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

WANT A RIDE LAURA

After the game, the bleachers emptied quickly, the crowd filtering out into the chilly night. Sam had darted off

ahead of us, her usual whirlwind self, with a quick wave and half a goodbye as she greeted sguys from

another school. That left Jess andstanding just outside the field, the faint hum of chatter and laughter still

lingering in the air as people trickled away.

| shoved my hands into my jacket pockets, feeling awkward and a little out of place, watching as Jess's

expression brightened when a guy with messy brown hair approached. Bryan, or maybe Brandon? | couldn't

remember, but he looked vaguely familiar. He greeted Jess like they'd known each other forever, his smile easy

and confident.

What surprisedmost was how Jess seemed to warm up to him. She usually had a sharp edge to her,

especially when it cto guys. Yet here she was, laughing at whatever Bryan-or Brandon-was saying, her

cheeks faintly flushed. | glanced away, pretending not to notice, but a part ofcouldn't help but wonder where

Luke fit into this equation. I'd been so sure he would win out in the end.

The thought barely had tto settle before Luke cinto view, stalking over to us with a look on his face that

screamed trouble.

| stiffened, instinctively stepping back a little, and Jess must've noticed too because she went rigid next to me.

Bryan didn't 0.00%

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seem to pick up on the shift, still smiling like he owned the world, even as Luke closed the distance with an

intensity that made the hair on my arms stand up.

Trailing behind Luke was Josh, his stride just as purposeful but with an air of casual disinterest that somehow

made him seem even more intimidating. My stomach twisted as his eyes barely flicked in my direction before

snapping back to Jess and Bryan. It was so fast, so impersonal, like | wasn't even worth a second of his time.

Not that it mattered.

| told myself to focus on anything but him. The ache in my shoulders. The way the crisp air smelled faintly of

grass and sweat. The sound of gravel crunching under people's shoes as they left. Anything to keep from looking

at Josh.

But my breathing betrayed me, coming faster and shallower the closer he got, until | wasn't even aware of what

was happening in front ofanymore.

Luke's voice cut through my haze, sharp and confrontational.

"You've got a lot of nerve, Bryan.

| blinked, my gaze snapping to him just as Bryan's easy smile faltered.

"Excuse me?" Bryan said, his tone challenging but not overtly aggressive. Yet.

"You heard me," Luke shot back, stepping closer, his shoulders squared like he was ready for a fight. "What are

you even doing here? Trying to make a move?"

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Bryan's expression hardened, and | felt Jess stiffen beside me, her posture shifting defensively.

"What's your problem, man?" Bryan said, his voice rising slightly. "Jess and | are just talking. Not that it's any of

your business."

Luke let out a low, humorless laugh, shaking his head. "Right. Just talking. Like | haven't seen this act before."

Bryan bristled, taking a step closer, and suddenly it felt like the air around us had turned electric, charged with

testosterone and misplaced pride. It was like they were practically laying it on the table and measuring, if you

asked me. | stood back, watching the scene unfold, my arms crossed tightly over my chest as | tried to disappear

into the background,

Jess glanced between the two of them, her jaw clenched. "Luke, don't-"

WWWWW

"Don't what, Jess?" Luke snapped, his gaze never leaving Bryan. "Let this guy think he can just waltz in like he

owns the place?"

Bryan scoffed. "You're acting like you've got sclaim here or something. Newsflash, man-you don't."

| bit my lip, half-expecting Jess to jump in and defuse the situation, but she stayed quiet, her hands clenched at

her sides.

Josh finally spoke up, his voice low and calm in a way that made it even more commanding. "All right, that's

enough."

Both Luke and Bryan froze, their tension breaking slightly as they turned to look at him. Josh stood there with his

hands shoved into his pockets, his expression unreadable.

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WANT A RIDE

"This isn't the place for whatever this is," he said, his tone carrying just enough authority to make them both

hesitate.

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Luke glared at Bryan for a moment longer before stepping back, muttering something under his breath. Bryan

didn't look any happier, but he seemed to take the hint, running a hand through his hair and backing off.

The standoff dissipated as quickly as it had begun, but the awkward tension lingered in the air.

Josh's gaze flicked toagain, just for a second, before he turned away, his shoulders stiff as he walked off

toward the parking lot. My heart sank, the knot in my chest tightening even further.

www

"He's a good guy, Jess," Josh said simply, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. "You should let him take you out."

My eyes snapped to Josh, surprised at the unexpected endorsement. Luke looked like someone had just punched

him in the gut. His head whipped toward Josh, his expression a mix of disbelief and betrayal, but Josh didn't even

glance his way. Bryan gave a small nod of appreciation. "Thanks, man."

Jess hesitated, her gaze still flicking nervously to Luke. "Uh, okay. Maybe," she finally said, her voice softer than

usual.

Bryan grinned like he'd just won a prize, and Luke muttered something under his breath.

| was just waiting for Jess so we could head home-her home.

| couldn't go to my home. | just couldn't. Not ith my

mothers

Dr

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1 288 Vouchers

boyfriend there or more like one night stand.

Jess turned tothen, her

expression softening when she saw

my face. "He dU Einddrivin

y face. "Hey, doy g

WRRHUOD ge she asked, as casually as

if she were askingto hold her

drink. My heart stopped beating. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

"What?" The word cout before | could stop it, and | felt my cheeks heat as Jess raised an eyebrow at me.

"I was going to take you home, but..." She gestured toward Bryan with an apologetic smile. "He kind of offered to

givea ride. You don't mind, do you?"

Of course, | minded. The idea of

being in a car with Josh-alone -made

my stomach twist intaknots Blt the

thoyghbefgoing home, of walking

: n

into that house, was even worse. "Uh,

| + n :

yeah, sure. It's fing," | mumbled, trying

to keep my voice steady. The content

is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Jess smiled gratefully, clearly

q f q o

relieved | wasn't puttin upa fights

She tured bagkctd Br “and | could

alrehty see her defenses softening

as they started talking again. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

| didn't look at Luke. | didn't dare. But | could feel his frustration radiating off him in waves.

Josh's voice broughtout of my thoughts. "Let's go," he said simply, already heading toward the parking lot.

| hesitated for a moment, my feet feeling like they were glued to the ground. Then | forced myself to move,

following him silently.

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