A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother: Complete Box Set

by Sharon Cummin

  “Good,” she moaned. “So fucking good, Brad. Oh, fuck. I'm so close.”

  “Come for me, baby,” he demanded in a deep, hard voice.

  The tone of his voice sent her over the edge.

  “Fuck. Brad. Fuck,” she cried out. “Oh, Brad.”

  She felt herself come around her fingers as she called his name. He growled her name, and she could tell he was coming as well. They both stayed quiet for a moment.

  “Next week needs to hurry up and get here,” he said. “I need to see you. I need to feel you in my arms, Rachel.”

  “Have you really not been with anyone since we had sex?” she asked in almost a whisper.

  “I have not,” he answered. “Get some sleep. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Good night.”

  “Good night,” she said.

  Rachel fell asleep and woke in the morning full of energy. Her old feelings for Brad were back full force. There was no way she could stop them. In the few weeks they had been talking, he had been the Brad she liked so much. Was it all an act, she wondered?

  The week seemed to drag on. She wanted to get home. The two of them talked and texted each day. He made it home the day before her, and so did his sister. Rachel sent him a text as she was boarding her plane.

  Rachel: On the plane. Turning off my phone. :-)

  Brad: Be careful! Can't wait to see your smiling face. ;-)

  She leaned her head back against her seat and closed her eyes.

  When the plane landed, she hurried to the exit to get a cab home. Her mom was working and couldn't pick her up. As she flew through the airport doors, she looked up and gasped. Brad was standing in front of his car with a smile on his face. She ran to him, as he opened his arms. He wrapped her in a hug. She was surprised just how tight he held her.

  “I've missed you so damn much,” he said, as he kissed the top of her head.

  When she didn't say anything, he pulled back and saw a tear fall from her eye. He lifted her chin with his hand and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

  “What are you doing to me?” she asked.

  “The same thing you're doing to me, I hope,” he answered.

  Brad grabbed her bag and put it in his car. He held her door for her and then hurried around to his side.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Do you want to go get something to eat? My treat.”

  “How am I going to explain to your sister that I didn't come straight home? What am I going to say when we pull up in your car?” Rachel asked.

  “My sister is out for the day with her new man she met at school,” he replied.

  They stopped at a restaurant that was on the way home. Rachel was surprised how natural the conversation was between the two of them. It was like she was sitting with a good friend, not some guy she had been pining after for years. She still hadn't figured out if he was putting on an act or if he had really changed. What if she gave their friendship a chance, she wondered? Would he hurt her? She knew that she needed to be careful and keep her guard up around him.

  When they pulled into his parents' driveway, his mom opened the front door.

  “Damn,” he whispered.

  His mother came running out with her arms open wide. Rachel hugged her tight and laughed.

  “I'm so happy to have all three of my kids home again. I don't know how I'm going to make it until spring break next time,” his mom said.

  “It's so nice to be home,” Rachel said. “I've missed you and the amazing food you make.”

  The three of them went inside. Rachel knew her mother wasn't home. There was no reason to rush over there. She kept her distance from Brad while they were in his parents' house. He sat down on the same couch they had sex on and looked up at her. Her eyes widened as she realized where he was sitting. The three of them watched a movie together and waited for Brad's father and Karen to get home.

  His dad brought home pizza for everyone. Karen, her new boyfriend, and a friend of his pulled up shortly after. They all sat around the dining room table for dinner. Karen introduced Sam and his friend Chris to Rachel. Rachel was happy to see her friend having such a good time at school. Karen looked over and smiled. She leaned toward Rachel.

  “What are you doing Friday?” she asked Rachel.

  “That's the day after Christmas. I don't have any plans. Why?” she asked.

  “I'm going with Sam to dinner and a movie. Since he brought Chris home with him, he has to go with us. We can't leave him home. Would you go with us so he doesn't feel awkward?” Karen asked.

  Rachel shrugged.

  “I'm not sure.”

  “Come on,” Karen said. “We can spend time together too. I miss you. Please go.”

  Rachel knew Brad was going out with his friends Friday night. Why should she sit home by herself, she thought? She shrugged again.

  “I guess,” she answered. “It's better than sitting home alone while all of you are out for the night.”

  She heard a growl escape Brad but didn't lift her eyes from her food.

  “What was that for?” Karen asked her brother.

  “What?” he asked.

  Karen gave Brad a dirty look and shook her head.

  Rachel's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and opened the text.

  “I'm here,” Karen said. “Who's texting you?”

  “So you're the only one allowed to text me. You found a boyfriend at school and I'm supposed to do nothing but wait for you to text or call. I don't think so. I have friends at school,” Rachel answered.

  “Do you have a boyfriend?” Karen asked with excitement.

  Rachel looked down at her phone.

  Brad: So you're going out with this Chris guy on Friday. Should I kick his ass now or later? Look at him. I don't think so.

  Rachel: Jealous? You're going out with your friends on Friday. What do you want me to tell your sister? I fucked your brother last time I was home. We've talked on the phone since then. I can't hang out with you and your friends.

  Brad: I'm going out with guys not girls. I'm not jealous. There's no reason for me to be.

  Rachel: You're right. There's no reason for you to be jealous. Can you be sure there won't be any girls out with you and your friends?

  Brad: You just wait until I get you alone. I'm spanking your ass hard. I don't know who they will bring with them. What do you mean there's no reason?

  Rachel: You're the one that said it. Chris doesn't look like a bad guy.

  Brad: Bullshit!

  Rachel put her phone back into her pocket and put a smile on her face.

  “Thanks for dinner. My mom should be home by now. I'm going to go over and see if she has any time for me,” Rachel said.

  “Don't be so hard on her. She's been working hard lately. I think she does it because she's alone over there,” Brad's mom said.

  “I guess,” Rachel said, as she pushed her chair out and stood up.

  “We're having dinner at four tomorrow. Bring your mom over with you.”

  “Okay,” Rachel answered.

  She grabbed her bag that was by the front door and left.

  What the hell did Brad want her to say to Karen, she wondered? There was no way she was going to tell her best friend that she had given her virginity to Brad. As far as she knew, Karen had no clue that she had feelings for him. They had only done it once. Sure, they talked on the phone a lot over that month, but they weren't in a relationship or anything. Brad was probably just having some fun with her. What if Karen found out? Would she be upset with Rachel, or would she be happy for them? Karen knew her brother was a player. She would probably think Rachel was a fool for getting mixed up with him.

  When Rachel got home, her mom had just walked in the door. They spent the night talking and watching a movie. It was nice to be home, she thought. She really had missed her mom so much. It was lonely at school. She wasn't sure if she wanted to go back the following year or if she wanted to transfer to a college closer
to her house.

  She changed her clothes and got ready for bed. Her phone buzzed just as she was falling asleep.

  Brad: Goodnight! I missed talking to you tonight. It's so hard knowing you're just across the street.

  Rachel laughed as she read his text. She wanted to wrap her arms around him like she did outside of the airport. What would it be like to fall asleep in his muscular arms, she wondered?

  Rachel: I missed talking to you too. I can't wait to see you tomorrow.

  She wanted to know was there really something between them, or was he just playing with her. Rachel knew he was the one man that could break her heart. She had liked him since she was thirteen.

  The next day was Christmas Eve and she was having dinner with her mom at Karen's house. She made sure to put on a pair of jeans that clung to her curves in a sexy way. Her hair was down against her shoulders. She had some makeup on, but not too much. Rachel grabbed a pretty sweater and some sexy boots. She checked herself once more in the mirror before seeing if her mom was ready. Rachel couldn't wait to see Brad. She was only home for a little over a week and knew it would be months before she would be able to go home again.

  They knocked on the door across the street. Rachel felt like she was thirteen again. She felt butterflies in her stomach just thinking about Brad again. The last time she was home, she was so afraid to knock on that door. So much had changed for her in that month. Brad didn't know it, but she looked forward to their call each night. It was nice feeling like she had a friend while she was away. Karen had made friends at school, and the two girls talked less each week. Rachel was shy and kept to herself. Her day was all about school and homework. The soup kitchen she had started working at was helping as well. She found herself excited to get up each morning during that month.

  The door swung open with Karen on the other side. The girls hugged, as Karen started talking a million miles a minute about her night with Sam. She pulled Rachel into the house. Her mom came out and began talking to Rachel's mom. Karen began walking down the hall.

  “Come on,” Karen said. “I want to go and talk to you in my room.”

  Rachel saw Brad looking at her from the living room as the two girls passed by. He had a huge smile on his face, as he made a hand gesture about his sister talking so much. Rachel let out a giggle, and Karen turned to look at her.

  “What's so funny?” Karen asked.

  “Nothing,” Rachel answered.

  The two girls went into Karen's room and talked about school and how much fun Karen was having.

  “Have you been talking to any hot guys?” she asked.

  “Actually, I have,” Rachel answered.

  Karen stopped and looked at her in shock.

  “Is that so hard to believe?” Rachel asked.

  “No,” Karen answered. “I'm just surprised you haven't mentioned it. What's he like? Is he cute?”

  “Yes, he is very cute,” Rachel answered. “It's nothing really. We're more friends than anything. We talk at least once a day. We're not dating or anything, but he's a really nice guy.”

  Karen's mom called down the hall to tell them dinner was ready. The girls got up and ready to go.

  “I'll be out in a minute. I need to use the restroom,” Rachel said.

  Karen walked down the hallway toward the dining room. Rachel walked the opposite way toward the bathroom. She jumped when an arm reached out and pulled her into Brad's room. He let out a laugh when she gave him a dirty look.

  “You scared me,” she whispered.

  “I'm sorry,” he said. “Does she ever stop talking?”

  Rachel laughed and shook her head at him.

  “She's just excited about Sam.”

  Brad wrapped Rachel in his arms and held her tight.

  “I couldn't wait another second to hug you. I missed our nightly chat. We have to find a way to see each other later today,” he said.

  “I had a hard time falling asleep for some reason,” she said.

  “That's because you didn't get to talk to me,” he said with a laugh.

  Rachel held on to him a few moments longer. He kissed her softly on the lips, and she leaned into his touch. When he pulled back, she looked into his eyes. They were so blue and sexy. She smiled up at him and pulled back.

  “I'll go out first,” she said.

  He gave her a light smack on the ass as she walked away. She looked back over her shoulder to see the smirk on his face.

  During dinner, he sat across from her. She felt his foot on her leg. When she looked up, he had the cutest grin on his face. Rachel laughed and Karen looked over at her.

  “What are you laughing about now?” Karen asked.

  “Nothing,” Rachel answered. “I was just thinking about something.”

  “Were you thinking about the hot guy you met at school? The one you're friends with,” Karen asked in a flirty tone, as she stressed the word friends.

  Before Rachel could say anything, Brad looked up at her. His jaw was clenched tight.

  “You have a boyfriend at school?” he asked.

  She wasn't sure if he was messing with her or if he really thought she was talking to someone else.

  “No,” she said.

  “You said you talk to him at least once a day,” Karen said. “You said he was hot.”

  Rachel heard a growl escape Brad's lips. Everyone looked over at him, but he patted his chest to play it off as something else.

  “How hot is he?” Brad asked. “Tell us about him.”

  “We're more friends than anything. He's very nice looking, but he can be a real ass sometimes. We talk on the phone mostly. I don't get to see him much. How about you, Brad. Do you have a girlfriend at school? I bet you're out with a different girl every weekend. Since you're a football star, they probably line up outside your apartment.”

  Rachel smiled as she spoke. She looked at Brad as she said the last sentence.

  “There is this one girl,” he said. “I can't seem to get her out of my mind.”

  “Yeah right,” Karen burst out. “You actually found someone. I have to meet her. Who could possibly get my brother to stop being a player? She must be pretty special.”

  “She sure is,” he said. “The guys think I'm losing my touch. They don't mind though. It leaves more fun for them. I haven't been to a single party in the last month. It's kind of nice spending time in my apartment without a bunch of guys there.”

  Rachel kept her eyes down on her plate. She couldn't help but wonder if he was full of shit or if he was being honest. Had he really not hooked up with anyone since Thanksgiving? It wasn't the first time he had said it. They did talk before they went to sleep each night. She always wondered if he would go out after he talked to her.

  “Are we going to meet her?” Karen asked.

  Rachel felt her body stiffen at Karen's question. She felt horrible for not telling her friend about them, but they weren't in a relationship. If it ever became serious, she would tell her, but there was no reason to bring something up that wasn't serious at the time.

  “Maybe one day,” he said. “I think you'd be surprised.”

  “Ouch,” Rachel's mom yelled out from next to Brad. “What was that?”

  “Sorry,” Rachel said. “My foot accidentally hit you. Are you okay?”

  Her mom looked up at her with a smile.

  “It's fine,” she answered.

  After dinner, everyone moved into the living room. The girls opened their presents from each other and from the opposite parents. The two of them had been friends for so long, they both felt like they had three parents looking out for them.

  Rachel felt a strange feeling. She jumped up from the couch and ran for the bathroom. It was so weird. Everything was fine all day long. Suddenly, she was throwing up. She threw some water on her face and looked in the mirror before going back to the living room.

  “Are you okay?” Brad asked, as he looked up at her.

  “I'm not feeling well. I think I'm going to go hom
e. Maybe something I ate today didn't agree with me. I'm sorry,” she said. “Thank you for everything. I'll see you later, Karen.”

  Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed her bag of presents and walked out the door. The air outside felt good on her face. Why did she have to get sick as soon as she got home, she thought?

  Rachel spent the rest of the night in bed. Her mom brought her some crackers to eat, hoping they would stay down. Her phone buzzed.

  Brad: Are you okay?

  Rachel: I don't know. It came out of nowhere. I feel okay now. I ate some crackers. I'm sorry I left.

  Brad: I wish I could be there with you. It was horrible knowing you were sick and not being able to help you.

  Rachel: I'm fine now.

  Brad: So, I'm an ass sometimes? I told you I haven't been with anyone since Thanksgiving. Do you believe me?

  Rachel: You were being one at dinner. I don't know what to believe. I remember how you were.

  Brad: It's nice to know that you think I'm hot. Unless there's another guy you're talking to. I'm not the same guy that left for college. I care about you, Rachel. For two years, I came home wanting to see you. When I answered the door last month, I knew that I never wanted to go that long without seeing you again.

  Rachel: I'm not talking to anyone else, unless you count my date for Friday.

  Brad: Not funny. I can't believe you're going.

  Rachel: How can I tell Karen no? What would I say? We're just hanging out together. You're going out anyway.

  Brad: With the guys.

  Rachel changed the subject. She wasn't turning her friend down. It was probably the only night she would be able to spend with her. When she went back to school, she wouldn't see her for months. The thought of being gone for three months made Rachel sad. So much could happen in that amount of time.

  The next day, Rachel and her mother stayed home together. It was Christmas, and she was going to have a day with her mom. They made breakfast, talked, opened gifts, watched movies, made dinner together, and played cards. She couldn't remember the last time she spent that much time with her mom.

  “Do you have anything you want to tell me about the guy you and Karen were talking about?” her mom asked.

  “Not really,” Rachel answered. “We're just friends right now. I talk to him on the phone or we text. There's nothing to really tell.”