Page 7 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

“Bye,” Ava responds. “Have fun. I’ll see you when you get home.”

Without looking back at where Ava stands, I walk through the door after Scarlett. I find Scarlett in her Dad’s arms, giving him a quick hug.

David’s gaze falls on me, and I can see him searching my face for any reaction to seeing Ava again. I slip my usual guarded look on and watch his eyebrows pull together. I give him a nod in greeting.

“Will you be staying for dinner when you bring Scar home?” Panic fills me as I try to think of a good reason for breaking from our usual routine.

“No,” I answer too quickly, avoiding eye contact. “I have to…I have to meet up with Noah and Henry to discuss strategy for tomorrow.”

David nods, skepticism filling his eyes. Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything else.

“Come on, Uncle Dunky!” Scarlett yells from the passenger side of my truck, a serious expression on her face. “We’re gonna be late!”

A muffled cough comes from behind me, and I slam a glare in David’s direction. His mouth is covered by his fist just as he ‘coughs’ a few more times, his shoulders shaking.

Scrubbing my hand up and down my face, I turn back toward the truck and walk around to the driver’s side.

Scarlett and I will need to find a compromise on this Uncle ‘Dunky’ thing. As much as I would give her the world, I’m not sure my ego will survive the humiliation that nickname causes me.

Chapter Four

Ava

Unabletodragmyeyes from Duncan’s broad shoulders as he follows Scarlett out, I find myself hoping he’ll turn back to look at me one last time before leaving.

He doesn’t.

Lifting the water bottle to my lips, I take a swig and shake my head. A small chuckle escaping. That’s what I get for starring in one too many romantic comedies.

Where did that wanting for Duncan to look back come from? It’s Duncan—my best friend’s younger brother.

Duncan. The quiet little boy who was always on David’s coattails. Then, the sulky teen who barely ever spoke a word or smiled.

The corner of my lip lifts, and my heart skips as I think about how that grey Henley stretched across his muscles. He’s certainly not little anymore. However, he’s still sulky and quiet.

Except with Scarlett.

Listening to him banter back and forth with my niece was a shock. I didn’t know he could say that many words at once without grunting.

I definitely didn’t realize he had that many teeth, and I most assuredly had no clue he could laugh so freely.

That rich sound ran through me like the first blast of heat on a humid August day after being stuck in air conditioning all day. The gasp that left my body was pulled from me and stunned me just as much as it clearly bewildered Duncan.

When he turned his gaze my way, the adoration Duncan felt for Scarlett was so brightly on display. Those emotions, directed at me, had my knees nearly buckling. Breaking eye contact and turning away was the only thing to do with the tide of emotions swirling in my stomach.

Keeping my hands and mind busy seemed like the most intelligent thing at the time. Grabbing a bottle of water was the only thought that my muddled brain could come up with but it helped to ground me.

My heart was racing, and my palms were sweaty. It’s not a reaction I’m used to, but it’s certainly not something I expect to experience with regard to Duncan.

Emotionally, I’m not in any state to handle the feelings that have come up, but more importantly, considering them is unfair to Duncan.

I’ve never fully gotten over the hurt in his eyes after he told me he loved me at Fiona and David’s wedding. I can’t hurt him like that again.

I refuse to hurt him. I care about him too much.

Whatever this attraction is to the man who was standing in front of me, acting like the biggest mush, needs to be squelched.

Now.

---