My Brother's Best Friend (Shay Mooney)

Chapter 13

The girl continues kissing Shay until he pulls away. "Save it for later, baby," I hear him whisper. She giggles in response. 

Dan clears his throat.

"Oh, yeah, right. I'm sorry. Meghan, this is my best friend Dan Smyers and his little sister Emily. Dan, Emily, this is Meghan," Shay says. He won't look in my eyes as he speaks. I wonder if he has any idea how upset I am.

"Nice to meet you," Dan says genuinely, smiling.

"Nice to meet you," I say, faking happiness. 

"It's nice to meet y'all too," Meghan responds, placing her hands on Shay's shoulders and gently rubbing them. Her hands run down his chest.

Shay hesitantly locks eyes with me. I raise my eyebrows in response. Sensing the awkwardness, he says, "Meghan, let's get in line. I'll get you something to drink."

He rises from his seat next to me and follows Meghan to the line at the counter. When they're in line, I see him tug on her belt loop with one hand and place the other on her stomach. I have to look away before I start crying. How could I have been so stupid? He doesn't like me. He never has. Why would he? He has her. She's beautiful.

"Do you know anything about her?" I ask my brother.

"Nope. I didn't even know he was seeing anyone," Dan responds sadly. 

"I'm sorry," I say.

"Don't be sorry. I just hope Shay's okay. He's seemed really distant lately. Plus, this so-called 'relationship' won't last long. This is what Shay does. He finds a hot girl to date for a week or two and then moves on. He's the least committed person in the world."

It's my fault. I've made Shay feel like he can't talk to and be friends with my brother. Why did I get involved with him in the first place? 

I look back over at Meghan and Shay. They're waiting at the counter. His arms are around her waist from behind. She's peering up at him with her hand on his cheek. He leans in and pecks her lips. He smiles his huge, happy smile where his eyes crinkle. He and Dan share this trait. You can always tell they're really, truly happy by their eyes.

The barista calls out her name. She collects her drink and the two return to the table. Shay nervously glances at me again. I glare back at him. "Shay, is it okay if I sleep over?" Dan asks.

"Umm...Actually...Dan, I'm sorry. It's not a good...time. Maybe later...um...I'm sorry," Shay responds nervously.

Dan's eyes grow big. I know that look. He's really upset. I don't blame him. Shay is acting differently and it's all my fault.

"Yeah, I get it man. Look, I think we better go. It was so nice meeting you," he says to Meghan.

"You too!" she exclaims.

"Bye!" Shay says as we exit the small building. I remain silent. 

"Dan, you okay?" I whisper when we're back in his car. 

"Yeah, yeah. Sure," he lies.

I let my mind wander about Shay and this new girl Meghan. How long has he been seeing her? Why has he still been kissing me and holding my hand if he has a girlfriend? He really must be the player I've always seen him as.

Dan rolls into the driveway. We quietly enter the house. He sneaks up the stairs, trying to avoid Mom and Dad. I follow behind him.

After all that's happened today, I decide I need a nap. I shut my bedroom door and lay down in bed, trying to force myself to sleep. 

I hear Dan in the next room playing his guitar as loud as he can and singing at the top of his lungs. I smile to myself knowing that he's following his dream. Dan's door is flung open. It makes a loud noise as it slams against the wall. I hear loud screaming. This can't be good.