The WRONG Brother (Love You Forever #1) - Alexis Winter Page 0,40

but I feel my face grow 10 degrees hotter.

She smiles as she takes me in. “Tell me! I have to know now.”

“Well, Calvin called yesterday while Preston was over. It was the first time Preston and I had talked since the whole ordeal. It wasn’t long after Preston left that Calvin showed up to check on me and make sure I was okay. Then we may have . . . sort of . . . uh, we hooked up.”

Her eyes grow wide as her mouth drops open. “You had sex with your best friend’s brother? The best friend you just claimed to be in love with?”

I roll my eyes and nod. “Yes, but before you go ruining this, I need to say I didn’t sleep with Cal as an attempt to get over Preston or as any kind of replacement. Got that?”

She holds up her hands, showing me her palms. “How do you explain it then?”

I take a bite out of my sandwich—chewing slowly and swallowing while thinking over my answer. “Okay, look, Calvin and I grew up together. I was closer to Preston than him, but still. Pres was the one I went to when I wanted to have fun and do something. But Calvin was the one I went to when I was hurt or in trouble. He’s helped me out of every bad situation I’ve ever been in, which is why he showed up last night. He knew things between Preston and me weren’t good. He wanted to make sure Preston didn’t make them worse. And then, one thing just led to another. Lately—and I mean, before I even took Preston to that show—I’ve been having surprising feelings for Calvin.”

“I don’t think this was a random hookup, Piper.”

“You don’t?”

She shakes her head. “If everything you said is true, I think he’s had feelings for you this whole time. I mean, what kind of guy is always there to pick up a girl who’s down if he isn’t in love with her?”

I roll my eyes. “That’s just Calvin. He would do the same for you, or any woman, for that matter. He’s sweet and kind. He’s a gentleman.”

“Show me a picture.”

“What? No!”

“Come on. Show me or I’ll just look him up on Insta.”

I know she will, too. “Fine.” I dig my phone out of my bag and search through the photos. His Insta account mostly advertises his law office. In every picture, he’s in a tailored suit and looks professional. I want to show her a picture of him looking laid back and easygoing. I flip through the pictures on my phone until I find one of the three of us from my recent trip home. It’s a picture I had our waitress snap after we’d finished eating.

In the picture, I’m between Preston and Calvin. I hand over the phone and watch as her eyes move from the screen, to me, and back. Her eyes widen and her lips turn up into a smile. “Girl, what’s wrong with you? Calvin is wayyy hotter than Preston.”

I giggle. “He kind of is, isn’t he?” It’s funny how I never really saw it before. And if I did see it, I was too blinded by Preston to fully accept it.

“This boy is in love with you.”

I take my phone back and snort. “How do you know?” I look at the picture again.

“Look at the three of you. Preston has his arm over your shoulder like you’re just any old buddy. But Calvin has his hand on your hip. And his fingers are curled slightly, like he’s trying to pull you closer to him. He looks tall. Is he tall?”

I smile at the picture before putting my phone away and nod. “He is tall. He’s tall and lean and . . . big.” My eyes stretch wide and she giggles.

“How big?”

I lean in and whisper. “Bigger than anyone I’ve ever been with. Like, I-was-afraid-he’d-rip-me-in-two big.”

She laughs and licks her lips like she’s picturing it. “Lucky bitch,” she breathes out jokingly.

The rest of the day passes unusually slowly. All I can think about is Calvin coming over tonight. I can’t wait to cuddle up in his arms and spend the rest of the night beneath him. I’m a little sore today, but nothing that’s going to stop me from enjoying him tonight.

I wonder if I should tell Preston that Calvin and I are spending so much time together, but at the same time, I don’t want to tell him we’re doing something we’re