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

PITY KISS LAURA

Josh's eyes widened for a split second, but it was gone almost immediately, replaced by something darker. His jaw clenched, and I could see his chest rise and fall as he tried to steady his breathing. "You-" He started, but then he stopped, running a hand through his hair like he didn't know whether to yell or just walk out.

"Yeah," I said bitterly, sitting up and crossing my arms. "That's the truth, okay? I thought I could just... get it over with. Like ripping off a damn Band-Aid." My voice cracked at the end, and I hated myself for it. Josh stared at me, his gaze intense and unrelenting. "With him?" he said, his voice low and laced with something I couldn't quite place-anger? Disappointment?

I scoffed. "Why do you care? It's not like it has anything to do with you."

That struck a nerve. Josh's face hardened, and he leaned down, his hands braced on either side of me. "You're seriously asking me that right now?" he demanded.

I blinked up at him, momentarily stunned by how close he was.

"You think I want to see you crying over some asshole who doesn't even deserve to breathe the same air as you? You think I'm just going to stand by while you..." He trailed off, shaking his PITY KISS

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head like he couldn't even finish the sentence.

"It's my life, Josh," I snapped, sitting up straighter. "You don't get to decide what I do or who I do it with."

"Yeah, well, maybe I wouldn't have to if you didn't keep putting yourself in shitty situations," he shot back, his voice rising.

"Wow," I said, throwing my hands up. "Victim-blame much? Good to know you think this is my fault."

pushed off the bed, pacing the room like a caged animal. "That's not what

all I'm hearing is you

I

his words hanging in the air between us. For a moment, neither of us

said finally, my voice barely

his eyes locked on mine. "Well, I do. So, what are

an almost sing-song tone. "I have chocolate, and I'm pretty sure my mother won't miss

over the pounding of my

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PITY KISS

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His presence was overwhelming, filling every inch of the space between us. "Nothing to say now? Lost all your words?" Josh pressed,

came out. My thoughts were a tangled mess, every coherent idea drowned by the heat of his gaze. His eyes searched mine intensely and unrelentingly before flicking downward and settling on

He feels sorry for me. The realization cut through my haze, sharp and bitter. If he kissed me now, it wouldn't be because he

pity kiss," I blurted out, my voice

froze, his brow furrowing as he pulled back slightly. "Pity kiss?" he repeated, like

"Emergency chocolate and stolen wine coming. through!" she announced, her footsteps growing louder as she approached the door. Josh glanced toward the door, then

Jess walked

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