FORBIDDEN TIES {My brother's best friend}

Chapter 20

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Ezra and Cyrus were half-heartedly playing their video game, their focus clearly drifting away from the screen. The usual competitive banter was absent, replaced by a heavy silence.

"Damn it, bro!" Ezra shouted, tossing the game controller onto the couch with frustration.

"What's your problem?" Cyrus asked, eyebrows furrowing as he glanced at Ezra.

"It's Eva. I can't stop thinking about her," Ezra confessed, rubbing his temples. "No matter what I do, she's always on my mind."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Cyrus admitted, sighing deeply as he turned to face Ezra. Their eyes met in a shared moment of helplessness.

Ezra let out a bitter laugh. "Never thought anyone could resist me like this."

"Same here," Cyrus muttered, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"We really screwed up, didn't we?" Ezra said, leaning back and shaking his head. "And maybe we deserve it."

Cyrus scoffed. "Did you even apologize to her properly?"

"I tried talking to her, but she wouldn't listen," Cyrus replied, rolling his eyes as he stood up, pacing the room.

Ezra eyed him skeptically. "Wow, you're really not serious about this, are you?"

"I can't force her to listen," Cyrus said defensively. "Besides, she's seeing some other guy now."

Ezra chuckled, albeit without humor. "And you're just going to let that slide?"

"I tried to talk to her, but she's not interested. I can't make her do anything," Cyrus responded, shrugging.

"You need to persuade her, man. You're being an idiot," Ezra said, shaking his head. "Aren't you at least a little jealous?"

Cyrus scoffed, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt. "Of course not. It's not like I'm in love with her."

Ezra raised an eyebrow, murmuring, "Wow." He continued, more to himself than to Cyrus, "I'm not in love with Eva or anything, but I'd be really pissed if I saw her with another guy."

Cyrus chuckled lightly. "That's just how in love you are."

"No, I'm not," Ezra retorted, though his smile gave him away.

The room fell silent, the only sound the faint background music of the game. They both picked up their controllers, but their minds were clearly elsewhere.

"Do you think you'll ever get back with Eva?" Cyrus asked after a moment, his voice tentative.

Ezra sighed. "I don't know. I hope so."

"And what about Selena?" Cyrus asked, glancing sideways at Ezra.

"What about her?" Ezra replied, feigning ignorance.

"Come on, don't act dumb," Cyrus said, his tone exasperated.

Ezra sighed heavily. "I guess I'll have to talk to her. That's probably why Eva's still mad at me-because of Selena and their friendship. I get it, though. If you had something going on with Selena, it wouldn't be easy for me either."

Cyrus swallowed hard, guilt creeping into his expression. He knew he was treading on dangerous ground, but he hoped his secret wouldn't come to light.

"Yeah, you should talk to Selena," Cyrus said, nodding in agreement, though his eyes avoided Ezra's.

~~~~

"Blue balloons over here, and then pink over here," Mom directed the designer, who nodded and started arranging the decorations.