Page 3 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

Since then, I’ve done everything possible to avoid seeing her unless a situation absolutely calls for it, and when it does, I make sure to be polite but distant.

Living across the country in Florida made that easy without finding an excuse. But now I live in Maple Ridge.

Minutes from David and Scarlett.

Minutes from where Ava will be.

It appears my past is about to slam into my present and there’s nothing I can do to avoid the collision.

Chapter Two

Ava

RickSpringfield’sJessie’sGirlblasts through my car speakers and my hands tighten on the steering wheel. When Caroline’s name appears on my phone, the tightness gripping my body releases.

Since I ended our engagement two days ago, Nathan, and the press, have been calling nonstop. Knowing that his team is responsible for the media circus only confirms ending things was the right choice.

Breathing out a sigh of relief, I answer the call. “Hi, Caroline.”

“Ava!” Caroline’s voice is tinged with worry. “Are you okay? My phone has been ringing off the hook. Nathan has repeatedly called me asking where you are, and the media is hunkered down in front of my office.”

“Yeah, he’s called me continuously, too.” My chest tightens again. This entire situation is a complete mess. “Doesn’t he get that when you end an engagement, things are over? Do you think it was his team getting the press involved?”

“To answer your first question with another one: Did you really think his ginormous ego would let you walk away?” Even though her tone is light, she’s serious. “To answer your second question, sadly, I do. He’s doing all types of damage control and if that means putting pressure on you to get back together—he’ll do it.”

I run my hand through my hair and swallow hard past the lump in my throat. This is a complete disaster. Nathan’s reaction to all of this shows me that who I thought he was and who he actually is are two completely different people.

Maybe it was naive of me to think he would just let me end things easily. I definitely didn’t think he would sic the press on me.

“How did I not see who he really is?” I mumble, hurt and confused by my blindness. “I guess he’s a better actor than I realized.”

The truth is, Nathan and I knew for a long time that our relationship wasn’t going to last. It was more about the perception of us as a couple, than us being in love.

We met while working together on the hit movieCars, Men, and Pretty Faces,and we had fun. The idea that we had fallen in love on set was great press for the movie.

That small detail was a surprise boost to both of our budding careers. The movie being a smash hit was the icing on the cake.

After my twin sister Fiona passed away, I was devastated and desperate, and I leaned on Nathan. Now, years later, when he asked me to marry him, I said yes because it seemed like the next step.

It was only when my pesky co-star, Sean O’Connell, started asking me what I saw in Nathan and digging into my relationship that I began asking myself the same question.

Sean was annoying, but he helped me admit what I had known for a long time. Nathan was never going to be the man for me. The only reason I stayed with him was because of the grief.

My sister, ironically, didn’t like Nathan at all.

Fiona’s voice runs through my head, and a wry grin crosses my face.

“Sure Av, he’s hot, but, really, where’s the substance?” Fi asked, a frown marring her face.

“Who said I was looking for substance?” I answered her question with a question, rubbing the frown from her brow. “He’s fun, and it’s helping our movie.”

Her clear blue eyes penetrated mine, looking deeply into my soul in a way that no other person has since. People talk about twins having a deep connection, but it’s hard to understand unless you are one.

That look was filled with a million words that were never spoken. All of them said, ‘Don’t fall into that trap, Ava. Don’t fall into the Hollywoodloverelationship’.

“Stop worrying about me, Fi!” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. “I’ll be fine. Besides, not all of us can marry our high school sweethearts.”

The smile she gave me was forced, and sadness filled her eyes. But it was her response that haunted me. “Promise me that you won’t fall into the ease of what you and Nathan have. You deserve someone who will treasure you, Ava. A man who loves you more than they love themselves won’t hesitate to do anything for you.”

---