My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 26

 

“If you don’t cut it out I swear...” I giggled sitting on the tire swing as Harry pushed me higher.

“What are you gonna do about it?” he taunted. I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed grabbing me around the waist, pulling me to a stop pressed against his chest.

I rolled my eyes laughing as he kissed me. It didn’t feel the same. After I saw Asher yesterday, he’s all I thought about and letting Harry kiss me made me feel guilty because I wasn’t being totally honest with him.

“Harry?” I whispered softly.

“Mmm.” He mumbled his breath tickling my neck.

“I think we need to talk.” I blushed when he let me go and I got off the swing and faced him. He looked so sad, like he knew. “Harry, I’m sorry.”

He smiled sadly and shook his head. “Don’t be, you can’t help it. You love him don’t you?” I nodded and I saw a tear slip out of the corner of his eye.

I placed my hand on his face wiping his tear away, “Harry. I love you too, you’re one of my best friends but...”

He nodded, “I get it. I love you too.” He wrapped me in his arms. It was warm and comfortable, friendly. I pulled away and kissed his cheek.

“We can be friends right?” I asked hopeful and he nodded smiling.

“Of course.” He took my hand leading me back into the house, where we found Hunter, Levi and Ryder entertaining some girls they went to school with while Chris was chatting with Elena.  Grace and Logan were upstairs...in her room....alone.  Yeah going to mentally block that picture now. I smiled up at Harry and he laughed kissing my forehead. I closed my eyes as his lips lingered before he pulled fully away from me.

“I should...go.” He nodded towards the door, clearly upset as he hadn't met my gaze.  

“You don’t have too.” I whispered.

He turned to face me, looking so broken, “Yeah, I do.” He told me quietly.

I nodded once and he left. My heart ached at the thought of hurting Harry but I couldn’t lead him on when I was so in love with Asher. I turned on my heel and went back out into the yard. I felt a steady flow of tears leak from my eyes quickly wiping them away I made my way to the treehouse. I climbed the shaky ladder to the top, once there I let out a sigh of relief. I was alone.

I sat down dangling my feet over the edge and looked up at the night sky that shone with the stars. Why did everything have to get all complicated? I’m not going to say I regret dating Harry, because I don’t, I just wish I didn’t have to hurt him.

I shook my head closing my eyes as a few more tears escaped. I just wish things could be easy. I wish I could find someone like Asher, someone I loved with my whole heart. Someone I didn’t have to hurt and they didn’t need to hurt me.

“You okay?” A husky voice asked. My heart skipped a beat and butterflies erupted, like always, in  my stomach.

“Y-yeah.” I smiled slightly as he sat next to me dangling his feet over the edge as well. There was a comfortable silence that developed around us as we looked at the stars. “Do you love her?” I asked before I could stop myself. I blushed shaking my head, “You don’t have to answer that. I don’t know where that came from. I’m sorry.” I rushed out.

He chuckled softly looking slyly over at me. “I missed you Nora.” He shook his head grinning but didn’t answer the question.

I waited a minute before I couldn’t take it anymore, “Well...do you?”