Page 44 of My Best Friend's Grump Brother

I was going to be an uncle of three now after this shit show of a day; that was the one thing that lifted my spirits all the way up. I stood from my seat and pulled my best friend to his feet. I gave him a half hug and embraced him.

This was the news that I needed.

I was not the kind of person who liked to show emotion. It was a rare thing for me to let down my walls—years of being told not to feel my emotions and subdue them. But hearing the news that my sister and best friend were adding more light to the world by having another child brought such warmth to my heart. It melted away the ice that had frosted over the soft flesh years ago.

“Congrats, man.”

“It looks like the twins will have a little friend to play with.”

I pulled away from Seb and looked at Nate. “Twins? I thought you guys were having a girl.”

He nodded with a smile. “So did we but imagine our shock when we went to our ultrasound to see that baby B had hidden behind his sister for months now. Imagine, nearly seven months along.”

“A boy?” It was like the heavens had smiled down on me and realized what a shit day I had.

“Babies flying at us left right and center,” Arthur piped up. “Must be something in the water. If we’re not careful, Selena might catch some of that.”

“And who would be the baby daddy?” Nate smiled at me with a glint in his eyes.

That fucker.

“That is a good question. My money is on Xander again. The man is putting in the work today,” teased Seb. We all turned to find him twirling Selena in the air after he caught her near the bank of the water. “And I would say that Selena agrees with me.”

“Fuck you guys,” I grumbled and settled into my seat. “Selena is not getting knocked up any time soon. I don’t even think she can have children. I heard a conversation she had with my sister a while ago saying that she couldn’t have kids.”

I felt sorry for her because I saw the way she loved Sammy, Ella and Amelia, and Nate’s baby girl, Emily. She was a natural with them, but I don’t think she minded. I don’t think she even wanted children. She was more than happy playing the aunt role. But one thing I had learned about Selena Abrams was that she rarely showed how she truly felt. She kept a wall up that hid a thousand secrets. And I had this gnawing feeling in the center of my gut pushing me to climb those walls and see what lay behind. Maybe it was invasive of me, but I felt like I needed to know.

I turned to look at my friends, and Seb had this pensive look in his eyes. The kind of look where he had something weighing heavily on him. When he saw me staring, he quickly changed his face and took a swig of his beer.

“Whatever the case, here is to you two spreading your seed and creating more ‘Mini You's’.” Arthur raised his bottle in the air in cheers.

My eyes stayed glued on the redhead, who was sporting the first genuine smile I had seen on her face in weeks.

I didn’t miss the way my heart skipped a beat when my eyes connected with hers. I was not denying my attraction to this woman. But I could stop it from growing and festering into something I could not control. My life was organized and calm. I prided myself on the methodical way I lived my life, and Selena was all things opposite of the structure I had built.

So why was I so damn attracted to her? She didn’t make any sense; she had no place to fit into my life. But yet here I was, yearning for her even though I knew I shouldn’t.

Chapter twenty

Celebrations

Selena

Iwalkedoutofthe bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body. The steam flowed out after me, my body feeling rejuvenated after that long shower. It was very much needed. There was just something about showers that felt like therapy. Nothing but you, the water, and heavily scented beauty products.

I walked over to the vanity and sat down, reaching for my brush, but I stopped short when I caught a pair of eyes in the mirror staring at me. I turned in my seat and glared at the man who had intruded my space.

“Stalking me, Sinclair?” I crossed my arms over my chest, aware that I was still in a towel dripping from my shower.

“We need to have a conversation.” He sat on the edge of my bed, filling the room with his presence. It was impossible for this man to step into a room and not be noticed. His presence was just too demanding. You could not help but stop and stare.

“Could this not have waited for... I don’t know when I am dressed?” I walked to the closet where he couldn’t see me get changed.

I searched through the clothes I had hung up to find the tank I wanted to wear today. Shit. I had left my undergarments out in the armoire in the room.

“I think you need to stay away from Xander. The guy is bad news, and I can feel it.”

My hand paused, “what do you mean he’s bad news? I have known the guy for years now, and he has been nothing but good and respectful to me.”

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