Authors: Hazel Kelly
My Best Friend's Brother: A Standalone Friends to Lovers Romance (Soulmates Series Book 2) (28 page)
I
furrowed my brow. "Are you for real?"
She
nodded. "To be honest, he made up lots of games when we were little, but
that one was different because he didn't play it with anyone else."
"He
played it with you."
"Yeah.
If you were around."
"Not
only then-"
"Yes,"
she said. "Only then."
"I
don't know what to make of that information."
"You
don't have to make anything out of it. I'm only telling you because I spent the
hour before I showed up here walking around campus, trying to figure out how I
could've failed to realize there was something between you guys."
"Especially
considering how accurate your inklings usually are."
"Don't
be a smart ass," she said. "I was right about The Rapture."
I
laughed. "You mean about it not happening?"
"Yeah.
And I picked up on Ashton Kutcher's genuine love for Mila
Kunis
even before he married Demi Moore."
"True.
You did totally call that one."
"And
I don't even know them," she said. "Meanwhile, the two people I love
most in the world loved each other for fifteen years right in front of me, and
I failed to see the signs."
"It’s
not like the signs were obvious."
"Are
you kidding? Didn’t you hear me say that he literally never spoke to Steven
again after he found out he felt you up at that dance."
I
shrugged. "I had to throw him a bone. He was such an attentive date."
She
rolled her eyes.
"I
didn't do it to hurt Shane."
"I
know," she said. "And he knows. But, like, I remember the look on his
face at the dinner table when I told my family you got accepted here-"
"Is
that Izzy I hear?" Steph asked as she came around the corner.
"Steph!"
Izzy stood up and went to give her a hug. "I didn't realize you were
home."
I
rose to my feet. "I didn't know if you were taking visitors this evening
in light of all the studying you've been doing, but seeing as how you're all
decked out, I sincerely apologize. Can I get you a glass of-?"
"Did
you know about Shane and Andi?" Izzy asked, still hugging her.
"I
did," Steph said, making a face at me that gave away the fact that Andi
was squeezing her a bit hard. "And I’ve never seen either of them so
happy. I think they're ridiculously cute together."
Izzy
loosened her grip and stepped back. "Because I agree- or would like to as
soon as possible- I'm not going to kill you for not telling me."
Steph
smiled. "That is so awesome of you because I actually have to be
somewhere."
I
cocked my head. "I‘m guessing it’s not the library since I can smell your
soft curls from here?”
Steph
raised her shoulders. "I have a date."
"Lord
knows you’ve earned it," I said. "Who’s the lucky guy?"
"I
met him at the retreat. He's a grad student."
"Medicine?"
I asked.
She
nodded.
"He's
taking me to Tortellini’s," she said, smoothing down the red dress that
had successfully survived the dry cleaners.
I
smiled. "Wow. So he either really likes you, he's rich, or you're about to
meet his parents."
Her
eyes sparkled. "I'm pretty sure it's the first one, but obviously I'll
keep you posted."
"You
look gorgeous," Izzy said.
I
nodded. "No kidding. I almost forgot how well you clean up since you've
been such a monk lately."
"Yeah,
well. It's been a while and-” She bent over and set her high heels on the
floor. "All this being around you and Shane lately has made me think I
might need to make time for-"
"Little
Steph?" Izzy asked.
Steph
flinched.
"Please
excuse her," I said. "She's been drinking all day."
Izzy
shrugged. "It’s true."
"I
was going to say other interests, but you're not wrong," Steph said.
I
turned an ear towards her. "Will you be coming home tonight or-"
"Obviously,"
she said. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
I
lifted my palms towards the ceiling. "I don't know. The fanciest thing
I've seen you in lately is pajamas that actually match, and now you're here
with your legs shaved above the knee so I didn't want to be presumptuous."
Steph
pursued her lips and suppressed a smile. "I suppose I do appreciate you
pretending that I'm capable of
slutting
it up a
bit."
“Of
course you are,” Izzy said. "Besides, at the end of the day we're all just
Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman on the inside."
Steph
laughed. "Glad to see you're not too drunk to make film references."
"Never,"
Izzy said. "If anything, drink makes it worse."
A
moment later, “
Ain't
No Mountain High Enough” started
playing in Steph's purse. “That's him," she said. "I better go."
"Have
fun," I said. "We won't wait up."
Steph
rolled her eyes and grabbed her purse, giving Izzy another cheek press on the
way out.
"Damn,"
Izzy said after she closed the door. "She was decked the fuck out."
"I
know," I said, topping up our glasses and holding the bottle up to the
light to see how much was left. "I'm kind of thrilled for her. She's
literally been behaving like a vampire to keep up with her coursework."
Izzy
shook her head. "Becoming a doctor is too much trouble. I couldn't do
it."
"At
least she knows what she wants to do," I said. "Like you do. And
Shane. Sometimes I feel like I'm just drifting."
"It's
okay to drift. Look at Forrest Gump. He's, like, the happiest guy ever."
"Are
you actually comparing me to Forrest Gump? Is that supposed to make me feel
better?"
"Yeah.
I'm saying you're a legend and that no matter what you end up doing, you'll
bring your own special Andi-ness to it and that will be enough."
I
sighed. "Want to hear something even lamer than that?"
"Sure."
"The
only thing I know for sure about my future is that I want you and Shane to be
in it."
She
smiled. "I think that's a given considering the fact that we're The Three
Musketeers. I mean, we can always take someone else on- like when I find my
very own
Dartanian
- but no one is going to break us
up."
I
raised my eyebrows. "So you're cool with it?"
She
shrugged. "If you guys are happy, why shouldn't I be, too? After all, my happiness
is all tangled up in yours anyway, always has been."
A
bright warmth swelled in my chest.
"Sure,
it might take me some time to get used to the idea, but as long as I keep my imagination
from considering the actual implications of your attraction to each other, I
suppose I can keep my gag reflex at bay."
"Well
that's a relief."
"Plus,
I heard this quote the other day I really liked."
"Go
on."
"It
said the key to a lasting friendship is to have the same taste in alcohol and
different taste in men."
"I
like that."
"Me,
too," she said. "And we fit that description perfectly."
"True.
So now what?"
She
cocked her head. "Besides opening another bottle?"
I
nodded.
"Now
you guys do whatever it takes to keep each other happy so you don't spoil my
plans for a happily ever after."
I
smiled. "Deal."
I
switched the bag of warm bagels to my other hand and ran my fingers through my wet
hair, noticing a slight twinge in my arm where it had been crushed against a
fast moving wheelchair at that morning’s game.
"Shane?"
I
turned away from the door and looked down the hall.
Steph
was approaching in a red dress that I recognized instantly with her heels in
her hand. Gently smudged eyeliner framed her eyes, which looked like they were
still getting used to the light.
"Late
night at the library?" I asked, my mouth curling into a smile.
"Not
exactly," she said, glancing down so quickly I almost didn't see the flush
sweep across her cheeks.
"Did
you have a good time?" I asked, stepping away from the door.
"Yeah,"
she said. "Too good, in fact. I think I might celebrate by spending the
day in bed."
“From
what I hear you don't do that enough."
She
pulled her key out of her bag and slid it in the door. "Those smell
good."
"There
are plenty for everyone so don't be shy."
She
paused before pushing the door open. "Here for the final verdict, are
you?"
"Let's
put it this way, you're not the only one who didn't sleep much last
night."
She
opened the door, and I followed her inside. The curtains were drawn and the
only sound I could hear was the kitchen clock ticking over.
"Looks
like your damsels in distress didn't have any problems sleeping."
I
furrowed my brow. "Did they seem distressed?"
She
laid a hand on my shoulder. "I think it's going to be fine."
I
swallowed.
"And
for what it's worth-" She leaned over and tossed her shoes under the
entryway table. "I made a point of telling Izzy that I think you guys are
great together."
"You
did?"
She
nodded. "I did. And I meant it, too."
"Thanks,
I owe you one. They both in Andi's room?"
"Most
likely," she said. "But it doesn't sound like they're up so I'd take
the bagels in with you if you value your life."
I
smiled and stepped backwards down the hall. "You're a good friend,
Steph."
"Try
and save one for me," she said, nodding towards the bag.
"Sure
thing."
I walked
to Andi’s door and knocked lightly before pushing it open. Izzy was curled up
and facing the wall while Andi's face was crushed against the pillow closest to
the door.
I
moved to the side of the bed, squatted down beside her, and ran a few fingers
over her temple.
She
opened her eyes and smiled as she closed them again, taking my hand in hers and
curling it against her warm chest.
"Morning
sleeping beauty."
She
sighed.
"How
did last night go?" I whispered as I scooted the bag of bagels to the
side.
She
opened one eye. "Sleeping beauty can only be awakened with a kiss."
"Oh
right." I leaned forward and laid my lips so gently on hers it made my
whole body burn.
She
opened her sleepy eyes- which looked darker than usual when framed by her messy
bedhead- and scooted over to the middle of the bed, patting the empty space
she'd vacated.
I
sat down and leaned back against the pillows, marveling at how much more
interesting a woman's personal space seems when you're consumed by her.
Her
closet was closed, but a few colorful shirt sleeves were jammed in the door,
and her desk was covered in a stack of books, each of which seemed to have a
highlighter as their bookmark.
Above
her desk there was a small speaker and a few pictures, including the one Izzy
took of us the day Andi nearly died from heat exhaustion trying to perfect her
layup. My heart swelled at the memory.
I
was so proud of her for not giving up. And the smile that lit up her face when
I gave her the picture for Secret Santa, well, it kept me awake for days.
She
scooted towards me and laid her head and a hand on my chest.
I
lifted an arm and wrapped it around her.
"Did
you have basketball this morning?" she asked.
"Yeah.
We got whooped," I said. "Our second best guy couldn't make it, and
they showed up with a bunch of new plays."
"Sorry."
"It's
cool. It's the only time I actually don't mind losing. The kids were so pumped
you'd think they won the lottery."
She
gave me a little squeeze.
"So
how did things go last night?"
"Fine.
Izzy was… surprisingly understanding."
"Surprisingly?!"
Izzy said, rolling onto her back and propping herself up on her elbows.
"Am I usually not?"
Andi
laughed. "No you are," she said, rolling away from me. "I was
just nervous is
all.
"
"I
told her I knew all along," Izzy said, her eyes on me. "In fact, my
only regret is that I didn't think to set you guys up in the first place, in
which case I could’ve taken credit for your sickening happiness."
"So
we have your blessing?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.
"Yeah."
She sat up against the wall. "Seems like she's just as crazy about you as
you are about her, so who the hell am I to get in the way? I'd only lose you both
if I tried."
Andi
shot me a look that said she knew as well as I did that Izzy would need time to
get used to the idea.
Then
she rolled over and pulled Izzy into a hug. "We wouldn't be The Three
Musketeers without you."
"So
true," she said, pushing Andi away with a groan. "Besides, I suppose
the only real change is that I used to sleep in the middle."
"We
also used to fit in a bed a lot better than this," Andi said.
“Yeah.”
Izzy cocked her head. "We’d never fit on the pullout now.”
"No
shame in trying," I said, elbowing Andi.
Izzy
rolled her eyes.
I
smiled.
"What
is that divine smell?" Izzy asked, taking a big sniff.
"I
got bagels," I said, leaning down to grab them. "Fresh from
Newton’s."
Andi
raised her eyebrows. "Please tell me you remembered the tubs of cream
cheese this time."
"As
if I'd ever make that mistake again," I said, remembering her horror at my
previous oversight.
"Thanks,"
Andi said, pulling the bag close. "Did they have any of the ones I like
with the-"
"Blueberries?"
I asked, raising my eyebrows.
She
glanced at me through smiling eyes. "You’re the best."
"Thanks,"
I said.
"Make
sure you remember to tell him again in five minutes," Izzy said. "He
never tires of hearing that."
"Noted,"
Andi said.
"Do
you guys want me to get you some plates or a knife or something?" I asked.
They
looked at each other, each poised with a bagel in one hand and an open tub in
the other.
"I
think we're good," Andi said. "But if you need one-"
I
raised my palms. "No. I'm good if you are."
Izzy
clutched her bagel to her chest. "
Awww
. I want
that."
I
rolled my eyes. She didn't know what the hell she wanted.
But
I did.
I
wanted the gorgeous brunette beside me with the smudge of blueberry cream
cheese on her cheek.
And
that was never going to change.
