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

PLUS ONE

JESS

Luke was on his knees in front of me, tears streaking down his face as he pressed his lips to my stomach like it was the most precious thing in the world. His shoulders shook, and I couldn't stop my fingers from diving into his messy black curls, holding him there, grounding I stared down at him-this big, tough guy I thought nothing could ever break-and all I could think was, My family is back. We're whole again.

Laura was practically sitting in Josh's lap in the wheelchair, clinging to him like her life depended on it. Josh held her just as tightly, his face buried in her shoulder. But I couldn't focus on them for long because Luke tilted his head back, looking up at me with those piercing g And what did I see there? It wasn't anger or guilt or even relief. It was love. The kind of love that takes your breath away and makes your knees weak.

"I can't believe..." His voice cracked, and he shook his head, leaning his forehead against my stomach like he was trying to catch his breath.

His hands rested lightly on my hips like he thought I might disappear if he held me too tightly. I tugged gently at his hair, and when he looked up at me again, there was something new in his eyes-something raw and broken.

"I'm so sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

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288 Vouchers

I asked, my voice soft as I brushed a tear

hips tightening just a little. "The test. Your first doctor's visit. The

His voice cracked again.

let

face so he couldn't look anywhere but at me. "Hey," I said firmly, keeping my voice steady despite feeling like

shook his head, but I wouldn't let him argue. I leaned forward and kissed him, soft and slow, trying to tell him everything I didn't have the words for. His lips trembled against mine, and I could feel the wall he'd been holding up start

pressed my forehead to his and held his face, making sure he couldn't look away. "You're here for the rest of it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "For me. For them.

rested his hands over my stomach. "For them,"

need a foot rub," I added, smiling a little even though my own tears were

undid me. "Always for you, and I'd rub those hideous feet every single day for the rest of my life," he said, his voice stronger this time,

PLUS ONE

288 Vouchers

let out a loud sniffle, totally ruining the moment. "Not to

through her tears,

who was smiling through his tears for the first time since I'd seen him walk through those airport doors. I leaned forward and

okay," I whispered, more to myself than

what felt like forever,