Page 22 of Smitten With My Brother's Best Friend
“What happened?”
“Lisa broke up with me. She said she couldn’t keep waiting for me anymore.”
“What?” I say shocked.
“Yeah. She said she wanted to get married. I told her we could get married anytime she wanted, but then she said she couldn’t marry me unless I quit being a SEAL. According to her, she has given me ten years to play a hero, and now it’s time forme to stop. She wants me to quit being a SEAL and stay with her.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I told her I couldn’t, Mav. I love my job, and it’s a part of me, and if she really loved me, she would learn to accept it. You know how it feels, right?”
I can only nod. I don’t know how it feels, Adam. Not even close.
“Anyway, she told me she couldn’t go on, and then we broke up.”
I place a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“I’m sure she’ll come around. I know the both of you will work things out.”
“Maybe,” he says unsurely.
I want to spend more time with him, but he tells me to leave, claiming he wants to be alone. I know him, and I know when he gets like this, there’s no convincing him. He’ll shut down, then come find me when he needs me.
“I’ll kill you if you break her heart,” he says when I stand up to leave.
“I would expect nothing less.”
“Sorry about the bruise.”
“It’s all right, bro.”
I walk out of the bar and drive back to their house. When I enter, though, I meet a sight that stops me in my tracks.
“Taylor, I need you to explain it to me. You can’t just cut me off and expect me to accept it. I gave you time to come to your senses.”
The asshole hasn’t noticed me yet, but Taylor has. Her eyes widen.
“Terry, I really think it would be a good idea if you left right now,” she says, looking at me.
I know the expression on my face must be a little terrifying. The idiot still doesn’t get it.
“No. Not until you take me back. Three years, Tay. You want to throw away three years?”
“Yes,” I answer him. He spins around to look at me, his eyes wide.
“What the hell is he doing here?” he asks with a sneer.
I actually smile. He’s a brave man. I’ll give him that. But he’s about to be a dead man if he doesn’t leave very soon.
“Teddy, my man. You really should listen to Taylor and fuck off. She doesn’t need you in her life; you just need to accept that.”
“My name’s Terry, and she’s my girlfriend-”
I cut him off with a growl. Taylor moves towards me with wide panicky eyes.
“Maverick, calm down.”
In one moment, I’m pulling her to me and placing a lingering kiss on her lips that leaves no doubt that she’s mine. When we pull apart, I see Terry laughing.
