My Brother's Best Friend

5. Books are best read upside down

I fumbled with my keys as I heard Lucas' other car door slam shut.

"Emily" he calls.

The faster I desperately try to shove my key in the lock the shakier my hands got.

The crunching of his footsteps on the stones were fast approaching. My blood was pulsing loudly in my ears.

"Wait!" His voice calls just as the key slides into the door lock. To my relief it clicks easily open. I heard one heavy step on the timber stair before I slipped inside and slammed the front door. Without hesitation I ran straight upstairs.

At the top of the stairs I hear the doorhandle rattle and I realise a little too late That I hadn't even locked the front door behind me. I stealthily make my way to my bedroom. Shutting the door as quiet as I could and clicked the lock down slowly and silently. Holding my breath.

I didn't even know why I was so mad. I sat on the floor with my back against the door. As if it needed a barricade as well as a lock.

He was the stubbornness person I've ever met with the exception of my brother. It's a wonder they could even be friends with that much stubbornness between them.

I sigh as I hear him calling my name in the kitchen. And walking around downstairs. With my elbows propped up on my knees and my hands covering my face I took a deep breath.

I felt so torn. Half of me thought he was a pig and I was raging at not only him. I was fuming with myself as well. Why had I  just put my heart in this position for a stupid kiss with a stupid boy.

A stupidly hot boy.

What could I have expected? He literally told me he wasn't interested he had just hooked up and had half a heart enough to check we were cool and I had launched myself on him. The sickening feeling of humiliation crept up my stomach and into my throat. Did I just maul him in the car? Did he even want to kiss me?

I replayed the kisses in the car and felt slightly reassured. He had pulled me to him. Why would he do that? He had sent my skin alive with electricity as he had run his hands from my waist up my back inside my shirt. And then there was the groan. I smiled. He had definitely wanted me. It was a two way street.

Could he want me physically without wanting more?

Did I want that? Always being left for dust. But the kiss. It was worth it. Or was it? Could I really honestly handle that? Each kiss has made me more emotional. More attracted. More irrational. Is this who I want to be? Someone who runs off slamming a door because he answered his phone.

Was I that crazy girl? No. I just needed to calm my farm. I needed time to think. Just as I hear his slow steady footsteps approaching I wonder what I should do. I feel a bit foolish and childish. Pretending I don't care but acting a like a maniac.

I jump up silently unlock my door. And look in my mirror. My cheeks were flushed, lips were swollen and redder than usual and my eyes were bright. I looked unusually good for hardly any makeup and considering I looked a bit dishevelled.  I grabbed a random book in a hurry and lounged across my bed like I was casually reading the whole time.

I can do this. I take a deep breathe and slowly breathe out.

Just act cool.

A light knock is at my door.

"Yeah?" I call out casually.

The door opens slightly and Lucas' tan face peeks in.

"Hey," he says a bit worried.

"Oh hey, what's up?" I say while still pretending to read my book.

"Are you ok? Did I do anything?" Lucas questions stepping in.