Page 3 of Burning for the Truth

“I’ll be fine. No harm. I’ll simply be quicker on my feet next time. Until then, I’ll watch you three battle it out to see who taps out this Thursday. I can judge better this way.” I laugh lightly. Sterling doesn’t appear convinced, but he doesn’t press me. Drew lifts my legs and sits beside me before placing them in his lap.

“I’ll sit this one out with you, babe. I’ve missed you anyway.” He leans in and kisses me on my lips as Sterling turns at the sound of Dean coming back. As Drew breaks the kiss, he laughs and says, “Dang, Mean Machine, you couldn’t go easy on my girl?”

Dean smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Man, I’m sorry. It was a total accident. I didn’t mean to…” He trails off, glancing over at me offering, what? A silent apology? He reaches us and hands Drew the ice pack and towel he got for my ankle.

Drew chuckles. “Hey, man, I’m only playing. You know I’m not me if I go easy on ya.”

Sterling shifts his gaze to Dean. “Well, since he’s sitting it out with Bree, let’s go so I can kick your ass and maybe have time to shower and see my girls again before I go to work.”

Dean nods and walks to the mat with Sterling, never glancing back at me and Drew as he gets ready for my brother’s advances. I slide further into the couch as Drew caresses my leg. He smiles at me with his perfect white teeth and dark brown eyes, and I melt a little. Yep, this man sure knows how to make my heart race a little faster than it should. Drew Thomas walked into my life at exactly the right time all those months ago.

Sweat pours off me in rivers as we finish our “sesh,”as Briella likes to call it. Sterling and I are walking to the locker room to shower, and I glance back to the couch on the other side of the gym to see Drew caressing Briella’s face tenderly. Andrew “Drew” Thomas is as good of a man as they come. He’s fiercely loyal and passionate about his work and everything he does—everything he loves, my mind whispers. And he loves Briella Brigg, that much is clear.

I shift my focus back in the direction of the locker room as Sterling speaks. “Do you think he loves my sister?” he asks abruptly. I glance in Sterling’s direction and find him waiting on my answer with furrowed brows.

“Yeah, man. He does. He hasn’t mentioned a lot in detail obviously, but from what he’s said, he’s over the moon for her.” I smile tightly. I mean it. Every word is the truth. I’m glad she’s with someone like him, but my stomach always twists a little bit thinking about how I never stood a chance with her. We were always only destined to be friends—forbidden from anything more. The unspoken rule or code of not dating your best friend’s little sister sealed that fate a long time ago.

Sterling relaxes slightly, as much as he ever does, I suppose. “Good, that’s good. I worry about her. I know she’s a badass in her own right, but I’m her big brother. It’s my job to watch out for her, to protect her. I gotta admit, the last year I don’t feel like I’ve done a very good job.” He doesn’t glance back up as he continues to go through the motions of getting ready to shower.

I guffaw. “Come on, Sterling. You know that’s a load of bullshit. You’re very much the big brother you’ve always been to her—a great one. Don’t doubt yourself.” He shakes his head in disbelief, and his shoulders slump.

“She had to shoot someone to save me, to save us all that night, Dean. Then she almost got fileted by an abusive jerk trying to protect Lucy. It would seem she’s the protector these days, not me,” he speaks in a grim tone. “She’s dealt with a lot to be so new in her career.”

I put my hand on Sterling’s shoulder and laugh a little in an attempt to lighten his mood. “Dude, you know Briella. She’s not ever going to let anything, or anyone beat her. She’s invincible when it comes to her passion and her instincts. And I think she’s a lot stronger than you give her credit for, or than she knows herself honestly.”

He shakes his head and laughs with me. “You’re right, I know you are. I just want to be sure she knows I’ve got her back, always.”

“She knows that, brother. No doubt about it. And as far as Drew goes, he’s one of the good ones. You don’t have anything to worry about there,” I say in all honesty, and it’s like dead weight drops in my gut. Sterling grins and fist-bumps me before heading to his shower stall. My own grin slowly fades as the water turns on and I stand in the locker room alone. I can’t hold on to these feelings for Briella. I have to let them,and her, go. She and I will never be.

I grab my own shower stuff and head to my stall to wash away the sweat and lingering thoughts of a flame that can never ignite to its full potential. All I want is for her to be happy, and unfortunately, that means sacrificing a piece of my heart to make sure it happens.

One week later…

“You may kiss the bride.” The preacher gives Sterling all the encouragement he needs. He leans over to Ivie, taking her face in his hands and seals the deal, kissing her in front of the small crowd gathered for their evening wedding at their ranch, the Valley B.

Was Ivie Davis what you would call my first love? Sure. Did I want to let her go at first? Nope, not even a little. But looking back on it now, I’m so happy I did. I didn’t even know what I wanted, and I was holding on to the past—a temporary flame that had long since burned out. I’ll always love her, but I’m notin lovewith her. Once I came to that conclusion, it was as easy as breathing to let her go and give them my honest and heartfelt blessing.

Sterling and Ivie are the real deal. They were meant to be more than anyone I’ve ever seen. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for her, as anyone would for who they consider to be theirfirst love, but I can honestly say she’s where she’s supposed to be, and that’s married to Sterling Brigg.

After I learned the truth about what had happened between them, I couldn’t stay upset. They didn’t betray me even if it was my initial reaction. I gave Ivie up a very long time ago…we were just kids when we dated. Nothing we had has any weight on what she shares with Sterling. What they have is something the rest of us dream of finding. I couldn’t be happier for them and the life they’re beginning.

Sterling and Ivie make their way back to where the reception will be held as Lucy and Tate follow. Tate was the best man and Lucy was the maid of honor. Now it’s time for me to escort Briella back down the aisle.

I glance over at her as she meets me in the middle. Her golden-blonde hair is twisted into an elegant updo with curled tendrils framing her face. Her brown eyes twinkle in the light radiating from the sunset in the distance.Damn, she’s beautiful. She’s always been the standard for me.

In her teal-colored bridesmaid dress, she’s absolutely stunning. I hold out my arm for her and she takes it as we descend the aisle. “You look beautiful, Briella,” I whisper through the impossible smile on my face.

She squints her eyes at me. “Thank you…I think,” she says carefully. I guffaw at her reaction.

“I can’t tell you that you look nice?” I ask innocently.

Suddenly, she catches Drew’s attention in the guests still watching us make our descent. He winks at her and what I see there is pure—pure love. I quickly zip my mouth and my thoughts. She smiles at him and blushes before turning back to me.

She stares at me suspiciously. “Yeah, you can. It’s weird though. We don’t say stuff like that to each other—ever. And you know it.” I keep quiet and she lets out a puff of air. “But since you did, I guess I should say you look nice too.” I throw my head back and laugh as we reach the end of our walk.

She drops her arm from mine and stands with her hands on her hips and her eyes narrowed at me. “Is something funny, D-bag?”

“No, not at all, BB. You just never say nice things to me, and it felt strange, but I liked it, so I laughed.” My laughing has stopped, but I can’t help the smirk still planted firmly on my face.

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