Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

CHAPTER 71 LUKE

The second the words left Jess's mouth, the world around me collapsed. Everything slowed to a crawl. I turned to face Josh, bracing myself for the storm that was about to hit. He was already shaking with fury. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles were bone white. The air between us was suddenly

gone.

"Josh," I started my hands up in surrender, my voice steady. "I'm sorry. I should have told you-"

"You!" Josh's voice was a low, dangerous growl, the kind that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. "You and my sister! You!" His words were barely more than a breath, forced through gritted teeth, each syllable cutting into me. "You're my best friend! My brother! The next thing I knew, he launched himself at me, a wall of muscle and rage. I barely had time to brace myself before his shoulder slammed into my chest, driving the air from my lungs. We crashed into a table, sending drinks and glasses flying.

All I could see was Josh, red-faced and wild-eyed, coming at me again, and I knew I deserved it. But I was too proud to give him more than one shot.

Instinct took over. I rolled with the momentum, pushing him off and scrambling to my feet just as he swung at me. His fist connected with my jaw, and a white-hot burst of pain shot down CHAPTER 71

12887chery

my neck as my head snapped. But I was on my feet, adrenaline pumping, every nerve on fire.

table. Chairs screeched across th The club was in chaos around us. I could hear shouts and the scrape of furniture being shoved out of the way, but it was all background noise. All that mattered was Josh-Josh, who was supposed

punch of my own square to his gut. He doubled over, but only for

set of arms hauled back Josh, and suddenly, we were both being dragged toward the exit, our feet barely touching the ground. "Bouncers," my brain registered

56

CHAPTER 71

thing I knew, we were outside, the cool night air hitting my face like a bucket of ice water.

fast. I hit the ground with a grunt, my palms scraping against the

me, still seething with rage. But the bouncers were between us now,

cutting through the

pavement felt like ice beneath me as I sat there, beaten and bloody. My lip was split open, and I could barely move my jaw without wincing. Josh was next to me, looking just as messed up,

feeling the cold sting against the cut. Josh held his to his eye, not saying a word.

silence anymore. "Listen, man," I started, my voice rough, still raw from the

his hand like he

know why you didn't. I get it." His voice was

turning to face him. "I tried to stay away from her. I tried to make

CHAPTER 71