Page 35 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

Ava:She wants to talk later.

The tightness in my stomach loosens knowing that Nathan hasn’t bothered her, but the fact that Caroline wants to talk to her, confirms that there is trouble brewing. My stomach twists.

Me: My PR department wants to talk to me, I’m pretty sure it has to do with whatever Nathan is spreading through the media.

Ava:Duncan, I’m so sorry.

Me:I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you.

Me:Are you okay?

She takes so long to answer that when she finally does, I realize I’d been holding my breath the entire time.

Ava:I’m okay. This has just been rough.

Me:Whatever is going on we’ll take care of it.

Me:Together.

Me:I’ll talk to Finn and Stacy and see what our best option is.

Ava:Thank you, Duncan.

Ava:You are the best fake boyfriend ever.

Best.Fake. Boyfriend.

My stomach knots, and an ache takes over my chest. With those three words, I’m brought to my knees.

Chapter Sixteen

Ava

Bestfakeboyfriendever?

“Ava,” I groan, slamming my palm against my forehead, blowing out a big breath. Flopping back against the couch I grind out, “Why did you say that?”

There was nothing fake about what I felt when Duncan kissed me last night or the way my body responded. The moment his lips touched mine, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest and my entire body came to life.

I know the kiss was for show, but when it was over I wanted more. One kiss wasn’t enough. And from the look in Duncan’s eyes I’m positive he felt the same.

The car ride home was quiet, the tension thick, and every inch of me was aware of the man beside me. When we arrived at David’s, Duncan pulled into the driveway and parked the car. My senses were immediately on high alert.

Would he kiss me again?

Looking over at him, his hands resting on the steering wheel, his gaze facing forward. I took a moment to admire his profile, before letting my gaze linger on his lips. When he glanced in my direction any emotion was masked. I knew there wasn’t a chance of that happening.

Disappointment dripped off me in waves, my heart in my stomach. I softly said goodnight and started out of the car. The response that followed was a husky ‘Goodnight Ava’ that had my heart skipping a beat.

When I reached the door I turned back to look at Duncan. Through the windshield, I could see his eyes on me, watching and when our gazes met the intensity in them sent a flutter through my body and made my breath catch. He stiffly lifted his hand, and I did the same, a wobbly smile crossing my face, then walked into the house not looking back.

The emotions I had felt from the last few hours were all over the place, and I was left questioning everything.

“Hey,” David acknowledged me as I walked into the room. “How was the game?” he asked from the couch, watching TV.

“Fast. I missed myHockey for Dummiesprofessor.” I chuckled, doing my best to act like my entire world wasn’t turned upside down because of his younger brother. “It’s been a long day. I’m gonna head to bed. Night.”

Concern lined David’s forehead but he didn’t say anything other than, “Okay. See you tomorrow.”

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