My Brother's Best Friend (21 page)

“I thought you hated him? Or was that just a cover for this secret you two have been hiding?”

“I did hate him, Meg. I don’t know. I was prejudiced. I didn’t want to feel something for the guy who humiliated me. But I was only trying to hide my feelings, I can’t do that anymore.”

“You love him?”

I looked down at the computer and smiled automatically. “Yes. It’s complicated though.”

She knit her brow in confusion then gasped. “You two aren’t just friends with benefits, are you?”

“No. I don’t think so, but sort of. I don’t know.” I looked at her, scared and confused.

“Why don’t you tell me what happened between you two? I’m guessing it didn’t start until after we left?”

I nodded.

“Okay, go on.”

I began to tell her the whole story and left out no important details. She already knew we had slept together, but now she knew how it happened and my feelings for him. When I was finally done, I looked to her for advice.

“This is bad, Chris.”

I covered my face and let out a frustrated groan. “I know! I don’t know what to do.”

She sighed. “Okay. Have you told Devin the truth? Does he know you love him?”

I shook my head.

“Then the first thing you need to do is tell him the truth. He needs to know this isn’t a joke or a lesson or anything but real to you. He needs to know you have feelings for him.”

“And what if he doesn’t feel the same way?” I felt dejected and hopeless.

“Then you have to face reality and end this before you get hurt even more. Are you sure he doesn’t remotely feel the same? I mean he’s always been nothing but kind to you, he’s always over even when Mitchell isn’t there. I know Mitch has hinted—”

“Hinted at what?”

“That Devin might feel something for you. He’s never said anything. But I know he was worried about Devin staying there. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that you might be surprised. Just be honest with him, Christy.”

I nodded my head right as I saw Mitch walk toward the desk. “Please don’t tell Mitch. I don’t want him to know. Not yet, anyway.”

“Fine, but after you tell Devin, you need to tell Mitch.”

I nodded my head and watched her stand up. She moved the chair back right as Mitch came up to my desk.

“I tried to call you, but it was forwarded to voicemail. I figured you were either coming out here or talking with Christy.”

“Your assumptions were correct.” She smiled at him and their hands clasped together. “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

I shook my head. “No. You go ahead without me. Believe me, you don’t need me crashing what I know is going to happen.”

“She’s right, hon. Now let’s go.”

Megan was blushing as they turned to walk out of the building.

When Megan and Mitch left, Devin texted me. He asked if I wanted to do lunch. I declined. I told him I promised one of the girls in the office to eat with her. I’m sure he saw through the lie. But I wasn’t sure if I could just eat lunch with him and not keep myself from blurting out the truth about my feelings. And I certainly wasn’t going to tell him in a restaurant with eyes watching our every move.

I looked at my phone during my break, and saw only one text from Devin.

Don’t be angry.

If you are upset with me,

give me a chance to

exonerate myself.

—————————————————-

I’m sorry

Of course I texted him back. I wasn’t upset with him. It was more like I was upset with myself.

I’m not upset with you, Dev. I’ve been

preoccupied. I’m on my 15-minute break.

So I can only talk so long.

It’s been weird not talking with you. I thought

maybe something was up. We need to talk.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

I agree. Let’s meet at my place tomorrow.

Mitch and Megan will be out late—she told me.

And Emily has a study group—i.e. She

won’t be back until close to midnight.

Okay sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow.

You don’t have class tomorrow?

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

Nope. I turned in the paper online and only

those who didn’t complete it have to come to class.

Nicely done. I will see you tomorrow.

Are you done at 9 tonight?

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

Yeah. 9. I’ll be going straight home and straight to bed.

Then goodnight, don’t let the bedbugs bite.

—————————————————-

Sweet dreams, Cutie Pie

The next day, I forgot my phone at home and I didn’t realize it until right before lunch. I had been so busy right from the start. There were several VIP clients who came in and I had to make sure the food ordered for them was delivered on time and I had to be on my best behavior. I was specifically told not to be caught on my phone or computer for personal reasons. So naturally I didn’t even remove my phone from my bag, or at least the phone I thought was in my bag. Anyway, now I actually needed it. I had to stay a little later than planned due to a project that needed to get done.

I thought I had left my phone on the kitchen table.

I even tried calling Devin but either his phone was turned off or it was dead. I left him a message anyway just in case.

W
hen I left work, I decided to run home and get my phone. I felt naked without it, and I was worried that Devin had been trying to get ahold of me. I pulled up to the house and was thrilled to see his car. He was here! I couldn’t wait to tell him that I loved him.

I opened the front door and was greeted with rose petals going up the stairs. I smiled and made sure to grab my phone from the kitchen table before someone else found it or I forgot it again. I had just put it in my bag when I heard noise from upstairs. I walked up the stairs, skipping a few in my hurry and then I heard a crash come from my room. I opened the door and found Devin, shirtless, with his pants unzipped and almost off. Even worse, I found my sister—my
sister!
—half naked with only a bra and some underwear on.

Devin looked like a deer caught in headlights. My sister looked over to me with a shocked expression on her face, unsure what part of herself to cover.

My mouth opened to speak but nothing came out. My heart had been ripped out from my chest and stomped on by Devin and my own sister. I was devastated and thoughts of telling him my feelings were slapped in my face. I felt as though the world was laughing at me for actually wanting to tell Devin the truth, for even having the feelings in the first place.

I don’t know when the tears started to fall, probably when I realized Devin had just been playing a cruel joke on me. I know we were only dating for appearances, but it was at least supposed to be somewhat real. Would he have cheated on me if we really had been together?

“CJ, let me explain.” Devin’s voice brought me back to reality and I couldn’t handle what was before me.

“Don’t talk to me, Devin,” I said, backing out of the room.

“This isn’t what it looks like.”

“Looks like you were about to have sex with my sister! How many others have there been?” I demanded but I didn’t want to know.

“No one! And we weren’t about to have sex! The lights were off, she tricked me,” he shouted, pointing at my sister, who looked indignant.

“You’re going to blame my sister, really? You’re even worse than I thought! I hate you, Devin Malone!” I yelled, right about the time Mitch opened the front door.

“What’s going on up there?” he called. I’m sure he noticed the rose petals.

“Your best friend just ripped out my heart and your sister stomped on it!” I looked over to Devin. “I will never forgive you. And you,” I pointed at Emily, “I’m through with you,” I sobbed and ran down the stairs and out the door.

I found myself driving aimlessly until I couldn’t see through the tears and finally pulled into an abandoned parking lot. My phone was ringing and chirping unceasingly until I finally turned off the ringer. I sobbed in my car, hating myself for feeling anything for Devin, hating myself for getting into this mess in the first place.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized my mistake. I never should have agreed to go out with Larissa and Zach. I never would have danced with Devin, I never would have enjoyed his reaction to my dancing. I never would have seen Eric and had the need for Devin to comfort me. Larissa never would have thought me and Devin were dating starting this whole mess in the first place.

If I had a time machine, that’s the moment I would go back to. No! I would go back to when I was young and tell myself not to even think about Devin Malone. I would tell myself he would only hurt me and deceive me and make my life miserable, yet wonderful at the same time. How could I love him still after everything he’d done? I hated him for making me love him.

When it finally was past late, I drove back home tentatively. I had turned my phone on and had thirteen text messages and four new voice messages. I only looked at the ones that weren’t from him.

What happened, Chris?

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Mitchell Walsh

Mitchell just told me what happened.

But I’m not sure he really knows

what happened. How are you?

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Megan Walsh

Where are you, Chris? I’m trying not to worry.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Mitchell Walsh

Megan finally told me a little of what happened.

I’m trying not to kill my best friend. Are you safe?

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Mitchell Walsh

Devin left, Christy. He was upset, you should listen

to what he has to say. Emily told us what she did.

You also need to hear her out.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Megan Walsh

Come home when you’re ready. Everyone is asleep,

I’m heading to bed. I love you, Chris.

Just be safe and come home soon.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Mitchell Walsh

The rest were from Devin and Emily. I deleted them without even looking. Two were from Emily and the other five from Devin. I didn’t care what either of them had to say to me. I didn’t want to read their lies.

I walked in the door and managed to walk up the petal-free stairs, but the moment I stood outside of my door, images of Devin and my sister rolling around on the bed made my stomach churn and I couldn’t even bring myself to open the door. That’s when I walked back out to my car.

I sent a text to both Megan and Mitch that said I was safe, nothing more.

I drove around a few more hours, then went straight to work, wanting to forget everything that happened. I took one look at my desk and willed the tears not to come, then grabbed the flowers and poured out the water. Then I threw both the flowers and the vases away. Megan and Mitchell showed up about that time. I didn’t even acknowledge their presence. I’m sure Megan fished out the vases, but she didn’t say anything. Neither of them said anything to me.

I sat back down at my desk and turned off the forwarding system that we turn on at night. And immediately it showed I had thirteen missed calls and three messages on my personal line. I punched in the password and waited for them to play.

Devin’s voice came on. “Christy—”

Delete.

Again it was Devin. “Don’t delete this—”

Delete.

Finally the last message, “It was all a setup. Emily did it to get back at you. She admitted to—” I deleted the message that Megan had left. I didn’t want to hear anything. It didn’t matter, I decided. I started out with nothing, it was only fitting I end with nothing. It was all a lie anyway.

The phone rang about that time and I picked it up.

“Chris, don’t hang up—” Devin began.

I hung up. I didn’t want to hear his voice. I didn’t want to hear any explanation.

He called again. “Just let me—”