Page 73 of Wild Promises

"I know how I feel, and I've never felt this way about anyone." I wasn't talking about our fake relationship anymore. I was being honest about my feelings. "I wouldn't have started anything if I didn't think we had potential. I wouldn't have wanted to mess up our friendship." But that wasn't entirely the truth. We had started out as pretend. It was less risky than what was going on between us now.

"You think she feels the same?" Oliver asked carefully.

My stomach dipped. "I don't know."

Eli nodded. "Love is scary."

I hadn't said anything about being in love with Tori, but I guessed they could surmise that from my admission thus far.

"It's a free fall. You never know if you're going in the right direction, making the right move, and not screwing everything in your life up in the process," Eli murmured.

Both of my brothers were recently in relationships. "You have any advise for me?"

Oliver chuckled, then slapped me on the shoulder. "Don't screw it up."

"That's not helpful,” I grumbled.

"You're going to screw it up," Eli added. "It's just a matter of whether you can see it coming and avoid the pitfalls."

"I'm supposed to anticipate where and how I'm going to screw this relationship up?" That was messed up.

Eli shrugged, a self-satisfied grin spreading across his face. "It's inevitable."

I felt hot all over, like I was feverish. I didn't want to mess up with Tori. "She's my best friend. I couldn't take it if I messed things up."

"I'm not saying you'll screw it up permanently—but it's a possibility." Eli sobered. "How many serious relationships have you been in?"

I swallowed over the sudden dryness in my throat. "None."

Eli nodded. "You're bound to make some mistakes. But we'll be here for you when they happen."

"I don't like this conversation anymore," I grumbled.

"It's better that you be prepared. I let Carolina go home before Christmas last year without telling her how I felt. Biggest regret of my life. You should talk to Tori about how you feel," Oliver said.

I chuckled without any humor. That was the problem. This wasn't a real relationship, and I wasn't supposed to be having any feelings. I'd already screwed up. But I couldn't tell my brothers any of that information. They weren't supposed to know anything about that. Then they'd know about our plan to help me keep my job. It would be one more reason for them to say I was a screwup, and they couldn't depend on me.

"Have you taken Tori on any dates besides the winter ball?" Oliver asked.

"We go to dinner sometimes." Although lately, we'd eaten take-out because we couldn't keep our hands off each other.

"She'll enjoy the festival. Make sure you spend time with her there. Girls love that stuff," Eli said like he was the expert on women.

I'd probably be too busy organizing it, running it, and making sure nothing bad happened. But I didn't bother mentioning thatto my brothers. They finally believed in me. I wouldn't give them a reason not to. "So you're saying I need to take her out more?"

"I'm not saying I did right by Carolina in the beginning either. It started out as a fling we kept hidden."

They hooked up whenever she was in town. Everything changed when they got snowed in before Christmas last year. They realized they were in love with each other.

That was a very different arrangement than what I had going on with Tori. We were friends first, and we weren't supposed to be anything more.

My brothers could only help me so much without me telling them the truth, and I had no intention of doing that. I'd gotten myself into this situation, and I'd have to get myself out of it. But I had no idea how.

It was a way for me to be with Tori and not be honest about my feelings. The fear of rejection was real. If I was honest with her, she'd be able to walk away. I didn't even want to think about how that would feel.

That reaction made sense. I'd never been the guy anyone relied on or wanted. I wasn't the best boyfriend or most responsible guy. I had nothing to offer Tori.

Oliver's gaze settled on me. "I'm surprised you made a move."

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