My brothers best friend

Chapter 12: A Night of Betrayals

(Edited)

Chapter 12

Valerie's Point of View

The party was in full swing, the music vibrating through the walls, pulsing in my chest as I stood with Paige, Viktoria, Jacob, and Amelia. I could feel the energy of the crowd in the air, the chatter and laughter blending with the beats of the music. It was one of those nights when you could forget everything for a little while, just lose yourself in the chaos and fun of being with friends. That's what I thought, anyway, until the moment my friends turned their attention to me.

"So, Val," Paige said, her eyes sparkling as she swirled her drink in her hand. "Come on, you can't keep us hanging. Who's the lucky guy? You've been acting all mysterious lately. Spill!"

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of their eager gazes on me. The truth was, I wasn't really in the mood for this, but there was no way out. My friends weren't going to drop it. They were waiting for me to say something, to give them a hint. The problem was, I wasn't sure what to say. They all assumed I was hiding some secret crush, and maybe I was. But it wasn't that simple.

I thought about Jake. Of course, I thought about Jake. He was the one who lingered in the back of my mind, no matter how hard I tried to push him away. But what could I say? What should I say? Not that I could admit the truth out loud—not in front of them, not with everything still so complicated between us.

"I guess..." I hesitated, drawing out the moment as I tried to collect my thoughts. "I guess... Nick."

The name slipped out before I had time to fully process it. Nick. I hadn't meant to say it. I hadn't meant to think it. But it was easier to say, easier to talk about him than to admit the real truth.

Nick. The one who always knew how to make me laugh, who made me feel... seen, in a way that Jake never did. Maybe that's what I wanted to hear. Maybe that's who I wanted to be around. At least, for now.

The teasing started almost immediately, and before I could retreat into my own thoughts, Nick appeared, strolling into our little circle with that easy grin plastered across his face, looking completely unfazed by the attention. He didn't even hesitate before sliding an arm around my shoulders, pulling me in close.

"Did I hear my name being mentioned?" he asked, flashing a playful smile as he leaned down to look at me, his breath warm against my ear.

My friends erupted into laughter, and Viktoria nudged me with a grin. "Oh, someone's got a thing for Nick! This is getting interesting."

I forced a laugh, but inside, I was distracted. My mind wasn't really with Nick. It was still stuck on the guy I couldn't have—Jake. How was he doing? Was he still thinking about me? The way he used to look at me, the way he made me feel. It wasn't that simple, though. I couldn't just walk back into his life after everything that had happened. Not after I had seen what I'd seen.

"I'm going to use the bathroom," I said, trying to sound casual, as if the turmoil inside me wasn't about to consume me whole.

Paige, ever the one to tease, waved a hand toward the stairs. "Upstairs," she said with a wink. "But be careful, don't get lost!"

I nodded and made my way toward the staircase, feeling a little lightheaded from the alcohol, the music, the entire atmosphere swirling around me. Maybe it was the alcohol that gave me the courage to not think twice, to act without fully processing what I was doing.

As I reached the top of the stairs, I opened the first door I came to. It was dark inside, and I quickly closed it again, feeling embarrassed. The next room was occupied by a couple—no surprise there. They were kissing, bodies pressed together. I quickly closed that door too. But the next few rooms... I wasn't prepared for what I found behind them.