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

PART 3 - CHAPTER 161 JESS

I sat in the treehouse for what felt like hours, lost in the tangled mess of my thoughts. When I looked outside, everyone was still on the porch, so I'd more than likely only been sitting in this treehouse for five minutes. Why the hell did Luke press my buttons like that? I want it. When he looks at me, it's like he's looking at his future, and when I look at him, I see a stranger.

The pressure is just too much. That's why Aiden is simple. Hell, I know I won't marry him, but there's no pressure there-no expectations. I wiped the tears that had betrayed my tough façade just as Josh's head poked through the small entrance, his messy blond hair framing his face.

"Do you mind if I come in?" His voice was soft but grounded.

"Yeah, sure," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. He squeezed into the treehouse, his massive form pushing against the walls, making it feel smaller somehow. The familiar scent of pine and sun-warmed wood wrapped around us, grounding me, but the closeness was overwhelming in a way that made me want to squirm. Josh is my brother but just as familiar to me as Luke. Also, he was massive.

"What are you thinking sis?" He asked, staring out the same window.

"Honestly? What did you even eat as a child?" I chuckled,

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DART & UARTER 161

even myself. It felt good to joke, a flicker of light in

well, everything apparently helps me defend better,"

The players are scared you'll just eat them." I teased, nudging him playfully. But beneath the humor, concern lingered. He was

his head. "You think you're going to pull yourself together," I finally asked, keeping my tone light.

my shit together." His admission hung in the air, heavy with shame and hope. "That's probably the only reason Luke drove through for my birthday. I feel like a mess, Jess." I leaned back against the wall, wrapping my arms around my knees. "I need to get my shit

holding onto that asshole in there." He pierced my defenses with an unexpected jab, the bluntness catching me

into that rabbit hole. I huffed, crossing my arms, feeling

big brother, but Aiden is

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seriously need to dump that

"Aiden has done nothing but help. He's pushed me into running again. He's made it safe for me not to remember everything, you know? No expectations, no pressure." "Right," Josh snorted, clearly

the helplessness I felt. "It feels

expression softened even more, a blend