Returning to Rockport: A Brother's Best Friend Romance

by Kelsey Clayton

  I roll my eyes. “I tried that, remember? It didn’t work. Our lives are too intertwined.”

  “Oh please.” She opens her driver’s side door and tosses her purse onto the passenger seat before leaning against the car. “You told him to go away like twice, and with as much conviction as a homeless man saying he’s not hungry.” I look down at the ground and focus on kicking the nearest stone. “So what, you two are together now? Should I start notifying people that the wedding is off?”

  It’s a question I’ve been asking myself for the last twelve hours. I know none of this is fair to Parker. He’s a good guy and he deserves someone who is going to love him the way he deserves. I wish the debate in my mind was as simple as love versus like, but it’s not. The feelings I have for Parker may not be as strong as the ones for Colton, but they are there. All I’m sure of right now is that I need to talk to Ivy.

  “Not yet. Give me a few days to figure all of this out.”

  She doesn’t look happy about it but she nods and gets in the driver’s seat. “I really hope you know what you’re doing.”

  I don’t answer as she closes the door and backs out of the driveway. As soon as she’s gone, I contemplate my options. I could leave and go find Ivy, or I can go back inside where Colton is waiting for me. Even the thought of there being a choice to make at all is comical. When it comes to Colton Brooks, I’m powerless.

  I get to his bedroom door to find him sitting on the bed with his back against the headboard. I could never understand why he didn’t get into modeling. It’s no secret that Colton has always been one of the most attractive men in our small town, which is part of the reason why I always thought I’d never have a chance. Every girl who knew him wanted to be with him, except for Tatum. Maverick has always been the only one she wants.

  He must feel me watching him because he looks up from his phone and smirks in a way that makes my insides melt. I grin in return and walk over to his bed. The second I’m close enough, he pulls me in closer to him and wraps his arm around my waist. I lean against him, feeling the heat of his body against my own.

  “Did Tatum give you a hard time?”

  I shrug. “I’ve heard worse.”

  He scoots us both down until we’re laying flat and I roll over to rest my head on his chest. The sound of his heartbeat echos into my ear – it’s soothing. His hand gently rubs up and down my back and I feel him press a kiss to the top of my head.

  “So, you don’t regret it?”

  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know what he’s talking about and I should regret it. I know I should. Tatum was right when she warned me about how this could get messy. Maverick could find out and Colton could lose his best friend, Parker could get his heart broken, I could end up in just as many pieces as I was when I left for college – or maybe even more. But when it comes down to if I regret what happened last night, the choice is easy.

  “No, I don’t.”

  He sighs in relief and places his hand over mine. We’ve been in this position so many times before, but this time doesn’t feel the same. This time feels like we have the potential to be something so much more, like there isn’t an end date lurking closer and closer. It feels like he’s mine.

  AFTER LOUNGING AROUND, AND talking about nothing and everything all at the same time, we finally get up and head to our spot. It’s the last place I remember having my phone and the only other place I can think to look. If it isn’t there, then maybe Parker took it with him for some reason. The thought makes me nervous because I’m naïve enough to never put a password on it.

  As we pull up, I can see my Vespa still sitting where I parked it. After we had sex last night, Colton lectured me for the millionth time on why I shouldn’t be riding it up here. The street winds too much and there are too many people who fly down the road. He insisted on driving me home and told me I could come pick it up in the morning, when it’s light enough for other drivers to see a small scooter.

  Walking through the woods, Colton holds branches out of my way and it reminds me of the first time he brought me here. It was the first time I actually felt like I had a piece of him that no one else had. I’d complained about not being able to watch the fireworks together. We couldn’t risk someone seeing us and it getting back to my parents or Maverick. So, on the evening of the Fourth of July, Colton told me to meet him behind the library and he came to pick me up. He had a blanket laid out and a bottle of champagne. The way he was with me that night only made me fall even more in love with him.

  Once we step into the clearing, I walk over to the rock where I was sitting and look around. Sure enough, my phone is laying face down on the ground.

  “Found it.”

  I pick it up and press the power button. I had shut it off after making a post on facebook. I didn’t need Ivy calling me and asking what it meant or Parker texting to see when I was coming home. All I wanted was some time to think, and I ended up with so much more.

  The phone comes to life and within a few seconds texts come in. There are three from Ivy talking about her hot assistant chef that she wont make a move on, one from my mom reminding me of my interview this week, and one from Colton. The time stamp on it is from eight in the morning, which means he must have texted me as soon as he woke up. What it says makes my heart flutter.

  Colton: Good Morning Beautiful.

  I don’t know how something so simple can make me feel so much, but he’s never been that sweet with me. His pet names stayed in the range of babe and baby, and the compliments he gave were either that I was adorable, which made me want to shoot myself, or that I was sexy. While I clung to those like I needed them to survive, they were never words that made me feel like I was anything more than his latest fuck.

  “So, you think I’m beautiful, huh?” I tease.

  “No, I don’t.” His straightforwardness makes the cocky smirk fall right off my face but he just smiles. “I think you’re so much more than that, but beautiful was the closest word to describe it.”

  Just like that, every thought of the way he was four years ago leaves and is replaced with the way he’s looking at me. I step closer to him and rest my head on his chest as he wraps his arms around me. This all may be chaotic and could end up backfiring in my face, but right now I can’t find it in me to care.

  “Come on.” He hands me his keys and I look up at him, confused. “I’m riding your Vespa down the hill and then I’m taking you to lunch.”

  THE DINER WE DECIDE on is closer than I would have preferred, but Colton keeps reminding me that it’s not against the rules for us to get lunch together. If anything gets back to Maverick, all we have to say is that we ran into each other both happened to be hungry. I had no argument left after he pointed out that he deliberately flirted with me at Maverick’s birthday dinner and only Tatum batted an eye.

  “So, what do you have planned for the rest of the day?”

  I smile at him from across the table. “Well, first I need to go talk to Ivy, and then I need to go shopping for my interview.”

  “Oh, you got an interview?” I nod. “Where at?”

  “The elementary school. They’re looking for a new kindergarten teacher and an old friend of mine recommended me for the job.”

  He takes a sip of his drink and then grins. “That’s great, Mac. You’ll make an amazing teacher.”

  “Well, let’s not jump the gun. It’s only an interview. I haven’t gotten the job.”

  “But you will. They would be crazy not to hire you.”

  This is one of the things that I’ve always loved about Colton. He’s great at making me feel like I can do anything. When we were younger, I had fallen off my bike and was too afraid to get back on it. No matter how much my parents and Maverick promised me I wouldn’t get hurt, I didn’t budge. It wasn’t until Colton came and talked to me that I actually got back on. He told me that they were all liars, and that chances are I will fall off again, but that it won’t be the worst thing ever. I’ll be okay.
/>   Now, maybe it was because my world revolved around him and at the time I probably would have followed him into a lion’s den, but he’s always known the right things to say. The way he always has so much confidence in me is heartwarming. A part of me wonders what college would have been like with him in my corner. All the times I was freaking out over an upcoming test or worrying about starting a new class – he would have talked me down so easily. If only things hadn’t gotten so messed up.

  After we’re done eating, Colton pays the bill and the two of us get in his car. It’s the same Shelby mustang he’s had for years. The horsepower in this thing is intense, and only increases his sex appeal – not that he needs it. This man could make a Prius look hot.

  He pulls up to where he parked my Vespa and reaches in the back seat to hand me my helmet. I take the keys from his center console and thank him quietly. I’m just about to get out of the car when he grabs my wrist to stop me. When I turn back to face him, he puts one hand on my cheek and presses a soft kiss to my lips.

  “Text me?”

  I nod. “I will.”

  As I watch him drive away, I wonder how we went from not speaking for four years to this. He’s treating me exactly the way I wanted to be treated back then, and I’m loving every second of it. I just hope it’s not a phase. I’m not sure I can handle having my heart broken by him again.

  13

  MCKENNA

  Calling Ivy wasn’t even something I thought to do. I just started driving straight to her mom’s house. Thankfully, as I pull in the driveway, I see her car. I need to talk to her so bad I probably would’ve ended up going to the restaurant if I had to.

  I take off my helmet and rest it on the seat before stepping onto the porch. It feels weird to knock but I haven’t been here in so long that I probably shouldn’t let myself in. Her mom answers the door looking like she hasn’t aged a single day. When she realizes it’s me, she lights up.

  “McKenna Taylor! What are you doing knocking? Get in here.”

  She pulls me in for a tight hug and I bask in the comfort of it. This woman was always like a second mom to me. When the incident with my dad happened, she let me stay here for a week until I was willing to go back home. A part of me feels bad for not staying in touch with her while I was gone, but she doesn’t seem to be holding a grudge for it.

  “I didn’t want to just walk in. It’s been a while since I was last here.”

  “Oh, that’s nonsense. You’re always welcome in this house.”

  I smile warmly. “Thank you.”

  The house is just as I remember it, the only difference being the picture of Ivy’s graduation from culinary school on the mantle. I’ve spent so much time here over the years that I could probably navigate this entire place with my eyes closed. I can still remember Ivy breaking her arm when we tried to be like Maverick and Colton and slide down the banister. Apparently, it only works if you have good balance and don’t lean too far back. Ivy didn’t get the memo.

  “Mom? Who’s here?” My best friend makes her way down the stairs. “Oh, hey Mac.”

  “Hey.”

  The look on my face must convey everything going through my mind right now because she instantly catches on. “Let’s go to my room. I need to start getting ready for work.”

  She’s lying, but if she made it obvious that there was something we needed to talk about, her mom would try to eavesdrop. It’s something she’s done so many times before. Any time we had something secretive, my mom would always manage to find out. It took years before we finally figured out how.

  As soon as I spot the familiar bed, I throw myself on top of it and scream into her pillow. She watches me with amusement and sits at the end. I glare at her when she chuckles at my small outburst.

  “I’m so glad you find humor in my misfortune.”

  Her eyebrows raise. “I would hardly call having to choose between two hot guys a misfortune.”

  “How do you know this is about two guys?”

  “Because I’ve known you since I was four.” She says pointedly. “So, what happened?”

  “IhadsexwithColtonlastnight.” It all comes out as one word.

  “Uh, a little slower please.”

  “I had sex with Colton last night.”

  Her eyes widen drastically and I can tell she’s holding back a laugh. “I’m sorry, you did what now?”

  I groan. “We got into an argument because he was going on a date with someone and apparently, I’m a jealous bitch.”

  “And that ended up with his dick inside you how?”

  “I went to our secret spot and he found me.”

  Her expression changes to one of realization. “So that’s what your cryptic facebook post was about. I mean you could have just texted him and told him to meet you there.”

  “I didn’t know I wanted him to until he was there. I just needed a place to think, and that’s the one place where I know people won’t bother me.”

  “Except Colton.”

  She doesn’t have to elaborate for me to know what she’s insinuating. I’m not exactly sure what made me go to that spot. I hadn’t been there since things between Colton and I ended and to be honest, I had planned on avoiding it at all costs. It holds too many memories. Regardless of the breathtaking view, I wasn’t sure I could handle it. But when I left the house after the spat we had, I knew going home wasn’t an option. I mean, how do you tell your fiancé you’re upset over your ex going on a date with someone else? It’s simple – you don’t.

  So, I drove around for a while before ending up at the secret rock. It was strange, being there alone, but it made me feel closer to him. For a minute, I was able to pretend that things hadn’t gone to such crap – that we hadn’t broken up and stopped talking for nearly half a decade. I watched the moonlight glisten off the water and tried to remember the last time I felt whole.

  When Colton showed up, for a moment I wondered if maybe I had wished myself back in time, like a reverse ’13 Going On 30’ kind of thing. But the engagement ring still sat heavily on my finger and he was still wearing the button down he had on when I left. Realizing he dipped out on his date early made me feel better than it should have. At least for the time being, I didn’t have to come to terms with him dating someone else. And when he stood in front of me, looking at me like I held his heart in my hands, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

  “Tell me what to do, Iv.”

  She gives me a sad smile. “I don’t know what to tell you. I wouldn’t know what to do in your situation either.”

  “I don’t want to hurt Parker. He doesn’t deserve it.”

  “Maybe not, but does he deserve to be married to someone who only stayed with him out of obligation?”

  I sigh. “That’s not the only reason I’d stay with him. I love him.”

  “And that’s where the problem lies. You love Parker, but you’ve always been in love with Colton.”

  Groaning, I throw my face back into her pillow. I wish I could tell her she’s wrong. That I fell out of love with Colton during the four years I spent trying to forget his existence, and maybe I had. But the second he walked into Maverick’s living room looking like he came straight from my every fantasy, all the progress I’d made was instantly undone. In just a few words, I was right back to crushing hard on my brother’s best friend, only this time he was off limits for other reasons.

  My mind has been a ping pong game lately between forgiving him for the past and holding it against him for the rest of our lives. The image of him walking away as I broke into pieces is still burned into my brain and I’m not sure it’ll ever fully go away. It took a year before I could handle hearing his name without becoming an emotional train wreck; two before I would even consider dating someone else. If I let him in again, if I give him that part of me and it happens again, I won’t have somewhere to run this time. I’ll be stuck living in a world where he’s a constant fixture.

  “How do I know he won’t hurt me again?”

&nb
sp; Ivy wraps her arms around me and holds me close. “You don’t. You just have to ask yourself if it’s worth the risk.”

  As I’m thinking it over, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see a text from Colton. I’d be lying if I said I don’t get excited by the simple sight of his name. I swipe it open immediately.

  Colton: I know this may seem a little backwards considering the last 24 hours, but can I take you out tonight?

  The corners of my mouth raise and Ivy coos from behind me, showing she’s reading over my shoulder.

  McKenna: Like, on a date?

  Colton: Yes Mac. On a date.

  I don’t answer right away. Instead, I toss my phone down on the bed and put my head in my hands. When did my life become so messy? A few weeks ago, I expected to move home and spend the summer planning my wedding. I knew I’d see Colton at one point or another, but I genuinely believed he had moved on. None of this is anything close to what I imagined.

  “Go.” Ivy nudges me.

  “What? How? Parker is going to wonder where I am.”

  “So, tell him you’re with me.”

  My eyebrows furrow. “You think I should have a secret affair with Colton?”

  “Well, from where I’m standing, what other option do you have? You’re too afraid to leave Parker for Colton because he has the track record of a convicted criminal. So, you can either play it safe and avoid Colton as best you can – since lord knows you two can’t be in a room together without wanting to rip each other’s clothes off – or you can sneak around for a bit and figure out what it is you want.”

  I run my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know. It doesn’t feel right.”

  “Maybe not, but do you really want to spend the rest of your life wondering what if?”

  I CAN HEAR THE engine of Colton’s car as he pulls into the driveway. He had told me not to wear anything fancy, but the workout clothes I was sporting from earlier didn’t seem like proper date attire. I borrowed a pair of jeans and a crop top from Ivy, and took a shower at her place. As far as Parker is concerned, I’m having a girls’ night.