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

LAURA

I sat on the cold bleachers, sandwiched between Jess and Sam, trying my best to focus on the game. The guys were running back and forth on the field, yelling plays and throwing the ball, but my attention kept straying to one player in particular. Josh.

I hated myself for it, for the way my eyes lingered on him longer than they should. He looked good out there, his broad shoulders filling out his football uniform in a way that made my stomach twist. His jersey clung to his chest, and when he moved, I couldn't help but notice how his muscles rippled beneath the fabric, his arms flexing as he adjusted his helmet. He jogged back to the line, his strides long and confident, the kind of movement that screamed control.

Power.

And then he smiled at something one of his teammates said, his teeth flashing under the lights, and I felt my breath hitch. It wasn't fair. He didn't even have to try, and he was the most infuriatingly attractive person I'd ever met.

I shifted in my seat, trying to focus on something else, anything else, but my eyes betrayed me again, darting back to him as he crouched into position. His hands rested on his thighs, his gaze locked on the opposing team, and all I could think about was how strong those hands looked. How it felt when he steadied

me after the fight. How I wanted to forget that he made me flinch and only remember the warmth of his palm against my

skin.

""Earth to Laura!"

ridiculous haze. My head jerked toward her, heat rushing to my cheeks as I realized how obvious I must've been. "What?" She gave me a knowing look, her lips curving into a mischievous grin. "You okay? You've been

00 00

quickly, forcing a smile and trying to play it cool. But before I could steer the conversation away, Sam's gaze zeroed in on my face, her brow furrowing. "Laura...what happened to your face? Your nose looks... bruised," she said, her voice dropping with

it had been a week ago, but the faint discoloration

laughing awkwardly. "It's nothing: I was carrying my easel up the stairs and tripped. Smacked my face on the table. Total klutz

winced, shaking her head. "Ouch.

out a nervous chuckle. "It did. But

S.

convinced, but then she shrugged. "Classic Laura," she teased. "Always tripping over

thing I needed was for them to start asking more

glanced back toward the field, pretending to adjust my position. Josh was on the sidelines now, taking a swig from his water bottle. His helmet was off, and his dark hair was damp with sweat, curling slightly

feel me staring, his eyes flicked

I froze.

was sure he was looking right at me, his blue eyes sharp and intense, like he could see every thought running through my head. My breath caught, and I