Brothers Best Friend (Vinnie Hacker)

Chapter 25

I glanced at Nick, a pang of fear coursing through me. He smirked in response.

"Looks like I lost my bestie," I remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

"What about me?" Nick asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"You're my other half, like my soulmate," I replied with a giggle.

Nick's question shifted the mood. "Have you talked to Jaden since he went to rehab?" he inquired.

"Not really," I replied, shaking my head.

"I have an idea," Nick said, reaching for his phone. "I'll schedule a meeting for tomorrow."

"How are you so good at making plans?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"That's just how I am," Nick replied nonchalantly.

Suddenly, Kio's voice interrupted our conversation, causing me to flinch. I exchanged a look with Nick, silently communicating our predicament.

"Just talking," I quickly replied to Kio's question, attempting to deflect suspicion.

"Okay?" Kio said, sounding unconvinced.

"Come on, Nick, let's leave the two lovebirds," I suggested, eager to change the subject.

We both ran inside, laughing, but my laughter quickly faded as we entered the living room. My heart sank as I saw Vinnie with his arm around Nailea, her head nestled in his lap.

"Vinnie?" I said, my voice trembling with disbelief.

Vinnie hastily removed his arm. "Babe, it's not what it looks like," he protested.

"Just like last time," I retorted, rolling my eyes in frustration. Without another word, I walked out the door, my mind racing.

Reflexively, I called the first name in my contacts: Jaden. Of course, he didn't pick up. With no one else to turn to at this late hour, I knew Chase would be there for me.

"Riley, please, I can explain," Vinnie's voice pleaded behind me, but it fell on deaf ears.

"It's too late, Vinnie. I saw it myself," I said, my voice quivering with emotion.

"You know what the problem is, Riley? You always believe things before hearing the explanation," Vinnie argued.

"Maybe that's true. But me and Nick have been besties for a lifetime, and I have never laid in his lap," I shot back, my frustration boiling over.

"Is this the end?" Vinnie asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"I don't know, Vinnie. I fucking love you, but I need a break because you clearly don't feel the same," I said, my heart heavy with sorrow.

Before Vinnie could stop me, I ran to Chase's waiting car, seeking solace in the familiar comfort of a friend.

Chase looked at me with concern as I entered the car.

"What was that about?" he asked, sensing my distress.

"I just saw him cuddling with that Nailea girl," I explained, my voice cracking with emotion at the mention of her name.

"That sucks. Want a cigarette?" Chase offered, extending the pack towards me.

"Sure, why not," I replied, accepting the cigarette and placing it between my lips as Chase lit it for me.

As I inhaled, a wave of relaxation washed over me, easing some of the tension in my body and mind.

"How are you so good at that?" Chase asked, his curiosity evident.

"I smoked from when I was 13 till I was 15," I confessed, exhaling the smoke in a cloud.

"Damn," Chase remarked, chuckling softly. "We can climb in my window so you don't have to face the other members before tomorrow."

"Thanks, lildrugged," I said with a grateful smile as we arrived at the Hype House. We climbed into Chase's room, and I sank into his comfortable bed, feeling the weight of the day finally catching up to me.

"Well, I'm in the guest room on the other side of the bathroom if you need me," Chase said, preparing to leave.

"Please stay," I pleaded, reaching out to grab his wrist and pull him back into bed with me.

"Fine," he relented, laying down beside me as I drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

The next morning, I awoke to the memories of the previous night flooding back. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I noticed Chase sitting on his phone, shirtless for once.

"Morning," I greeted him, my voice still husky from sleep.

"Damn, I can hear it's been a while since you last smoked," Chase remarked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"I'm gonna go ask the girls for some clothes," I announced, climbing out of bed. After borrowing some clothes from Mia, I returned to Chase's room to freshen up.

Stepping into the bathroom, I turned on the water, letting the hot stream cascade over my body. I indulged in some of Chase's shampoo and conditioner, reveling in the familiar scent as I washed away the remnants of the previous day.

Dressed in my chosen outfit, I emerged from the bathroom to find Chase still on his phone. As we headed downstairs for breakfast, the events of the previous night weighed heavily on my mind.

"Breakfast, fuckhead!" Bryce's voice called out, breaking the tension momentarily.

"Coming, idiot," Chase retorts. I raise an eyebrow. "What was that about, and why is he here?" I inquire.

"Just boy jokes. He and some of the other Sway guys are staying over," Chase explains, eliciting a smile from me.

Stepping outside, I'm met with a stunned, shirtless Blake. "What are you doing here?" he asks incredulously.

"Taking a break," I reply, offering him a hug as a greeting.

Descending the stairs, I take in the sight of all the members and Sway boys, except for Griffin and Noah, gathered in the living area.

"Hey, Riley, when did you come?" Bryce asks as I settle into a seat.

"Last night. I saw Vinnie and Nailea cuddling," I reply, feeling a weight in my chest.

"We cuddle too, but as friends," Blake offers, attempting to lighten the mood.

"With your head in each other's lap and your arms around?" I challenge, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

"No, damn. What's the plan for today?" Blake swiftly changes the subject, sensing my discomfort.

"Zack said he started at a new school today, so I can't hang out with him," I explain, eager to move on from the painful revelation.

"Come on, wifey, let's go shopping," Nessa suggests, her presence a welcome distraction.

I take her hand, playfully responding to Josh's question, "Are you taking my girlfriend?"

"I had her first, so back off!" I retort, lightening the mood with a hint of laughter as we head towards Josh's car. With Payton Moormeier's music filling the air, I allow myself to get lost in the rhythm, momentarily escaping the turmoil of my thoughts.

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hey peeepppssssss

last Friday i got easter holiday, which means i don't have school this week! so im gonna try and post at least one chapter every day in one of the stories

remember to vote and comment

<Laura>