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.

with a mix

the weight of it all settling between us. I felt her shift beside me, and when I glanced at her, she was watching me carefully. "Look," she started, her tone softer now. "I'can't tell you what to do, Laura. It's

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

whisper. I leaned my head back, staring at the ceiling as the words left my lips. "I think I always knew I would.

handful of popcorn and shoved it into her mouth. "Now, do me

JOSH THE PAST

house was too

the day pressing heavy on my shoulders. Jess was finally home from

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

the kitchen chairs. My head fell into my hands

her tears, her voice when she said, It meant something to me, played on a loop in my head, ripping me apart. How had I been

my thoughts became. 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.

I thought it was Jess or Luke, but they would've just walked in. Whoever this

sound loud in my ears as I pushed up from the chair. A small, stupid piece

door open,

Laura.

Standing on my doorstep.

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

anything at first. Instead, she held out something

you," she said quietly, her

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

be honest, it

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stared at it, my throat tightening. "This

said, stepping past me into the house. Her tone was guarded, and there was something about it that made my stomach drop. "It's yours. I painted it for you and wanted to give it to you as a

voice sounded sad, and suddenly, the truth

wasn't just a gift. This was a

to talk things through or to forgive me. This

I didn't deserve anything

Uh. Thanks," I mumbled, barely able to get the words out. "I really

wall, my fingers lingering on the edge of the canvas for a moment longer than necessary. When I turned back to her, she was watching me, her arms crossed over her chest.

what

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then something in me

forward, closing the space between us in two quick strides. My hands found her waist, and I pulled her to me, crushing my mouth against

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