Page 67 of Her Brother's Billionaire Best Friend

"Maybe Charlotte can teachme how to get past that. I'm trying to explain to you, as yourequested, that your sister and I are in a relationship. We'refriends We hang out and we flirt and yes, we have sex. And I wish Icould tell you that it's no problem, I'll stop seeing her, but I...I can't do that." I could do that. I just didn't want to let hergo.

"Are you telling me that my best friendis replacing me with my sister?" Scott chuckled, but it wasn'tconvincing. "Bros before hoes."

"First, don't call yoursister a hoe. Second, no, you're not being replaced. A few phonecalls and texts aren't going to erase two decades of history. Areyou really that insecure?" I was kind of insulted that my loyaltywasn't obvious. Facing up to the fact that it was my fault, my ownbehavior, that he doubted my commitment to our friendship wasn'tpleasant. I pushed that right down into the vault where I kept allthe other unpleasant shit I didn't want to do any self-reflectionabout.

"Of course, I'm insecure," he answeredwithout hesitation. "Dude, the person I was about to legally andsymbolically combine my life with for the rest of time decided togive it a pass at the very last minute. I'm questioning everybody.I was left at the altar while simultaneously watching my bestfriend get mauled by a bear at the exact same time I found out he'dfucked my sister."

I winced. "Fair enough."

"You humiliated Charlotte and nowyou're both like, oh, water under the bridge," he went on. "She'sfalling for it because she doesn't have the self-esteem to tell youhow fucked up that is."

It seemed a little unfairto hold me accountable for things I’d said during a bear attack,but I let him continue spilling out the emotions that had beenaccumulating since that day. Even though we'd been in contact againfor a while, there had been no denying the latent tensionsurrounding this whole Charlotte situation.

He’d shocked me with theallegation that I was somehow taking advantage of her lack ofself-esteem. It was difficult to believe that such a confidentperson didn’t have a good opinion of herself.

Scott went on. “She actslike she’s tough and that everything rolls off her back. And it’svery cool and it draws people in, but it’s not who she is. It’s anapology to the world for existing, and I hate that I’m thecause.”

“Because of the bone marrowthing,” I said, the pieces coming together.

“Exactly. She’s eager toplease everyone because she feels like she let us all down. Andthere’s nothing I can do to make it right.” He let out a long, sadbreath. “Look, she and I both found out about it at the same time,and it messed us both up.”

Thatwas a part of the story I’d certainly never heard. “Wait, youguys didn’t know?”

“We were never supposed tofind out.” He scoffed. “Why would anyone tell a kidthat?”

“Somebody toldyou.”

“Yeah.” The memory hung likea weight from his voice. “It was a stupid thing a relative said infront of us because they thought we knew, too. I don’t know whythey would think that. But Charlotte was eight when she foundout.”

I hissed in sympathy, notonly for Scott, but for Charlotte. I knew too well what it was liketo have something shatter one’s childhood innocence.

But that was also in the vault. I’dnever told Scott or anyone else. And I wouldn’t, now.

“She’s twenty-five,” Scottwent on. “Do you remember what it was like to betwenty-five?”

“Yeah, nobody had to rushme to the ER because I opened a door too enthusiastically orsneezed with my head turned.” It wasn’t the time to be flippant butthe turn in the conversation had unnerved me. This was not astandard over-protective brother. This was an angle of myfriendship with Charlotte that I’d never considered. “I knowthere’s baggage there. I didn’t realize how serious. But again,Charlotte and I are friends. We can talk about this.”

Could we? Or would she brush meoff?

“Nobody can talk toCharlotte,” Scott answered my unspoken question with something likeresignation. “I mean, if you can, that would be good for her. Butshe’s built this shell around her… None of us have ever been ableto get in.”

I didn’t want to suggestthat I would be the one who succeeded. It wouldn’t just beinsulting; it would be dishonest. I couldn’t commit to savinganybody when so much of my private self wasunsalvageable.

And the worst part was, Iwanted to try. Not because I wanted to prove anything to Scott orto myself, but because the thought of Charlotte being unhappy mademe instantly miserable.

“I had no idea about any ofthis. I’ll definitely keep it in mind. But all I want to do is showyour sister a good time. Tropical beach, a drink with a littleumbrella in it, and good company,” I promised.

“Yeah, that’s it. You’re notgoing to do anything else,” he muttered.

“That’s none of yourbusiness and you don’t want to know about it, per our earlierconversations.” I was following our agreement to the letter, so hehad to, as well. “You’re afraid this is going to go badly. I getthat. And I’m overstepping so many boundaries. I understand that,too. I’m being a selfish asshole—”

“Thank you.”

“But,” I said firmly, “Il—”

“No!”

“Like,” Isaid, but my stomach lodged in my throat. “Ilikeyour sister a lotand this arrangement is making both of us happy. Why, other thanthe fact that she’s your little sister, do you have a problem withthis?”

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