Page 1 of Rescued By My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter One

Elena

IneverthoughtIwould find myself in the pouring rain, soaking wet, and standing on a dimly lit porch, waiting on my best friend to open the door so I could fall into her arms. I thought by now, I would be happily married in my own home, starting a family, since all of mine had either abandoned me or died. I had no one, and although Josie had told me I could stay with her after I’d texted her, I had no idea if our friendship would be the same after ghosting her these last few years—or was it more? Josie, my best friend since middle school, had been placed on the back burner shortly after I met my ex. It wasn’t intentional, but when I think back on it, I am sure Bradley had his hand in separating me from her. It is my fault that I’d allowed it. I hate that I did that to her. She deserves a better friend, but here I am, desperate, cold, and alone.

I let out one last sob before finally knocking on the door. I hope she is still awake. It is pretty late. Maybe, I should have waited until tomorrow. But where? Where would I have gone? I have no money. The only things I have are this backpack and the few items in my barely running Dodge Neon. My life has been this way for too long.

Goosebumps rise on my arms, and the cool night breeze sends a chill through me. I hold back my shivers, trying not to look like a ragged dog begging for a treat. I press the doorbell and scan the house. It is awfully large. I hope I am at the right address. I typed it in just like she sent it to me. If I am at the right house, then Josie must be doing pretty well for herself.

The dark walnut door swings open, but no one stands in the doorway. “Can I help you?” a small voice asks.

I bring my gaze downwards to find a little girl with a short bob. Is this Josie’s niece? I knew her brother, Jasper, had gotten married and had a kid, but I thought she was younger… much younger. She sort of reminded me of the character, Matilda, the way she set her hand on her hip and raised those dark brows.

“Who are you?” she asked.

I give her my best smile, though it probably looks extremely forced. “Um. Yeah. Uh. Is—”

Jasper, the last person I wanted to see, appeared. He is just a little older than me, but to say we never got along is an understatement. In fact, we despised each other. He hated the way I “influenced” his sister, when in reality, she did more of the influencing. I just hated the way he acted so much better than us. All he ever did in high school was spend hours upon hours playing those stupid video games. But that teenager no longer stood in front of me. He had changed in a way that made me a little uncomfortable. He still had his dark, wavy hair, but it is well-kept and styled with experience. He still wears his black-rimmed glasses, but instead of the large dorky ones, he looks like a professional businessman. Even now, he wears a light blue collared shirt that made his blue eyes pop. And beneath that shirt was no scraggly teen. It felt strange to find him attractive.

It all disappears when I notice him scanning me with a grimace look on his acne-free face. I clutch one of my arms with the opposite hand, covering my body. I suddenly feel naked, seen.

“Elena?” he asks, his voice much deeper than I remember.

“Sorry, this was the address Josie had given me a while back. I didn’t know it’s your house,” I mumble.

“What are you doing on my porch?” He glances down at his watch, one that looks quite expensive. “And at nine o’clock at night?”

“Sorry,” I say again. “Do you know where Josie is?”

He peers down at my luggage and sighs. Classic Jasper. He looks at the little girl. I’d forgotten she had even answered the door. “Get ready for bed, baby girl.” He holds her chin with his hand and kisses her forehead. “I’ll be up in a few minutes after I take care of this.”

She nods. “Love ya, Daddy.”

“Love you, too.” He smiles as she skips away.

The smile fades into pursed lips. “What do you want with my sister, Elena?” He speaks in a flat tone, showing no signs of sympathy.

I glance down at my phone and open the thread of messages between Josie and me. “Is this Josie’s house? It’s the address she gave me.” I hold up my phone so he can see the messages. I already knew he would question this; he has never really trusted me.

He adjusts the glasses on his nose and leans forward to get a better look. “She’s in the guesthouse out back.” He leans back, crossing his arms across his chest, which I notice are more filled out since the last time I saw him. “And I’d appreciate it if you don’t come over so late. Some of us have work tomorrow.”

If I weren’t so cold and wet, I would have rolled my eyes, but I just want to get out of the rain. “So, is it—” I start to say, but the door shutting in my face cuts me off. My tears immediately well up but I choke them down. He may have cleaned up on the outside, but his temper is still just as grumpy.

I grab my things and lug them off the porch. A gravel drive continues down the side of the house. I thought there was only a garage back there. It must have been the guesthouse Jasper mentioned.

The guesthouse appears to be a smaller version of the main house with what looks like one floor, instead of two. I can see the lights are on through the large windows. I peer inside and see the living room on the left side of the room. On the right side of the room, there is a kitchen. It appears to have an open floor concept. Josie stands by the counter, eating something out of a jar and scrolling through her phone. Her dark hair was thrown up into a bun. She wore her pajamas, already dressed for bed. She looks good, seems comfortable, she is just bouncing on her toes as if life couldn’t be better.

For a minute, I freeze, wondering if I should interrupt her life so suddenly. The thought disappears as quickly as it came. I have no home. I have no family. I have no friends. I am desperate for a safe place to stay, at least until I get back on my feet. I knock on the full-length window. She jumps and squints to see me better. I probably look terrible, even unrecognizable. I wave, unable to give her a smile.

She stuffs the spoon back in the jar and jogs towards the door. I return to the porch and wait as she unlocks the door. It swings open a moment later.

“Lena! You’re here!” she shouts and steps forward with open arms.

I put a hand up, stopping her, and apologize, “Sorry, I’m all wet.”

Her hands grab my shoulders as she inspects my appearance. “Oh, Elena. Let’s get you inside and dried off. Then you can tell me everything.”

I follow Josie into the living space of the guesthouse. It is cozy with oversized white furniture and windows lining the front and back. Sleek and modern. She hands me a towel, and I quickly take refuge in it.

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