Page 3 of Smitten With My Brother’s Best Friend (SEALs of Aster Falls #1)

(Taylor)

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When I was asked to go and fetch Maverick from his room, I immediately knew it was a bad idea.

But my mom made me promise on the way that I would bury the hatchet with him, and I would stop my ridiculous hatred of him, which is annoyingly one-sided.

When it comes to Maverick Kessler, everything I feel is one-sided.

And I was prepared for that to change. I really was.

My plan was to act natural, act cool. I was going to show him how mature I’ve become.

Two problems. One is he has gotten significantly more attractive since I last saw him. I should also not have been subjected to the view of his naked chest and his muscled, toned abs.

My mouth is suddenly dry. Why is my mouth dry?

My only comfort right now is that he looks a little shocked to see me too. I manage to get my staring under control and look into the blue depths of his eyes.

“Your mom told me to come get you,” I tell him, surprised at the steadiness of my voice.

He nods distractedly. His dark brown hair is a mess on top of his head. I wonder why it’s so long, especially since they’re supposed to cut it in the military. My best guess is that he hasn’t had time to cut it in a few weeks. It suits him though. Lots of things suit him.

“I’ll be right down,” he says. His voice is deep and husky.

“All right,” I said unsurely.

I turn around to walk away.

“Hey, Taylor?” he says.

“Yeah?” I ask without turning around.

“It’s good to see you.”

I don’t know why but those words make me remember. I remember who I’m talking to. Maverick Kessler. The dick who humiliated me in front of everyone. I should hate him, promises to my mom be damned. I actually have to hate him because I’m scared of what the alternative would be.

“I wish I could say the same,” I reply coldly.

Then I walk away without looking back. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I think I hear him laughing.

I almost turn around to check because Maverick doesn’t laugh often.

He’s always so grumpy and silent. Somehow that used to attract me to him.

I close my eyes briefly, trying to clear my mind of these thoughts.

I really hate myself for being a cliché. I fell for my brother’s best friend. And while it was just a stupid crush I regretted, I can’t help thinking of what it could have led to.

When I get back to the dining area, I force those thoughts to the back of my head. I have a boyfriend, and he’s sitting right here beside my mom with my family. Relationships don’t get any more serious than that. I rush over to save him, especially since Adam can’t seem to stop glaring at him.

“He’s on his way,” I announce, sliding into my seat beside my boyfriend.

I met Terry when I was working as a secretary to a lawyer in New York.

Terry was interning at the time. He had just graduated from law school and was looking for a big break.

He’s still looking for that break, but now he has me in his life.

The connection was almost instantaneous.

He’s good-looking, with green eyes and brown hair.

He has a dimple on his left cheek and a strong sculpted jaw.

He looks and speaks like someone who has his whole life figured out, which isn’t actually true.

If it was, he wouldn’t be living in my apartment and mooching off me.

I remind myself that I have feelings for him.

It’s pathetic that after dating him for three years, I have to remind myself of that.

He gives me a small uncomfortable smile before squeezing my hand under the table.

I’m glad he’s taking the time to do this for me.

He didn’t have to come with me, but I asked him to because I thought I would need moral support after being away for so long.

I can see now that I made a mistake. I must have given him false hope that our relationship is going somewhere.

Being around my family is starting to make me realize it’s not.

And obviously, my brother doesn’t like him.

I give Adam a look to stop glaring at my boyfriend.

He shrugs innocently before turning his attention to his girlfriend.

If someone asked me what I wanted the most right now, my answer would be what Lisa and Adam have.

They met in high school but didn’t date until much later.

Lisa is a beautiful brunette with a heart of gold.

She’s the perfect match for my brother and the most patient person I know.

I can’t imagine how hard it must be for her.

Her boyfriend’s work keeps him away for years.

Sometimes she doesn’t hear from him for months, while unsure if he’s alive or dead.

Adam’s my brother, and I’m usually terrified when I don’t hear from him every month so I can understand Lisa.

I admire her bravery and hope to God that I can find love as pure as theirs.

Finally, after 20 minutes, the guest of honor arrives. He takes a seat beside Adam.

“Nice of you to join us,” I muttered without looking at him.

I don’t even want to be thinking about his bare muscled chest right now.

“Sorry, I had to shower,” Maverick says, sounding amused.

“Oh, it’s fine darling. It’s great to see you. I feel like you grow even more handsome each time I see you,” my mom says, fawning over him. Just like she has been doing since he was born. I try hard not to roll my eyes.

Marilyn Miller and Donna Kessler are two peas in a pod.

They both got married to men who lived in Aster Falls, leaving their lives in big cities behind.

They both got pregnant around the same time, giving birth to two sons who I swear are the banes of my existence.

Then they both lost their husbands. Maverick’s dad during a mission, and my dad because of an accident. They’ve been inseparable ever since.

I watch as Adam tells Maverick something, making him roll his eyes.

Our families are incredibly close. Maverick and Adam grew up together and are as inseparable as our mothers.

I was born a few years after them, and by then, they had formed a close unit leaving me the outsider looking in.

They graduated high school together and enlisted in the Navy together.

They do every single thing together. It can be a little annoying sometimes.

“Thanks, Marilyn. You look amazing as well,” Maverick, the ass-kisser, replies.

“Thank you for inviting us, ma’am,” my boyfriend pipes up beside me, speaking to Maverick’s mom.

He was probably uncomfortable because no one was paying any attention to him. They can all tell that it’s not all sunshine and roses with us. I know Adam can tell, which is why he isn’t making any effort to be nice to Terry.

“Of course. It’s no problem, and you can call me Donna, and there’s no need to be so formal,” she tells him.

“All right, Donna.”

“If you don’t mind me asking…what do you do?” Donna asks.

“I work in a law firm.”

“That’s wonderful. As a lawyer?”

Terry looks uncomfortable with the question. Hell, I’m uncomfortable for him. Why couldn’t he have kept his mouth shut and acted invisible? It’s not like he has anything to be proud of at the moment.

“Not exactly,” he replies.

I don’t even need to look at Adam and Maverick to know there are identical smirks on their faces right now.

“Oh,” Donna says, her expression a little confused. “Anyway, let’s eat. Dig in, everyone.”

The conversation moves to Adam, Maverick, and Lisa, and I don’t have to open my mouth at all until the end of dinner. The problem comes when it’s time to clear the table.

“Maverick, could you please clear the table and wash the dishes?” his mother asks.

He nods in reply. Then my mom turns to me, and I know I’m in deep shit because it’s starting to look like she isn’t going to let this go.

“Tay, help Mav in the kitchen,” she says.

“But…. Adam can help him,” I protest.

She raises an eyebrow.

“Why can’t you help him?”

“Because I’m so full,” I cry, rubbing my stomach.

Adam snickers, and I kick him under the table.

“Taylor, help Maverick in the kitchen,” my mom says, using her do-not-defy-me voice.

I sigh because I don’t have a choice. The two of us get to work while everyone else enjoys some cookies and refreshments in the living room.

“I’m just curious here,” Maverick starts while we’re in the kitchen.

“About what?” I say under my breath.

I jump in fright when he bends, so he’s looking directly into my eyes. When did he even get so close?

“Geez, stay three feet away at all times!” I yell, clutching my chest.

He smirks.

“Are you still mad over what happened when we were kids?” he asks incredulously.

I roll my eyes.

“Why would I care about that or anything that's happened to you? The world doesn’t revolve around you, dick-face.”

“You’re definitely still mad,” he says with a smile.

I ignore him as I load the dishwasher.

“Come on, Tay. We were kids.”

I’m quick to rebut that statement.

“No, I was a kid. You were a jerk, and there’s a difference.”

“I said I was sorry,” he says, staring straight into my eyes.

I avert my gaze because it’s a little too intense for me.

“Really? When? I have no recollection of that ever happening.”

“I didn’t?” he asks, and I shake my head. “All right, fine. I am apologetic.”

I glare at him.

“Is that supposed to be your version of I’m sorry?” I ask with a scoff.

He shrugs.

“Why do you even care? You’ve been content to ignore me for a long time, so what’s with the sudden interest?” I ask.

Again another shrug.

“Okay, I’m leaving. You can finish up,” I tell him turning around.

“I just want us to be friends,” he says from behind me.

I spin right around. “Why?”

What do I get in reply? Oh, right, a shrug.

I swear he’s a child sometimes, not a 29-year-old, fully-grown man.

With other people, he’s quiet and stand-offish, but when he’s alone with Adam and me, his true self comes out to play.

I liked that he was comfortable enough around me to let his guard down, but that was until he showed me who he really was before he broke my 13-year-old heart.