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

SUPRISE JESS

The cab jostled over a pothole, and I glared at Luke as he gripped the door with white-knuckled intensity, his jaw so tight I thought he might crack a tooth. "Are you actually serious?" I blurted, my voice rising above the low hum of the engine.

Without looking at me, Luke nodded, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "We sort it out when we get back," he said through clenched teeth, his tone final.

I stared at him, my mouth falling open. "Sort it out? Sort it out?" I echoed, incredulous. "Luke, has my brother completely lost his mind? Did someone schedule a CT scan for him because what the actual fuck was he thinking? Telling Sarah she can stay with him? He barely knows her! Well-other than being marooned on an island, I mean."

Luke sighed, his grip on the wheel relaxing slightly as he

glanced at me. "I know," he said, his tone softer now, though his frustration was still evident.

I threw my hands up in exasperation, the seatbelt cutting into my shoulder. "You know? That's all you've got? Luke, this is insane! She's... she's a stranger, basically! And "

"She saved our lives, Jess," he interrupted, his voice quiet but firm, cutting through my rant.

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That stopped me short, my anger faltering as I saw the way his shoulders sagged, the weight of everything pressing down on him. "Luke..."

He shook his head, rubbing a hand over his face. "Josh means well, okay? He's just... trying to do the right thing. She's struggling, Jess. Lost her apartment, drowning in debt. She didn't ask for this mess either."

I folded my arms across my chest, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past. "And that's awful, but inviting her to live with him? Didn't they give her the same payout as you? She should have gotten money?"

Luke huffed out a breath, glancing at me briefly before turning back to the road. "She had debt - things she needed to pay - I don't know. What do you want me to do? Tell her to suck it up and figure it out on her own?" "No, but "I paused, biting my lip. I didn't have an easy answer either, and that frustrated me even more.

me again, his gaze softer this time. "Look, I get why you're pissed.

rubbing my temples. "Together," I

our house, and I blinked in confusion at the sight of balloons-dozens of them-arched into a pink and blue display framing the front yard. My jaw dropped as I spotted Josh and Laura standing by the porch, looking

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SUPRISE

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I muttered, throwing a glance at Luke. He was already shaking his head, his lips twitching like

they went all out,"

the cab, Laura waved enthusiastically, practically bouncing

folded his arms, trying and failing to look casual,

are there balloons in my yard?" I asked, arching

my hand and dragging me toward the house before

behind, clapping Luke on the shoulder.

⚫ man. You ready?"

gave him a wary look but didn't respond,

walked into the kitchen, I froze. Both sides of the room were decorated in an elaborate pink-and-blue theme, a literal line dividing the counters.

side, practically vibrating with excitement, while Josh leaned casually against the blue counter. Both of them

SUPAISE

them.

smile as I placed a

let out an ear-piercing squeal, jumping up and down in triumph. Before I could react, Luke reached over to the blue side, grabbed one of the cakes, and unceremoniously dumped it in the trash.

the counter. "Guess you don't need that