My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter Six

Brooke's POV

I could't stop thinking about James all weekend. He had always thought I was pretty. It made butterflies pound in my stomach. I also couldn't stop thinking about his words. Should I make the next move with Dean? I decided to listen to James, and began to think up ways to flirt with Dean. Once Monday arrived, I had a black eye that just couldn't quite be covered up with foundation. I made it into biology, sitting beside James, willing no one to look at me. James' mouth fell open as he looked at me, looking extremely guilty.

"Ugh, I did that. I'm so sorry." he moaned, frowning.

"How many times do I have to tell you to shut up." I teased, finally making him smile.

"I just feel bad." he said.

"Don't be. My face got in the way, so technically it's my fault." I joked. This made him chuckle. Besides one long glance from Mr. Hanson, no one in biology asked about my black eye. It was in gym that things took a turn for the worse. As soon as Cameryn spotted my black eye, she pretty much belted out the girl's change room that my abusive boyfriend was back and at it again. I left the locker room fighting back tears. I couldn't afford this rumor to go viral, especially because it was mainly true, except for the fact that he was back. After gym class, I hung around in the girl's locker room, waiting for everyone to leave so I could confront Cameryn. Once the last girl left, Cameryn turned to me.

"What's the matter b***h, I warned you to stay away from James." she retorted.

"What do you mean. I haven't been with James." I scowled. She raised an eyebrow, and showed me a photo of me and James. It was of him leading me to the towels after I'd been hit in the face, his arm around my shoulders. I was speechless. Who took this photo?

"Ashley was at the beach on Saturday. She saw this and sent me a photo." Cameryn suddenly shoved me backwards.

"Stop lying to me b***h. And FYI, I know the whole story of you and Daniel." she gave me one last sickly sweet smile and then gave me one last shove before she left the locker room. I was officially screwed. I walked into the cafeteria, cringing as I heard Ashley make a loud joke about me with Cameryn and some of the other minions. I ignored them, walking over to my table of friends. Kaeli gave me one long look.

"What's up with Cameryn saying you have an abusive boyfriend that's back?" she asked. I shrugged.

"I don't know. She saw my black eye and just made up a rumor." I sighed, resting my head on the table. I felt bad lying to my friends, but I didn't want to tell them the story. It was kind of embarrassing. It was a part of my past that I wanted to forget. Luckily, Kaeli dropped the topic and instead began rubbing my back in a soothing way, trying to comfort me. At the end of the day, I waited outside for Dean. As soon as I spotted him, I rushed over.

"Hey Dean." I said, and he looked up, surprised. He smiled as he saw me.

"Hey Brooke." he grinned. I came up closer to him, our arms brushing as we walked.

"What happened to your eye?" he asked, and I sighed.

"Long story. Pretty much I got hit in the face with a volleyball."

"Ouch." he winced.

"Ya, ouch is right." I responded. He stopped walking, and turned to face me.

"Hey, umm- do you want to hang out tomorrow night?" he asked, looking all shy. I c****d my head to the side.

"What are we doing?" I asked, teasing him.

"I was thinking we could see a movie."

"On a Tuesday night?"

"You're right, it's stupid. Forget it." he mumbled quickly, avoiding my eye contact.

"It sounds lovely. Pick me up?" I asked, batting my eyelashes. He smiled.

"Definitely." He leaned down and kissed my forehead before he turned away and walked off. I fought off smiles. He was so sweet. I turned to walk to Chris' car when I noticed James watching me. He was staring intently, frowning slightly. What was his issue? Once he noticed me walking over, he quickly looked away, staring instead at Cameryn, who was heading over to him. I cringed, wondering if I should hide in the back of the car. I decided that would be a good move. I slid into the backseat, barely nodding to James before he was attacked by Cameryn. She shoved herself on him, making out with him in front of my very eyes. Talk about ew. His hands were around her waist as he kissed her back, one hand resting on her ass. I rolled my eyes, fighting the urge to honk the horn. Did they have to show that much PDA in front of me? I froze as I heard her mention the words I didn't want to hear.

"Ugh, so that stupid slut in my gym class, you know, Brooke? She totally started a fight with me today. She started randomly screaming at me, just because I innocently asked about her eye. Like, everyone else can ask her but me? Totes not fair. I told her to back off, and she went ballistic. I think she's crazy. You know, ever since her abusive boyfriend. But whatever, her issue, not mine." I was speechless. As Cameryn went to leave, she looked straight into the vehicle, right at me. She was a snake. I was so angry, but I decided to let her leave and not cause a scene. She made me sound completely crazy in front of James. She had totally lied to him. James gave her one last kiss and got into the car. It was awkward silence.

"So um, you attacked Cameryn?" James finally asked, narrowing his eyes.

"No I didn't. She's lying." I defended myself.

"Why would Cameryn lie about that." James challenged.

"Why would I have any reason to attack her." I stated, holding back my tongue from making a dirty remark.

"Well, I don't know- you hate her!?" James exclaimed, frowning at me. I was speechless. Was he really believing Cameryn over me?

"Are you being serious right now?! Yes- I hate your freaking girlfriend, but that doesn't give me an excuse to attack her! She attacked me first!" I roared, making him roll his eyes.

"Ya whatever. You were just pissed that she made up that rumor. Would've been easier for me if the rumor was just true." he said. I felt tears blur my vision. I was so angry and so hurt by his words.

Would've been easier for me if the rumor was just true.

Chris got into the vehicle, feeling the tension and looking around in alarm. No one said anything. I stared out the window. The ride home was silence. I begged my tears not to fall. I couldn't look like an i***t in front of the guys. Once Chris parked, I ran out and into the house.

"Dude what's wrong with her?" Chris asked. I heard James mumble an 'I don't know' before I was too far away to hear anything more. I collapsed on my bed, the tears sliding out. Would've been easier for me if the rumor was just true. I pondered over those words. Was he saying he wished I had an abusive boyfriend so that he wouldn't feel so bad about the black eye he gave me? Or the fact that at least then his girlfriend would have a legit excuse? If only he knew how close he was to the actual truth. I skipped dinner, too upset to go down. It wasn't until after dinner that there was a slight knock on my door.

"Don't come in." I yelled out, my face still muffled into my pillow.

"Please." it was James. I was silent, and he took that as a cue to come in.

"Can we talk." he asked, and I gave no reply. He closed the door behind him, sitting at the foot of the bed. I made no movement, letting him sit there in silence. Truth be told, I was still very upset with him, but I was also embarrassed that he was seeing me crying.

"Brooke, can you please look at me so that I can talk to you." I hesitantly sat up, wiping my face before turning to look at him. His eyes softened as they met mine.

"What do you have to say James." I hiccuped, glaring at him.

"Look, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. You and Cameryn have your differences and I respect that. Can you please just try to be nice to her?" I stared at him, dumbfounded. Was he being serious?

"Forget this. Stay away from me James. And tell your f*****g girlfriend to leave me alone." I spat. I stood up and attempted to run from my own bedroom, but James was faster than me. He grabbed my wrist and held me back.

"No. I don't want you to leave until you understand." he said roughly. Tears sprang to my eyes as I tried to wrench my wrist back.

"Let go of me!" I wailed, anxiety hitting me from every which direction. Memories of Daniel came springing back full force, making me unable to breathe. James wasn't holding me hard or hurting me, but the feeling of being unable to escape hit me. I started sobbing, sinking to the floor. James let go of me like I had shocked him, and he stared at me, speechless.

"Brooke, f**k, are you ok?" he asked suddenly, springing down to the floor to kneel beside me.

"I can't handle it anymore." I sobbed, the tears dripping onto the floor.

"Brooke, talk to me." he took me in his arms, cradling me against his chest.

"Cameryn's right. Not about the attacking her part, but the part about an abusive boyfriend." I sobbed, pain threatening to break my heart all over again. James was silent, stroking my hair, letting me sob it out and explain myself.

"When I was in Florida this summer, I met a guy named Daniel. I fell in love with him. He was amazing. One night, after an amazing date, we were making out in the back of his car, and I wanted to stop after some time, and he hit me." James let out a gasp at this part, holding me tighter to him.

"But he apologized and I believed him. It only got worse after that. I'd get horrible bruises, he'd call me every name in the book. He broke down my confidence and self-esteem until I believed I was worthless and ugly. I broke it off for good when my friend found out what was going on. And now Cameryn knows somehow and she's using it as blackmail material." I sobbed, hiding my face in his chest. He held me for sometime, stroking my hair, letting me calm down. Finally he spoke.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you. You should've told someone." I looked up quickly.

"You can't tell anyone. Not even Chris. Especially not Chris." I ranted, probably looking as crazy as a madwoman.

"How many other people know about this?" he asked.

"I've only told you and my friend from Florida. But somehow Cameryn knows about it."

"I'm such a jerk." James sighed. I didn't respond, because he definitely had been a jerk.

"So, how's Cameryn trying to blackmail you?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"She wants me to stay away from you." I admitted quietly. He looked super confused about it.

"Why?" he asked, a bewildered look on his face. I shrugged.

"I think she feels threatened. Or she thinks I like you." I said, trying my hardest not to blush. James smirked.

"Do you like me?" he asked, smirking.

"You're like a brother to me." I said, not meeting his eyes. Truth was, I thought he was hot, but since he was my brother's best friend, I was to stay away. He remained silent.

"I really am sorry about what I said. I didn't mean it. I guess I was just frustrated because Cameryn is hot and all but she's a legit b***h. I shouldn't have turned on you like that. You're my best mate's sister, there should be more loyalty."

"I forgive you. Can we put it behind us?" I asked, looking up into his beautiful dark eyes. He blinked once, smiling sweetly.

"Of course." Just before he stood up, he leaned down to give me a kiss on the forehead, and then he left the room. I laid back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, completely starstruck. Wow.