Page 49 of My Best Friend's Brother
“So you’re willing to prey on him? Admit it! You want him.”
Keke stalked forward, coming within a foot of her best friend in order to tower over her. “I am not preying on your brother. I don’t have to,” Keke said with a wicked grin. “Petey has always wanted me.”
Bertie laughed derisively. “So you admit it.”
“All I’m going to admit to is teaching your brother how to get the girl. Something neither you nor your father cared to do.”
“Yeah, well, it’s notyourjob.”
True, but if Bertie hadn’t witnessed the kiss, they wouldn’t be having this conversation. She was fine with it until she thought Keke liked her brother.
Which she kind of did.
And would never admit it to Bertie.
Keke retrieved her bag and stopped at the back door. “Petey is going to be extraordinary. He’s talented, and I hope he finds the support he needs, because he won’t succeed without it.” Keke pinned Bertie with a stare. “Maybe if you weren’t so worried about me, you’d see this whole thing with Cornell and your dad is tearing him apart. The pressure… I’m rooting for him to leave all of this behind.”
Keke shoved the door open and walked out into the muggy morning air. The first rays of light streaked through the canopy of trees. She nearly ran into Pete.
“Hey, good morning. What’s wrong?”
Behind his glasses, she saw his concerned expression. “What’s up with the glasses?” Her gaze drifted down. She took in running shoes and a casual t-shirt and gym shorts. “You going running or something?”
“Need to. I think I ate a dozen s’mores last night.”
She’d been too upset for dessert, but she managed to eat all the mini cupcakes on the way back to the campground. “That’s something I should do.”
“When the sweat gets in my eyes…the contacts—”
“Eww, yeah, I get it.” She put up a hand and walked away. She couldn’t deal with Bertie and then Pete looking incredibly gorgeous this early in the morning. Her life would be less stressed without the two of them. She had to relax before the audition. Stress pimples and tense muscles would kill her chances for the part.
“Keke…”
She whirled. “Have you kissed Lea yet?”
His head snapped back. “Huh? What?”
“Last night would’ve been another perfect night for a walk. Did you make a move or what?” If he had, then this would be all over and she could go back to ignoring him, and Bertie would be okay, and then she could get to L.A.
Pete’s face grew red. “No. And I didn’t know I had to check in with you when I—”
“Oh, give me a break.” Keke threw up her hands. “What am I doing this for?”
Pete’s eyes narrowed. “What’s it to you, anyway? Why are you pushing me on Lea? It’s not your choice. It’s mine.”
Keke laughed out loud. “That’s hilarious.”
Pete balled his fists. “Yeah? How so?”
“Oh, yeah. You’re real funny.”
He scuffed his toe in the dirt. “I don’t like being laughed at, Keighly. I get enough of it from my dad.”
“You know what? You and your whole family… No, scratch that.” She waved her arms in front of her face. “Just you.” She pointed at him. “When are you going to grow up? You’re letting them control your life. It’s not their decision. If you want something, you gotta take it. Or what’s been the point of my lessons? Huh?”
Before he answered, she stormed off.
