Page 2 of Rescued By My Best Friend's Brother

“Thank you,” I say as I try to rub the chill away. The towel is heavy and large, the type found at a really nice hotel. I could almost use it for a blanket.

“The guestroom is right through that door.” Josie points to the door right off the kitchen.

There is another door opposite of that one off of the living room. I assume that is Josie’s room.

“Josie, you don’t know what this means to me. I appreciate you taking me in. I didn’t know who else to reach out to.” I look down in disgrace at the thought of how selfish I am to have been gone all these years and to only reach out to her when I need something.

“Don’t be foolish, Lena,” Josie voice is so full of enthusiasm, “you will always have an open door here. No matter what. Now, go put your things away.”

I don’t understand how she can be so forgiving, but I am thankful. I head into the room and toss my suitcase on the floor in the corner and my bag on top of the dresser. I don’t want to unpack. I need to get out of Josie’s hair asap. She doesn’t deserve my sudden reappearance, and I don’t want to be a nuisance. Josie has always been so friendly and kind. I don’t want to abuse her kindness, especially after being a terrible friend.

Josie appears in the doorway and leans against the frame, arms crossed. “So, exactly what is going on, Lena? I haven’t heard from you in years and suddenly get a text from you asking to stay here. Like I said, you are always welcome, but something has to be wrong.”

I swallow the knot forming in my throat; she deserves an answer. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s just…it was a really awful break-up.” I wipe away a tear that escapes. “I know I’m at fault for not talking to you, but I’ve been in a bad place the last few years, and I just couldn’t get out.”

Her expression softens, but she stays where she is. I continue, “I just…I’m so thankful to you. It means so much to me that you’re helping me out, and I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I can. I’ll get a job and figure out somewhere else to stay. I promise.”

She walks in and sits down beside me on the bed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Elena, I’m here for you, you know that, but next time don’t ghost me.” She smiles gingerly. I want to give her a smile back, but it just feels impossible right now. “I bet you’re tired.” She scans my face, as if she is searching for answers. “How about we talk about this a little more tomorrow, once you’ve had a good night’s rest?”

I nod and sniffle, the swelling feeling in my chest no longer pushing itself upwards and outwards. “Yeah.”

She releases me and starts to head out into the hall, but she pauses at the door. “Love you, bestie. I really do.”

“Love you, too,” I mutter. I really don’t deserve her friendship.

She shuts the door, giving me privacy. I crawl into bed, and despite my racing thoughts, sleep consumes me.

Chapter Two

Elena

Iamwokenbythe sun piercing through my eyelids. It feels like I just fell asleep. I stretch as my eyes try to adjust to the cheery light that fills the room. After a few moments, I am able to fully open my eyes to the brightness. I groggily roll out of bed and get dressed.

“Maybe I can try to look like a semblance of a person,” I mumble to my reflection in the mirror. As I walk down the hall into the living room, I hear the front door open.

“Elena! You up?” Josie calls.

“Yeah,” I say, changing my destination to the entrance.

Josie holds a paper bag in her hand and sets it on the table near the door. She smiles when she sees me. “Great, you’re awake! Wanna join us for breakfast?” she asks.

“Us?”

“Yeah. Jasper, Lily, and me. It’s our routine, since we all don’t always make it to dinner.”

I clutch my arm and shift on my feet. “I’m not sure. Jasper isn’t my biggest fan, and last night reminded me of that.”

She waves the thought off. “Don’t worry about him. He’s the same ole grump from our teenage days. Plus, it will be good for you guys to get along if you’re going to stay here.”

She was right. I needed to show Jasper that I wasn’t here to mess anyone’s life up. I just need a little help, a stepping stone before I move along and they go back to their daily routine. “I guess.”

“Great!” she exclaims.

She leads me to the main house, but instead of going through the front door, we head straight for the back doors, two tall glass doors set in a wall of glass. I could see Jasper and his daughter already seated as an older woman sets food on the table. I take in Jasper. I remember seeing photos of him with his wife, his bright smile and his large glasses catching my attention. He had looked grown up then, but still the goofy, scraggly boy I grew up with and who had annoyed me. Now he was different. He doesn’t wear his glasses this morning, and his shaggy hair is styled, ready for work. He wears a suit that accentuates his broad shoulders. He looks the same, and yet, not. He looks more like a man now.

“Right about the time you fell off the face of the earth, Jasper and Caty got a divorce,” Josie said, like she read my mind. She opens the door and says, “This lovely lady is Sheri. She helps around the house a lot and cooks for us sometimes, mainly during the week.” A cook? How much money does Jasper have to hire a cook during the week?

Sheri gives a curt nod. “Good morning, ladies.”

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