My Brother's Best Friend
Автор
Tania Shava
Прочтений
17,0K
Глав
20
Chapter 1
Amelia sat quietly at her farewell dinner, surrounded by the familiar noise of her parents and close friends. Laughter floated around the table, but it felt distant, like she was already halfway gone. Plates clinked, glasses were refilled, and everyone kept glancing at her with that look people give when they know something is ending.
“You will be staying with your brother,” her mother said for the third time that evening, her voice thick with emotion. “I will miss my babies. Tell him to take care of you, sweetheart.”
“I will, Mom,” Amelia replied softly, forcing a smile.
Her brother James had always been the son, the golden one. Responsible, dependable, successful. Amelia, in her own way, had followed closely behind. She had always earned top marks, never gotten into trouble, and now she was headed off to college, a future unfolding far faster than she felt ready for.
Her bags were already packed by the door. One by one, her friends hugged her goodbye before leaving, until eventually she realized she was the last one left. The quiet that followed felt heavier than the goodbyes.
She was sad her friends wouldn’t be coming with her, but at the same time, she felt an unexpected sense of relief. They always teased her about James, always made comments that crossed the line. Hearing people talk about your own brother like that had always made her uncomfortable, and she was glad she wouldn’t have to hear it anymore.
The drive to the airport passed in a blur. When it was time to board, she hugged her parents tightly, holding on just a second longer than necessary. Then she was gone.
By the time the plane landed in Woodlands, exhaustion had settled into her bones. She collected her bags and scanned the crowded terminal. Then she saw him.
James stood near the exit, hands in his jacket pockets, smiling like he always did—easy and familiar. The moment he spotted her, his smile widened.
“Pebbles,” he said warmly, pulling her into a long hug before she could say anything. “You’ve grown.”
That nickname had followed her since childhood, ever since she’d slipped and scraped her knees on a gravel path. No matter how much she grew, he never stopped using it.
“So have you, James,” she said, laughing softly.
He took her bags without question and led her to his truck. She climbed into the passenger seat, watching as he loaded everything into the back. When he finally got in and started the engine, it roared to life, vibrating beneath them.
“Are you excited to start life here?” he asked as they pulled onto the road.
“What choice did I have?” Amelia replied. “You know Mom and Dad. They’d never let me go anywhere I didn’t know someone. So they basically handed me over to you.”
James chuckled. “Is that such a bad thing?”
“Well, when boys—”
“There are no boys,” he interrupted firmly.
She rolled her eyes. “James, I’m old enough to have a boyfriend.”
“Amelia…”
“Then I better not see any girls at the house either.”
“No way,” he said. “I have parties. Friends come over.”
“Then I can do the same!”
“My place, my rules.”
She crossed her arms. “No. Our place, our rules—now.”
He smirked. “We’ll see.”
After forty-five minutes on the road, they finally arrived. Amelia yawned as she stepped out of the truck; it was already dark, the air cool and still.
“Go unpack,” James said. “I’ll get dinner ready.”
“Thanks, James.”
Her room was simple but cozy. She unpacked slowly, arranging her things just enough to feel settled before hunger finally drove her back into the hallway. The smell from the kitchen made her stomach growl.
“Mac and cheese,” James said as he set the table. “Simple but convenient.”
“I’d eat dog food at this point,” she joked. “That’s how hungry I am.”
She devoured her first plate and immediately asked for seconds. When she offered to do the dishes, James waved her off.
“You look like crap. Go rest.”
“Wow, thanks,” she laughed. “But really—thank you for dinner. For everything.”
“You’re welcome, Pebbles.”
She hugged him one more time. “Good night, James.”
“Night.” He kissed the top of her head, just like he always had.
After a shower, Amelia collapsed into bed, sleep pulling her under almost instantly.
Sometime later, she woke to something warm and heavy pressed against her. She screamed.
James came running in and flipped on the light. “What’s wrong?” He groaned when he saw the situation. “Jeez, Mason. This is not your room—and you’re drunk again.” He hauled the groggy man upright.
“Who’s he?” Amelia asked, heart still racing.
“I’ll introduce you tomorrow morning,” James said, dragging Mason out of the room.
The light clicked off. The door closed.
Amelia lay awake for a moment, staring at the ceiling, wondering if this was how life here was going to be. Eventually, sleep found her again.
***
Amelia woke up the next morning wanting to tour the place she was going to live. She went to get herself a glass of water in the kitchen. Her brother was probably still sleeping.
She went to his room to let him know she was heading out. She lightly knocked on his door. “James?”
“Yes,” he answered groggily.
She opened his door and peeked in. “I’m heading out to see the area.”
“Okay. Be careful and let me know if anything happens. Do you need some money?”
“No, I’ve got it covered.”
“Should I drop you off?”
“No, James. I prefer to walk so I can get my bearings.”
“Be safe, Pebbles.” With that, he rolled over and went back to sleep.
“Thanks, James.”
Amelia took her bag and headed out to get to know Woodlands. She had GPS on her phone for navigation and would get to where she needed to go.
Her first destination was the library—she needed books if she ever did research for school. She walked down the streets, looking for the bus stop. What was supposed to be a ten-minute walk ended up being a half-hour walk.
She got lost numerous times. It was hard for her to understand north and south. She finally got to the bus stop, and when the bus came, she tried to get on, but the driver stopped her.
“You need a card to swipe so you can get in.”
“Oh, I didn’t kn—”
“For two.” A guy walked past her.
“Thank you,” she called out to him.
She went and sat down. When her stop came, she pressed the button and the bus stopped. She got out and sighed.
She saw the library building across the street. She took a deep breath and crossed the street. Once inside, she went to the front desk, signed up for a library card, and went to scan some books.
She found a couple of interesting books she could read. When she was done checking them out, she went and sat down to read because it was such a beautiful scenery.
Amelia’s stomach growled, and she checked her watch. She had lost track of time. She went and checked out the books she had gotten.
It was already eleven in the morning. Since she hadn’t eaten breakfast, she might as well check out food destinations.
She went to a cafe she saw close by, got in, and ordered a sandwich and a drink. When she got her food, she was famished and took huge bites. When she was done, she was full and had more energy.
When she went outside, the sun was scorching. She wanted to take a nap after eating all that food—she felt drowsy.
She had to check out more areas so she would feel productive. She would go see a park not far from here.
When she got to the park, there was a water fountain. She went over to the ice cream man and got herself an orange popsicle.
She sat down, pulled out her earphones, and started listening to music. She got a message from her brother asking if she was okay, and she told him she was perfectly fine.
When it was four in the afternoon, she decided to head back. She went to the bus office, got herself a card, and filled it up with money so she could head back home.
When she got to the bus station, she was in time for the 5 p.m. bus. She got on, and it dropped her ten minutes from her place.
She walked home feeling beat. When she finally got there, she went in through the kitchen, dragging her feet, and heard James.
“James, you wouldn’t believe the day that I—”
Amelia stopped in her tracks when she realized it wasn’t James but Mason with a girl in only a shirt. They’d obviously just had sex.
She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw them staring at her. She quickly turned and dashed to her room.
