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

BEHIND THE SCENES LUKE

I shifted uncomfortably in the stiff studio seat, my back sticky against the faux leather. The lights overhead blazed like a furnace, and I could feel the

sweat pooling at the nape of my neck. The host's sugary voice droned on, but it barely registered. I kept glancing at Josh, who looked ready to snap.

When the host cheerfully announced a commercial break, Josh shot up like a spring. "I need a drink. It's Satan's kitchen under these lights," he muttered, striding off toward the nearest exit.

I cleared my throat, trying to loosen the knot in my chest. Beside me, Sarah shifted slightly, her delicate perfume cutting through the sterile air of the studio. She glanced at me, offering a hesitant smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Strange seeing you here, right?" she said softly. "I mean, we

technically lived together for five months, and then I didn't see you at all." Her words trailed off, and she looked away, but not before I caught the flicker of sadness in her eyes.

"You look good," I blurted, the words tumbling out awkwardly. "Better, I mean. You're eating?"

What the actual fuck was that? My brain screamed at me. You're eating? Seriously?

Sarah laughed, the sound breaking the tension. It was light, almost musical, and it eased the tightness in my chest. "Yeah, Luke, I'm eating," she teased, shaking her head. 0.00%

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AEMPO THE

I exhaled, relieved she wasn't offended by my idiocy. "We owe you our

lives,

I could stop them, and I watched

murmured, dabbing at her eyes quickly.

muttered, my

moment to stroll back in, his sharp gaze immediately clocking the change in atmosphere.

up. "We said no crying, man. We agreed! Sarah, you can't cry." He pointed at her accusingly, though his tone was more exasperated than anything. "Please, we need to seem

room shifting with his presence. "Alright, let's get through this

began, Saral leaned closer, her voice soft but insistent. "Luke-do you mind staying behind

back of my neck, the discomfort crawling up my spine. "I, uh, actually have somewhere I need to be," I

so clear it felt like a punch to the gut. Damn it, Luke. I knew I owed her more than a brush-off. She had, after all, kept us alive out there. She deserved five

Γ

12

BEHIND THE SCENES

I added hastily, forcing the words out. "I have a

Josh, seated next to

chipper as she shifted gears. "Now, being marooned on

She leaned forward, the intensity in her gaze like a predator closing in. "I imagine it

shifted instantly. My jaw tightened as I felt Josh stiffen

Josh said flatly, his tone cold

Just wondering if, given the circumstances, there was... a deeper connection between you all. After all, it's not uncommon in such extreme situations for emotions to run

curt. "And we're both married,

momentarily thrown off. "Of course, of course! But, uh..." She cleared her throat, her grin returning like a mask. "Just now, during the break, there seemed to be some real chemistry