When a contract that her brother made keeps Katie from dating his best friend, she has to find a way around it before she leaves for college.
***
Con·tract = A written or spoken agreement. But for Katie, it concerns her love life.
Katie Morrinon is...
If someone had told me one year ago that I would be secretly dating my brother's friend and end up in his hall closet while my brother stood just right outside talking to his friend while I hid in that closet. I would have told that person they needed help.
But, I think I need it now.
"Someone forgot their top" I heard Roman say outside the closet, I tried my best to see out the little hole that was in the door, but all I saw was Levi looking distressed.
"Yeah. It is my new girlfriend's shirt." He took it away from Roman and slung it to the side, possibly in a chair. I heard Roman laugh.
"Man, I hope your new one is a keeper this time."
I watched Levi through the hole as he gave a smile "She is. Trust me." I heard Roman sigh and a creak, which meant that he had sat down.
"Man. I have texted Katie all night. She won't reply to me. I'm worried about her."
Levi moved out of view which made me curse inwardly. "I am sure she is fine. She is probably with Dani, doing each other's nails, or watching Disney. Now, I would not rule out those two sneaking off to go to a party ..." silence "chill, Rome. I am just messing with you. Quit staring at me like you could kill me."
"Look. I know I probably always look like an overprotective dad. But, I am responsible for Katie. Since our parents died, I have worried about her. If anything happens to her ... I don't know what I would do."
"I know that, man. I was just joking. What is really the problem?" I could hear and not see them, this was very bad.
I heard Roman sigh. "I am worried about Katie going off to college. What if she needs me? What if she stresses herself to death over trying to be perfect. I know she can be a little stressed over trying to do the work right. And I do want what is best for my sister, but I-" he paused which made my breath catch in my throat.
"Worry for her. I get it, Roman."
I put a hand to the closet door lightly and felt a tear roll down my face, I shouldn't be in here. I should not be going behind my brothers back, I was better than this.
But at the same time, I knew I liked Levi. A lot more than I wanted to admit.
Guilt was there as well over what I was doing. But I would be going to Yale soon, away from all of this. Away from Dani, Roman, Heath, Jul, and even Levi.
This had to stop.
My eyes looked through the crack in the door when I heard the creaking of the couch.
"Man, I gotta take a piss" I heard my brother say which made me roll my eyes as his shadow walked away.
A second later the door ripped open and Levi grabbed me by the arm. "You have to leave. Now" Levi said as we walked toward the door, he picked up my shirt and threw it at me as we went, he opened the door and we walked out onto the porch.
I was busy throwing my shirt on when I sighed and glanced at Levi "I guess I will see you tomorrow?" I said, he smiled and gave me a simple nod.
Levi bent down to kiss me and I turned my head so he could kiss my cheek instead of my lips.
He looked surprised but I had to think this over more, I had to this us over more. I shot him a smile and started off the porch.
"Later, Levi."
***
I walked into Dani's house knowing her parents would be asleep, and that they kept a spare key under the welcome mat, my eyes were fresh with tears while my cheeks held dry ones.
I slowly made my way upstairs and into Dani's room who was asleep on her bed. My phone was right where I had left it, on her desk.
My hand reached forward and snatched it up, ten missed calls from Roman and fifteen messages.
Roman: Hey.
Roman: How are you doing? Not getting into trouble, are you?
Roman: What time are you coming home tomorrow? Grandma is cooking a peach cobbler just for you.
Roman: Love ya, Kiddo.
I sniffled as I ran a hand through my hair, my eyes looking up to the ceiling. I was doing something wrong and my brother didn't even know. God, it made me feel like scum to be doing something like this behind his back.
His best friend was literally all over me tonight before he came over, we had kissed, I had taken Levi's shirt off, and we both probably wanted to do something that would have hurt Roman and broken that contract if he had known.
Was it worth it? A relationship to hurt my brother?
"Katie?" Dani's sleepy voice asked from the darkness as she turned on a lamp.
I turned around and looked at her as I held back tears, "Hey" my voice squeaked as she looked at me in worriment.
"What's wrong?"
I paused, thinking over what to say to her. But what else could I say but the truth?
"I-I think I should... Break up with Levi."
Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at me, "Why in the hell would you even suggest that? You haven't even been together a month."
I sniffled as my fingers found my phone and I played with it for a moment. Then I admitted something.
"I'm hurting my brother and he doesn't even know it, Dani. We were almost caught tonight. I don't want my brother to be disappointed in me."
Things were silent between us both as Dani got out of bed and walked over to me. She put a hand on my shoulder and smiled sadly down at me "Roman could never be disappointed in you, Kate. He loves you too much," she told me, before nodding her head "But it is your choice. Your brother, or Levi. What do you want the most? Levi? Or a happy brother?"
She patted my shoulder before going back to bed and turning off the lamp. I stayed where I was before looking out the window at the night sky.
It was my choice. But in the end, what was my decision?
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