Returning to Rockport: A Brother's Best Friend Romance

by Kelsey Clayton

  “Are you going to need time off for the honeymoon? I’d like to know in advance if I need a substitute.”

  “Oh, no.” I chuckle. “That won’t be necessary. Parker is a med student. I’m lucky he found enough time to have a wedding, let alone go on a honeymoon.”

  He nods in understanding. “Well, it looks like it’s time to go get the kids from the gym. How about we walk down there together?”

  Getting up from my desk, the two of us leave the room and head toward the boisterous sound children playing. Here goes nothing.

  THE DAY GOES ACCORDING to plan, and I cannot seem to keep the smile from my face. All my students are incredible little kids. They were shy at first, but once we started to play a few ‘break the ice’ games, they warmed right up. I can already tell this year is going to be amazing.

  I pack up and make my way to the exit, waving goodbye to other members of the faculty as I pass. When I get into my new car - something Parker bought me when we both decided a Vespa isn’t cold weather friendly - I realize who the first person I want to tell about my day is.

  Ever since I got the flowers from Parker this morning, I haven’t been able to get Colton off my mind. He’s the most supportive person I know, and I can picture him now – smiling brightly as he listens to me ramble about how much I love my students already.

  It’s been too long since I’ve seen him. Since I’ve heard his voice, since I’ve touched his skin. Tatum mentioned that he moved back in after a couple weeks. I was glad to hear that him and Maverick worked it out. The last thing I want is for them to lose each other; they’re too close for that.

  I haven’t been able to bring myself to go to my brother’s house since the day of Roman’s party. Even when Colton wasn’t there, I knew every inch of that place would remind me of him. And since he moved back in, I’ve stayed away to avoid seeing him. Judging by the way he’s been absent from family dinners, he’s doing the same.

  PARKER GETS HOME A few hours after I do. I’m cooking sausage and peppers for dinner when he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. I smile as he places a light kiss to my cheek.

  “Hello, love.” He greets me.

  “Hi. You hungry?”

  “Starved. How was your first day?”

  “It was better than I could have imagined. The kids are so smart and kind. I couldn’t have asked for better students.” Putting the lid back on the pan, I turn to lean on the counter, only to find him staring down at his phone. “Are you even listening?” He doesn’t answer. “Parker?!”

  “Huh? Oh, yeah, that’s great.”

  I roll my eyes, unsure of why I even bother. Med school has always seemed to take priority over me. It’s something I should be used to by now and for the most part, I am. Since I moved back a month ago, him and I have worked to get back to where we were before my affair. For the first two weeks, I had his undivided attention. However, when I finally started to want him around me again, he went back to focusing on school. I guess that’s what I get – my karma for cheating on the person I promised to spend forever with.

  My phone ringing on the counter is the only thing that pulls Parker from whatever he was doing. I glance over to see Maverick’s name on the screen.

  “Who is it?” He questions accusingly.

  I exhale, frustrated but understanding of his paranoia. “My brother.”

  It took a little while after the fight for things between Maverick and I to be okay. Despite not leaving with Colton in order to not lose my brother, I couldn’t bring myself to talk to him. Not only did he physically attack Colton, but he said some really hurtful things to me. It wasn’t until I started to feel a little more stable that I saw him at our parents’ house for dinner. We ended up agreeing to let bygones be bygones. I had lied and hidden things from him, and he had reacted badly to finding out about it.

  I answer the phone and put it to my ear. “Hey Mav. What’s up?”

  “How much do you love me?”

  “Depends. What do you want?”

  He hesitates for a minute. “I’m trying to get everyone together for a night out on Saturday. It’s really important to me that you be there.”

  Everyone. The word sticks out like a flashing neon sign in my mind. Could I handle seeing him again? I know there is no chance in hell that Parker will let me go without him. The mere thought of me being within 100 feet of Colton enrages him. Still, I know Maverick wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t a big deal.

  I sigh. “What time and where?”

  He excitedly gives me the name of a fancy place in Boston and tells me to get there around six o’clock on Saturday. After thanking me repeatedly, we say goodbye and get off the phone. Well, this should be interesting.

  COLTON

  I’m putting the final sketches of a blueprint I’ve been working on. It’s a two-story house meant to replicate the one my client grew up in as a child. A little weird, in my opinion, but I can understand the sentimental value. As I pick up my stylus from the tablet, a knock sounds on my door.

  “Mr. Brooks?” My sister teases as she addresses me. “There’s a Mr. Stanford here to see you.”

  Avery was complaining about wanting money for things. While I was more than willing to just write her a check, our mother told me it wouldn’t help in teaching her the value of a dollar. So instead, I hired her as my part-time secretary. She may be making more than the average sixteen-year-old, but what can I say? I’ve always had a soft spot for that little girl.

  “Did he say what he wanted?” She shakes her head. “Strange. Okay, send him in.”

  Landon Stanford is a former client of mine. Not only did I design his last two houses, but I’ve also redone his office. He probably has another idea in mind, or his wife is once again growing tired of their perfect home. Every time she watches something on HGTV, she ends up going on this tyrant about building a new house. It doesn’t end until he gives in to whatever she wants. Not that it matters much to him – they have more money than God.

  “Ah, if it isn’t my favorite architect.” He greets with a too friendly smile as he comes into the room.

  I stand up from my desk and shake his hand. “Landon. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  He chuckles. “See, that’s what I like about you, Brooks. Straight and to the point, 100% of the time.”

  “No better way to be.” I glance at the clock. “Besides, I have somewhere to go soon. You caught me just before I was leaving.”

  “I better make this fast then.” He sits down across from me and rests his ankle on the opposite knee. “Cora and I are moving to Los Angeles. She’s decided that we’ve outgrown it here and I’m inclined to agree.”

  My eyes widen. “Wow, that’s quite a move. Although, I’m not sure what it has to do with me.”

  “Well, for one, I’d like for you to design our house there as well as oversee the construction. I don’t know anyone out there enough to trust them with it.” I go to respond when he holds up one finger. “Secondly, I’ve purchased a very large piece of land right outside of the city. My plan is to build a development on it.”

  “And you’d like me to design the plans for the houses.” I finish for him.

  He grins. “Precisely.”

  Standing, I push my chair in. “While I’m honored you’re considering me-”

  “I’m not just considering you, son.” He interrupts. “You’re the only one I’m willing to work with on this. So, before you turn me down, take a few days to think on it. There’s no rush.”

  After working with this man so many times, I know he’s not one who gets turned down often. Still, I have way too much on my mind right now to add this to the pile. I nod, letting him know that I’ll consider the offer, and the two of us leave my office.

  I PULL UP TO the club in my overpriced suit. If Maverick and Tatum weren’t the closest people to me, there’s no way I’d be here right now. I’ve already been given the heads up by Tate that Parker will be here with McKenna – unsurprisin
gly enough. From what I’ve heard lately, he’s been keeping her on a tight leash since she decided to work on things. I really wish I knew what she sees in him. Maybe then it would be a little easier to come to terms with the fact that she’s not mine.

  The valet waves me toward them but I choose to park my car myself. Not only do I not trust any of these people to drive my overpowered baby, but I also need another minute to breathe before I go inside. Roman already texted me, letting me know that McKenna is there. She’s less than 500 feet away, and Christ, my body knows it.

  It took two weeks before I could stand to think her name, longer until I could hear it spoken without zoning out into a depressed state of nothingness. Maverick has jokingly told me to man up more times than I’d like to admit. Realistically, I’ve been in love with McKenna Taylor for years. It’s going to take a bit longer than a month to get over it.

  Giving my name to the bouncer, he pulls back the rope and lets me through. It’s not like any club I’ve ever been to. The music that’s playing is less ‘bump and grind’ and more classy instrumentals. All the men are dressed in suits, and the women in dresses. It’s clearly an expensive place, not that I expected any less with what Maverick has planned for tonight.

  I grab a beer from the bar and then go to stand along the railing, overlooking the dance floor. As if my eyes are drawn to her, they immediately find McKenna in the crowd. She’s spinning around with a smile on her face that says she doesn’t have a single worry in the world. She looks so carefree and happy that I almost forget how to breathe. Seeing her again makes me feel a way I haven’t in weeks.

  “Might want to wipe that drool off your chin before someone notices.” Maverick teases, suddenly appearing next to me.

  I scoff playfully. “Have your nerves made you piss yourself yet?”

  “Ha-ha. No, asshole. I’ve got this in the bag.”

  “You sure? She could turn you down again.” When the smile drops right off his face, I smirk. “I’m kidding. She loves you. Not sure why, but she does.”

  He takes a sip of his beer and then turns to lean against the railing, facing me. “Probably for the same reason Mac loves you.”

  I should’ve known he would bring this up. If there is one thing Maverick is incapable of, it’s minding his own damn business. Him and Tatum really are two peas in a pod.

  “Don’t go there, man. Not tonight.”

  He nods in defeat but still makes sure to have the last word. “All I’m saying is you could fight for her. I mean, you waited years for a chance to get her back. Giving up now just seems like a waste.”

  With one last shrug, he walks away and leaves me to ponder my thoughts. What if he’s right? McKenna being the one for me has been the only sure thing in my life since I was a kid. Breaking her heart was a mistake that I beat myself up over endlessly. For us to end like this, to end at all, feels like everything we went through was for nothing.

  Parker comes out of nowhere and takes McKenna into his arms. When her eyes meet his, she smiles even brighter. She clings to him like she used to do with me, only, she’s happier. The ring she always remembered to take off glistens in the chandelier lighting, a blatant reminder of what’s bound to be the worst day of my life, only a couple weeks away. As much as I wish Maverick was right, he’s not.

  I’M STANDING WITH TATUM and Roman, laughing at Rome’s inability to keep his attention off Ivy. I don’t understand why he doesn’t just make a move. She’s sweet, gorgeous, and single – the perfect trifecta. Still, he stays away and watches her from a distance.

  “You know, I could find out if she’s interested.” Tatum suggests.

  He turns to glare at her. “Absolutely not. You start asking questions like that and she’s going to figure it out. It’s bad enough this dipshit told McKenna.”

  I chuckle. “It slipped! Besides, that was over a month ago and she hasn’t said anything.”

  “Who hasn’t said anything about what?” Ivy steps up with a newly made drink in her hands.

  Rome’s eyes go wide as I choke on my beer. Tatum laughs. “No one has said anything about how handsome Roman looks all dressed up.”

  “Oh.” She checks him out from head to toe, somehow missing that he’s practically squirming under her gaze. “Yeah, you clean up nice Rome.”

  “T-thanks.”

  Her eyes narrow at his stutter, but just as she’s about to say something, a voice that has my heart on overdrive interrupts.

  “There you are! Ivy, you can’t just leave me with no heads up. I probably looked like a weirdo dancing out there all on my own!”

  McKenna is so busy yelling at her best friend that she doesn’t even notice my presence. All eyes are on me, except for hers, trying to gauge my reaction. I do my best to keep my face neutral, but my skin is crawling. I shove my one free hand into my pocket to avoid reaching out to touch her.

  “Are you even listening to me?!” Finally, Mac follows Ivy’s line of sight until she lands on me – finding me already staring back at her. She swallows hard. “Colton.”

  All the times my name has rolled off her tongue play in my mind, each one sounding better than the last. This one, however, is different. This one sounds pained, and trust me when I say I know the feeling.

  “McKenna. How’ve you been?”

  “Good.” She tells me, but I can see in her eyes that she’s lying. “How’s everything with you?”

  Over the 15 years that I’ve known this girl, she’s always been honest with me. Yet, here we are, exchanging forced pleasantries and lying about something as simple as how life is. The reality of the situation hits me straight in the gut. I can’t do this. Not with her.

  “Excuse me.” I tell her with the best polite smile I can manage.

  No one tries to stop me as I walk away and head for the bathroom. Immediately going to the sink, I cup water into my hands and splash it onto my face. I’m here for Maverick. Tonight is important for Maverick. I take a calming breath, but am quickly right back where I started when a stall door opens and Parker steps out of it. His reflection in the mirror comes closer as he chooses the sink right beside mine.

  “Mr. Brooks.” He spits my name out like a disease.

  “Look, Parker, I really don’t want any trouble.”

  He laughs humorlessly. “Maybe you should have thought about that before you shagged my fiancée.” Turning off the water and grabbing a towel to dry his hands, he looks straight at me. “How do you live with yourself, knowing the one person who thought she would always love you, doesn’t anymore? Must make you feel like quite the failure.”

  “Do not speak to me about McKenna. She may be marrying you, but I will always mean more to her than you do.” I growl.

  “See, that’s where you’re wrong, mate. You think I haven’t heard her and Ivy talking about you? About how she’ll never truly be able to trust you? That’s what happens when you destroy a girl. Little pieces get lost in the mess of it all, and no matter how impeccably you put her back together, she’ll never be the way she once was – and she’ll never look at you the way she once did.”

  “You don’t know anything about the way she looks at me.”

  He throws his head back in evil laughter. The sound of it makes me want to sucker punch him in the stomach. “I don’t need to, because I can give her what you never could – safety, trust, and security. You see, if she were to be with you, she would always wonder when the next argument is going to happen or if that day will be the day she gets her heart broken again. She will never feel secure in a relationship with you. With me, however, she doesn’t have to worry about any of that. I can give her the love and future she’s always dreamed of having.”

  My blood is boiling as I clench my fists. “Yeah? Well, have fun spending your days knowing what you have with your wife, will never even begin to compare to what she had with me.”

  Placing the towel back down onto the counter, he looks like he’s about to walk away but stops. “Face it, Brooks. I’m the better
man for her. Surely you know this, or you wouldn’t be getting so angry. And if you love her the way I think you do, you’ll leave her alone and let her be happy.”

  He pushes past me with his shoulder and exits the room, allowing everything he just said to sink in.

  IF I THOUGHT SEEING McKenna with Parker was hard before, it’s fucking unbearable now. He makes sure to have one hand on her at all times, giving me snide glances that show he’s only doing it to rub in that he can and I can’t. I try to keep all my attention on the conversation I’m having with Roman, but even he sees that I’m struggling.

  “I could spill a drink on him.” He suggests. “That suit looks expensive enough to at least piss him off a little.”

  I chuckle but shake my head. “Thanks man, but that’s alright. I don’t want to ruin this night for Mav.”

  His eyes narrow. “I thought he just wanted to pretend to be rich snobs for the night. What does he have planned?”

  The sound of Maverick trying to get all our attention meets our ears. “You’re about to find out.”

  I watch as my best friend holds a glass of champagne in his hand and looks like he’s going to vomit. “I have something I’d like to say.” He looks to me for reassurance and I give him a curt nod. Then, he focuses on his girlfriend. “Tatum, for as long as I’ve known you, I have loved you. We’ve spent the past eight years together and still, it isn’t nearly enough. You’re my best friend, sorry Brooks…” We all laugh as I feign being hurt. “… you’re my favorite person, and you’re the only one I can see myself spending the rest of my life with.” Tears start pouring down Tatum’s face as Maverick places his champagne on the table and gets down on one knee. “I’m going to ask you this again, and I’m not taking no for an answer this time. Tatum Elizabeth Blakley, will you marry me?”