She let out a loud laugh and shook her head.
“You don't know one fucking thing about my life, Jackie. He's not my boyfriend. He doesn't even like girls. He's my best friend.”
She let her body relax a bit, took a step back, took Chris by the hand, and looked up at me.
“Even if he did kiss someone else, would it really matter?” she asked sadly. “You're no better than he is. At least he didn't fuck me and then disappear before the sun came up. He wouldn't be embarrassed to have been with me.”
She pulled Chris by the arm and walked out.
“Tiny,” I yelled out after her, but she kept going.
Embarrassed, did she say embarrassed? No way. I would never be embarrassed. How could she think that? Because you took off you dumb ass, I thought. Shit! It didn't have anything to do with being embarrassed of her. I would have proudly admitted to being with her. As it was, I was chasing guys away from her from hundreds of miles away. Crap! I had to talk to her. I needed to go after her. I knew it was too late. The damage was done. She was upset with me and would never want to talk to me again. It didn't matter. I had to be honest with her. She needed to know that my leaving had everything to do with not losing my best friend and the only family I really had. How could I have been so stupid?
I was so wrapped up in her words that I'd totally forgotten about where I was. Her mom was watching me carefully. She was still standing in front of me. I looked at her, and she had a look of sympathy on her face. She should have wanted to beat my ass, but she didn't say a word.
Everything was quiet around us. You know the saying, you could have heard a pin drop. It was so true. There wasn't a sound around, but I wasn't dumb enough to think that nobody had heard what she'd said.
I took a deep breath in and released it before turning to face what I knew was coming.
Tim stood on the other side of the room looking angrier than I had ever seen him. His hands were in fists. Renee had her hand on his arm, and was looking nervously at me.
“Really, Jackson,” he said with disappointment. “I asked you one thing in our entire friendship. You just couldn't do it, could you?”
In Love with My Brother's Best Friend, Part 3
Chapter 1
Jackson
I walked toward Tim. It was time to take it like a man. I knew what was coming but couldn't help the relief that filled me knowing it was all out there and I could stop beating myself up for what I had done to both of them, to all of them really.
It wasn't what I wanted to do. I wanted to run after her and fix everything that had happened. She needed to know it wasn't her. She was memorable, more than she would ever know. How could she think that? She was amazing. I wanted to hurry and tell her, but I knew I had to face the man in front of me before I did anything else.
“Tim,” I started. “It wasn't supposed to happen. I swear to you that I did not plan it. It happened one time only, and I made damn sure it never happened again. Please believe me. I made a promise to you, and I broke that promise.”
He looked at me, but didn't say a word.
“You're my best friend. You always have been. I love your family. You know that. Your mom and dad have treated me as their own since we started hanging out. They pushed me and believed in me when my own parents didn't. I would never do anything to hurt any of you.”
I looked over at his mom, who had a sympathetic look on her face.
“When?” Tim yelled.
“What?” I asked.
“When did it happen, Jackson?”
I took a deep breath.
“At the party for your eighteenth birthday.”
“It was you she was talking about in the parking lot last night,” his voice rose even louder.
“Yes,” I answered.
“I remember that night. You were gone for hours. When you came back, you said you weren't feeling well and left.”
“Yes,” I said. “I had run into one of her friends. She said she hadn't seen Tina in a couple of hours. I was worried about her and went looking. She was down at the beach away from everything. We talked for a long time and got caught up in the moment. It just happened. I swear neither of us has spoken to the other since. I never meant to break my promise to you.”
“You kept it from me for ten years,” he said, as he inched closer to me. “How could you do that? I can't believe I didn't know. She's my sister. You fucked my sister, Jackson.”
“I regretted it right after it happened, Tim. I didn't regret it, but I did. I've lived with that shit for ten years. You have no idea how damn hard that's been. I've seen you and your parents over and over, and it's hurt so badly. I wanted to tell you, but I knew you'd hate me. I didn't know what you'd say to her. It wasn't her fault. It was mine. I didn't know how she'd feel about me telling you. You asked one thing of me during our friendship, and I let you down. You will never know how sorry I am.”
“There were so many girls you could have had. They were falling all over you. You were in college. Why her, Jackson? Why did my sister have to be one of those numbers for you? My. Damn. Sister.”
“I'm so sorry. It's not like that. She wasn't just a number to me, Tim. I've felt horrible every single day since it happened. I never even talked to her about it. I left her alone and never went near her again. Don't think I did it just because. It wasn't like that with her. I swear it wasn't like that.”
“You were supposed to be my best friend,” Tim said. “You need to go.”
“Tim,” I said.
“I said go,” he yelled.
Chapter 2
Tina
“I'm so sorry, Chris,” was all I could say over and over the entire drive back to the hotel.
He laughed as he held the ice against the side of his face.
“What is so funny to you?” I asked, practically in tears. “I'm sitting here feeling horrible for dragging you into the craziness of my life, and you're laughing. You were the one that was punched in the face.”
“I can't help it. That dude can pack a punch. It hurts like hell. Did you see his face? I seriously thought the vein on his forehead was going to pop. You don't think he likes you. Whatever,” Chris said.
“If you don't shut up about him liking me, I'm going to give you a matching side over there,” I snapped. “If he liked me at all, he wouldn't have done that to me ten years ago. I just can't believe I'm still letting him impact my life.”
“I don't know about all that,” he said. “He seemed pretty close to your family.”
“He's closer to them than he is his own parents. At least he used to be. I used to feel so bad for the way he was treated at home. My parents treated him just like they did Tim and me. I saw him pay for dinner last night. Today, he gave my mom a huge check to cover the reception. I watched Renee go crazy at whatever it was he gave her and Tim. I don't understand why he feels the need to impress them. He never had to before. They love him no matter what.”
“Maybe it's guilt for what you just put out there. Maybe he's been feeling bad about it all this time,” Chris said.
“No,” I replied. “Not Jackson. He doesn't give a shit when it comes to girls. He never has, and he never will.”
“You know you owe me, right?” Chris asked. “You owe me big. Not only was my phone destroyed, but my sexy face was damaged as well. I didn't even swing back. That was for you.”
“I know, and I'll find a way to make it up to you. Thank you for not making it worse. Never in a million years would I have ever thought he would hit you. If so, I never would have introduced you to them that way.”
“I guess it's partly my fault,” Chris confessed.
“What? How?”
“I didn't help the situation any. You fell and I never said a word or tried to help you. When he put me against the wall, I had a sarcastic smirk on face. That's what set him off. I couldn't help it. The guy was losing it.”
“Chris,” I yelled.
“What?” he asked. “Did you see your brother'
s face? As soon as those words came out of your mouth, your brother's eyes went right to Jackson. His body went stiff, and Renee grabbed his arm. He was beyond pissed. There is no doubt in my mind that a rather large scene is playing out as we speak.”
“Oh shit!” I said, as I covered my mouth. “I didn't mean to ruin my brother's wedding day. I was just so upset that Jackson would act like what you did mattered. I can only imagine what my mom is thinking of me right now. That's Jackson's family. I've been gone, but he hasn't. My poor brother. This was his day.”
“It's Jackson you need to feel bad for, not your brother. Tim was ready to take him on. I'm not sure if it was anger or hurt, but he is not going to make it easy on him,” Chris said.
We got to the hotel, and I hurried to the room. My phone and purse landed on the bed. I couldn't change fast enough. Once I had on shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops, I got fresh ice and pain relievers for Chris.
“Do you need anything else? I'm going for a walk. I need to think.”
“No,” he answered. “You know I love you, Tina. I'm here for you. I always will be.”
“Yes,” I said. “I'll be gone for a bit. I need to be alone.”
I walked out of the hotel toward the beach. My flip-flops were in my hand, as I walked along the edge of the water. The feeling of the sand in my toes felt comforting. I walked until I couldn't hear anything and was completely alone. There was no way I wanted anyone to see me. I let myself fall to the sand and looked out at the water. The sun was just beginning to set. The sound of the water was so relaxing. I really missed Florida. My eyes watched the sun bounce off of the water, as the tears I'd been working so hard to hold back began moving down my cheeks.
Chapter 3
Jackson
I turned around, mouthed I'm sorry to Tim's mom, picked up the pieces of Chris' phone, and left.
The first thing I wanted was to see Tina, but I knew I had one more thing to do first. The damn guy was innocent, and I'd broken his phone and punched him in the face. I really had made a mess out of the day. It didn't help that Tina had picked that moment to rat me out, as if hitting her friend wasn't enough. Poor Chris, I thought. He most likely regretted going to the wedding with her. Why had she lied about him being her boyfriend? Who was she trying to fool?
When she said I was embarrassed of her, I felt like someone kicked me in stomach. I could never be embarrassed of her. She was way more than I ever deserved. I was still surprised that she had been with me that day. I was a jerk and a player. She was right about that. I didn't know she was a virgin. I swear I wouldn't have been with her. She didn't want me to stop. It felt horrible taking that from her. I mean, it felt good to know she'd want me to be that guy, but it should have been someone that deserved her. That someone wasn't me. She was special. Tina cared so much about her family and friends. She was the most caring person I had ever met. That was then. She didn't seem like the same person anymore. I had to wonder if I had anything to do with that. Some of the things she said led me to believe that night changed things for her. I sure hoped I was wrong about that.
I made my stop and then hurried to the hotel and up to her room. Her car was in the lot, so I knew she was there. When I knocked, she didn't answer. I continued knocking until the door finally flew open. There was no way I was giving up. Chris stood in the doorway looking at me. I could see the slice in his lip and the bruising already turning his skin an ugly color.
“She's not here,” he said, as he moved to the side and motioned for me to come in.
“Where is she?” I asked.
“I'm not sure,” he answered. “She wanted to be alone and took off. I don't think she went far. She didn't take anything with her.”
I handed Chris the bag I had been carrying and then walked into the room.
“I'm sorry,” I began. “Please try to understand where I was coming from. I watched you kiss someone else right after you gave her a whole speech about how she deserved the best. You didn't bother to check on her when she fell. You played on that damn phone the entire time without any concern for her. I was so pissed. I'm not making excuses or anything. It shouldn't have happened. It all makes sense now though. I am sorry. I know that doesn't matter. I'm just putting it out there.”
“I totally understand,” Chris said with a smile. “You were just worried about her. She's like a sister to you.”
The fucker was pushing it. I really didn't have much more to lose. Tim wouldn't talk to me, Tiny hated me, and I'm sure their parents were finished with me as well.
“No,” I said. “I just thought she deserved to be treated better.”
“Really?” he asked. “She deserved better than me. With what she said back there, I'm not so sure you have any right judging me.”
“You don't understand,” I said. “Why did she pretend you were together? I don't get it.”
“She'd kill me if she knew you were standing here. She is one of my best friends, Jackson. You're lucky I don't fuck you up right now. Just because I didn't swing back, doesn't mean I don't have it in me. That's my girl. If you did what it sounds like, then so much about her makes sense to me now.”
“What?” I asked. “She never talked about it with you? You've been friends for five years. Maybe it didn't matter to her.”
“You wanted it to?” he asked. “That's fucked up. Why would you want to hurt her?”
“I didn't want to hurt her. You don't get it. I didn't plan for it to happen. I was so stupid thinking it mattered to her at all. She seemed to have moved right on from that. It sounds like she's had some fun over the years.”
“Seriously,” he said. “You have no idea how hard coming here has been on her. I couldn't figure it out. She's come up with every reason not to come home for ten years. The last five I have personally seen her do everything she can to avoid it. She begged me to come with her. I am not kidding. She said she couldn't face it alone and offered to pay the entire bill. We were going to party on the beach each night and find hookups for each other.”
“Oh, hell no,” I growled out. “She does not do that.”
“It's been a long while since she's done that, but she was all in for this trip. I was just as shocked as all of you when she introduced me as her boyfriend. I'm thinking it had something to do with your hand on Bridget's back,” he said.
“What?” I asked him.
“I know I didn't miss it. I was checking you out. Tina was too.”
“Bridget,” I said. “Crap! She tripped and I grabbed her. No way would I be with her.”
“There's a reason she's stayed away for ten years, Jackson,” he said with a shake of his head. “I'm pretty sure you're that reason.”
“Shit,” I said. “She's so different than the Tina I remember.”
“She's the same one I've always known. I can't help you there. She's the life of the party, always loud and outgoing. It's not always like that with her though. When it's just the two of us, she's more quiet and vulnerable. There is so much she keeps hidden inside. After five years, I still can't get in there.”
Chris looked down at his hand and opened the bag I handed him when I first walked in.
“I can't take this,” he said. “My phone was crap compared to this one.”
“I know, but you deserve it. That shit shouldn't have happened.”
“She made a few comments about you trying to impress people with money between yesterday and today. It bothers her. She said they all loved you without you going broke to impress them.”
“It sounds like she knows as much about me now as I know about her. I'm not trying to impress anyone. I just want to do whatever I can to help the people who have always been there and cared about me,” I said.
“I'm not sure where she took off to,” he said. “I have a feeling you know. She has every right to be hurt. I know what she thinks you did, but I think there's so much more to the story. I don't think you're an ass. That's the only reason you're standing here right now. I've seen the way you've looked
at her and us together for the last two days, Jackson. You need to get your head out of your ass and figure it out. Do not hurt her. I don't care about money or muscle. If you do one thing that hurts my girl, I will fuck you up.”
I nodded before turning and opening the door. His girl, I thought. No way was my Tiny his girl. Hearing him say that sent a stabbing pain straight to my heart. I didn't want him protecting her and keeping her safe. It wasn't his job. I had to find her. She had to know. I had to fix it.
“Charge anything you want to the room,” I said. “It's on me. I'm sorry for hitting you. I lost my shit for a minute.”
“I know,” he said. “You were just protecting your friend's little sister.”
I let out a loud breath and pulled the door shut behind me. I had a feeling I knew exactly where I needed to go.
Chapter 4
Tina
I couldn't believe Jackson caught me in that lie. It was so stupid to think I could play it off. We'd almost made it too. It was honestly just minutes away and we would have been in the clear. Sure, I was going to see my parents the next morning, but Jackson wouldn't have been there. He couldn't keep his mouth shut, and neither could I. When I heard him yell and Chris and heard the sound of his fist meeting Chris' face, I couldn't believe it. I think part of me was confused on why he'd even stick up for me when he never gave a shit before.
My mind went to what the guy from school said at the reception. I'd always thought Tim was the one making my dating life miserable. His friends would act like I was the grossest thing on the planet. I never knew what he told them. Finding out it wasn't always him messed with my head. Jackson was blocking my dating life all the way from college. I actually liked the guy I stood up with and wanted to go out with him in high school, but he had treated me like I was invisible. Hearing him say he wanted to ask me out but was threatened by Jackson really pissed me off.
I let out a huff and fell back onto the sand as the tears poured from my eyes.
In Love with My Brother's Best Friend: Complete Box Set Page 10
