Returning to Rockport: A Brother's Best Friend Romance

by Kelsey Clayton

  After he rids me of my shirt, he pulls his off as well – giving me the mouthwatering sight of his perfectly toned abs. The gym has been so good to this man. I run my fingertips down the front of him, committing it all to memory. When I finally reach the bottom, I undo the button and zipper of his jeans. He slips them off with his boxers in one swift motion.

  Seeing Colton naked is something I’ve done so many times now, but it never gets old. It’s as if his entire body was sculpted by the gods. His muscles are defined in all the right places. Even when he doesn’t try, he’s perfect.

  He pulls the rest of my clothing down my legs and tosses it onto the floor. Once he’s done, I tug him back on top of me and connect our lips again. It doesn’t take long before I can feel him at my entrance. He teases me for a minute, causing me to whimper. A seductive laugh bubbles out of his mouth but before I can say anything, he’s pushing inside of me.

  Building up a pace that manages to hit all the right places, he drives me wild in the way he moves. The room is filled with breathy moans and the sounds of our bodies moving together. When he can hear that I’m getting close, he smirks and slips his thumb between us – pressing it against my clit. My whole body contracts as my orgasm rips through me. The way I squeeze his cock causes him to explode. He pulses as he empties everything he has inside of me. We haven’t gone without a condom often, since I’ve only been on birth control for a few weeks, but the rawness of it makes me feel so much closer to him.

  He collapses on top of me and tries to calm his labored breathing. I wince as he pulls out and rolls over onto the bed. His cum leaks from my sex and drips down. It’s every reminder to me that he has claimed me completely – mind, body, and soul.

  After getting cleaned up and dressed, I run my fingers through my knotted hair, cringing when they get stuck. Colton pulls me until I’m lying with my head on his lap. My stomach churns as nerves get the better of me. My face does nothing to hide my emotions because his brows furrow as he runs his knuckles down my cheek.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” I shake my head and look away.

  “McKenna.” With a light touch on my chin, he turns me to face him again. “Talk to me.”

  “I-I just…ugh.” I sit up and face the window, too afraid to see his reaction. “I don’t want to end this.”

  “End what?”

  “This. You and me. I don’t want things to change.”

  He moves to sit up next to me and places a hand on my back. “Babe, you’re leaving for college. Things are going to change. There isn’t anything we can do about that.”

  “We could make it work.”

  “Make what work? What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying I want you. I want to be with you, like in a relationship – a real one. I want to be able to walk down the streets of New York City holding your hand. I want to talk on the phone at night while we’re apart. I want your arms wrapped around me even when my family is around. I want you.”

  The way he takes his hand off me, as if I burned him, is instantly enough to make me regret everything that just came out of my mouth. I don’t have to look at him to know he doesn’t have the bright smile I imagined when I planned this out. He stands from my bed and I can already feel everything beginning to crumble as he paces in front of me.

  “You can’t honestly think your family knowing about us, your brother especially, is a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “Why not?! Because he would kick my ass from here to Kenya! That’s why not!”

  I flinch from his tone. “Please don’t yell.”

  Thankfully, he calms and moves to sit next to me, brushing my hair out of my face. It should be comforting, but I can tell by his expression I’m not going to like what he’s about to say. I brace myself for the impact, though I don’t think it’ll do much good.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know that’s what this was. I thought we were just having some fun for the summer.”

  “Fun?! You’re saying all this – all the late nights in my room, the secret trips out of town, the hidden touches – all of that was nothing more than a casual fuck?!”

  “McKenna.”

  “Don’t!” Now it’s my turn to shout. I scoot away from him and lean against my headboard with my arms crossed over my chest. “Don’t say my name like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you’re trying not to break me. There’s no way to avoid that at this point.”

  He runs his hands over his face then turns to look at me. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Then don’t.”

  “What else can I do?! Tell my best friend that I went behind his back and screwed his little sister for four months?! That I lied to his face all damn summer? I’ll lose him. He’ll beat the shit out of me and cut me out of his life.”

  My eyes narrow. “That’s not true. Yeah, he might be pissed but he could never hate you.”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t. In a choice between you and him, I have to pick Maverick.”

  “I’m not asking you to choose between anyone! I just want you to give us an actual chance.”

  He stands from the bed and shakes his head. “I can’t. We can’t.” Running his fingers through his hair, he looks at me as I start to break. “I’m sorry.” He bends down and places a kiss to my forehead as the first tear slips out of my eye. “Good luck at NYU. I hope you find someone who makes you happy.”

  “You’re what makes me happy.” I sob.

  He shakes his head and frowns. “I can’t be.”

  With that, he turns and heads toward the door. The pain in my chest is more than I can bare. Just as he pulls it open, I jump up and run over – slamming it closed again.

  “Don’t do this. Don’t go.”

  “I have to.”

  “You don’t. We can try to figure it out. There has to be a way.”

  “There isn’t.” With his hands on my shoulders, he moves me out of his way. I crumble to the floor. “Bye McKenna.”

  I don’t even see him leave, my eyes too watery to see anything. All I hear is the sound of his car pulling away from the house. I know they say that heartbreak is painful, but I can’t imagine anything feeling worse than this. It’s like my entire world is crashing down around me. All the plans I had for my future are now tainted by visions of the boy who will never truly be mine.

  I TAKE A GLASS from the cabinet and place it down before grabbing the orange juice from the fridge. As I pour it into the cup, my phone vibrates on the counter and Colton’s name appears on the screen. Call number six.

  “You’re not going to answer that?” Ivy’s voice startles me and I almost spill the juice.

  “Christ, you can’t sneak up on me like that.”

  “Sorry. Your mom told me to come check on you. She said your brother managed to piss you off last night and today you’ve been radio silent.”

  I hit ignore on my phone and slip it into my pocket, then grab my drink. “That’s half true.”

  “Well, judging by the way you just ignored Colton’s call, I’m guessing it’s not the radio silence part that’s false.”

  I’d be stupid to think I could lie to my best friend, and honestly, I don’t want to. I need to talk to someone about this and I sure as hell don’t trust anyone else with it. Walking over to the couch, Ivy follows behind me. Once we sit down, I sigh as the events of last night become all too real.

  “Colton kissed me.”

  “He what?!” She shrieks. “When?! Why?! Did Parker hit him? Please tell me Parker didn’t hit him. Wait, a fight between those two might be fun to watch.”

  “Ivy, focus!”

  “Right, sorry. What the fuck happened?”

  I take a deep breath then explain everything to her – the tattoo being something he did intentionally, my brother’s comment about how Colton hasn’t hooked up with anyone since a ‘mystery chick’ four years ago, how he followed me up to my bedroom when I needed some space. She l
istens intently and waits for me to finish before speaking.

  “Damn. I mean, the tattoo doesn’t surprise me. I never believed you meant nothing to him. Anyone with eyes can see the way he looks at you. Well, everyone except your brother, apparently.”

  “Not helping.”

  “Okay, think of it this way then. Maybe it was just something he needed to get out of his system. Now it is.”

  I groan frustratedly. “That’s the problem. I don’t want it to be out of his system.”

  It takes a minute to click in her head, but when it does, her eyes widen. “Oh fuck. You’re still in love with him.”

  “Okay, let’s not make this bigger than it is. I didn’t say that.”

  “You didn’t have to. It’s all over your face. That kiss meant something to you.”

  The butterflies in my stomach flutter as I replay it in my head. I can still feel the tight hold he had on me, pulling my body against his. He kissed me in a way that told me he needed it like he needs air to breathe. When I felt his dick harden in his jeans, I wanted nothing more than to fall back into bed with him. Meanwhile, my fiancé was right downstairs – worrying about my mental wellbeing.

  “Of course, it did. This is Colton we’re talking about. I don’t think he’ll ever be able to kiss me and it not mean anything, but it doesn’t matter.”

  She looks at me as if I’ve grown a second head. “Uh, how exactly does it not matter?”

  “Because it doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t make it so I’m not marrying Parker.”

  “Well, no, but you could make it so you’re not. If Colton is who you want, you don’t have to go through with the wedding.”

  She’s right, but I’m not willing to let myself even consider that. “He broke my heart once. I won’t give him the opportunity to do it again. I can’t.”

  She looks as if she wants to say something but ultimately decides against it and nods once. Just like that, we leave the conversation about Colton and what that kiss could have meant in the past – right where it belongs. The two of us spend the day watching movies and eating junk food. It’s everything I needed to distract my mind and relax.

  QUARTER PAST FIVE, THE sound of the front door opening lets us know that Parker’s home. He places his keys on the table by the door and comes into the living room less than a minute later. When he sees Ivy and I cuddled under every blanket we own, his eyebrows furrow.

  “You’re not ready?”

  I rack my brain to try to figure out what he’s talking about, but I come up empty. “Ready for what?”

  “Maverick’s birthday dinner. We have to be at the restaurant in an hour.”

  “Shit! I completely forgot.”

  I remove myself from the little cocoon I made with my best friend and head for the stairs. I’m halfway up them when I hear Ivy saying goodbye to Parker. As soon as she gets to the front door and I realize she’s leaving, panic ensues.

  “Y-you’re not coming?”

  “I can’t. I have a date, remember?”

  “Ugh!” I drop my voice down to a whisper. “How am I supposed make it through seeing him tonight without you?”

  “You’ll be fine. Tatum will be there, and your brother. He won’t do anything in front of them.”

  I give her a knowing look that silently tells her how wrong she is. After spending an entire summer together, he learned how to get away with so many things in front of Maverick. She chuckles before giving me a hug and heading out.

  WE GET TO THE restaurant a couple minutes late, mainly because I took as long as I possibly could to get ready. Even still, I need a moment before facing Colton again, so I tell Parker I’ll meet him at the table and head to the bathroom.

  The room is freezing, but thankfully empty. I have the urge to splash some water on my face, but unless I want to look like a raccoon, I better not. I do, however, touch up my makeup. The bright lights in these places always make it easier to see.

  After giving myself a rather motivating pep talk, I head out and over to where everyone is seated. As soon as I see them, I immediately regret not getting here earlier. The table is completely filled with my brother and everyone who loves him, and there’s only one seat left for me – between Colton and Parker.

  10

  There are certain things you’re obligated to do in life. To be a good student, I had to do all my work and study hard. To be a good daughter, I had to stay away from drugs and not break the law. And to be a good sister, I have to sit at this dinner with Colton on my left and Parker to my right.

  The feeling of eyes being burned into the side of my head could be coming from one of two places – either Colton himself, or Tatum as she watches him and I like a hawk. It’s not like I wanted to be in this position. I would have preferred to sit in Parker’s seat, next to Roman. At least he didn’t kiss me last night and throw me into complete mental turmoil. Unfortunately, my fiancé took the seat next to Rome and it would gain way too much attention if I asked him to switch.

  The hibachi restaurant is rather busy for a Monday night. Chefs at different tables flip their spatulas and move food around the grill like they’re putting on the show of their lives. It’s mesmerizing to see how they’ve perfected their craft. From cracking the egg without their hands to creating a volcano out of onion slices – the whole thing is something no one wants to look away from.

  A waitress comes to take mine and Parker’s orders. While usually I would go with a water, my ex being this close makes me feel like I need something alcoholic. Once she walks away to put our choices in, Maverick leans behind Colton and closer to me.

  “McKenna, I’m really sorry about dinner yesterday. I was out of line.”

  I can always tell when he’s being sincere because he uses my name instead of the nickname I have such a love/hate relationship with. Still, at the mention of the events that lead to the moment in my bedroom, my whole body goes tense. I take a deep breath and remind myself he doesn’t know anything other than I got upset and left.

  “It’s fine. I overreacted. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Are you sure? You seemed pretty worked up.”

  “Mav, it was nothing, really. There was nothing significant about last night.”

  The double meaning is obvious and I can tell Colton hears it. He always listening, even if he makes it look like he’s not. Avoiding the shift in his body, I smile at my brother and turn my attention back to Parker, though he’s fully immersed in a conversation with Roman – something about why Americans call a sport football when they rarely touch the ball with their feet. Leave it to Rome to bring up one of few topics that gets his blood pumping.

  The feeling of a hand on my thigh causes me to freeze. Colton squeezes just enough to get my attention. I smile at the waitress as she hands me my drink. Bringing it to my mouth, I speak in hushed tones.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  He pulls my leg towards him and leans in closer. “You know as well as I do that last night was anything but insignificant.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  He snickers darkly and shakes his head. “We’re going to have to talk about it sooner or later.”

  “We don’t.” I rid myself of his touch and turn my whole body away from him.

  This would be a lot easier had I been sitting anywhere near Tatum. She would keep me distracted and make sure Colton kept his hands where they belong – in his own damn lap. Instead, both Maverick and Colton are between us. I know better than to believe the empty seat being next to my ex was a coincidence.

  The chef arrives at our table. All conversation stops as he goes over our orders and starts the show. He lights a fire that covers the majority of the grill. The heat makes all of us recoil back a little. Just as I take a sip of my drink, Colton pretends to scratch his calf as an excuse to get closer to me.

  “I’ve always found it so sexy that you’d rather drink a beer than some fruity cocktail.”

  I roll my eyes
but the corners of my mouth raise involuntarily. Judging by the way he smiles, I can tell he noticed.

  The food is delicious, as usual. Maverick picking this place wasn’t a surprise to me at all. It’s been our favorite restaurant for years.

  Halfway through eating my meal, Colton reaches over and takes one of my pieces of filet mignon.

  “Do you mind?”

  “Nope.” He stares into my eyes and grins, shoving the piece of steak into his mouth. “Wow. That’s really good. I should have gotten that.”

  His fork comes closer to grab another but I smack it away. “Stick to your chicken, Brooks.”

  “Oh, come on. Didn’t your mother teach you sharing is caring?”

  “Yes, but you’re assuming I care.”

  He mocks offense and places a hand over his heart. “Ouch. You really know how to hit a guy where it hurts.”

  Is he for real? He’s actually flirting with me, while we’re sitting between my brother and my fiancé. I glance to my right and see that Parker is too focused on an email to be paying any attention. Even if he wasn’t, would he think anything of it? Before I can overthink too much, Tatum leans forward and raises her eyebrows.

  “Colton, switch seats with me?”

  He doesn’t look away from me for a second as he answers. “Nah, I’m good here.”

  I’m too absorbed in the intensity of his gaze that I don’t notice him taking another piece of my food until he’s bringing it to his mouth. I can’t help but chuckle and look away. Still, I rotate my plate so that the steak is closer to him and easier to share. He grins triumphantly.

  When we’re all done eating, Maverick claps his hands together.

  “Alright. Who’s ready to go to the club?”

  Uh, what? Everyone looks around the table, confused. The only two people who aren’t surprised by his plans are Tatum and Maverick himself. When no one says anything, Colton shakes his head.