*FREE WITH PAID BONUS CHAPTER*After being dumped by her boyfriend, Elodie Shepherd resigns herself to loving her older brother's best friend from afar, just like she always has, even though he only sees her as his best friend's immature kid sister.
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"Alright, if we're having this conversation we're gonna have to send everyone out there home."
Eli's face turned a bright shade that reminded me of the tomatoes V would bring home from her favorite organic vegetable market every Sunday--an intense and ripened red.
Matthew wrapped a tightly coiled arm around my waist and pulled me back behind his shoulder slightly, like he was trying to shield me from my brother's wrath, but Eli wasn't looking at him, he was looking at me.
Eli's intensity was that borne of a big brother who felt like he had failed his little sister, something both concerned and disappointed, ashamed and devastated.
"You're pregnant?"
I could only nod as Eli's face fell and then he turned his attention to his best friend, a seething, cold fury roiling beneath the depths of his eerily calm demeanor.
"And you couldn't be bothered to use protection? With my little fucking sister, Matthew?"
"Hey now, it takes two to tango, Eli. Don't put this on him. We were being careful, but accidents happen. We're both adults and we'll figure it out together. You don't need to go all big brother on me."
"Really, Ellie? He knocked you up and you two aren't even together, it's going to be hard as hell. You know I'll support you in anything you want to do, but you can't expect me not to be angry about this. Yes, accidents happen, but this is a big responsibility. This is a baby, another Evie, or...Emily. Damn. I hope it's a boy, god knows we're gonna need one in this family after V has our second."
"Emily? So that's what you're going to name her?"
"Yeah. If you have a boy, you'll definitely have to give him my name for his middle name, since I'm deciding to be calm and not punch Matt over here in the face for knocking up my baby sister. So, are you gonna make an honest woman out of her? Marriage? What's your plan?"
My face grew hot, like there was a bright lightbulb shining directly onto me and I couldn't get away. Matthew's arm tightened sharply against my side.
"Well, we were kinda figuring everything out before you barged in and interrupted us, actually..."
"Shit, right. Okay, come out whenever you're done. I'll just...be out there. We're definitely not done talking about this, not by any means, but I am glad you two are working things out. Seeing you two being miserable about not talking to each other was getting even me depressed."
And with that, Eli closed the door and suddenly three people knew about the little light growing inside of me, stronger each day into something that would be a magical smiling and extremely messy and loud baby.
I didn't know which overwhelmed and intimidated me more: the fact that I was going to be a mother, or that Matthew was right by my side, strong and solid before me.
