Page 18 of Smitten With My Brother's Best Friend
I stiffen.
“Why can’t it be your sister?” I ask, trying to sound aloof.
“Because she just got out of a relationship with a dickhead, and I’m not sure if she’s ready for another relationship. Especially with you, Mav. You’re not the easiest person to love. Your default setting is pushing people away before they get too close, and few people ever cross that bridge. Also, I’ve never seen you care about anyone other than your mom and me. You’re not good at opening up. I love you, man, but my sister doesn’t need that kind of headache.”
The Miller siblings are blunt as fuck. I’ve always been okay with it. I usually appreciate Adam’s brutal honesty, but I would be lying if I said that didn’t hurt.
He notices too.
“Hey, I’m sorry about that. Fuck, I didn’t mean to say it like that. You’re awesome, and I’m sure you’ll make your new girl happy. In relation to Taylor, though, you would be a bad idea. She’s in a fragile state because of her ex. You should have seen how sad she was when you dropped her off that day. I don’t want her hurt. She’s still my little sister.”
“I got it,” I tell him, my voice low and cold.
Taylor wasn’t sad because of her douchebag of an ex. She was sad because of our argument. I know I’m not the best person in the world, but I would rather die than hurt her. She has slowly become important to me, and I’ll be damned if I let her go.
“To answer your question though, you’ll know you’re in love with someone when you can’t imagine your future without them. In every scenario, they’re right there beside you,” he tells me.
Adam’s in much better spirits by the time we’re ready to leave. He tells me he’s going to spend the night at Lisa’s place. I immediately feel a thrill shoot through me. If he’s going there, then that means there won’t be anyone with Taylor at their house. According to my mom, their mom will be spending thenight at her house. They just discovered something special or some shit, and they’re asking for a professional’s input. These days, my mom has been spouting a whole lot of nonsense about love and some flower, and I haven’t had the time to pay her any attention.
I’m thinking about what Adam said throughout the drive to their house. I’m not sure what my future holds, so it’s a little hard to imagine Taylor in it beside me. She lives in New York and works for a big company, and I’m a Navy SEAL that’s based in Aster Falls. We’re on completely different paths. All I know is that I have inexplicable feelings now, and I want to be around her all the damn time.
I ring the doorbell, and just as I had been expecting, her amber-colored eyes widen in surprise.
“You couldn’t call before coming over?” she asks, stepping back to let me in.
“A little birdy told me you’d be all alone tonight, so I came to keep you company,” I tell her.
She shakes her head.
“You can’t just barge in here and expect me- “
I cut off her next words with a kiss that quickly turns into something more. Then I force myself to step away from her. I can’t just walk in here and sleep with her. She’ll think I only want her for the sex.
“I came to keep you company. In case you got lonely.”
I give her a pout, so she thinks I’m cute and doesn’t kick me out. She lets out a relenting sigh.
“Fine. I kind of missed you too,” she says before walking towards the living room and falling onto the couch.
I sit beside her, pulling her head into my chest. It’s comfortable.
“What are we watching?” I asked, glancing at the television screen. It’s paused to the opening credits of the show she was watching.
“Keeping up,” she answers shortly.
“Keeping up with what?”
“With the Kardashians.”
I only vaguely know the show she’s talking about, but I know I hate it.
“Isn’t that the show about the super-rich chicks with huge asses?” I ask.
She snorts.
“That is an apt description.”
“It’s a horrible show.”
