The WRONG Brother (Love You Forever #1) - Alexis Winter Page 0,24
him this secret on the show when you’ve been too scared to tell him alone? Tonight has definitely changed things, right? I mean, we’ve never kissed before, other than that stupid game. But tonight we kissed on our own. Maybe that kiss was his way of saying, “Hey stupid, I like you!” Going on this show could be the grand gesture I need to prove to him that I’m serious. And once we’re there, I can’t back out. There’s no chance I’ll chicken out this time.
I grab my computer and go to the website that was promoted on the bottom of the screen. Turns out, the show is filming in Chicago. How perfect is that? I quickly fill in the blanks: name, address, birthdate, and then comes the biggest part of all—the secret.
I have been secretly in love with my best friend for as long as I can remember. His name is Preston Young and he’s been my best friend since we were five. We did everything together growing up. Preston is fun-loving, sexy, sweet, and of course, a ladies’ man. He’s dated almost everyone in our small hometown. Everyone but me. I’ve had to stand in the shadows for years, watching as every other girl got the one thing I couldn’t have. I’ve gone back and forth wondering if telling him this secret is a good idea or not, but something changed tonight that’s making me lean toward telling him. We shared a drunken kiss! It seems there’s no better time than now. But how will he feel? Will he love me too or will he turn me down? Only time will tell.
I click the SEND button and push my laptop to the side. Sleep is starting to pull at me and I want nothing more than to give in—let it take me to a place where Preston and I can be together in every way I want.
I wake in the morning and the hangover I’ve been putting off all weekend is making itself known again. I grab the bottle of Tylenol out of my purse and wash two down. I take a quick shower, not worrying about my appearance since I won’t be doing anything but driving most of the day. I quickly throw my things into my bag, carry it downstairs, and set it by the door. I head toward the kitchen where I smell coffee and breakfast.
“Good morning. Aren’t you looking a little rough?” Mom says with the sweetest smile as I plop down on the barstool at the island. “Coffee?”
“Please,” I mumble.
She shakes her head and rolls her eyes, but eventually goes to pour me a cup of coffee. She sets it in front of me with a plate covered in eggs, bacon, toast, and fresh fruit.
“Thank you,” I say, wasting no time digging in.
“How was the weekend with Preston?” she asks, loading the dishwasher.
“Good. I’m glad we decided to come home at the same time, although I feel like I wasted all weekend and didn’t get to spend any time with you guys. When are you planning on coming into the city?”
“It’s fine, hon. You know your dad. He avoids the city every chance he gets. Plus, we’ll be having our big Fourth of July cookout soon. You’ll make it back for that, right?”
“Of course. I never miss it. I wait all year for the Independence Day punch.” I smile at the memory until the thought of alcohol turns my stomach.
She laughs. “One of these days you’ll settle down.”
I snort. “Don’t hold your breath.” I push my plate away now that my stomach has decided it doesn’t want food. “I should hit the road before traffic picks up.” I stand and kiss the top of her head while she gently hugs me.
“Call me when you get home so I know you got back safe.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you too,” she says just as I’m opening the front door and walking out.
I toss my bag into the back seat and open the driver’s side door. I glance over at the Youngs’ home, hoping to see Preston one more time. I see his car in the driveway, but Calvin is already gone, and neither of them is outside. I climb behind the wheel to start my drive.
With the weekend traffic, it takes me almost twice as long to get home, but I finally arrive and I’m more than excited to spend the day lounging around in silence. I take a long, hot bath in my clawfoot