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

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JOSH CHRISTMAS EVE

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The sky was clear, the stars brighter than usual against the crisp Texas night. No snow, no frost-just a cool breeze drifting in through the slightly cracked window as I leaned against the kitchen counter, wondering what the hell to do with myself.

The house felt quieter than usual. It wasn't empty; it just felt... still. Too still. My stomach grumbled, and I realized I hadn't eaten since breakfast, but nothing in the fridge seemed appealing.

I was still staring aimlessly at the pantry when my phone buzzed on the counter. I grabbed it and saw Jess's name pop up.

Answering, I was greeted by the sound of her laughing, and when the video feed connected, I saw Asha's little face pop into the frame, giggling as she squirmed in Jess's lap. They were all wearing matching Christmas jumpers, even Luke and their dog, who looked vaguely annoyed at being included.

"Merry Christmas from the chaos crew!" Jess said, grinning.

"Merry Christmas," I replied, smiling despite myself.

"Daddy!" Asha squealed, waving frantically at the screen.

"Hey, little angel," I said, softening as I looked at her. "You look so cute!"

Asha beamed, showing off her reindeer jumper as Jess chimed

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in, "She insisted on the matching pajamas. She's the boss this week."

They were happy-too happy-and it made the house feel even quieter after the call ended.

The streets were buzzing with last-minute shoppers, everyone scrambling to get their hands on whatever they'd forgotten for Christmas Day. Strings of lights hung across the lampposts, glowing warm against the crisp Texas night."

I, however, was aimlessly walking down Main Street, trying to figure out what the hell to do with myself.

After the video call with Jess and Asha, the quiet house felt unbearable. I'd grabbed my keys and walked out without much of a plan, just an overwhelming need to get out. Now, I was hungry and standing in front of a line of restaurants, most of which had "FULLY BOOKED" signs taped to their doors. "Great," I muttered under my breath, shoving my hands into my pockets.

updated since the '80s. As I stepped closer, I realized the door had

but tinged with

few feet away, her arms crossed over a sweater that featured

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III

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Her jeans were tucked into scuffed boots, and her hair

Worth," I said,

she corrected,

repeated, nodding. "Didn't expect to see

eat,

the diner and shook my head. "Same here. I didn't

she asked, her tone light

team obligations

an eyebrow. "No

first big Christmas with them, and I thought..." I trailed

you're hunting for food with the rest of

that," I said

could join me," she offered, surprising me. "If we can find a place to sit, that is. Or... we could grab something

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288 Vouchers

her casual demeanor that made me feel less guarded. "Sure," I said finally.

table, we ended up at a taco truck parked on the edge of a lot. The smell of grilled meat and fresh tortillas filled the air, and soon enough, we were sitting on a bench by the park, balancing

is better than I expected," Vivian said after taking a

nodded, agreeing. "Texas tacos

in comfortable silence for a while, the hum of passing cars and faint Christmas music from a nearby store filling

gaps.

her teacher anymore," Vivian said eventually, breaking the

She's two. Everything she paints looks like

Trust me-l see

to take your word for it,"

an easy kind

a while, the

your wife?"

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careful.