Kisses in the Vineyard //✔️//

iv

I sat on the edge of my bed.

Tossing my phone in one hand, drinking a bottle of water with the other hand. I was trying to sober up and not have a hangover for my own brothers wedding. I was tossing up between going to sleep or heading out of my room and straight to Carter's.

My brother was not necessarily right all the time, but carter and I definitely needed to talk about us. We're we even an 'us'? That was the real question, could be even maintain us, a couple. He had never been a relationship person and I haven't since my first relationship. He was constantly in the spotlight, with multiple women on his arms. I stayed inside and preferred seeing movies by myself, avoiding his face on the big screen.

We were completely different, yet we had somehow managed to fall in love with each other. After everything and all the hell we've put each other through. No matter how many times we fought or betrayed each other, we still managed to find each other again. I forgave Carter after what he did to me, sleeping with my cousin and all. I don't admit it to anyone, but I forgave him after a year. After my year away travelling the world to and from paradise. Avoiding him at all costs.

He was on one side of the planet, I was on the opposite, never staying too long in places.

However, after avoiding him for three years straight, I knew the day would come when I would have to face the magic and admit something I have never said to him nor anyone. That I was in love with Carter Stanford.

My head was going over every possible situation over and over in my head. My body said I was tired, but my mind said otherwise. I got out of bed and wandered downstairs to the kitchen, grabbing myself a bottle of water. I need to keep my hydration and I needed fresh air. Wrapping my silk robe around myself, I grabbed the bottle and exited the back of the house.

Wandering around the veranda, eventually finding the giant swing seat, with someone sitting on it. He's beautiful head snapped and he gave me a smile.

"Couldn't sleep either?" He scooted over on the swing, allowing me to join him.

I sat next to him, placing the bottle of water on the coffee table in front of us. "My body says its tired, however, you know my head."

Carter tucked the blanket around us, I shifted and crossed my legs, leaning my back against the armrest.

"You know dad and I made this swing. You and Scott were off camping for the weekend and we decided to have some fun." I laughed at the memories my dad and I had building this. It took the whole weekend to build the thing, from cutting the pieces of wood to painting it in the white paint. "I remember that you and Scott came back and literally sat down on the swing, with wet paint. I laughed for the next three days at you guys washing your clothes from the paint, since mum wouldn't do it for you."

Carter laughed at the memories. "My mum made me clean the clothes at yours too. She didn't want paint in the laundry or something." He shifted in the swing and looked at me. His eyes were focused on me, I wrapped my arms around me, feeling suddenly naked under my robe and pj's.

"So why couldn't you sleep?" I breathed out, letting out that breathe I didn't know I was holding.

"My head wouldn't turn off. My best friends getting married tomorrow, becoming a very lucky man. Whilst I'm regretting some of my life choices and losing the one thing that has made me lucky." He spoke the truth, every word. My heat began to repair at those words. Sad but true words he had spoken, I finally began to feel something towards him. Finally giving into the fact that I love him.

"Don't admit this to anyone, but my big brother loves his best friend and loves his sister, but wishes they would stop being stubborn and go with their hearts." I looked up at Carter. Breathing out, heavily. My heart was pounding away. "I'm sorry for avoiding you for three years. I'm sorry for being stubborn and not telling you that I forgave you a long time ago. And I'm sorry that I fell in love with my brothers best friend."