Page 48 of My Brother's Best Friends

It feels like such a small thing. A bug on the windshield, really.

But my brothers and I know all too well that even a bug on the windshield can lead to disaster.

“It’s a delicate situation,” I agree. “Perhaps you understand now why I wanted to go slow.”

He chuckles dryly. “And perhaps you also understand why going slow was virtually impossible with a woman like that.”

“Fair enough.”

I take a sip of coffee, chasing whatever jolt of energy I can find. Pleasuring Makayla has knocked the air out of me, but it’s the best kind of exhaustion.

“We need to analyze the situation carefully,” Kellan says. “Let’s list the pros and cons. We’ve known Bryan and Kay practically our whole lives. It can’t be that bad if we let the cat out of the bag.”

“If Bryan isn’t on our side, then things could get really weird really fast. Remember, he’s not only our friend, but he’s our business partner. Sleeping with his sister could spark complications we haven’t even considered.” I draw a steadying breath. “I’m talking about legal fallout. There’s no telling how a wounded man might react, even if that man is as decent as Bryan.”

“What does Kay think about it?” Kellan asks, nodding toward her door.

“I’m letting her rest. I left a cup of coffee on her nightstand and came back here,” I say.

“And Alex?”

“He’s getting dressed. Bryan texted again. He wants us all downstairs for dinner.”

Kellan’s frown mirrors mine. “We had plans.”

“Maybe he’s itching to propose tonight. Did you consider that?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Oscar, less than half an hour ago, we were tangled with this amazing woman, balls deep while she cried out our names,” he shoots back. “None of us considered that when Bryan’s first text came through.”

I let out a dry chuckle. “Again, you make a decent point. When did you become so reasonable?”

He exhales sharply, then crashes onto the sofa. “I realized that what’s happening here runs deeper than a frolic in a Swedish chalet. We need to get our shit together. Clear heads, cold air, our brains switched on, our dicks turned off, and figure out a way forward. For us, for Kay, and for Bryan.”

For our business, too.

I was serious about the potential legal ramifications of a personal falling out with Bryan. Alex and Kellan might not think he’s capable, but I wouldn’t put anything past anybody. Not after what we endured with she-who-shall-not-be-named.

Iretreat to my room for a few minutes, craving a moment’s silence from my intrusive thoughts. If this were only about the mind-boggling sex, I doubt we’d have found common ground in these concerns about the future.

“Are you going to pop the question tonight?” I text Bryan, trying to gauge the situation.

“Just be downstairs at seven. I wanted to talk to you beforehand, but it’s too late now,” he writes back. The reply sends a ripple of worry through me.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t worry too much about it. It’ll be fine. See you at 7.”

I scoff and set my phone aside. Isn’t that fucking dandy?

A knock at the connecting door snaps my attention up. I walk over to the door and look into the living room, but there’s no one there. All the other bedroom doors are shut, too. I might’ve imagined it.

Bryan’s last message keeps churning in my mind.

The knock comes again—this time from the door that links my room to Makayla’s.

“Makayla,” I say, flinging the door wide.

Wrapped in nothing but a towel, she offers a soft smile. “Hi,” she says, her voice a silky, husky murmur, eyes heavy-lidded—but damn, she lights me up from the inside out.

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