My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 3 - BBQ and Sangria

I was glad to get away from the guys for a bit and enjoy Riley's company. Xander made me feel things that I haven't really felt before and it was intimidating... yet intriguing.

"You'd look so good in this Hun!" Riley said pulling me away from my thoughts, "oh God" I laughed while reaching for the fancy hat she was referring to for me to try on, "how do I look?" I asked striking a pose, "fabulous!" She said in a funny voice making us both laugh. The market we were in was very busy, full of tourists wondering the various stalls and a fusion of smells from the local street foods. Beautiful chaos.

After a girls' afternoon, it was time to prepare dinner. When we got back, the guys were playing on the PlayStation in the living room, "you're in Spain and you decide to play Call of Duty?" I asked amused while Riley rolled her eyes at the sight before us, "wanna join?" Dylan asked with a big grin on his face, "byeeeeee" Riley replied as she walked away before stopping to look back at me. She pointed at the ceiling to let me know she was heading up to her room and I nodded in response before turning my attention back to the guys, "rain check, just going to prep dinner" I said heading for the kitchen. 

As I started to cut the vegetables on the kitchen island, Xander walked in, "want me to prepare the meat?" He asked as he opened the fridge, "yes please, if you don't mind" I replied with a smile grateful for his help. Xander was marinating the meat next to me so thinking music would calm my nerves in his presence, I turned the speaker on before continuing with my veggies.

After a few minutes of silence, "sorry about me stealing your room" I said, suddenly remembering he kindly agreed to use one of the rooms downstairs leaving the top floor to us girls, "no problem, you were halfway through unpacking anyway" he laughed to himself probably replaying my embarrassing sing and dance along in his head, "shut up" I said looking away feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks.

"Don't be embarrassed, you had some great moves, singing on the other hand" he said teasingly, "hey! You weren't supposed to watch, creep" I whispered the last part loud enough for him to hear which made him laugh, "damn that smile" I thought to myself as I automatically bit my lip, but stopped as soon as I noticed him staring back at me intensely.

"Looking good guys!" Riley's voice suddenly broke the silence making us both look away quickly, does she have an 'intense stare' radar or something? "Want me to get the BBQ started?" Jake joined in with Dylan close behind, "thanks, just don't let Dylan touch anything" Xander said smirking, "what's that supposed to mean?!" We all laughed as Dylan stood there waiting for an answer, "come on bro" Jake said trying to stop himself from laughing more than he already was as they headed out to the swimming pool area, "I'll be outside too, preparing sangria for everyone!" Riley said cheerfully before heading out.

"Did you meet my sister at university?" Xander asked while giving me a quick glance, "yeah, we were in different courses but met on a night out. I'm sure you know how crazy and friendly your sister can be" I smiled to myself remembering how we met in a club's bathroom three years ago and have been inseparable ever since, "you were in the army weren't you?" I asked unsure whether I should be talking about this or not. I remember Riley telling me about it when we went back home to visit her family two Christmas' ago.

"Yeah, did about 4 years away. That's where I met the twins" he said while washing his hands in the sink, "you guys seem close" I said smiling, "we're like brothers, went through a lot together" as he said the last part I noticed him tensing so I decided to change the subject, "do they have tattoos too?" I asked admiring his inked arms trying not to stare too much at his biceps, "Nha just me, and you from the looks of it" he said amused making me smile. This was the first time we had a decent conversation and it was making me feel weird, like I wanted to get to know him more and more.

Dinner was lovely. Everyone enjoyed the food, we exchanged a few stories and sipped on sangria.
"You guys can go change and we'll clear up" Jake said making me notice how both the twins and Riley had swimwear under their clothing, "thank you" I replied before heading up to my room.

I always felt self conscious about my body, but the way Xander looked at me as soon as I joined them back outside, it made me feel good, "look at that hot piece of ass" Riley said making me blush, "Riley!" I playfully slapped her arm feeling embarrassed. Then my attention was turned to Xander who was now taking his t-shirt off revealing his sexy inked body, "act cool Nessie" I mentally reminded myself just in time for me to play it off as if I wasn't just admiring (possibly drooling over) him.