Falling for My Brother's Best Friend

CHAPTER THREE

Riley.

I must have been exhausted from yesterday, since the only time I woke was when Stacey came into my room and told me she had cooked dinner for me. It was nice of her to do that.

I haven't had anyone prepare dinner for me since I lived with my parents. It's great to get away from it all. I don’t have to get up to make breakfast or rush around to keep the house clean. Even when not sleeping, I can lie in bed and relax.

I feel much better today; I'm not as upset as I was before. I feel like my old self, perhaps because I'm temporarily blocking everything out. However, it will hit me again eventually—sometimes, just a mention of something can make me cry.

It's still fresh in my mind, and I won't forget it easily. We have a history together; no one can erase that, or perhaps I'm too weak to try.

Shaking off my thoughts, I grin at my sister-in-law and remove the covers, trying to show her there is nothing to worry about.

I plan to go Christmas shopping tomorrow since today is too late. I want to make sure I have everything for everyone.

Every year, I procrastinate and wait too long to start my holiday shopping. By the time I finally make it to the stores, everything is sold out. As a result, I end up having to shop online, but I prefer the old-fashioned way. I enjoy choosing items in person and wrapping them myself.

In the early 2000s in the UK, we would receive catalogues each year. Mama would sit me down and ask what I wanted. I would point out my choices, and she would check them off before they went out to get them while I was at school. Now it’s 2024, and everything is online. I miss the nostalgia of those days.

After a long sleep, I take a moment to stretch and look in the mirror. I groan as I notice that my usually straight hair has become curly—I must have been tossing and turning during the night. My redness is noticeable because I don't have any foundation on.

I am glad to be at my brother's instead of what used to be home. He hates seeing my curly hair and the redness in my complexion, but it's just who I am; I can't help my genetics. Since I always want to make people happy, I've decided to straighten my hair every morning and put on some concealer before he wakes up.

As I touch my face and then my hair, I decide that today I won't worry about my appearance. Instead, I'm going to embrace how I look. Stacey told me I'm beautiful, and it's time I take that seriously. He doesn't have a say over me, anyway.

With my shoulders back and my head held high, I make my way to the dining room, where I find them, all waiting patiently for me.

When Mia sees me, she jumps from her chair and races towards me, her arms outstretched. Instantly, a smile spreads across my face, and I grab her into my arms.

“Auntie Rye, I missed you”

Burying my face in her brown curls, I inhale the familiar smell of her children's shampoo. Pulling back, I smile down at my little munchkin.

“I missed you too Mi Mi have you been a good girl for Mommy and Daddy”

“yes, Santa's bringing me a lot of presents this year”

With the way I shop for both children, along with her parents and grandparents, I don’t doubt that I am not the only one guilty of spoiling them this time of year.

“Oh, is he well? Then you better keep up the good behaviour because he takes a lot of presents from naughty people.”

She folds her arms across her chest, her sass coming to the forefront. “I'm always a good girl, Auntie Rye. It's Nathan who’s naughty.”

I see Nathan's head turn towards us as he said, “I am not. You're the one who broke something the other day and hid it from Mom and Dad.”

Her voice is high-pitched as she calls out, “Nathan.”

Trust me to start an argument between siblings. Placing her down, she rushes towards him, but her dad is quick enough to put a stop to it.

“Mia Lucy Taylor, enough! Sit down and eat your dinner.”

She huffs, stamps her foot, and then takes her seat, all while I give an apologetic smile to Stacey.

As I walk fully inside to take my seat, I freeze when I see someone I haven't seen in over six years.

With sweaty palms, I quickly take my seat, hoping no one noticed my sudden unease.

Alec Michael, my brother's best friend, sits at the far end of the table, looking handsome as always. With his black hair, light brown eyes, and the most perfect smile I've ever seen on a man, he captivates attention. His body is sculpted to perfection, just as I remember it.

I might be guilty of having a crush on this man. I was 18 and had just come back from piano practice when I walked in and found Mr Smoldering standing in the living room of our house, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. His entire physique was on display, and I couldn't help but notice the impressive bulge in his pants.

It was before I met Liam, and the only reason I did was that I knew I couldn’t have him. not only that, but he’s way older than me, 10 years older than me, while I'm 27 he is 37 and did I mention the best friend of my brother.

it was Before I met Liam, but I knew I couldn’t have him. Not only is he significantly older than me—ten years, to be exact—since I'm 27 and he is 37, but he is also my brother's best friend.

I shake my head as I pick up my fork. "Stop it, Riley. You're getting divorced, for God's sake! Besides, you don’t like him anymore. You got married and left the country; you forgot all about this man. Keep it that way."

I bite down on my lower lip as I keep my gaze fixed on the plate in front of me. I know I’m right: I don’t want another relationship. Besides, it wouldn’t even be that; he's a jackass and always will be. and He has never once shown any interest in me.

I focus on the food in front of me to take my mind off my thoughts: chicken with roast potatoes, gravy, mixed vegetables, and Yorkshire puddings. It's my favorite dish; I love a Sunday dinner.

Turning my head, I said “Thank you for cooking me dinner I appreciate it”

She waves me away with a loving smile, “You are my sister, and I need to look after you with what you're going through.”

I cringe inwardly; I don’t want my business out there for people to hear. I haven't even told my parents yet.

Peeking his way, I see he is staring at me with his head tilted and a look of curiosity on his face. “How have you been, little mouse?”

Little mouse, that's something I haven't heard in a very long time. How would I, when it's only him who calls me that?

I was always so nervous around him that I would stay quiet, so he gave me a nickname. I thought it would be something horrible, but he gave me a decent one at least I think.

It always made me blush when he said it, and it hasn’t changed because my cheeks are suddenly blazing hot. Luckily, my already red face will hide it.

“I’m good, Alec, thank you for asking.” That’s a change; normally, he loves to mess with me.

I'm not going to reveal that he is affecting me; the feelings I thought had disappeared haven't, and I was just suppressing them.

What is he doing here? It’s November 18th. Isn’t he supposed to be with his family at a ski lodge or somewhere else far away? I wouldn’t know; I haven’t seen this man in forever. Maybe I’ll ask Jackson about it later when he leaves, or perhaps I won’t—after all, it has nothing to do with me. This isn’t my home.

Ignoring my thoughts, I take a bite of my pees and mash as soon as it hits my taste buds I instantly moan.

making Alec remarked, "Are you enjoying yourself there, little mouse?"

Did I mention he also infuriates me with stupid comments like this which makes me want to punch him in the throat, but I know it's not the best decision?

Turning my head to look at him, I see he’s smirking. I give a sickly-sweet smile back. “Actually, I am. I’ve missed my sister-in-law’s food. Tell me, why are you here?”

Unbothered by my question, he grabs a big scoop of mash with his fork and shovels it into his mouth. Any other woman would find it gross, but I, however, do not. growing up with a brother will do that to you.

“Didn’t Jackson tell you?” He raises a brow at him then continued, “I’m staying for Christmas.”

I thought we were going to my parents' house for Christmas. Where would he sleep? There are only three rooms in their house. Every year, the kids share a room while Jackson and Stacey take the sofa bed downstairs, and I stay in my childhood bedroom.

“Oh, and I'm sorry,” he continued, “to hear about your husband. I should have told you about him flirting with you maid of honey but I forgot”

I was mid-bite when suddenly the piece of chicken I was chewing went down the wrong pipe, causing me to sputter and cough. It takes Stacey slapping my back, to make the piece of chicken fly out of my mouth and land on the table.

Nathan said excitedly, “Cool”

While Mia said “Ew” with a disgusted look on her face

My best friend, Lilly, who had been my shadow for 21 years and served as my maid of honour, suddenly my appetite is lost. My once rumbling stomach now twisted at the thought that she didn’t tell me or warn me about what was happening.

Placing my fork down on the table, I stand up slowly and let out a low, “I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling as hungry anymore.”

With my head lowered, I walk away from the table and make my way to my room just as Jackson whispers, “Why would you say that?”

He loves to torment me, and ever since he joined this family, he's found ways to hurt me. I have to admit, it's never been to this extent before. His words hit me like a whip, leaving a stinging sensation on my skin.

I don’t even know why I ever had feelings for this man or any man for that matter They're all the same I'm done from now on it's me myself and I.

This is the last time I get hurt by family, friends or lovers.