My brothers best friend

Chapter 3

I could hear Derek and Josh from the confinement of my room, screaming at what I assume was the TV.

It was Thursday night, the night of mine and Cason's date. I had spent the last hour and a half getting ready, but my heart wasn't in it.

Yes, I looked okay. Not knowing where we were going, I wore a regular white t shirt that I tucked evenly in my high waisted jeans. I paired it with a pair of black booties and a black leather jacket.

Cason and I had been hanging out more lately and he was probably the nicest guy I've ever met in my life. He was so respectful and he generally enjoyed to even be in a conversation with me.

We were still friends, but I knew he wanted to be more.

Honestly, I could see being more. I could be his girlfriend. We respect each other, we have chemistry, we're obviously attracted to each other.

But being more with Cason meant I needed to finally put Derek behind me. I needed to drop this silly crush and give my all to Cason, not just a part of me.

My mom had left earlier this week for work, she was always gone for work. Being a flight attendant had its perks, but seeing your children was not one of them.

It was just Josh and me tonight. Like usual, with Derek as an exception.

I walked out of my room, the smell of Chinese takeout hitting my nostrils immediately. I stood in the doorway of Josh's room and met Derek's eyes first. He's barely spoke a word to me, casually conversating in the presence of my brother but avoiding me the rest of the time.

He looked good, so so good but it wasn't his looks that was causing the tension in the air, apparently it was mine.

His eyes raked over my body, starting from my legs and up back to my face. His eyes immediately went three shades darker, and his jaw tensed.

Help me Josh, please, my words are not forming.

"You look pretty baby sis." Josh hopped up from the bean bags on the floor and pulled me into a hug, my eyes looking back at Derek, whose eyes hadn't moved.

"Thanks brother." I smiled, closing my eyes, loving when my brother showed me affection.

He pulled back and smiled, "Derek's parents are fighting again so he's gonna be staying here a few days, but he'll be in my room. Tonight, I'm not gonna be home, but I'll see you at school in the morning, Derek will take you."

"Where are you going?" I asked puzzled, please Josh don't do this to me. Don't put me in that position.

"I'm going to spend the night at Jessica's house." I fake gagged, still hating that he was leaving.

"Okay be safe." I whispered, my feet trailing me to the door where the bell had rung.

When I opened it, Cason stood there. He smiled largely at me and took a step forward, handing me a bouquet of flowers.

"Awe Cason, you shouldn't have. Thank you." I smiled, really smiled. He was such a gentleman.

"I should have. Beautiful women deserve to be courted properly." He took a step forward, taking my hand, and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek.

A throat clearing behind me broke me from my trance and caused us both to look behind me. Josh and Derek stood there, Josh looking protective and Derek glaring at Cason.

"Hey man." Josh bro-hugged Cason, greeting him politely. Cason stuck his hand out to shake Derek's hand and he took it forcefully but carefully to not draw any other attention to the encounter. "Look dude, home by 1030. No funny business, alright?"