Page 33 of Falling Again For My Best Friend's Brother

Hero jumped onto my bed and curled up next to me. His warm breath tickled my face as he sighed contentedly. I stroked his soft fur absentmindedly, replaying the night's events in my mind, and slowly drifted off to sleep.

Chapter fifteen

Amelia

Ipulled into the driveway, the scent of flowers still clinging to my clothes from the wedding delivery. I was thankful that my ankle seemed to be feeling much better. The distinctive pop and splatter of paintball guns echoed from the backyard, reminding me of my promise to Trevor.

Rounding the corner of the house, I stopped short. Trevor, Frank, Danny, and... Mike? They were all engaged in a lively paintball battle, laughter and shouts punctuating the air. Mike's presence surprised me, given the frosty reception he'd given Trevor recently. Apparently, things had thawed between them.

Trevor spotted me and jogged over, his face flushed and paint-splattered, a boyish grin stretching ear to ear. "Amelia! You made it back!" He wiped a smear of blue paint off his cheek. "How's the ankle holding up? Still game to join us?"

His enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself smiling despite my reservations. I'd agreed to this madness, hadn't I? My competitive spirit stirred. "Well, it's not every day a girl gets invited to a paintball war. I suppose I can't back out now, can I?"

"That's the spirit!" Trevor's eyes sparkled with mischief. "We'll go easy on you... maybe." He winked, and I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the little flip my heart did.

"Oh, I'm shaking in my boots, tough guy." I quirked an eyebrow at him. "I might surprise you."

"Bring it on, flower girl." Trevor's grin turned challenging. "Let's see what you've got."

As he led me toward the makeshift paintball field, I couldn't help but marvel at the change in the group's dynamic. Mike, who had been so hostile, now joked and laughed with the others. Trevor had a knack for mending fences, it seemed—a knack I sometimes envied.

I took a deep breath, pushing down the flutters of nerves and excitement. This was outside my comfort zone, but I looked forward to the game—time to show these boys what a florist could do.

Trevor helped me into a safety vest, his hands gentle as he adjusted the straps. "So, about Mike," he began, his voice low, meant only for my ears. "We had a long talk. Cleared the air, you know? He's been going through some stuff, but we're good now."

I nodded, glancing over at Mike, who was engrossed in a debate about the best paintball strategy with Danny. The tension that had once radiated from him was replaced by an easy camaraderie. "That's great, Trevor. I'm glad you two worked things out."

"Me too." Trevor's smile was soft, grateful. "It means a lot, having the guys here. Feeling that connection again."

"You're lucky to have them," I said quietly, fiddling with the strap of my safety glasses.

Trevor's hand stilled mine, his fingers warm against my skin. "I'm lucky to have you too, Amelia. Don't forget that."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I ducked my head, a smile tugging at my lips. "Flatterer."

"Just stating facts, ma'am." Trevor's grin was playful, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Now, let's get you ready, shall we?"

He handed me a paintball gun, the weight of which was unfamiliar to me. "Okay, so this is your trigger, and this is your safety." Trevor pointed out the various parts of the gun, his explanations clear and concise. "Remember, aim for center mass. And don't be afraid to pull the trigger. It's all about quick reflexes."

I nodded, trying to absorb the information. It seemed simple enough. Point and shoot. How hard could it be?

My first attempt at shooting was a disaster. The gun kicked back, catching me off guard, and the paintball flew wide, splattering against a tree trunk a good ten feet from my intended target. The guys erupted into good-natured laughter, and my face flushed with embarrassment.

"Nice one, Amelia!" Frank called out, grinning from ear to ear. "You showed that tree who's boss!"

"Hey, that tree had it coming!" I retorted, trying to salvage my dignity. "It was looking at me funny."

Trevor chuckled, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Here, let me show you."

He moved behind me, his arms coming around to adjust my grip on the gun. I was suddenly very aware of his proximity, the heat of his body seeping into mine. Focus, Amelia.

"Like this," Trevor murmured, his breath tickling my ear. "Relax your shoulders, take a deep breath, and squeeze the trigger. Don't pull."

I followed his instructions, acutely conscious of every point of contact between us. This time, when I pulled the trigger, the paintball flew straight, hitting the edge of the target. It wasn't a bullseye, but it was a vast improvement.

"There you go!" Trevor's praise was warm and proud. "You're a natural."

I turned my head, finding his face inches from mine. "I had a good teacher," I said softly, holding his gaze.

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