Page 3 of Smitten With My Brother's Best Friend
“Nothing sweetie.”
I give her an eye roll in response.
“So, when’s this dinner?”
“Tonight.”
Awesome. I have only a few hours before facing the Miller family. Especially my best friend’s little sister, who I’m pretty sure hates my guts.
I leave her to her preparations while I head up to my room. I’m glad to see my mom didn’t change anything. My room isstill just as it was when I was in high school, and it’s a painful reminder of how my life is. Unchanging, steady.
The only excitement I get is from the missions I go on. And yet, I want more. I’m getting sick and tired of doing the same things. I joined the Navy SEALs when I was 19. Training took three years. Then, I’ve been working, training, and doing my best to serve for the past seven years. I wouldn’t say this out loud to anyone because I wouldn’t know how, but I’d like to stop. I became a SEAL because of my grandfather and father. Both of them were legends in the Navy. My dad raised me to be just like them. Notwithstanding that this same job is the reason they both died, I would very much like to make them proud. Which is why I’ll keep trying, no matter how much I hate it.
My plan is to lie down for a few minutes before going to help my mom with dinner. But when I open my eyes again, it’s dark outside, and someone’s knocking on my door. It’s probably my mom, so I don’t bother putting on the shirt I had discarded earlier before opening the door.
When I do, both my eyes and the eyes of the person standing on the other side widen simultaneously.
“Taylor?”
“Uh…hi?” she says with an awkward smile, her eyes trying and failing to look anywhere but at my chest.
I stare at her, all of her. I note her blonde hair, amber eyes, and a body that I definitely don’t remember her having. Taylor Miller has changed, and she has grown up and just become the only non-constant thing in my life.
Chapter 2
(Taylor)
______
When I was asked to go and fetch Maverick from his room, I immediately knew it was a bad idea. But my mom made me promise on the way that I would bury the hatchet with him, and I would stop my ridiculous hatred of him, which is annoyingly one-sided. When it comes to Maverick Kessler, everything I feel is one-sided. And I was prepared for that to change. I really was. My plan was to act natural, act cool. I was going to show him how mature I’ve become.
Two problems. One is he has gotten significantly more attractive since I last saw him. I should also not have been subjected to the view of his naked chest and his muscled, toned abs.
My mouth is suddenly dry. Why is my mouth dry?
My only comfort right now is that he looks a little shocked to see me too. I manage to get my staring under control and look into the blue depths of his eyes.
“Your mom told me to come get you,” I tell him, surprised at the steadiness of my voice.
He nods distractedly. His dark brown hair is a mess on top of his head. I wonder why it’s so long, especially since they’re supposed to cut it in the military. My best guess is that he hasn’t had time to cut it in a few weeks. It suits him though. Lots of things suit him.
“I’ll be right down,” he says. His voice is deep and husky.
“All right,” I said unsurely.
I turn around to walk away.
“Hey, Taylor?” he says.
“Yeah?” I ask without turning around.
“It’s good to see you.”
I don’t know why but those words make me remember. I remember who I’m talking to. Maverick Kessler. The dick who humiliated me in front of everyone. I should hate him, promises to my mom be damned. I actually have to hate him because I’m scared of what the alternative would be.
“I wish I could say the same,” I reply coldly.
Then I walk away without looking back. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I think I hear him laughing. I almost turn around to check because Maverick doesn’t laugh often. He’s always so grumpy and silent. Somehow that used to attract me to him. I close my eyes briefly, trying to clear my mind of these thoughts.
