My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 6

Cameron

If it weren't for Ethan being so angry I probably would have cheered Maddie on when she got into Mark's car. I don't think it was the smartest decision, but she deserves to have fun. I haven't seen her like this in years.

On the Myrtle Beach trip the summer before my freshman year with their family, Maddie wanted us to sneak out. It was our last night there, and Ethan was passed out already from our long day at the beach. I didn't want to do it, I was so chicken back then, but Maddie was pleading. She was desperate to get away.

I remember thinking about how wrong it was as we snuck out onto the beach, and when we talked about what it was she exactly wanted to do, she couldn't even decide. She was just excited to have done something wrong for once in her life.

We talked on that beach for hours until the early hours of the morning, and after that trip, I think that's when things became different between us. We were getting older, and instead of seeing her as my own little sister, I began to see her in a different light. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but it scared the shit out of me.

Is that why I pushed her away?

As I see Mark's Mustang speed down the road, I can't seem to wipe the smile off of my face. I missed this Maddie. The same version of her who was on the beach that night.

"I'm going to fucking murder him," Ethan spits. "Just wait until practice on Monday. Just fucking wait."

"Dude, maybe just chill out a little. She's not going to do something stupid. It's Maddie. She's just having fun."

"Did you not hear him at practice?" he shoots back, and when he thinks about it he scoffs. "No, you didn't because you left early for god only knows what."

I smirk.

Michelle.

And yes, she was worth leaving practice early for.

"Gross," he starts. "Anyways, he was explaining how he hadn't gotten laid all weekend and how he was going to try and fix the situation at Kelsey's party."

I suddenly begin to feel the anger that Ethan has, my body going rigid.

"Piece two and two together," Ethan mutters. "If he tries to lay a finger on my sister I'm telling you he won't be able to play the next game."

I nod, my jaw clenching as the image of Mark and Maddie floods my mind. She wouldn't do something like that, would she? Lose her virginity to some douchebag at a party?

She was daredevil Maddie tonight though. Not good Maddie.

Fuck.

Why am I so angry? I know I've been having some dirty thoughts about her lately, but I've never felt this way about Michelle, Sadie, Kelsey, or any other girl that I've messed around with. Maybe it's because she's Ethan's little sister. I've grown up with her. I'm protective over her in the same way he is, right?

Letting out a sigh, I follow Ethan to his car and see him shake his head in disbelief as he stares down at his phone. "What is it?" I blurt out. "Is she okay?"

He glances at me questionably for a second until he finally says, "It's nothing. Maya just said not to worry about her. She'll make sure she's safe."

"Oh." I let out a sigh I don't realize I've been holding in and sit back more in the passenger seat.

What the hell is wrong with me?

"Are you going home, or..." Ethan yawns and rests his forehead on the steering wheel. "I'm not in the mood anymore to party. Mark fucking ruined it for me."