Читать книгу The Best Man - Jaymie Wright - Страница 6

Chapter Two

The fact that you’ve always been seen as a kid around Nick and his friends, especially Chase, has always driven you crazy. Not to mention the fact that you’ve had a crush on Chase for as long as you can remember. But he has always just seen you as Nick’s little sister.

As you’re ranting to yourself, you realize how late you must be. You look at your phone to check the time and see that class is almost over.

“Well, there isn’t a point in trying to make it now. I’ll just go to the library and get the books I need to review for finals next week.”

You make your way to the library, still fuming over the last words Chase had said.

It’s bad enough that I’ve loved him since I was high school and had a crush on him for as long as I can remember, and he still sees me as a kid. I mean I know that he always helped Nick look after me but I’m not a kid anymore. I’m in college getting a degree in anthropology for goodness sakes. What else do I have to do for him not to see me as a kid anymore?

You reach the library and decide to try and stop thinking about it. You have finals next week and need to study for them. You head inside and waste no time finding your way to the section of books that you need.

You spot the aisle you need and start to make your way over to it when you hear someone say, “You look like you might need some help. Can I help you find something?”

You look and see a guy stepping toward you, and you’re thrown back when you see that he looks just like Chase. Not as tall or muscular, but his face looks just like Chase’s did when he was in high school.

You give him a polite smile and say, “No. I’ve got it. Thanks though.”

He gives you a grin and replies, “Oh, okay. Well, if you need anything just ask. I’m Brian by the way.”

You introduce yourself and tell him thank you. The two of you shake hands and then you walk over to the book aisle that you need.

You begin looking through the possible books to help you review for finals, and you notice that Brian is the aisle next to yours, pulling books out where you do, leaving a direct line of sight between you.

You look at a few more books, pretending not to notice to see if he continues, and when he doesn’t stop you turn and ask, “You’re not going to start stalking me now are you?”

You both start smiling and begin to laugh. Red washes over his face, and he says, “No. Well, I was just wondering, would you be interested in going out on a date…with me?”

You raise an eyebrow and cross your arms.

“I don’t even know you.”

“Right… Okay, so…I’m Brian Wethers. I’m a sophomore. I’m studying to get my business degree. I have a younger brother. I am originally from Virginia, and I work here in the library. So now that you know me a bit better, how does Friday at seven sound?”

You stand there, not really sure what to say, thinking it over. What the? The Chase looka-like is asking me out? He is good-looking, and he seems nice. Maybe this is just what I need to help me get my mind off Chase. Lord knows that something is going to have to knock me off this thing that I have for Chase.

“Yeah, I think I’d like that,” you reply.

Brian grins and says, “Great. Here’s my number. Text me later, and I’ll send you the details.”

You smile with your cheeks turning slightly pink and take his number.

“Okay. See you then?”

Later that day Brian sends you the details on where to meet. It’s a brewery just on the other side of campus. You can walk to it from the dorm.

A brewery… Really? I’ll just keep an open mind. I have to do something. I can’t stay stuck on Chase forever. Who knows, I could end up really liking him.

A couple of days, it’s time for your date with Brian, and you begin getting ready. Trying on one outfit after another. You finally decide and a simple but cute dress.

“Perfect… It’s cute and flirty without being too flirty.”

You give yourself one more look in the mirror and then begin to finish your makeup and your hair when your door flies open, and your brother throws himself down on your bed and starts ranting about his fight with Chase.

You turn around to face him, throwing your arms up in the air, and interrupt him. “Nick, you can’t just come barging in here. What if I would have been getting dressed?”

A look of disgust hits his face, and he shakes his head and he says, “All right, all right. I got it but I don’t know what to do about Chase…”

You’re already over this conversation before it even begins. The last thing you want to do is talk about Chase when you’re getting ready to go out with Brian, but you ask anyway, “What about him?”

“He’s quitting school! Didn’t you know?”

“Yeah I know. I saw the two of you fighting the other day and he told me. And what’s the problem?”

Nick’s face turns red as he begins to get upset and says “Are you serious? He’s throwing everything he has worked for away on a half-baked idea!”

You lean back in your seat, cross your arms and one leg over the other, and say, “How do you know?”

Nick looks at you like he’s about ready to flip his lid.

“What do you mean, how do I know?”

“How do you know it’s a half-baked idea? Did you even take time to hear him out? Or did you do what you always do and just assume?”

Nick puts his head down, shaking it as he realizes that he might have overreacted.

“Well, if he has a plan why didn’t he just show it to me instead of just springing it on me after he had already made up his mind?”

You give him a knowing look and answer, “Would you have listened?

Nick runs a hand over his face, knowing that what you’re saying is true, and then asks, “I messed up, didn’t I?”

“It took you long enough. Now, can you go and fix things with him and get out of here so I can finish getting ready?”

Nick throws his hands up to surrender as he stands. He’s getting ready to leave when it dawns on him that you’re getting ready to go out, so he asks, “Who are you getting all dolled up for?”

You roll your eyes, getting even more annoyed with him, but you answer, “It’s none of your business, but if you must know, I have a date.”

“Well, I figured that, but with who?

“Brian Wethers.”

“The same Brian Wethers that works in the library?”

“Yep, that’s him.”

A look of concern comes over Nick’s face. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea, Alex.”

You ask with more attitude than intended, “And why’s that?” Not like you really want him to give you an answer.

Nick rubs the back of his neck and says, “He’s got a bit of a reputation. I jus—”

You throw your hand up, putting a finger in his face to interrupt him, “That doesn’t mean that he’s a bad person. Chase has a reputation. Do you think that he’s a bad person?”

“No… But—”

Growing more impatient, you reply, “No, I don’t want to hear any more about it. Now get out, or so help me, Nick, I’m changing my Netflix password.”

Nick put his hands up to surrender. “All right, just be careful, sis.”

“I will. Now get out!”

Nick heads out the door, and you finish getting ready.