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

PART 5-CHAPTER 185 JESS

The sand felt cool under my toes as Josh and I strolled along the beach, waves rolling gently in the background. This spot was a small blessing, tucked away and private, with the salty breeze making everything feel a little lighter. Josh looked around, nodding to himself as if approving of my life choices. "Not bad, Jess. Nice place to live-so close to the beach. It suits you."

I smirked, giving him a little nudge. "Yeah, it's not bad at all. I can't wait to run again, though. Finn says maybe a few more weeks before we can try, but the walking hasn't been bad. I can get a few miles in before it starts hurting." I shook my leg out to prevent my calf from He chuckled, then hesitated, glancing over at me. "So... the memories. They're all back, huh?"

"Oh, yes," I said with a mock sigh. "Unfortunately for you, I remember everything. Like what a complete dick you were in school."

Josh laughed, scratching the back of his neck. "I guess I deserve that."

"I still owe you an ass-kicking for what you did to Laura."

Josh's expression shifted, and he looked away, guilt darkening his face. "Yeah. I know. Laura... she deserved better." Josh said,

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"Ugh, the -it's not you, it's me- bullshit. I swear you and Luke are the exact same with the exact same bullshit excuse. You were afraid of committing. She would have stayed, you

She flew out to see you at the hospital, and when I tried to talk to her,

for her," Josh said, but I wasn't sure it was

My best friend was going places, and the only places I seemed to visit consisted of different hospital wings. "She always had it in her," Josh

to me.

onto the shore, sending a burst of salty mist into the air. But as we walked, there was one question lingering in my mind, one I

him, and my dreams were filled with him, enough to wake me up in the middle of the night with this insatiable need- one my

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PART 5-CHAPTER 195

face flickered, his mouth tightening just a bit. He shrugged, looking away. "He's been...

doesn't really answer my question, and I know that's a bullshit excuse." I slowed down, watching

clearly uncomfortable. "Look, Jess, he's... he's just got a lot on his

been patient, but all I'd gotten from Luke was silence, and I needed more. "Josh, just be straight with me; you know something. Just tell me already. I can take it," I said, folding my arms. "Is he serious about that model?"" Lu He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, looking at the waves instead