Page 12 of Lit Up by My Brother's Best Friend

“Yes, I’m fine. What are you worried about?”

He couldn’t possibly have heard about me and Hunter. And even if he did, he wouldn’t be mad about it. Would he? I mean, he’s a protective older brother, but Hunter is his best friend and he’s a good man. There’s nothing to protect me from.

“You texted Georgie last night needing help.”

“Oh ya…about that. I called Hunter. He helped me out.” And then some.

“You called Hunter?” He sounds really upset.

“Yes. It’s not a big deal.”

“Let me in.”

“What?”

“I’m at your frontdoor. Let me in. I want to see that you’re alright.”

“Oh my God, Wyatt. You’re being—”

“Open the door now or I’ll bust it down.”

“Fine. I’m coming.” What the hell crawled up his butt and died?

I wrap my bathrobe around my body and open the front door. Wyatt is furious.

“What’s wrong?”

“You should have called me. I was worried.”

“I’m fine.”

“So you keep saying.”

“Just sit down and I’ll tell you everything over coffee. You’ll probably laugh. Trust me.”

He just grunts in response. I’ve never seen him so worked up.

“I’ll just go grab Hunter to see if he wants breakfast.”

“He’s here?” my brother shouts.

“Oh my God, Wyatt. Please.” But I walk out of the room to get Hunter before Wyatt has a hernia.

That’s strange. Hunter’s clothes aren’t on the ground, and the bathroom is open.

“Hunter?”

No answer.

“Hunter?”

“Where is he?” Wyatt grumbles.

“He was just here.” I’m numb. Did Hunter actually leave without saying anything? I can’t think straight. My emotions are clouding over. I don’t understand what’s happening except that he’s not here. I knew it was too perfect.

The second he heard that it was Wyatt who was calling me, he left. He’s embarrassed to be with me, his friend’s little sister. He doesn’t really want me.

Oh my God, I’m such an idiot.

---