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

ALL MY FAULT LAURA

Josh stepped closer, his movements deliberate but hesitant, as if he was afraid of doing more damage. "Let me take you to the emergency room," he said, his voice soft but firm.

I shook my head, keeping the ice pressed to my face. "It's not necessary."

"It's not your call, Laura," he shot back, his tone sharpening just a little, frustration creeping in. His hand reached out, thumb and fingers gently cupping my chin. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through me, and despite the ache in my nose, my body betrayed me. I tilted my head slightly into his hand, drawn to him in a way I couldn't quite explain.

My eyes met his. His ocean-blue gaze was stormy, filled with emotions I couldn't untangle. His brows furrowed as he tilted my face, assessing the damage. I saw the muscle in his jaw tick, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Fuck it," he muttered under his breath. "I can't believe I..." His words trailed off, and I could see the storm inside him brewing, a mix of anger, guilt, and disappointment.

I wanted to say something, anything, to ease the weight I could. see on his shoulders, but the words stuck in my throat. He blamed himself-I could see it so clearly.

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"Josh, it wasn't your fault," I whispered. My voice was steady, but the tears threatened to spill.

His eyes flicked to mine, the guilt intensifying in their depths. He leaned forward, dropping his forehead to mine. The closeness. stole my breath, his exhale warm against my skin,

cracking slightly. "If I'd kept my ego in check, your face wouldn't have

eyes, taking a steadying breath. My hand moved on its own, finding his chest, the cool cotton of

falling away from my

heavy with emotion, his gaze locked on mine. "You were scared. Of me. I

in his voice broke something

he

see the tears shining in his eyes. "Don't try to make me feel better. I need to sit with this because

flinched because adrenaline was

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ALL MY FAULT

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because... well, because it was a reflex." My voice trembled slightly, but I pushed

else flickered in them- shock, maybe even horror. It was like he was seeing me for the first time, and not in a way I

I never told anyone. Not Jess, not Sam-no one. Nobody knew what really happened during those years when my mother brought men home, one after another. Nobody needed to know who took the beatings when they both got drunk and

them to keep it

silence was safer than

through-shattered,

he wanted to reach for me but wasn't sure he should. "Laura," he

to see the pity I knew would be there. "It doesn't matter now," said quickly, trying to brush it off, but my voice wavered. "I'm fine. I've

the word cutting through the space