Chapter 26: Brotherly Interrogation

KARA

I groaned, falling back onto the plush couch. We had just gotten home from our mini trip, and I was feeling exhausted. Happy, but exhausted.

“At least you’re not the one who smelled like a literal asshole,” Charlie muttered back, sitting down next to me.

I bit my lip to contain my laughter, causing my body to shake. “How do you know what an asshole smells like?”

Charlie smirked. “You’re not the only one who has been fooling around.” I processed his words, icy chills striking my spine. How the fuck did he find out?

Charlie must’ve noticed my reaction. He shifted to face me. “We’ve got to talk,” my brother added, giving me an intense stare.

Being the nervous fool I was, I stuttered, “A-about what?

“What’s going on with you and Jason?” my brother bluntly asked.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. “Um, we’re friends?” I nervously laughed.

Charlie has never liked the idea of me being with a boy. I should say a boy being with me. I secretly think it’s because Charlie doesn’t want someone to hurt me the way our dad hurt our mom.

I always loved him for that, though. Being the protective older brother, that is.

“Friends don’t flirt like that.” Charlie stopped, pondering how to say his next few words. “Or cuddle together.” He closed his eyes and shuddered, hating to even say the words.

My face was burning by now. So that’s how he knew. “You’re not giving me the sex talk, are you?” I gasped in horror and scrambled back on the couch.

“No!” Charlie choked out, obviously feeling just as terrified as I was. “Wait, are you having sex?!” Charlie gasped in disgust.

My breathing hitched, realizing my mistake. “No! Oh my God.” My body cringed at this conversation. “I just figured you would, knowing you!” I quickly explained.

At this point, my brother and I were sitting as far away as possible, gagging at the idea of having that embarrassing conversation. I breathed out in relief.

“That’s next, though,” Charlie added, grinning at my once again terrified expression. “Kidding, but I just want to talk about Jason.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “What about him?” My curiosity was beginning to grow. Deep down, I knew Charlie was going to ask me about it, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be for a while.

“How long have you had feelings for him?”

I shrugged, thinking about it. “I don’t really know. I mean, I guess I had a crush on him, but I never realized it until he admitted his feelings.”

Charlie eyed me. “How’d he admit it?” I blushed, and he narrowed his eyes on me.

I cringed. “He kissed me.”

Charlie’s face was deadpan.

No expression. No reaction.

Just frozen.

Hmm. “Charlie?” I waved my hand in front of his face. He was still frozen, but his eyes met mine. The look on his face once he unfroze was priceless.

“You’ve been kissed?” My brother’s eyes were full of dread, and he looked like a puppy that had just been kicked.

My eyes rolled. “It’s not like you can prevent it from happening.”

“If I were there, yes, I would’ve!” he retorted in disbelief. My dramatic brother looked back up at me.

I was going to mention Adam, but Charlie was away at college the few short months I dated him, and they never knew each other. I really didn’t feel like talking about Adam, either.

I’d rather let Charlie think it was Jason.

“It just happened.” I rolled my eyes at him. And I’m glad it did. That kiss got us to admit our feelings for each other.

“There’s still time to throw you into a nunnery.” I punched him in the arm, and my brother cackled deviously.

Charlie gave me a lazy grin before turning serious again. “Now the important question: does he make you happy?”

I sat up straight, thinking about it. “Yeah, I guess he does, but he also annoys the hell out of me,” I added. Charlie grinned in amusement.

“So, are you two dating now?”

I shook my head. “We’re taking it slow.”

My brother nodded. “That’s good. If he does anything stupid though, I’ll beat ass. Even if he is a better fighter than me, I’ll try.”

I broke out laughing again at his threatening expression. I was going to mention how he’d probably lose, but I didn’t want to wound his enormous ego.

“You better not do anything to hurt Jason either, though. He’s my friend too.” Charlie gave me a stern look, and I nodded. I’d never intentionally hurt Jason.

“Anyway, I just wanted to talk to you about it because Jason had the balls to come ask me,” Charlie explained. My mouth formed into a small O as it now made more sense to me why Charlie had brought it up.

“What’d he say?” I asked, curious as to how their conversation went.

“I gave him a hard time, but don’t worry. I didn’t scare your boyfriend away,” Charlie teased, and I gave him another light punch.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” My cheeks flushed. “Yet.”

***

I woke up this morning feeling a lot more energized than yesterday. Charlie and I spent our Sunday afternoon eating pizza and watching movies.

My mom came home and joined us. Life was going smoothly now that her life was back on track.

“I had so much fun this weekend.” Jess stretched as we stood at her locker. “It was exactly what I needed.”

Layla nodded in agreement. “I’m just glad we’re alive after pulling that prank. We did amazing, might I add.”

“It went way better than I’d imagined,” I chimed in.

“I’m sure it did, considering it ended up with you pinned up against a tree.” Layla grinned wickedly, causing Jess to burst out laughing.

My cheeks heated as I growled at her. After I had told them what happened, they weren’t surprised that Jason confessed his feelings.

“Kara and Jason. Jason and Kara. It has a ring to it,” Jess mused to herself.

“It does! How does Jara sound? No, what about Karson?” Layla asked Jess. They both began to find the right couple name as they continued walking forward.

I let out a deep breath, walking in the opposite direction. They both shared the next class together. I wouldn’t be surprised if they spent the whole hour discussing it.

“Hey,” a deep voice filled my ears. I glanced to my left to see Adam fall into step beside me. I hadn’t seen him since I’d chewed him out.

Frankly, I hadn’t even thought about him.

My lips formed into a small smile to avoid showing my annoyance.

“How have you been?” Adam asked. “Kylie misses you.” Adam smiled down at me.

For a brief second, I almost forgot about everything that’s happened between Adam and me. I tore my eyes away from his emerald ones and genuinely smiled, thinking about Adam’s six-year-old sister.

“She’s been asking about you.” His smile was bittersweet. Then he laughed. “She wants me to tell you that she won her first soccer game.”

“Kylie won?” I questioned. Adam nodded in response. “How’d she do?”

“She didn’t score, but she did kick a boy when he tugged her pigtails.” I burst out laughing at that. Kylie was very cute, but she could be a handful at times.

“I got it on tape.” Adam grinned proudly.

“Nice.” I laughed in disbelief. I wasn’t sure if he was trying, but the conversation was quickly dying, and he must’ve felt the same way.

“I can show you sometime?” Adam raised an eyebrow. My laughter died out.

“Adam.” My eyes met his, and I felt nothing. We were over, and he had to accept that.

“Only if you want to,” Adam quickly added, looking panicked. Before I could reply, someone came up from behind and tickled my sides.

I yelped in surprise, turning to hit my attacker, only to stop when I saw it was Jason. My heart swelled.

Jason glanced behind me to Adam. “So, what time am I picking you up?” Jason asked, making sure Adam could hear. All I could do was roll my eyes.

“For what?” I asked. My eyes glanced at Adam, whose fists were dug into his front pockets, jaw clenched.

“I want you to come over.” Adam’s body tightened. Jason smirked from the corner of my eye. That asshole was ~trying~ to get a reaction out of him.

My stomach flipped. As much as I hated Adam, I also didn’t want Jason thinking I wanted anything to do with my ex.

“Whenever you want.” My gaze found Jason’s blue eyes. They darkened. I knew he was trying not to say anything about Adam. A sad cloud sat in my heart, hoping he didn’t get the wrong idea.

“You can just come home with me after school?” Jason asked while staring straight into my eyes. ~Oh~, he was horny.

“All right.” I smirked back at him, entranced by his beautiful eyes. Footsteps slapped away. Jason and I turned back to see Adam storming off in the opposite direction.

Well, that’s one problem gone.

“What was that about?” Jason popped the question I knew he was dying to ask. His deep voice made me shiver.

“It’s not what you think.” I laughed at his stiff posture. Adam was a part of my life that no longer pertained to me; he no longer had a place, and they both needed to know that.

The jealousy was oozing from his voice. “What was it then?” I almost melted right then and there. It turned me on.

I tilted my head and cocked my eyebrow, trying to read his expression. “Are you jealous?” I joked, knowing that he was.

He shook his head, causing his gold locks to fall into his eyes. “I’m not. I’m just curious,” Jason defended, but we both knew damn well that it was a lie.

Not that I minded; I found it attractive as fuck. It showed me that he cared. I just hoped he wasn’t overly jealous.

That would be a deal-breaker.

My lips formed a smirk. “So I guess you won’t mind if we remain ~friends~,” I emphasized so he’d get the meaning. After all, we were ~just friends~ at one point too.

My hips sashayed as I walked down the hall. Only I took three steps, and he grabbed my arm, causing me to turn around and crash right into his chest.

My heart raced as he stared down with darkened eyes. I felt wetness pool between my legs, overcome with excitement.

We were face-to-face, pressed up against each other—and I was trying not to smirk. Jason mumbled something quietly, and I grinned, cupping my ear. “What was that?”

Jason mumbled something louder. “Sorry, what? I can’t hear you?” I repeated. Jason pulled me closer to him.

“I’m jealous,” he finally growled. I fell forward laughing, leaning my forehead on his shoulder. His smell was intoxicating, and I allowed myself to be engulfed by him.

After our brief hug, Jason pulled back. “But don’t forget.” He lifted my chin firmly so our eyes could lock, sapphire eyes blazing. My pussy clenched as he growled, “You’re mine.”