The Right Kind of Wrong: A Brother's Best Friend Romance

by Fabiola Francisco

  I grab my phone off the coffee table and stand, stretching my arms over my head. I need to get out of this apartment before I lose my damn mind. I call Luke to see if he’s free to have a few beers and head out to a local bar. After the shit letter I received, I need to clear my mind and have a drink. I also need to figure out the best way to tell Ally that I won’t be moving to Spain anytime soon, and I wish I could tell her in person. Video calls are great for a while, but they get old fast. I want good old fashioned communication—face to face and skin to skin.

  “Hey, man.” Luke sits on the empty stool next to me as I sip my beer. I didn’t bother waiting for him to arrive.

  “Hey.” I lift my chin.

  “Not a good day?” His eyebrows lift on his forehead.

  “Not a good month,” I say through clenched teeth.

  “What’s going on?”

  “My visa for Spain got denied. No long-term stay as I had hoped, and I need to break the news to Ally. It’s been rough being apart, and I don’t want to cause her more stress during the last trimester of her pregnancy.” I sigh, leaning back on the stool.

  “Ah, fuck. Sorry to hear that. Is there another option?” Luke grabs the beer the waiter places in front of him and takes a drink while I respond.

  “I don’t know. If we were married, then I’d be granted a visa. That’s what I was told.”

  “Don’t you think you’ll eventually get to that point? Why not do it now and save yourself the headache and stress of living apart?” Luke eyes me over the rim of his glass, his shaggy blond hair falling over his eyes.

  “Because that’s not romantic. I don’t want a shotgun wedding just because she’s pregnant or because I need a visa to live in another country.” I shake my head.

  “Look at you talking about romance.” Luke chuckles, waving the waiter down. “You want something to eat?” He looks at me.

  “Sure,” I shrug, wondering if marriage is the solution to all our problems or the beginning of bigger ones.

  Yeah, I want that with Ally, more than I ever thought I would, but I don’t want to rush anything or use something like a visa as an excuse to get married. I want to get down on one knee because we love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives together. I want it to be natural and honest, not because of some legal deadline stabbing our sides.

  Luke and I order burgers and fries and another round of beers. It’s nice to relax and talk to someone, whether it be about my current situation or sports. I’ll take any distraction at the moment.

  After I get back home with zero clarity, I decide to call Ally back. She’s probably worried sick that I haven’t answered her calls.

  “Hello?” Her sleep-induced voice feeds my guilt.

  “Hey, did I wake you?” I grab a water bottle from the fridge and drop on the couch, lifting one leg onto the coffee table.

  “No, not really,” she lies, and I chuckle.

  “Kiwi, you wanna talk tomorrow? You sound exhausted.” I smile, imagining her with messy hair and puffy eyes.

  “No, talk to me. Are you okay? I called you today, but you never answered.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” I lie. I don’t want her to lose sleep over this, especially with how late it is over there. I didn’t take the time change into account when I hit her name on my screen.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, just stressed.” I’ll tell her tomorrow when she’s well-rested and has the entire day to process the news.

  “I know, me, too. I miss you,” her voice is gruff from sleep.

  “I miss you, too, Kiwi. Miss holding you and kissing you and watching you experience this pregnancy. I hate that I can’t be there.” The reality of all I’m missing hits me like a freight train, and I squeeze my eyes shut. I’ve gotta get to her.

  “I know,” she whispers after a beat. “This is hard, and I hate that we’re essentially living two different lives.”

  “We’ll be together soon,” I add before realizing soon won’t get here fast enough. “Go to sleep. I’ll call you when I wake up.”

  “Promise?” Her voice shakes, and it kills me.

  “Promise.” I give her every ounce of my heart in that one word. I won’t stop fighting for us.

  As soon as I hang up the phone, I get ready for bed and lie on my back, staring at the dark ceiling. I need a plan, and I need it quickly.

  - - - - -

  I make a strong pot of coffee after a sleepless night and grab my phone off the coffee table where I left it last night. I need to talk to Ally today. The more I put it off, the worse it will be when I tell her the truth.

  I stare as the coffee drips into the pot, the tapping sound in tune with my heartbeat. As soon as the coffee is done, I’ll call her.

  With a steaming cup of coffee in hand, I stare at her name on my phone before pressing the icon for video calls. I take deep, even breaths as I wait for her to answer.

  Her gorgeous face pops up on my screen after a few rings. Smiling, I take in her soft features. Her hair’s tied up on her head, and her face is clear of any makeup. She’s stunning.

  “Hey.” Her eyes light up.

  “Hi, babe, how are you feeling?” I lean back on the sofa, allowing the leather to comfort me as I build up the courage to talk to her.

  “I’m good. My feet are a little swollen, but it’s all part of the journey, right?” She giggles softly and then angles the phone toward her belly.

  “Look at you,” I comment. “Beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she says quietly as her face reappears on my screen. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  I take a deep breath and shake my head. “No. I got a letter in the mail from the consulate yesterday. My visa application was denied.”

  I watch as her eyes widen for the briefest second, and her breath falters. “What?”

  I nod. “I’m sorry. I could’ve sworn I’d get approved.” I shake my head. “But it was a no from them. I need to double-check exactly what day I can travel over there again, and I’ll book a flight. I need to see you.”

  “Cam… I can’t believe they denied your application.” Her words are strangled by her emotions, and it feels like a knife straight through my chest.

  “I know.” I bow my head. “I just… I don’t know what to do. I should have a solution to this, but I’ve never felt so helpless before.” I rub my eyes in frustration.

  “Hey, this isn’t your fault. You don’t have to have the answers to everything. I sure as hell don’t. We’ll be together,” she adds with confidence.

  “Let’s talk about something else. How’s my boy doing?” Ally smiles widely.

  “He’s growing each day. I think he’s definitely going to be an athlete with how much he moves.” I smile as I hear her talk. I can’t wait to see her holding our son, watching her be the best mom. My chest tightens as the idea of not being able to witness that firsthand twists my insides.

  Ally tells me about work, the disastrous date Rubén went on this week, and about the light snow that fell yesterday. I love talking to her, even if it’s about the weather. I love her. Irrevocably so. And I haven’t even told her yet.

  Talking to Ally melts away my worries for a little while. She’s like a soothing balm on a third-degree sunburn—a gentle touch to my wild heart. She brings something to my life I never thought I’d have, never imagined I’d want—safety and calm. Instead of going out each night and finding someone to warm my bed, I wrap up work early so I can talk to her before she goes to bed. I want no one else but this woman, and I’ll be damned if one rejection letter will stand in our way.

  chapter 28

  Allyson

  When Camden told me last week that he didn’t get the visa to come to Spain, everything shifted inside of me like a stubborn Rubik’s Cube finally clicking together. My list of pros and cons no longer mattered, as there was only one clear list in my mind. The fog had lifted from the uncertainty clouding my brain, and I knew what I wanted more than anything. I put a plan
in place with the help of Easton. I just hope Camden is on the same page as me.

  These last seven days have been full of planning, organizing, and life-changing decisions.

  “Are you ready?” Noel smiles at me. I nod, grabbing my bag, but she takes it from me before I can drag it a few inches. “You’re super pregnant, and I will not allow you to do any force.” I roll my eyes and cross my arms. I’m right at the cut-off where I can travel, so I’ve had to act quickly.

  “I’m capable of carrying a bag. How do you think I get my groceries home?”

  “Psshh… Not if I’m here,” she continues to argue. Goodness, I thought Camden was overprotective, but Noel has been a million times more protective.

  She flew out here a few days ago as promised and helped me get everything sorted, which I am forever grateful for. She even made some contacts in Madrid for her blog and will be featuring Spain in a future post.

  “Are you ready for this?” Her voice turns soft. I nod, swallowing the emotional lump in the back of my throat and look around my apartment one last time. I want this, more than anything, but change can be scary.

  Noel hugs me tightly and whispers, “Everything will work out exactly as it should.”

  I wrap my arms around her and cling on to her for support before taking a step back, a deep breath, and closing the door behind me.

  - - - - -

  I take a deep breath before knocking on the wooden door separating me from my future. I run my sweaty palms down my leggings and then bring them to my stomach. My heart slams in my chest as I wait for the door to open.

  Everything will be all right. Everything will be all right. I repeat the chant in my mind, taking deep, steady breaths.

  The door swings open, and wide, brown eyes stare at me. “What the… Ally?”

  I smile and nod, tears blurring my vision. Camden’s arms pull me into a hug and hold me tightly.

  “What are you doing here?” His warm breath tickles the shell of my ear.

  “I missed you.” I bring my arms around his back and step closer with tears in my eyes. I giggle when my stomach stops me from getting as close as I want.

  Camden leans his head back to pierce down at me and brushes wayward strands of hair from my face. His lips touch mine in a slow and gentle kiss.

  “I missed you, too,” he murmurs against my mouth. “Come in.” I walk inside, and he grabs my bag and rolls it into his apartment. His unique scent hits me instantly, and I finally feel like I’m home. He’s my only home.

  I turn around to face Camden, who is staring at me with furrowed brows. I crack a smile and walk toward him, taking his hands and placing them over my stomach. As if knowing his daddy was touching him, our baby boy kicks.

  “God, you smell good, like home.” He reads my mind and pulls me in again to hold me. His hand runs a soothing trail up and down my back and his lips touching my neck. I shiver at the contact and shift, combing my fingers through the strands of hair at the nape of his neck.

  “How long are you here for?” Camden’s brown eyes stare into mine, joy and worry shining back at me.

  “How long will you have me?” I bite my lip and hold my breath.

  “Huh?” He scratches the side of his head. “What does that mean?”

  “I’m here for good. I quit my job.”

  “Like quit, quit? You’re not going to work at the Richmond office?” His eyes bug out.

  I shake my head. “Let’s sit, yeah?” I hold his hand and walk toward his sofa.

  “I’m so confused,” he runs a hand through his messy hair as he sits next to me.

  “How about I explain from the beginning?” One side of my mouth tilts in a smile.

  “Yeah,” he breathes out with a firm nod, his hands back on my belly as he listens to me speak. Peace fills me being this close to him.

  “Remember when we were in Everton for Christmas last month, and you asked me if I’d ever want to move back there?” He nods, so I continue talking, his eyes focused on me.

  “I had never thought about it. I moved when I was a young teen, and Virginia became my home, but seeing Easton back in Everton, visiting my hometown, it’s stirred up emotions and memories. I remember helping my dad around the ranch, learning to ride a horse, preparing for winter… It was such a different lifestyle than I later had in Charlottesville when we moved.” I search his face as I speak.

  “I loved my life in Virginia, and I always felt like Everton was a distant part of me, but now…” I suck in a deep breath and let it slip from between my lips as I gather my emotions.

  “Hey… What’s going on?” Camden scoots closer to me when he sees the tears in my eyes. I shake my head, and he pulls me into a hug. He whispers sweet words in my ear as I gather myself.

  I lean back and look at him, cupping his face with my hands. His scruffy beard tickles my skin as Camden turns his head to kiss my palm. “Talk to me, Kiwi.” His voice is gruff, and I’m afraid of what his reaction would be.

  “I want to move back to Everton.” I rip it off like a Band-Aid, blinking my eyes rapidly as I wait for his response. Any reaction that will give me some insight into what he’s thinking.

  Camden leans back, causing my hands to drop to my lap. His eyebrows rise, and my heart pounds as I fear this will be a deal-breaker.

  “Is that what you really want?” he asks.

  I nod. “Yes,” I say softly. “I never thought I did. I thought I was okay never living there again, but…” I shrug. “I miss it.” Moving back to Everton was never in the cards for me. We moved away, and I never felt a need to return the way my brother did. Now, I crave the open spaces, reconnecting with my roots, and having a different life for our son and me.

  “Wow.” Camden runs a hand through his hair. “This is a big decision…” He shakes his head, and I try to swallow past the lump in my throat.

  “I know it is, and I can’t ask you to uproot your life for me—”

  “Kiwi,” his stern voice interrupts me. “I was going to uproot, as you say, my life and move to Spain. I want to be with you so badly, I was willing to speak my broken Spanish just to be near you and our son. You’re my family.” He places his hand on my stomach.

  “I want you, whether that’s in Virginia, Europe, Everton, or the fucking moon. You’re my world, babe. Get that?”

  Tears trail slowly down my cheeks and off my chin.

  “Don’t cry,” he whispers, brushing my cheeks.

  “It’s a lot to ask. Spain was different because I was working there, already living there, but moving to Everton came from left field.” I weave our hands together and look into his brown eyes. I wonder if our son will have his eyes or my green ones. Maybe hazel—the perfect blend of his mommy and daddy.

  “You’re allowed to think about it.” I squeeze his fingers.

  “What will you do? Work in HR?” Camden tilts his head.

  “I spoke to Easton. He’ll need help in the firm since it’s just him right now. Faith helps him when she can, but he’ll need someone there all the time, more administrative work.”

  After the only lawyer in Everton retired, my brother took over the firm, not only working with the mayor at Town Hall but also becoming Everton’s go-to person for any and all legal issues.

  “You’ve really thought this through.”

  “Yes, that’s why I’m telling you to take your time to think about it. I’ve had a chance to catch up with this idea, but I just threw it on you. If this isn’t what you want, we’ll create a plan together.” I smile, scooting close to him and placing my head on his shoulder.

  Camden’s arm comes around my shoulder, his fingers combing through my ponytail. “I love you,” he whispers.

  My breath catches, and my heart halts. I sit up and turn to look at him. His eyebrows are slightly scrunched, and his eyes mirror love and fear as he stares at me.

  A slow smile tilts my lips as I regain my composure. “I love you, too.” I tilt my head, more tears spilling over. Goodness, my emotions ar
e out of control.

  “You do?”

  My shoulders drop, and I lean forward, my lips a hair’s breadth from his. “Of course I do. Did you think I couldn’t?”

  “I hoped you did,” his honesty rings around us.

  “I love you,” I repeat for emphasis. “I may have never thought I’d be in this situation with you, but I’m so happy that we are. You’ve been the best kind of surprise.”

  I touch my lips to his in a gentle kiss, and Camden’s hand comes around my neck, keeping me close to him as he growls and deepens the kiss. His tongue pierces through my lips, demanding my full attention.

  Everything feels right in my world as I kiss him back with as much passion. My hands come around his neck, tangling in his hair as my tongue strokes along his. A shiver travels down my spine, and with Camden’s help, I move over his lap, straddling him.

  Camden chuckles, breaking the kiss and looking down at my bump. “Our boy’s growing, huh?” He rubs my belly, which keeps us from getting too close.

  “He sure is.” My hand lands over his.

  “You’re gorgeous,” he says. “If you wanted to live in a run-down shack, I’d say yes just to wake up to this smile every day and kiss these lips each night.” His other hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing my lips.

  “Everton may be a rural town, but we’ll have a real home.” I lean into his touch.

  “Does this mean I’ll finally get to ride a horse?” Camden’s eyes light up in mischief.

  “Uh, yeah, no.” I shake my head. “Easton told me you’ve been wanting to ride, but you’ll need lessons first.”

  “With a hot teacher?” His eyebrows waggle, and my head drops back in laughter.

  “We’ll see about that. I’m not sure this teacher will be up for riding lessons anytime soon.” I point to my belly.

  “I’ll give you a different kind of riding lesson,” Camden counters. I can’t help the laugh that moves through me as his eyebrows dance on his forehead.

  “I may be up for those types of lessons,” I wink.