Her Best Friend’s Brother

by Feeney, M. B.

  Copyright © 2019 by M. B. Feeney

  All rights reserved.

  Published by M.B. Feeney

  The right of M.B. Feeney to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.

  License Notes: This novel is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This print may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  COVER DESIGN BY: © TAMMY CLARKE

  COVER ART: © Graphics by Tammy

  Contents

  Summary

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also By

  This one is for anyone who tried to move on and settled for what they have, not what they deserve.

  Live your best life.

  Six years ago, Lucy Duncan and Jenson Phillips shared a moment on the beach. For years she had a crush on him, but hid it behind a mask of hating him, then… nothing. Now, they’re about to go on a three-thousand mile road trip together to his sister’s, Lucy’s best friend, wedding; the sister who knows nothing about their ‘history’.

  If Lucy’s boyfriend Matthew had been able to make the trip with her, she wouldn’t have had to put up with Jenson’s arrogance and secretive phone calls. If Matthew didn’t always put his career before Lucy herself, then maybe she wouldn’t be reliving that one night with astounding clarity while being trapped in an old car with Jenson, the one guy she’d never truly forgotten.

  Her Best Friend’s Brother is a second chance romance that will leave you wanting more.

  Giving her reflection one final glance in the mirror, Lucy was as satisfied as she was going to be with her appearance. She was already late to meet Matthew, her boyfriend of the past six years. With a sigh she turned away, ignoring the fact her hair wasn’t sitting right, and grabbed her purse, keys, and phone.

  Thankfully, her apartment wasn’t far from the restaurant, allowing her to walk the two blocks in a short amount of time. As she walked, she began to regret the choice of heels she was wearing. Entering the busy restaurant, Lucy spotted Matthew immediately. As she walked over to join him, she couldn’t help but notice his hair shining under the dim lighting as he fiddled with the napkin in front of him.

  “Sorry I’m late. Time ran away from me in the studio.” Lucy tried to stop her voice from sounding too flustered as she took a seat opposite Matthew and fought the guilt at being late, again.

  “It’s fine. I ordered your favorite salad while I waited.” Matthew smiled softly. Lucy had never been on time in the entire time she’d known him, and she knew it no longer annoyed him the way it used to.

  “That’s great, thanks.” Lucy sat down and sipped at the glass of crisp white wine in front of her. It was her favorite and she savored the mouthful.

  “I’ve got something to tell you.” Matthew spoke cautiously, as if unsure of Lucy’s reaction. “I won’t be travelling with you to Boston for the wedding.”

  “What? Matthew, we’ve been planning this trip for the past three weeks. You’re supposed to help me transport the painting I’m taking for Megan and Elliot. Everyone expects us to arrive together.” Annoyed, she didn’t even attempt to hide the despair in her voice. “We’re supposed to leave in two damn days!” Lucy couldn’t help but notice that he winced at her slightly raised voice, and that his brown eyes narrowed a little.

  “I’m sorry. Megan’s your best friend, not mine. She needs you much more than she’ll ever need me.” Lucy wasn’t sure how to interpret the tone in his voice. “But, this residency… it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and they’ve brought my start date forward by two weeks. Surely you can’t expect me to give up on it just to deliver a bit of canvas across the country for someone’s wedding?”

  “But I need you Matthew. I’ve never driven cross-country before, and this trip is almost three-thousand miles.” Lucy wanted to cry, she just couldn’t decide if it was from anger or frustration. She understood that he hadn’t changed their plans and the residency program had, but surely he could have explained to them. Other people who had been given the original dates could have made unchangeable plans, maybe they’d have understood…

  From the way Matthew leant back in his chair, straightening his posture, Lucy knew an argument was about to happen. It was the pose he always assumed when they disagreed on anything and he believed he was completely right.

  “Lucy, you’re strong and independent; I’ve never known you to be scared of anything.” He paused, allowing her to say something, but she remained quiet. Thanks to his medical school training, Matthew always managed to find a calm way out of an argument, to talk himself out of any issue that may arise, and it was best to leave him to get on with it.

  Lucy’s grip on her wine glass tightened, risking danger, as she bristled at the unintentional insult to her artwork. Matthew had been getting more and more impatient with her and the amount of time she’d been spending in her studio, but he’d always known that she was working on her art, her career.

  Something in her face must have told him how hurt she was by his comment.

  “Lucy… that’s not what I meant. You know I love your work, and Megan will love it too; I didn’t mean to... If you’re so worried about driving alone, why don’t you fly to the wedding instead?”

  “We’ve already discussed this, numerous times. My painting isn’t exactly carry-on sized. It would be far too expensive to fly it to Boston.”

  “You could fly yourself to the wedding, and then give Megan and Elliot the painting when they next visit.”

  “Matthew, it’s their wedding present and I promised myself I would take it, so they had it at the actual wedding. Oh, never mind, it’s clear you don’t understand.” Lucy was getting over the hurt from Matthew’s throwaway comment, but she could feel the irritation building. Why couldn’t he ever understand her and her work?

  “I have, and still do, support you in everything. I thought you supported me and my career choices too. This residency is my future. Our future.”

  Lucy felt her heart speed up a little at the emotion behind his words. She’d always wanted security in her relationship, but also the undying love of someone who suppor
ted and understood her like no one else in the world. She’d thought she had it with Matthew, ever since their junior year. For the past six years he was all she’d known, the only person she’d ever been with… well, except for-

  “But if it means that much to you…” Matthew interrupted her thoughts. His tone of voice had changed from emotional, and it was clear he felt like a martyr for suggesting he give up the opportunity of a lifetime. But Lucy realized he was right, and it was unfair of her to expect him to drop everything because of her.

  “No, you’re right. This is a huge deal for you, I’m sorry. You can’t pass it up. I was being selfish. I understand it’s not your fault they’ve changed things for you.”

  Matthew leaned over the table, took her hand in his and looked into her eyes. His brown eyes locked onto her hazel ones, making her feel warm throughout. “Are you sure?” Lucy nodded her response, proving she was positive about what she was saying. “I promise, I’ll be at the wedding, I just can’t travel with you. I’ll book a flight to get me to Boston in time for the rehearsal.” As if cementing his promise, Matthew lifted her hand to his lips, placing a tender kiss on the tips of her fingers. “I bet you won’t even miss me.” He grinned, making her laugh, but her feeling of disappointment didn’t completely fade.

  The rest of their meal passed by in easy conversation which soon turned back to the residency with the arrival of their dessert. For Matthew to have been picked to complete his at Cedars-Sinai was a huge honor. He had worked hard at college to place near the top of his class. He wasn’t from a wealthy family and hadn’t gone to an Ivy League school, but he’d never allowed that to hold him back, and now it was beginning to pay off for him.

  “I still keep expecting to wake up and find out my mind’s playing tricks on me, that the entire offer is a prank.”

  “Matthew, you’ve earned this, and they’d be crazy to let you go.”

  Lucy smiled at him, proud of everything he’d achieved. As she reassured him, Lucy couldn’t help but notice how much his entire body exuded happiness and excitement about this amazing opportunity.

  As Lucy hid her thoughts from Matthew, he took care of the bill and they left the restaurant to walk to Matthew’s car. The radio played softly in the background as he drove back to Lucy’s apartment building. When she unclipped her seatbelt, he leaned over and rested his hand on her knee.

  “Are you sure you’re not mad at me about the trip to Boston?” he asked, his voice soft and unsure.

  “Of course not.” Lucy couldn’t help but lie a little. “Why would I be?”

  “You said everyone was expecting us to arrive together.”

  “They’ll get over it.”

  “But, will you?” Matthew asked.

  “Of course I will, but expect me to use this against you for many years to come.” She couldn’t help but tease him, even though it left a funny taste in her mouth. At her words, his eyes brightened.

  “I can picture it now… ‘honey, I need a new dress… remember that time you ditched me for our best friend’s wedding?’ or ‘Matthew, could you take me to see that chick-flick movie, and do you remember that time you made me drive cross-country all alone?’”

  Both of them laughed as Matthew shook his head and leaned forward, taking Lucy’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. She couldn’t help swallowing as he locked eyes with her.

  “I’ll always give you everything you ask for, Lucy.” He spoke seriously. “Not out of guilt because of this setback, but because you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” He leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on her lips. Before Lucy had time to react, Matthew pulled away and unlocked the door for her.

  “I’m sorry it looks like I’m kicking you out, but I have to be at work in a little over eight hours.” He sounded exhausted at the thought, but Lucy knew how much he loved his job.

  “But it’s Saturday tomorrow.” She knew doctors worked crazy hours and had become used to Matthew being a little absent in their life together, but it still came as a shock.

  “I don’t have any choice. I need to impress them so that they give me a job.” Lucy gave him another kiss before climbing out of the car.

  “Call me tomorrow. Let me know how it goes?”

  “If I get a chance, I will.” Matthew remained in the car, watching as she let herself into her apartment building.

  The apartment felt empty when Lucy locked the door behind her, flicking on the lights. As she sat on the couch, leaning her head back against the soft cushions, she realized that she wasn’t as disappointed with Matthew’s residency getting in the way of them traveling together as she thought.

  * * *

  At the thought of driving all the way to Boston alone, Lucy’s attention turned to the large bubble-wrapped package in the corner of her lounge.

  “A bit of canvas, huh?” she muttered to herself, feeling her anger from earlier resurfacing. She’d started working on it the day after Megan called to tell her about the engagement.

  For some reason, although she was happy for her best friend, the news had hit her strangely. Megan had only moved to New York six months previously to join a ballet company, met Elliot, and she was getting married all of a sudden. Why was she rushing into it? And why was the wedding taking place in Boston where Elliot’s family lived rather than back in L.A. with Megan’s family? Lucy didn’t know how to feel about the news.

  Since that call, Lucy channeled all her joy for Megan, along with her grief at the change in their friendship, and other feelings she couldn’t quite identify, onto her canvas. Into the piece propped up against a wall in the corner of the room.

  Despite it being almost one a.m. in Boston, Lucy knew she had to call Megan and let her know what had happened. Megan and Elliot had flown in from New York three days previously, as soon as rehearsals for their next show had been put on hold for two weeks to allow them time to prepare and actually have the wedding. The two of them held a certain amount of sway being the principal dancers, and their next show was over six months away.

  Megan was going to be pissed with Matthew, but she’d spent the last six years being pissed at him for one reason or another, despite him being the third in their trio of best friends as they had fumbled their way through high school. Everything was fine between the three of them until he and Lucy got together as a couple. That was when the dynamic changed. Now Meg was getting married, it was going to shift again, and Lucy wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing.

  “Lucy! Hang on. Let me get somewhere quiet so I can hear you.” Megan’s voice was almost drowned out by background sounds of muffled voices, laughter, and clinking glasses. She must be at a party, or a bar. “Hey, sorry about that. It’s family night, and things are a bit crazy. How are you doing? Your dress finally came in and I can’t wait for you to try it on.” Megan spoke as she always had, at a speed that would be perfect on a racecourse.

  “I’m good. I’m packing right now, getting everything ready for the long trip, which is actually why I’m calling. There’s been a change of plans.” Lucy took a deep breath. “Before you freak out, I’m still coming. Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away, but it’s Matthew. His residency has been brought forward and it’s so important to hi-”

  “Lucy, what are you trying to tell me?”

  “I’m still coming as planned, but alone. Matthew’s not able to make the drive with me.” The line went quiet, and Lucy could picture Megan on the other end, seething and gritting her teeth. “I wanted to tell you, so you could rearrange anything that needed it.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “He’ll fly into Boston for the actual wedding, but he just can’t spare the time before…”

  “Does this mean you’re driving three-thousand miles all alone?”

  “I’ll be fine,” Lucy lied. She was panicking at the thought and knew Meg could tell.

  “When did this happen?”

  “He told me this evening. I called you as soon as I found out.” Give or tak
e a couple of hours. Megan didn’t need to know the ins and outs of her evening.

  “So, he only gave you two days’ notice? Lucy, that’s wrong, and I’m so pissed for you. Who cancels two days before a huge road trip that’s been planned for at least three weeks?” Lucy walked through to her kitchen to make herself a coffee; she had a feeling this rant was going to be a long one. “I can’t believe he’s being such a dick, and I can’t believe you’re letting him.”

  Lucy stayed quiet, knowing that Megan was never going to forgive Matthew for this, then thought against it.

  “He’s not being a dick, Meg. This residency is a big deal, and he’s been working really hard towards it. If he passes this up, he’ll never get another shot with Cedars-Sinai.”

  “There are other hospitals.”

  “Not like this one.” Lucy rolled her eyes. Megan didn’t understand, and never would. She’d never had to fight so hard for anything. Her success in her chosen career came primarily from the sheer talent she had. Yes, she worked hard, practicing all the time, but because of her ability, that came easy from what Lucy saw.

  “So?”

  “Look, he’ll be at the wedding. That’s the important part, right?” Wishing she’d sent a text instead of calling, Lucy took a large mouthful of her hot coffee.

  “It’s just… He always does this to you, Luce.”