Brothers Next Door

by Samantha Twinn

  “It’s good to see you, too, sweetie.” She finally hugs me back and the tears I’ve been fighting break free. “If you missed me this much, you should have called. Or at the very least, answered one of my half-dozen texts.”

  “I’m sorry,” I say and wipe the tears away with the back of my hand. “I’ve been meaning to facetime you. It’s been crazy here.” The realization that Liv is here, standing in my living room finally hits me. There has to be something wrong. She wouldn’t fly halfway across the country just for a hug. “Is everything okay? Is there a problem at work?”

  “Everything’s fine,” she says, slipping off her heels. “But I was worried about you. Last I heard, you were off to have a wild threesome with your two uber-hot neighbors. When you didn’t return any of my calls, I could only assume that you’d fallen into a sex-induced coma and needed my help.”

  “Oh, yeah. I forgot you knew about that.” A hot blush creeps up my neck, and I stare down at the floor unable to look her in the eyes.

  “Yes, I know about it,” she says and wags her finger at me. “And how dare you leave me hanging. So now we are going to sit and talk face-to-face, like civilized women. Grab a bottle of wine, and tell me which guy has the bigger dick.”

  “You are incorrigible,” I say, but go get the wine.

  I survey the wine cabinet, debating whether I should pick a white or a red. Which is the appropriate pairing for talking sex and day drinking? I finally decide on a white, figuring you can’t go wrong with a fruity Chardonnay, and head back to the living room with two glasses, feeling a hundred times better. Knowing I have a friend to talk this out with makes everything feel less scary.

  I pour us both healthy glasses, and I tell her everything.

  “Wow. My baby’s growing up so fast,” she says, wiping fake tears from her eyes.

  “We’re the same age,” I remind her.

  “In years, maybe. Emotionally, you’re a good ten years younger. At least, you’re finally catching up.”

  “I’m so glad you approve,” I say, pouring myself another drink. “But I’d much rather have your advice than your smart ass commentary.”

  “How about both?” she replies and blows me a kiss.

  I settle back into the chair, nursing my wine, and get straight to the point. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Really? I got the impression you knew exactly what to do. And if you’re confused, it sounds like your guys are more than willing to give you instructions.”

  “I don’t mean about the sex,” I say, shooting her a frustrated glance. “I can’t date two guys. Can I?”

  “Why not? From what you tell me, the guys are more than willing to give it a go, so what’s the problem?”

  “Normal women don’t have two boyfriends,” I say, exasperated. She’s acting like this kind of thing happens every day. “What am I supposed to tell people?”

  “First of all, fuck other people. And secondly, there’s no such thing as normal. You’re not hurting anyone, so I say do what makes you happy.”

  “But what about Landon?”

  “What about him?”

  “I’m responsible for him, and this thing with Dean and Tyler is distracting me. I left him at a friend’s house while I fucked two guys. I’m pretty sure that makes me the worst.”

  “You overslept,” she points out. “And just because you missed one pick-up doesn’t mean you’ve abandoned him. Cut yourself some slack. Besides, he’s almost thirteen. He doesn’t need you twenty-four-seven. You can have a life.”

  “But—”

  “No,” she says, holding up both hands in a stop gesture. “I’m not going to let you do this. I’ve watched for years while you turn away one guy after another because of some misplaced guilt over leaving Tyler. I know you kept hoping he’d come for you. Well, girl, your prince has come.” She reaches over and grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze. “I get it; you’re scared, but I refuse to let you screw this up. Listen, sweetie, I know how your warped brain works. Don’t let the past screw with your head.”

  Deep down, I know she’s right. I am scared. I’m scared I’m just like my mother, choosing sex and money over family. I’m scared of getting hurt. But most of all, I’m terrified of losing not just one, but two people I love.

  “Okay,” I say with a nod of my head, “I’ll talk to them, see what we can work out. Landon is still my priority, but you’re right, I can take care of him and still have a life.”

  I need to figure out how to fit them in my life. A family dinner is a good start. If this still works without the sex, then there’s hope. I take out my phone and send them both a text asking to come over tonight after work. I’m not at all shocked to receive two messages back right away asking when.

  “Does this mean I get to meet your two studs?” Liv asks.

  “They're coming over tonight for dinner. Just promise me you’ll be on your best behavior.”

  “Always,” Liv says with a wink. Suddenly, I have a bad feeling about this.

  Chapter Nineteen

  DEAN

  It’s like a thousand-pound weight is lifted off my chest after I received Brenna’s text. I’ve spent the last few days reassuring Tyler that everything is okay, even while I was in a panic. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d single-handedly imploded our relationship, and possibly damaged the friendship I had with my brother.

  But I wasn’t sorry.

  Despite my initial apprehensions, our night together had been perfect—more than perfect—it had been everything. All the tension between Tyler and myself faded into the background, and for the first time since I started dating Brenna, I feel like she is here with me one hundred percent.

  But that new found joy is short lived. She’s been distant and short with me for the last few days, but tonight, she wants to work things out. While not a declaration of undying love, it’s a start.

  “We’re going to be late,” Tyler yells from the living room. I slip my phone into my pocket and join him. He’s as nervous as I am, probably more so.

  “It’s going to be fine,” I say, slapping him on the back.

  “We’ll see,” he says and calls the elevator.

  Once we reach her floor, I knock on the door, nervous, like a hormonal high schooler on prom night. When the door opened, I take a step back and check the number again. Instead of Brenna, a tall, statuesque red-head greets us.

  “You must be Dean,” she says, “and that tall drink of water behind you must be Tyler.”

  “And you are?” Tyler asks just as confused as I am.

  “I’m Brenna’s business partner, Olivia, but you can call me Liv.” She holds out a perfectly manicured hand.

  “Excuse our manners,” I say and take her hands. “I just wasn’t expecting a dinner party tonight.”

  “I’m afraid that’s my fault. I insisted on meeting Brenna’s men.” She pushes the door open wide and waves her hand into the apartment. “So are you ready for dinner, boys.”

  I’m a little nervous about the predatory look she’s giving us as we walk through the door, but it has to be a good sign that Brenna wants her friend to meet us, right?

  “Brenna, sweetie, the guys are here,” Liv yells to the back of the house.

  Brenna, wrapped in a ruffled apron like June Cleaver, comes out to the kitchen holding a plate of rolls. “Oh, good. I’m just setting the table.”

  “So how do you guys do this?” Liv asks following us to the dining room. “Do you eat together as a group, or do you take turns?”

  “Liv, you promised,” Brenna says, red spots staining her cheeks.

  “What?” Liv shrugs, innocently. “I just need to know how many drinks to get.”

  “Is dinner ready yet?” Landon says, coming in from the back of the apartment. “I promised Ken that I’d play Xbox with him tonight.”

  “We’re just sitting down. Can you get the silverware?”

  I glance over to Tyler, who seems just as surprised as I am. When Brenna asked us over
for dinner to talk, I assumed it was just going to be the three of us.

  “Where should we sit?”

  “Brenna’s here.” Liv points to the head of the table. “Why don’t you sit on either side of her? That’s how I’ve been imagining it since this afternoon.”

  “Liv,” Brenna practically growls and shoves a bowl of mashed potatoes in her friend’s hands. “I thought you were getting the drinks.” She turns to us and smiles apologetically. “Sit where ever you want.”

  I nod and try to hide my grin. I like Liv, and I like that Brenna shared our relationship status with her friend. It lets me know that she does want to make this work. Smiling, I take the seat to the right, and Tyler sits on the left.

  “I’m curious. I like Pepsi,” she says, setting down a bottle of Pepsi and one of Coke. “And from what Brenna tells me, you two really love Coke.” She pours Coke into both of our glasses and winks. “So I get that when you’re together, you share the Coke. But do you ever try Pepsi? You know, enjoy your Coke, then take a break with a little Pepsi shooter, and then it’s back to the Coke. Because that would be really hot.”

  “I want some Coke,” Landon says from the other end of the table.

  “Enough already.” Brenna takes the bottle from her friend. “Everyone is having water.”

  Liv sits down next to Landon and pats his shoulder. “Give it a few years, then you can drink all the Coke you want.”

  “You know what? Why don’t we just eat and stop talking,” Brenna says. She grumbles under her breath and picks up a bowl. I suppress a chuckle and pass the rolls.

  Liv behaved for the rest of the dinner. We spend the rest of dinner talking about mundane things. It’s nice, like a real family.

  Halfway through the meal, Landon stands up, still shoveling potatoes into his face. “Ken texted. I got to go.”

  As soon as he’s gone, Liv also stands up. “I just remembered. There’s this email I need to send.” —she fakes yawns— “And I’m exhausted. I think I’m just going to hit the hay. You kids behave. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t. Although, that doesn’t leave much.”

  “You don’t have to leave,” Brenna says, standing up.

  Liv glances at Tyler and me and then back to Brenna. “You guys need some time alone. Night boys.” And with that, she disappeared into the back of the apartment.

  “We don’t have to do this now,” I say, glancing to the empty hallway.

  “No, Liv is right. I asked you guys because I wanted to talk and I wanted to see how things worked with the three of us outside the bedroom.”

  “So, this was some kind of test?” Tyler asks, crossing his arms.

  “That’s not what I meant,” Brenna says and goes over to him. She sits across from him and takes his hands in hers. “My life is complicated, but I want this to work.” She looks over her shoulder at me and then back to Tyler. “I want you both in my life. And that means uncomfortable family dinners with smart-ass friends and being flexible because I have carpool duties or parent-teacher night.”

  I come around the table to join them and take Brenna’s other hand. “And we want all that too. Don’t we?”

  “Yes,” Tyler says. “Just don’t shut us out.”

  “Okay, then,” she says with a smile, “We’ll do this. Landon has a school trip on Friday. He’ll be gone for a week. I want to spend that time with you. After that, I think we should talk to Landon about us.”

  Chapter Twenty

  TYLER

  Family dinner night isn’t what I expected.

  Being back in her apartment feels like old times, but not quite. I can tell Brenna’s still apprehensive about the whole triad idea, and I can’t really blame her. I never imagined wanting a relationship like this, but now, it’s the only thing I want.

  Dean and I left after our talk with goodnight kisses and a promise of more to come. So here I am now, mindlessly surfing the Internet, trying not to obsess about the other night. The way Brenna’s perfect tits bounced as she rode Dean’s cock. The sound of her moaning as she came all over my face.

  A knock at the door drags me away from that fantasy, and as if conjured out of my wet dream, a pajama-clad, barefoot Brenna greets me in the hall.

  “I know it’s late, but I couldn’t sleep,” she says, looking down at her painted toes. “Can I come in?”

  “You can come over anytime you want,” I say and hold the door open. “Dean’s already asleep. Do you want me to go get him?”

  “Don’t wake him. I wanted to talk to you. I didn’t get a chance to apologize for being a bitch the other morning.” A blush stains her round cheeks, and she bites that plump lip of hers.

  “You don’t have to apologize.”

  I pull her into my arms and kiss the top of her head. My touch seems to relax her some because she presses against me and lets out a long breath.

  “You know, we’re not kids anymore, Brenna. I’m not going to fly off the handle when you yell at me. If this is going to work, we need to be open and honest. Don’t be afraid to talk to me about how you’re feeling.” I trail my finger along her jaw and tip up her chin so I can see those pretty blue eyes. “Even if you’re pissed at me. You can’t just leave.”

  “I was young and stupid,” she says. “I thought I was doing the right thing when I left.”

  “I know, baby,” I say, pressing my forehead to hers. “And I was angry and stupid. I could have found you if I wanted too. It’s not like you were hiding. It took the estate lawyer two days to hunt you down. But that’s all in the past.”

  “Can we really make this work?” she asks, worry in her eyes. “It’s not just the three of us.”

  “You’re good for that kid,” I say, trying to reassure you. “He might not realize it yet, but he’s lucky to have you. We’re lucky to have you.”

  Unable to resist anymore, I kiss her. I kiss her because at that moment I can’t imagine not kissing her. I kiss her like I’ve never kissed another woman before or ever will again.

  Her arms go around me, and she tilts her head, opening up further. I let her lead the kiss, even though I’m greedy for more. I want to taste her, touch every part of her body, bury myself inside her sweet pussy, but I don’t push.

  She pulls back, breathless, confusion and lust clouding her eyes. “Is it okay if it’s just the two of us? I don’t know how this all works.”

  “This is whatever you want it to be,” I assure her. “Dean and I talked, and we’re both fine with letting you decide. You’re in charge here.”

  “I’m really in charge?” Brenna smiles at me with lips still moist from our kiss, and it’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.

  “Whatever you want.”

  “I want you to kiss me again,” she says.

  I pull her back in for another kiss. We stand there kissing for a long time as if we’ve got nothing better to do for the rest of our lives. I run my hands down her back and grip her firm ass, pressing her against my throbbing dick. She rocks against me, a moan escaping her lips.

  “I need to be inside you,” I say and lift her up.

  She wraps her legs around me. “Yes.”

  Given the green light, I carry her to the sofa, thanking God I still had my wallet in my pocket. I set her down on shaky legs just long enough to strip out of my jeans and slide on a condom. Brenna’s fully undressed by the time I’m done and I pull her down on the sofa with me.

  She rolls her hips, her wet pussy sliding over my cock, and we both groan. This is different than the other night. It feels more important. More meaningful. We both know where our relationship stands, so I don’t hold back. I press my cock to her entrance, sliding it through her slippery folds. Impatiently, she presses her hips down, grinding down on me.

  “Fuck,” I mutter and close my eyes.

  She’s so tight and hot, I just want to ram into her. We’ll have that later, but tonight is about deepening our bound. I take a deep breath and count to ten, trying to get control. But she’s greedy and starts
moving with slow and smooth strokes, grinding down on my pelvis. Her hands grip my shoulder for leverage, and I take advantage of our position to focus on her tits.

  I tease the silver loop in her nipple, tugging experimentally. She tosses her head back and lets out a string of expletives.

  “She really likes that. Do it again,” I hear Dean say from the door.

  Brenna freezes as if we’d just been caught doing something wrong. But Dean comes around the sofa and trails kisses up her neck to her ear.

  “Don’t stop. I want to watch.”

  He takes a seat at the other end of the sofa and leans back. Brenna looks down at me, and I nod my approval.

  I move to the other breast and tug on the metal ring. Her attention turns back to me, and she grinds down on my dick again. Dean is right. She likes a little bit of pain with her pleasure. With every tug, her pussy grips my cock harder.

  “Come on, baby. Let’s put on a show for him,” I say and put all my effort into making her come.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  BRENNA

  Evidently, I have an exhibitionist side that I never knew about.

  I look over to where Dean is sitting and lick my lips. He unbuttons his pants and fists his cock, his eyes never leaving the two of us. His hungry look turns me on as much as his dirty talk.

  If he wants a show, I’m more than happy to oblige.

  I arch my back, shoving my breasts in Tyler's face. Each little tug of his teeth flashes an electric shock straight to my pussy. I got the piercing on a dare from Liv, but I’m glad I did. I enjoy playing with them when I masturbate, but nothing like what Tyler is doing to me now. Each pull, paired with the rhythm of our movements is too much. I dig my fingers into his shoulder, losing myself in the intense pleasure.

  “Brenna, reach down and rub your clit,” Dean says and starts to stroke his cock in time with our movement. “That’s it, sweetheart. Don’t hold back.”