My Brother's Best Friend | ✓

35. "keep it a secret"

"Can you break up with Sawyer?"

I never actually replied to her because you can't just ask someone that. Especially your daughter. She doesn't see me trying to break her up with Michael, now does she? This whole situation just keeps getting more and more messed up, I thought to myself as I was straightening my hair in the bathroom. Mom told us to 'try' and be on our best behavior when we officially meet Michael even though I made it very clear to her that I wasn't okay with any of this.

No matter how hard I protested though, it was no use. We all had to go out to dinner to properly get to know each other so I just went along with it.

We were meeting at some fancy Chinese restaurant which is very strange and exotic for me because I'm usually used to eating leftovers or cereal. Suffice it to say it was pretty glamorous but nothing beats our old spot near dad's house. I'd take it over any luxurious, expensive restaurant, no matter how good they might be. Nonetheless, it was still a very pleasant and welcoming surrounding.

When we arrived, Michael and Sawyer were already there in the dim black booth waiting for us. It was very well decorated with dark red walls and black marble floors. I wanted to greet Sawyer first but Ryan came in and fist bumped him making me feel so odd and left out. I get that they are really good friends but it's like they are already step-brothers.

It's just all very hard for me to process.

Michael greeted me next, with a big hug and I had to fake a smile for my mom and Sawyer. He reeked of some expensively tasteless cologne and I hated it. He was also very tall and rugged with a 5 o'clock shadow and gelled hair. Now I know where Sawyer gets his height from.

We all sat down. Mom and Michael together, and Sawyer in between Ryan and I, across from them.

I felt a huge amount of relief when my eyes met with Sawyer's and it looked like he felt the same way. Even though my mom told me not to, I was wearing his hoodie, so I could feel closer to him. It was ripped in places and had fuzzies all over it but I loved it regardless.

"Nice hoodie" he smirked as I got comfortable in the seat next to him.

"Thanks but it's a little warm in here now," I say quietly to him and take it off to reveal my lace black bodysuit, tucked into my jeans, which is a slightly more dinner appropriate.

He coughed slightly and brought his attention back to the conversation happening at the table. I noticed him trying to hold back a smile while he took a sip of the ice-cold water in front of him and I couldn't help but smile myself.

Unfortunately, the fun had to end when I noticed my mom was glaring at me and decided to call me out. She didn't get to finish her hushed lecture before the waiter finally came around and we all ordered our food, which I was quite ecstatic about. It was really the only reason I tagged along today.

I couldn't help but stare at Sawyer as he made conversation with Ryan. He was wearing a black collared shirt with his sleeves rolled up, it was truly a masterpiece. His arms, oh my god.

"So Holly, Aurora tells me you got your future all planned out," Michael interrupted my thoughts. I gulped the sinful fantasy I had, down and drew my attention back to him and his amicable smile.

He seemed genuinely kind and all but I could never see him being any sort of fatherly figure to me. The thought of it all made me sick. So sick I could barely get my words out.

"Um- I'm going to Sweetwater College, with my best friend" I respond.

The small talk and side conversations go on all throughout the meal, making me bored out of my mind. Until, of course, I focus my attention back on Sawyer. He decided to do this thing where he licked his lips and clenched his jaw, causing me to break out into a sweat. I didn't even notice but all the noises in the room became muffled as I watched him. My knee began to shake. Seriously why can't I contain myself? I couldn't look away as he ran his hands through his hair, reminding me of how I held onto it when he--

"Let's get dessert shall we?" Michael joyfully suggested.

Sawyer must have noticed how stressed I was because he went and placed his hand on my leg while maintaining eye contact with his father. I giggled slightly earning strange looks from everyone at the table but I covered it up with a cough.

He rubbed my leg before locking his hand in place on the inside of my thigh and I couldn't help but blush.

~

Suffice it to say, it was an eventful dinner. On the car ride home, Sawyer and I sat in the back quietly, enjoying each other's company. His hands slowly found mine and our fingers interlocked. I fell asleep on his shoulder to the peaceful sound of jazz in the background. My mom was obsessed with it but it seemed Michael was suffering and trying to holding himself back from changing the station.

It was getting pretty late by the time we arrived and my eyes were already droopy.

Thankfully, Sawyer grabbed my hand and we snuck outside to escape Michael and my mom's display of affection in the damn living room.

We both shared a few laughs about the dinner we just had amongst the cool fresh air outside. The smiles quickly faded from our faces as we realized this might be our lives from now on.

"How are we gonna do this?" he asks.

"I guess we gotta stop seeing eachother." The words slip from my tongue but I don't mean them. A small frown forms on his face and he chews on his bottom lip. "Is that what you want?" He pulls my hand gently.

"No." I answer quite quickly. "But we will have to stay away from eachother, I mean you saw how my mom was eyeing us tonight."

"That's going to be impossible, especially if we have to see each other all the time." He says almost jokingly.

"I know," I say.

"We cant be step—." He swallows. "We're not related." he finishes.

"We're not." I agree with him. The thought of it all makes me feel gross. And just like that, the anger returns. "Why did she have to just run off like that and—it's just not fair." I say bitterly.

He says nothing, just pulls me in and wraps me in his warmth. He hugs me so tight as if he's afraid of letting me go.

"Holly, the feelings I have for you, they can't just disappear like that." He places his chin on my head as he speaks.

"So what do we do?" I ask.

"I say—let's try to keep things lowkey for a while and see how it plays out."

"What are you saying?"

"We can be us, we just have to keep it a secret, from them."

"Okay." We come to a conclusion. I pull myself away slightly and look up into his gleaming eyes. "I don't wanna go back inside."

"Alright, come on." He starts walking in the direction of my driveway.

"Where?" I follow him.

"Let's go for a drive."

Thank you, everyone, for voting! Whichever book gets the most feedback is the one I will be doing first, but I will write both of them so don't worry!

Just a reminder, these are the names:

1. Free

2. Boys Like You Are a Dime a Dozen

Next update: hopefully April 2, but I have a huge project to work on so, could be April 4

<3