Page 9 of My Brother's Best Friends

“It feels better,” he says. My gaze is riveted to the spot. I can’t see everything, but the outline is clear as day. “You should try it.”

I glance down at my sporty two-piece, suddenly feeling overdressed. There’s no way I’m stripping down to join him in the hot tub. I’m hanging on to my dignity by a thread, and I know it would take next to nothing for me to throw myself at him. That’s how drawn I am to this man—now more than ever.

“I’m going to…” I look around, desperately searching for an excuse. Nothing even remotely smart comes to mind, just jumbled syllables. I might as well shut up.

“What are you drinking?” he asks.

“Champagne and orange juice,” I answer, grateful for safe territory. “A mimosa.”

“Mind pouring me one? That sounds great,” he says.

“Sure.” I hop to my feet, eager for something—anything—to do.

I wrap a towel around myself and hurry into the kitchen to fetch a glass for Kellan. I need distance before my reckless thoughts spill straight out of my mouth.

This trip is supposed to be about Bryan and Callie, and me drooling over one of the Anderson triplets can only end badly. I need to get my focus back—stat.

4

KELLAN

Makayla is a breathtaking surprise. I certainly didn’t expect her to be so beautiful. Sure, she’d been a sweet, awkward kid, but I never imagined she’d grow into this stunning woman.

Back then she’d been adorable, bragging she could smoke us at Grand Theft Auto.

I want to punch Bryan for keeping her under wraps this long, but I remind myself they drifted apart after Makayla left for college. Life happened, and here we are—here I am—stunned by the smoke show who’s still very much my friend’s little sister.

“Feels like I’m begging for trouble,” I say under my breath.

I watch through the porch window as Makayla stretches for a wineglass in the overhead cabinet, her lush ass arching invitingly. God, I want to slide my palms along those generous curves. I can tell she’s drawn to me, although she’s doing her best to hide it.

It wouldn’t exactly be a crime to indulge.

Just as I cup myself beneath the water, trying to coax my cock back to something like calm, I catch movement across the room. Makayla turns, her full breasts swaying softly beneath her bikini top. I narrow my eyes, praying it’s not Bryan—I might have some explaining to do.

“Hey!” Makayla says. Her voice slips through the narrow gap in the sliding door, colored by equal parts surprise and pleasure.

“Hey yourself,” Alex says.

I can instantly recognize the voice, even though most people can’t tell the difference. There’s a brightness to Alex’s voice that neither Oscar nor I have. Maybe it’s because he coaches Little League on weekends and is used to keeping his tone upbeat for the kids. It can be tiring sometimes, but it’s one of his more lovable quirks.

I drift to her side of the hot tub, brace my hands on the deck, and lean out to listen.

“Makayla?” Alex says. “It’s been a minute.”

Through the glass, I watch as he pulls her into a hug. He’s still in his business suit, tie knotted close to his throat. Lucky me—I bailed on that meeting early and traded the suit for steaming water and bare skin instead. Perhaps he’ll join us. It might foil any idea of intimacy that has clearly bloomed between Makayla and me, though. Or… it might not.

“I’m sorry, I can’t seem to tell you guys apart anymore. I hate that I have to ask, but are you Oscar?” Makayla asks, her tone innocent.

“Yes, it’s me—Oscar,” Alex says, his tone teasing.

Makayla pulls back and gives his arm a light slap. He’s given himself away and she knows he’s not Oscar. “Alex,” she says, wagging a manicured finger.

Alex grins. “Or maybe I’m Kellan.”

“Kellan’s in the hot tub,” Makayla says.

“Oh.”

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