My Brother's Best Friend

by Becky Andrews

You went around showing the hole to everyone.

  —————————————————-

  Sent from Mr. Smarty Pants

  How much money did I get for it?

  None. Your parents forgot and you

  were so mad at the tooth fairy you

  never put any more teeth under your pillow.

  —————————————————-

  Sent from Mr. Super Smarty Pants

  Last question, because I’m not going longer

  than 25 minutes.

  Where is my favorite place to shop?

  I actually don’t know that one.

  How about Banana Republic?

  —————————————————-

  Sent from a guesser

  No!!!!!! Haha. One for me.

  Okay I’ll ask another:

  what is my favorite kind of chocolate?

  Hmm, Hershey’s?

  —————————————————

  Sent from a clueless person

  Wrong again.

  Ten minutes for me and twenty for you.

  I can live with that.

  So what are the answers?

  —————————————————

  Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

  I’m not telling you because

  this way there is are least two

  things you don’t know about me.

  Cute, Christy.

  Now about the card I sent, can you make it?

  —————————————————

  Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

  Yes. I’d love to do dinner, especially if it

  keeps me from having to do dishes tonight.

  So where are we going? I will probably have

  to meet you there can you text me the address?

  Sure. I’ll look it up and send it to you.

  I actually have to go now—work stuff—

  I’ll text you later. Bye CJ.

  —————————————————-

  Sent from a busy man hard at work

  Bye, Dev. See you later tonight.

  * * *

  After work, I drove to the restaurant and parked. Devin was waiting for me out front. He smiled as I walked up and took my hand as we walked inside. It was a place I’ve always wanted to go to but appetizers alone cost up to forty dollars.

  Of course he had a reservation, so we didn’t have to wait. The waitress sat us down in a quiet corner and asked for our drink order.

  “Water for me,” I told her.

  “Same,” Devin echoed.

  She walked off and Devin turned and smiled at me. That smile completely caught me off guard. “How was your day?”

  “It went by pretty fast. I was texting you for a majority of the afternoon and the staff meeting took up most of the morning. And the rest was spent answering questions about the flowers on my desk. Thank you, again. I love them.”

  “Good,” he said warmly. “I’m glad you love them.”

  “It makes everything so bright and happy.” I laughed and picked up one of the menus, but before I could open it Devin took it out of my hands.

  “I know you,” Devin said. “You’re going to take one look at the prices and pick the cheapest thing, even if it’s something you don’t like.”

  I blushed at his correct judgment. “You know me? I thought we established there were a few things you didn’t know.”

  “Okay, I know you fairly well, so I’ve already picked out what we are having and I’m fairly certain you will enjoy it,” he said. “You can trust me.”

  I smiled. “You don’t realize that I already do. I trust you with my life.”

  The waitress arrived shortly after and Devin pointed out the things he wanted without saying a word. The waitress smiled and walked off with the menus.

  “Keeping it a secret?”

  “For now,” Devin smirked. “Just enjoy the secrecy.”

  And I did enjoy it. We started with a sampler appetizer with choices ranging from spinach-artichoke dip to fried calamari. Everything was delicious. The main course Devin had picked out was amazing.

  We tried each other’s plates like a real couple would and enjoyed each other’s company. It would have been perfect if we had just stopped after dessert, but Devin insisted on walking me to my car, hand in hand, I might add.

  “Did you have a good time?” Devin asked.

  “Yeah, it was perfect. Thanks for this. I’ve always wanted to come here.”

  “Anything for you, CJ,” he said, leaning toward me.

  I stared into his mesmerizing hazel eyes and felt completely at a loss. He leaned in closer and as I realized what was about to happen, several things raced through my head.

  Devin Malone was about to kiss me

  I knew I couldn’t kiss, I mean I had been publicly humiliated for my horrible kissing skills

  Devin was going to realize I couldn’t kiss and for some reason I didn’t want him to think I was a loser and horrible kisser.

  I had to get out of there.

  And that’s exactly what I did. Before he could kiss me, I sidestepped and quickly walked to the other side of the car. “I have to go,” I said before opening my door and climbing in. I sped out of the parking lot, trying to get away from the fear that gripped me.

  When I got home, I waited in an agony of anticipation for him to return. I obviously hadn’t thought this out very well. I heard him open the front door and slam it. His angry footsteps climbed the stairs, stopping right in front of my door. He knocked, or maybe pounded, on my door and then opened it without waiting for an answer.

  I was facing away from the door, leaning against my bed so all he saw when he came in was the back of my head, which was probably good because by that point I had started crying.

  And before I knew it he was right by my side, sitting on the ground, wrapping me in his arms. “I’m sorry, Chris. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  He was apologizing, when I was the one who should have said I was sorry. That just made me cry harder.

  “Talk to me, CJ,” he said, smoothing my hair and gently rocking me.

  “Don’t apologize, Dev. You didn’t do anything wrong,” I said, trying to slow my breathing. “I freaked out. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine, Chris. Remember, I told you to tell me if you were scared? I’m not angry.”

  “You sure sounded angry earlier.”

  Devin chuckled slightly and tilted my chin to look him in the eyes. “I was worried. I wanted to make sure you were all right. And I would have been back sooner if some family hadn’t blocked me in.”

  “Thanks for caring, Dev,” I sniffled.

  “So what freaked you out? Was it the fact that it was me or was it—”

  “It’s not you. I’m sure I wouldn’t mind kissing you, but that’s not the problem,” I blabbed.

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I…I can't kiss. I mean, I don’t really know how. What I mean is, of course I’ve kissed someone before—”

  “But that person told you that you couldn’t kiss?”

  I looked him in the eyes again. “Yes. I mean he did a whole web episode on my poor kissing skills. You caught me off guard, and I started thinking about Eric and my lack of skills. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run off. I should’ve just explained it.”

  Devin smiled and stroked my cheek. “You don’t ever have to apologize for anything that mongrel said to you. He was a liar and a manipulator. He probably lied about some of the things he said about you. Remind me to tell Mitch he needs to investigate suing this guy for the defaming things he’s said on that website. I've gotten his website de-registered, but it's important we don't let him get away with it.”

  “You are not going to tell Mitch. If anyone tells him it will be me, not you, okay?”

  Devin nodded his head. I could tell he was proud of
the way I took control. He liked it when I took a stand for myself.

  “Though I do like the idea of suing the pants off him. Figuratively of course.” I smiled and Devin laughed, causing my body to shake with his, since he was still holding me.

  “So we’re good?” Devin asked.

  “Yes, but I would like for you to teach me a few things about how to kiss sometime,” I told him as my cheeks reddened.

  “Well, you know what they say, practice makes perfect.” He smiled.

  “I’m sure you’re almost perfect then. So don’t be such a hard judge with me, okay?”

  Devin’s lips were pursed again, and I knew something I said had upset him, but I decided not to press him. He would tell me if I had really upset him.

  “Okay,” he said. “The first thing you need to know is a simple kiss can say a whole lot. You don’t always need a full on attack to get a guy’s attention.”

  “And by simple you mean?”

  Devin didn’t respond with words, no, he tilted my head and leaned down slowly, waiting to see if I would run again. I closed my eyes and sensed his nearness and waited to feel his lips on mine. The wait was excruciatingly painful, though why I was anticipating his kiss so much is a mystery to me. Finally, his lips touched mine with not too much pressure but also not limp, like the kisses Eric would give me. I was lost in his touch before I realized he had pulled away.

  I opened my eyes and saw Devin smiling. “See, you want more. Simple yet effective.”

  “Shut up. I so don’t want more,” I said, whacking his arm softly.

  Devin didn’t respond to that, he just went on with the lesson. “The wait is what makes it so effective.”

  “So what if the guy gives me a kiss on the cheek after the first date?”

  “It means he respects you or is a little nervous about how far to go.”

  “So were you going to give me a simple kiss or a peck on the cheek?”

  “You forget we’ve been dating for a few months.” Devin smiled. “But tonight, I was only going to give you a simple kiss.”

  “How did I do? Was I okay?”

  Devin shook his head and said jokingly, “No, you were horrible.”

  “Come on, really tell me the truth.”

  “I won’t know unless you are the one kissing me,”

  “You just want me to kiss you.” I smiled.

  Devin shrugged his shoulders. “You caught me.”

  “Cute,” I said, staring into his eyes. My hand reached up to touch his cheek, and Devin closed his eyes. I slowly closed the distance and touched my lips to his, lingering a little longer then finally pulled away.

  Devin’s eyes opened, and he cleared his throat. “Um, yes, very good. Maybe you should try it once more.”

  “Left you wanting more, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  I was kind of thrown at his outright honesty, but the fact that he wanted more made me think I wasn’t such a bad kisser after all. “We’ll practice more tomorrow. Maybe we can graduate to the next level.” I raised my eyebrows suggestively, and Devin laughed.

  “I may hold you to that,” he said, finally disentangling himself from me.

  “Hey, Dev?” He turned back to me and I leaned across and kissed his lips once more because to be honest I, too, wanted more. I pulled back before I prematurely graduated to the next stage.

  “You little minx.” He chastely kissed my cheek. “You’ll get it tomorrow.”

  I laughed as he left the room and for some reason I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. I mean I was still a little warm and fuzzy inside, wishing Devin was still here holding me, but then I realized what I was thinking. How could I possibly want Devin to still be here? He’s my friend, that’s all. He’s just showing me what it’s like to be in a relationship and teaching me things I don’t know. I don’t like him in that way.

  Chapter Eight

  The next day at work, Devin gave me another bouquet of flowers in a vase. He delivered it himself with a kiss that was seen by most of the office staff for MBR. And of course I had to explain to them later about dating Devin.

  They all just said they were jealous because he looked so hot. And now that I think about it, Devin really is amazingly handsome, some might even say sexy.

  Anyway Devin was too busy with work to text so I spent my afternoon playing solitaire on my computer and answering calls for the offices. Immediately after work I had my appointment with Dr. Stone, so I rushed to his office and gave him my notebook. He was surprised when I showed him the assignments. I even let him read what I had written when I asked Devin about my parents being proud of me.

  “So, Devin knows everything now,” Dr. Stone stated.

  I nodded. “To be fair, he could have killed Eric if he wanted. He was just worried about my ability to stand on my own, which made him to stop.”

  “I see. So you don’t think Devin would have gone to you if you weren’t drunk?”

  “He probably would have stopped,” I confirmed.

  “I see. And do you think that means anything?”

  I knew what he was getting at. “Yeah, sure.” I laughed. “Devin doesn’t feel that way, Dr. Stone.”

  “And what about you?”

  “No. Didn’t you read my first assignment? He doesn’t exactly strike feelings of love into my heart. But let’s say there was something going on.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Hypothetically, what if Devin and I were dating? What would you say then?”

  “I would hope it would be something seriously considered between the two of you. You are friends, whether you like to admit it or not, and this could be something really good if it was serious and you were serious about each other, or it could end up crashing and burning.”

  I didn’t say anything, just thought about what he had just said. I mean I couldn’t very well tell him that we were together but just for appearances. Dr. Stone would have a coronary.

  “So about what you wrote, how do you feel now?”

  “It’s easier to talk about. I mean now Devin knows and Larissa and Zach and probably most everyone at the studio. But it doesn’t really bother me.”

  “Devin?”

  “Yes. Sometimes I feel like he’s the only one I can really open up to. Like he is the only one who really knows how I feel or what’s actually going on.”

  “So what is the source of your negative feelings toward him?”

  “I mean, I wouldn’t say I hate him like I did in high school, he’s saved me from a lot of things and helped me in a lot of ways that I’ll always be grateful for, but the way women just fawn all over him disgusts me. And it’s not like he doesn’t enjoy the attention. It just bugs me.”

  “Do you really think that’s the true reason? Maybe it’s because you wish you were the one he paid attention to?”

  I laughed. “No. I don’t think that.”

  Dr. Stone merely looked at me in that certain way like he always did when he felt I wasn’t being honest. “Okay,” he said, pressing the matter no further. “For Saturday, I want you to try to tell me about The Accident.”

  I almost smiled at Dr. Stone’s easy acceptance of the terms I had made up at the very beginning when I first started seeing him. The minute he had mentioned attempted suicide I told him to call it The Accident. He only nodded his head and since then has been faithful to call it such. Though I’m pretty sure he wants me to eventually call it what it is.

  “I want to know what you were feeling and why you felt it was the only way to escape your situation.”

  I nodded and sighed.

  “We are really getting somewhere, Christy. I’m curious as to what has prompted this change, but I’m hesitant to state what I think. Maybe quickly you can give me your thoughts.”

  This time I really did smile. “It probably had to do with finally telling someone what happened and having someone there to support me and someone to trust in.”

  “Devin?”

  “Well, yes I guess it�
��s Devin, but that doesn’t mean what you’re making it out to be. Devin is my friend. That’s all.” Who just happens to be my pretend boyfriend for the time being. I didn’t tell him that, of course. “I’m also on my own this week. Emily is at cheerleading camp, and Mitch is with Megan in Las Vegas. So I am forging ahead on my own, and I guess that feels good. Not having to worry about Emily or about the family and what we are having for dinner. It’s just me,” and Devin , “and I’m relaxed, happy even.”

  “Well, I’m glad to hear you have this time to think about yourself for a change and even to experience life on your own. All right, Christy, I think we’ve talked enough for today. Whatever the reason, I’m happy for this change.”

  “Because I’m actually talking to you now?”

  Dr. Stone laughed. “Goodbye. See you on Saturday.”

  I grabbed my things then headed home. By the time I got back, it was already nearly seven. I was Dr. Stone’s last appointment, and he made an exception for me to stay later on Wednesday because of my work as well as school schedule. It was the only time I was really free during the week. Saturday was my follow-up appointment. Yes, he worked Saturday but only because he took Monday off. It was the same day his wife had off. How do I know this? Because many times I told Dr. Stone I’d only respond to a question if he answered one of mine first. So I’m pretty sure I know Dr. Stone at least as well as his secretary knows him, maybe even more.

  Anyway, I got home and Devin was already in the living room watching TV. “Dinner’s on the stove!” Devin called as I shut the door.

  “Thanks!” I set my stuff down and walked into the kitchen.

  “How was your appointment?” Devin asked as he came into the kitchen.

  “It went well. He liked my assignments,” I said as I loaded my plate with vegetables and pasta. “He told me to write about what led up to The Accident.”

  “Are you ready to talk about it?”

  I shook my head. “Not out loud. I want to write about it first. I seem to do better when I’m drunk or when I write things down. And I prefer not to feel horrible in the morning.” I sat down at the kitchen table.