Best Friend's Brother

Chapter Sixteen

The next morning I woke up slowly and, with my muddled brain, I'd forgotten where I was. I stretched carefully and swung my legs out of bed. I opened my eyes and realized that I was wearing one of Matt's old and very baggy shirts along with a pair of shorts that I'd gotten last night.

I grabbed the brush I'd put on Matt's desk and quickly brushed my hair. I was putting my hair up into a high pony when there was a knock on the door and a cute brunette stuck his head into the room. "Matt, where were you –? You're not Matt."

I blushed and stopped messing with my hair. "He's downstairs. He slept on the couch."

"Gotcha," he said. He paused and his eyes roamed over me before he closed the door.

I shivered once he was gone and then changed my sweater for the t-shirt. I slipped out of Matt's room right after so none of his other housemates would jump to the wrong conclusions.

I paused at the bottom of the stairs when I heard voices floating to me from the living room.

"Matt, wake up." It was the guy from upstairs.

Matt groaned. "What do you want, Chris?"

"I thought you had Marcie. What's with the chick in your bed?"

"She's just a friend. Why else would I be down here?"

"If she's a friend then why isn't she staying at her place?"

"She lives in Mississauga and needed a place to crash last night. It's nothing for you to worry about so go find something to do."

Chris laughed. "I have to admit she's pretty. If only she wasn't so chubby I would so go after her."

I ground my teeth together to stop myself from walking in there to slap him.

"Dude, lay off. She's perfect the way she is."

Chris laughed. "Dude, get real. For a second there I thought she was the Claire girl you were always talking about but she's not thin like you said. Where'd you find this one?"

Matt sighed. "Go away, Chris."

I'd heard enough. I slid into the living room and smiled sweetly at Matt. "Morning. I have to get going now but tell Marcie I said hi."

Matt stood up and took a step towards me. "Claire, don't go yet."

Chris' eyes were on me in a second. "Shit man, she doesn't look at all like you said."

I glared at him. "You try being pregnant and keep your figure."

I turned and headed for the door. I hear a smack and then Chris yelped. I smiled but I found no humor in the jerk's pain.

I was slipping on my boots when Matt appeared. His hair was messy and he had thrown his shirt on backwards but he looked adorable.

"Claire, I'm sorry Chris is a jerk. You really don't have to go right now. At least have some breakfast before you go. Please."

I hesitated and glanced at the door. "Matt, I'll get some food on the way home. I should really be leaving."

Matt glared over his shoulder where I guessed he could see Chris. "This is your fault, Chris. Fix it."

Chris appeared and looked at the ground near my feet. "I'm sorry I'm such an idiot. You're not fat, I'm just a jerk. You look amazing and I can hardly tell that you're pregnant. Your figure is perfect the way it is."

I rolled my eyes. "Well that makes everything better." I looked at Matt. "I'll call when I get home."

"Claire!"