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

THE FIRST HEART BREAK BACK TO SENIOR YEAR LAURA

The bass of the music vibrated through my chest, a steady pulse that matched the rhythm of my movements. Sam twirled beside me, her laughter spilling out as she threw her arms up to the beat. Jessica was at the bar, sipping a drink and politely dodging the advances of some persistent blond guy who clearly didn't understand the concept of personal space.

I took another shot, the burn of tequila mixing with the heady rush of the music. It was senior year, and we were supposed to be living it up. No regrets. No holding back. Except, there he was.

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Luke barreled into the club first, his towering frame cutting through the crowd like a storm. His eyes locked on Jessica and the blond, and I knew this wasn't going to end quietly. Behind him, though, was Josh. My heart stuttered, skipping a beat in my chest.

God, I hated how he made me feel. The way my stomach flipped like a schoolgirl's crush, the way my pulse quickened at just the sight of him. Technically, I was still a schoolgirl, but senior year made it feel like that didn't count Sam nudged me in the shoulder, leaning close so I could hear her over the music.

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THE FIRST HEART BREAK

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"Listen," she said, her voice conspiratorial, "I know we were all pissed about Josh, but... I have to admit it. Now that you've stepped over that line, I get it. He's hot. Before, he was just Jessica's brother, you know?"

I laughed softly, but the truth was, Josh had never been just Jessica's brother to me. From the moment I'd met him, there'd been something there-something I couldn't quite explain.

Luke was already at the bar, yanking the blond guy away from Jessica with a grip that could crush stone. The guy sputtered out an excuse, but Luke didn't care.

And then Josh turned, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on me.

www

The one that made it impossible not to smile back. But

low but firm. "Can I talk to you for

www

me a wide-eyed look that said, What the hell is going on? I had no

anyway.

and steady against mine. He led me through the

he stopped, he turned to face me, running a hand through his hair. He looked nervous-more

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THE FIRST HEART BREAK

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him.

"For everything.

my heart pounding for an entirely different reason

before. Not a real one. And with you... it's scary. Because I've never felt this way about anyone, and I panicked. I screwed up." Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I refused

their shit together," he continued, his voice breaking slightly. "Not some asshole who doesn't even

started, but he held up a hand, cutting

his face etched with regret.

hit me like a punch to

stay composed, even as the tears finally spilled

his voice. "It didn't mean anything. It wasn't even..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "It

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