie laughs.

“I’ll call you back in a few,” I say looking back at the faces with wide eyes and gaping mouths. “I’ve got to deal with my team.”

“Sure.”

I hang up the phone and meet their eyes. “What?” I ask with my hands in the air. “You want me to lay low. I’d rather do that while visiting with my family and friends. I’ll be back in June with more than enough time for my next movie.”

“Well…uhm,” Marie splutters. “We’re pretty sure things will die down before then. You don’t have to be gone for that long.”

Smiling, I push myself up from the table. “I’m going to take advantage of this situation and go home. I haven’t seen my family in five years,” I say, like the realization is just dawning. I’m suddenly impatient. “Franca, book me the earliest flight available. If you find one for tonight, sign me up. Otherwise, early tomorrow morning is great.”

“Okay, sir.” Franca hurries out of the room, sensing my urgency. She seems to be the only one with any common sense around here right now.

---