More than friends

Chapter 1

BRIE

I stared at the house in front of me and sighed.

I have been away from my home for five years, mainly working. Usually, my parents would come to me, or I would give every excuse known to man not to come back here.

I had my reasons.

I slowly walked toward the house, letting my anxiety ripple again. He won't be here; I know that.

It was my mind playing tricks on me.

I walked up the three steps and stopped, rooted to the spot.

I placed my hand into a fist, but as I went to put it to the door, to knock, the door opened, and there stood my mum with a beaming smile.

"Brielle," she said while pulling me to her. Her arms went around me and held me in place as she hugged me.

I let go of all of the tense feelings I was holding and settled into my mother's arms.

After a short time, I pulled back and smiled.

"Hey," I said. "I know I said I would be here yesterday, but my flight got delayed and then..." But my mum shook her head and spoke again.

"It doesn't matter," she said, placing her hand in mine and pulling me further into the house. "All that matters is you are here," she said. "Your father and I are

so happy you came back. It is a special time for your sister; she would want her older sister at her wedding."

I stared at her but didn't say anything.

Yeah, I was here for my sister Larissa's wedding. I had no option; I had to come as my mother would have pitched a fit if I didn't.

I was happy for her, as pleased as a sister should, but who would be attending this wedding concerned me. I knew he had a right to be there, just as much as I did, but seeing him still wouldn't be easy.

Her fiancé, Dominic, is her high school sweetheart; they have been inseparable ever since. I wasn't shocked when my mother rang me to tell me that Dominic had asked my sister for her hand.

Dominic is very traditional, different from someone I know.

I cleared my throat, knowing I was probably looking like a fool.

"I know Larissa wanted me here to try the bridesmaid dress on," I said, but my mother shook her head, stopping me again.

"It's okay," she said. "She knew it couldn't have been helped and that you took the next flight out as soon as possible."

I never knew my sister to be so calm unless Dominic was with her. I gave my mum a small smile.

"Enough about all that," she said. "How about you go to your old room and get settled? You can come down in a bit when your father comes in. He only popped out for a few moments to get some wine for us for dinner."

I nodded.

I quickly picked up my bags and headed up the stairs, heading straight to my room.

I walked in, and it looked the same as I left it when I left five years ago. But all that was missing was my clothes thrown all over the bed when I packed quickly to leave. They must have been put away in the closet.

I placed my bag on the floor, walked over to my bed, and sighed as I sat down. My head was racing.

As I said before, I was happy for Larissa and Dominic, but there was someone I was dreading seeing again. The guy who broke my heart in two when he left without saying goodbye to me. I was the fool to believe that there was something between us or even that our friendship meant didn't mean something to him.

The person in question was Dominic's older brother, Kade, who was a year older than me.

The best part is we were friends for years before all the mess happened. We were inseparable, just in different ways, from Dominic and Larissa. There were no romantic feelings. Well, not at the start.

Kade and I had a friendship where everyone knew where we stood; no one was to mess with me, especially when Kade was not around.

I was his friend until I wasn't.

I had this crush on him, especially after the summer when we turned fifteen; he had changed so much, everyone noticed, and so did I.

I wanted more from him, but I soon realized he was pushing himself further away from me every time we spent time together.

The day he broke my heart, he made me realize he would never feel the same way I did about him.

I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard voices coming from downstairs. I heard my father's voice and my mum's.

"IS SHE HERE," he shouted as I heard footsteps come up the stairs and open my door, and there stood my father with a beaming smile.

"BRI," he said as I stood up, as walked over to me.

I smiled as he eloped me in a hug.

I pull back and smile as he grins.

"I am so happy you made it," he said as he took in my room and glanced at the two bags I had with me.

My father looked back at me, and something washed over him. "You didn't bring everything back with you," he murmured as he pulled back slightly.

I knew this was something that was going to be brought up.

I lived in two bags and had nothing else to my name as I lived with a friend for the last few days as I had an issue with an ex.

My ex, Hugh, was an ass and cheated on me with a yoga instructor cliché, I know, but it happened.

We were together for two years and lived together for a few months. After I found the messages from that woman, I packed up what I could and left.

I did buy some of the stuff, but once I moved in with my friend, Alex, Hugh had already changed the locks on the house so that I couldn't get in.

I have been trying to get hold of him, but he has blocked me on everything.

I went to a lawyer, but he couldn't do anything about it as we weren't married. I knew he could, as I had receipts for all the items I bought, but I got the impression that he was more interested in staring down my top than helping me.

I looked at my Dad, trying to figure out what to say.

Hugh was meant to attend the wedding, but I told them he was busy working. I didn't want the sympathy and the looks of another failed relationship.

I cleared my throat.

"I have to go back," I muttered, despite lying through my teeth.

I knew I had to tell them, but I planned to get the wedding over and have a word with my father about helping me. I didn't want to spoil Larissa's day as it's all about her.

My father looked at me with a blank expression and sighed.

"You know you can tell me..." he said, but I shook my head and cut him off. "Dad," I said. "I will explain everything after the wedding. It is all about Larissa and Dominic, not about me."

My father frowned.

"Dad," I said, but we heard the door go, and I could hear Larissa's voice as she walked in.

I looked at my Dad, pleading with my eyes to drop the subject. "Not now," I murmured, moving away and heading toward the door.

"We need to be downstairs," I said as I headed out the door, ensuring I was ready for whatever was happening when I got there.