Short Romance Stories

Best Friend's Brother

You know that feeling when you're reading a book and it relates to you so well you feel like the author has been following you around? Well, that's exactly what was going through my head as I was scrolling through a WattPad book. It was one of those super cliche stories where the girl falls in love with her brother's best friend but the bother wouldn't approve so their (read next part in a dramatic voice) love is forbidden! 

I know... I'm cringing too.

So I'm sitting here on my living room couch when, speak of the devil, here comes Jackson and Grayson up the driveway. 

I mean, it's not technically the same thing. It's more like my best-friend-who's-like-an-older-brother-to-me's bother. Totally different, right?

Here's the background. My father left when I was five. The jerk didn't want kids so he just abandoned my mom. Jackson, who was almost thirteen at the time, claimed me as his sister and, to this day is the closest thing to a father figure I have. The Young family, practically adopted us. If it weren't for them, my mother and I would've been living on the streets.

I shove my phone in my pocket, grab my overnight bag and walk outside to greet them.

Even though I'm almost seventeen, I still go over to the Young's house every time Mom's on a business trip and she'll be gone for more than a day. Just because it's less boring.

I greet Jackson first, hugging him tightly. He ruffles my hair. Glaring at him, I fix it. He knows I hate that but, what are almost brothers for?

"Hey, Lark." I hear Gray say.

"Hi." I nonchalantly respond.

It's this game we play in public. He pretends to barely care about me and I pretend we're 'just friends'.

Jackson leads the way back to the car. I follow behind, passing Grayson. As I walk past, he brushes against my shoulder. A tiny gesture but it speaks volume. We make momentary eye contact. He winks at me. I turn away, blushing.

At their house, Gray immediately disappears to his room. I understand it'd be weird if he didn't because that's what he always does but, I can't help but feel disappointment.

Jackson announces that he's getting groceries. I nod in acknowledgment. 

I turn on the tv, flipping through the channels and search for something to watch.

After a bit, I hear my stomach growl. I head to the kitchen and rummage through the fridge. Half a gallon of milk, leftover lasagna, hummus, shredded cheese, and unreal amounts of condiments. I settle for a glass of milk.

"You know, there's red velvet hidden in the freezer."

I turn to see Grayson staring back at me a smirk on his face.

"Hello," I say, smiling widely. With Jackson gone, I can show how I really feel. He returns the smile, something he doesn't do often, or ever really. It's a nice change to see him without the normal scowl he wears.

He moves closer and puts his arms around me, I place my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. 

There's no place I feel safer than in his arms.

I feel him shift so I look up. He's looking straight into my eyes with a look that's indefinable. 

"You're so close. I could kiss you right now..." He lets his words trail off.

"No," I say as firmly as I can. "We can't. I love you but... Jackson."

Jackson. He's like my older brother. He was there for me when no one else was. I couldn't do this to him.

I feel a pang in my heart as I see the hurt in his eyes.

"Gray," I continue, "I've liked you since the first day I met you. Over the years, I've grown to love you. But, being with you, would be a betrayal to Jackson."

He says nothing. I close my eyes so I don't have to see the pained expression in his eyes.

His arm wraps tighter around my waist, pulling me even closer. Now we were nose to nose. 

Eventually, I open and look at him. He's just staring at me. His eyes are intense but there's a sadness in them; a longing. His glance flicks to my lips and back up.

I feel his warm breath on my face. The refreshing scent of peppermint washes over me. He's right there. So close. 

I attempt to pull away but find I can't. Not because he was holding me but my body just refuses to move.

I realize we're closer than before. With every breath, slowly approaching until all space between our lips disappears. 

I think of Jackson and how he would react. I start to back up and then I look into Grayson's silver-blue eyes. A glimpse of hope edges them.

Make up your mind, I tell myself, You're the only one holding you back.

Unable to restrain myself anymore, I close the distance.

His first response was shock but then he eagerly returned the kiss.

Truth be told, I have no idea what I was doing. I sort of just launched myself at him and hoped he could guide me. 

And he could. 

It's like nothing I've ever felt before. Impossible to describe. And trying to would do it no justice so I'll just say that it's like when you've been playing out in the snow for too long so you're now cold, tired, and grumpy. Then someone offers you a cup of hot chocolate. The first sip warms you from the inside and rejuvenates you. It's sweet and hot. Hot enough to slightly burn but still irresistible. The more you drink the more you want, relishing every drop.

It was just him and me. 

And we are all that matters.

Something heavy drops behind us.

We jump apart to see Jackson standing there, groceries on the floor, his face unreadable. His glare bounces between the two of us then land on Gray's arm around still wrapped me. 

He points to me and growls, "explain."

"Jack..." I begin, "I'm so sorry. This isn't how you were supposed to find out. Gray and I- we..." I find myself unable to continue. 

"Listen, Jacky-" Gray interjects but Jackson raises his hand, stopping him; his face remains indecipherable.

The silence is unbearably loud. I remove Grayson's hand from my waist. Reluctantly he drops it. The last thing I want is to upset Jackson and Gray's hand lingering on my waist might do just that.

A stare down continues between the two brothers. Studying Jackson's face, I detect something I am surprised to find. The corner of his mouth is turned up in a slight smirk.

Suddenly, Jackson bursts out laughing. "About time! You two have been mooning over each other since who knows when." With that, he picks up the discarded groceries and starts putting them away as if nothing of significance happened. 

I blink once. Twice. Did he just say what I thought he said? I glance at Gray. His face is just as perplexed as mine.

"You mean," I hesitantly ask, "you approve?"

Jackson turns to face us again, "Approve? I was the original shipper."