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

GREEN FLAG

LAURA-STILL IN THE PAST

I leaned back against the door as it clicked shut behind Josh, the weight of the conversation pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. My hands trembled slightly, and I pressed them flat against the cool surface of the door, trying to ground myself. What the hell had just happened?

The words Josh had said swirled in my head, their rawness, the honesty-it had cracked something open in me. I should've been furious, should've slammed the door in his face the moment he confessed, but instead, I felt... lighter. Like the pieces of my heart that had been broken were slowly coming back together, even though I wasn't sure if I wanted them to.

"Josh?" Jess's voice rang out from the couch, startling me.

I turned to see her sprawled out with a blanket over her legs and a bowl of popcorn on her lap. Her eyes darted to me, her brows raised. "Wait, was that my idiot brother? What the hell is he doing here?"

I took a shaky breath, walking over to the couch. I plopped down beside her, letting out a soft laugh that I wasn't sure was from nerves or genuine amusement. "Yeah. That was your idiot brother."

Jess smirked, leaning her head back against the couch. "Was he

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here for me or for you? I'm guessing you?"

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. "He came to apologize for cheating... Imagine that-Josh apologizing and promising to be a better human."

Jess snorted, tossing a piece of popcorn into her mouth. "I can't believe it. My brother-the macho football player who sleeps with anything that wears a skirt-is now groveling at your feet. I never thought I'd see the day."

Her words made me laugh, the sound soft and unsure. "Honestly, I didn't think I'd ever see it either. The biggest walking red flag in school, and here he is... suddenly a green flag?" I glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Though, to be fair, Luke surprised you just as much." Jess threw her head back and laughed, the sound filling the room and easing some of the tension in my chest. "Okay, fine, I' Il give you that. Luke really did come out of left field. Who would ve thought the asshole was really the good guy, and the good guy was a wolf in sheep's clothing or whatever Bryan was?"

We both laughed then, leaning into each other like we used to back in high school when we'd giggle over stupid things, utterly oblivious to the chaos around us. For a moment, it felt like we were those girls again, two wallflowers blending into the background. But then I looked at her-really looked at her-and realized how much we'd both grown.

"Can you believe it?" I asked softly. "We were the girls in the. background. The ones no one noticed. And now, somehow, we're here."

Jess turned her head to me, her expression soft. "And we ended

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up falling for the two boys in school who could've had anyone they wanted."

"Yet they chose us," I finished, the words coming out in a quiet whisper.

smiled, her eyes glinting with a mix of mischief

started, her tone softer now. "I'can't tell you what to

was saying. I knew what Josh had said. And, deep down, I knew

forgave him," I admitted quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. I leaned my head back, staring at the ceiling as the words left my lips. "I think I always knew I

congratulations. You've reached the point." She grabbed a handful of popcorn and shoved it into her mouth. "Now, do me a favor and go tell my emotionally constipated brother that

JOSH THE PAST

house was too

dark kitchen, the weight of the day pressing heavy on my shoulders. Jess was finally home

had gone back to their hotel, and Luke was probably with Jess,

of the kitchen chairs. My head fell

could go back and undo the past. The image of Laura's face, her tears, her voice when she said, It meant something to

My hands balled into fists on the table as frustration churned in my chest. I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd done-how I'd. ruined

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through the front window.

or Luke, but they would've

I pushed up

open, and there

Laura.

Standing on my doorstep.

she always did-messy ponytail, oversized sweatshirt, and jeans that clung to her legs just right. But there was something different in her eyes. Sadness? Resolve? I couldn't tell, and it scared the hell out of me. "Laura," I said, her name barely a whisper. It felt strange on my tongue, like a question I wasn't sure I wanted

Instead, she held out

is for you," she said

it so I could see it better in the dim light. The brushstrokes were rough but purposeful, carving out the silhouette

be honest, it was

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is..." My voice trailed off as stared at it, my throat tightening. "This is

there was something about it that made my stomach drop. "It's yours. I painted it for

the truth hit

wasn't just a gift. This was a

a second chance. She wasn't here to talk things through or to forgive

the worst part? I didn't deserve anything

to get the

necessary. When I turned back to her, she was

what

1

then something in me

I could think, I stepped forward, closing the space between us in two quick strides.

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