Page 53 of Could Have Been Us
“If you mean that Jack and I are together now, then yes,” I answer first.
“And you kissed her?” Alex goes next.
I don’t know how anyone who has brothers survives their nonsense. They’re incredibly stupid and intrusive.
Jack’s hand rests on my hip, and he clears his throat. “I know this may come as a surprise, but Stella and I have feelings for each other, and we’ve decided to date.”
Oliver comes to my other side. “Let’s not pretend we didn’t see this coming.”
He’s definitely my favorite brother.
Josh’s eyes turn to me. “Does Gray know?”
“Yes, and like I told him, I don’t need any of your permission. I’m not a kid.”
“No, but we’re going into business together,” Alex reminds us.
“It’ll be fine. We’re not stupid, and we know what it all means,” I assure him.
Josh’s lips are in a thin line. “I hope so.” There is a small pause before he shrugs. “I’m not surprised. I’ve thought there was something for a while, but I figured you guys would never really act on it.”
“We tried,” Jack says. “I don’t suggest it.”
Josh looks at him, eyes wide, and then he turns away. Oliver extends a hand to Jack. “Be good to her.”
Jack shakes his hand and nods. “Of course.”
I turn to Alex, who releases a heavy sigh before doing the same gesture. “She’s the best of us.”
I shake my head. “For God’s sake, he’s not stealing me away. We’re going to date.”
Joshua pinches the bridge of his nose. “If that’s what you think, Meatball, you’re the naïve one.”
I don’t care what they say, I’m not getting my hopes up. If this progresses, then great. If it doesn’t, I won’t be shocked.
Gray, who is standing on the fringe, catches my eyes, and I look up at Jack, who nods before his hand falls away. I love my brother. Whether he’s wrong or right, he and I are extremely close. I don’t want to see this tear any of us apart.
I walk to him and offer him a cautious smile. “Will you dance with your sister?” I ask.
He glances over at the four other men I love with my whole heart and then gives me his hand. “Come on.”
For the first part, we don’t talk. He seems lost in his thoughts, but then he looks down at me. “How long have you been going behind my back?”
“Gray, it’s not like that.”
“I saw you, Stell.”
“We’ve been fighting it for a long time, but what you saw in the clearing was the tipping point, I promise. We haven’t been sneaking around. That was us being unable to pretend anymore.”
“And you love him?”
“I do.”
A low sound rumbles from his chest. “I’m going to need some time to get my head on straight.”
I smile softly. “I figured.”
“I’m sure I’ll get over it.”
