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

IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS

JOSH DECEMBER

Christmas was supposed to be a time for joy and togetherness, but this year, it felt like one big headache. Jess had been on my case for weeks about letting Asha spend Christmas with them.

"Josh, she's two years old! She needs to be around family for the holidays," Jess had said over the phone. "Mom and Dad are going to be here. It's a proper family gathering. You can't keep her all to yourself."

"It's not about keeping her to myself," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I have a team event that I can't back out of. It's part of the contract. And honestly, Jess, I don't feel comfortable being that far away from her. She's only two."

I could practically hear her eyes rolling on the other end. "Josh, I have children too. Both alive and kicking. I know how to keep mini humans breathing. Please! Mom and Dad barely see her with you down in Texas. It's one week. She'll love it here with her aunt and uncle, and you know it."

I groaned, already knowing I'd cave. Jess always had a way of chipping away at my resolve. "Fine," I sighed. "I'll fly her over Monday, but I'll be back by Friday"

"Will you..." Jess started, but then she stopped herself.

I knew what she was going to ask.

Would I visit Laura?

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silence between us, unspoken but

stepping into a mausoleum. Laura was a shell of the vibrant, spirited woman I married. She was alive-technically-but she wasn't there. Her body existed, but her essence, the Laura I knew and loved,

words carried a weight I hadn't fully acknowledged until now: "The last time I went... she was so still, Jess. So... gone. It's like she's not even there anymore." Jess softened her tone. "Josh, I understand. Truly, I do.

swallowed the lump in my throat, glancing over at Asha as she smeared edible paint all over my teak floors. Her blonde hair caught the light, the same shade as her mother's. It was impossible not to see Laura in her every move, her every laugh. Jess spoke again, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Don't worry about Christmas. Luke and I will make sure

a pause, and I could tell she was building

treatments for brain injuries. Josh, they've had incredible

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felt my chest

cutting-edge techniques that aren't available here yet. I think it's worth

"I'm not opposed to it, Jess. I'm not. I just... I don't know. I don't want to get everyone's hopes up. Yours. Mine. Mom and Dad's. And

too far," I said, my voice breaking slightly. "What if I'm not there in

for a moment. "What if

didn't have an answer to

she smeared edible paint all over my teak floors. Her blonde hair

don't have to decide right now. Just...

I said softly. "I'll think about

the only ones I had.clearing my throat as I stared

was an envelope with the name of

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