“So… this is a real thing?” Will asks. “My best friend and my little sister?”
“It is,” Decker says.
“What the hell, man? That’s my kid sister—”
“I’m in love with her.”
Will’s jaw drops as he glances between us. “What?”
“I love him, too,” I say.
We moved into a new apartment two weeks ago—both of our names on the lease. I’d worried a one-bedroom would be too cramped for us, but aside from a couple of minor adjustment moments, it’s been perfect.
“Is this a joke?” Will presses.
The question hits like a slap, and I lean back in the booth. “Will—”
“No, it’s not a joke,” Decker growls, sharper than I’ve ever heard him speak to my brother.
“I just… I’ve never… My sister…”
I frown. “Those aren’t real sentences.”
“I never thought Decker would say that to anyone,” Will says slowly, “and I definitely didn’t think it would be about my sister.”
“I think they look cute together,” Melinda chimes in.
I like her. A lot more than I like my brother right now. This was always going to be a bit difficult, but it feels like Will doesn’t think I’m enough to keep his best friend happy.
“We have a puppy,” I say, trying to prove to him that there’s a commitment there with us. “His name’s Rhys. Decker bought him for me because I used to talk about wanting a dog.”
Will reaches across the table to take my hand, but I move it under the table and into my lap. “Hol, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“You just find it hard to believe a guy like Decker could love your little sister.”
I can’t look at him. If I do, I worry I’ll cry. We’ve talked since Decker and I officially became a couple, and never once did I think he doubted us this much.
“Holly, you know Decker. How he—”
“Stop.”
“I don’t want him to hurt you.”
“Like you just did?” Decker snaps, his arm snaking around me. “Holly, you okay, baby?”
I nod, eyes down. “Excuse me. I need to use the restroom.”
I slip out of the booth and into the bathroom before anyone can say anything. Holding back the tears until I’m into the stall is something I’m proud of.
How can my own brother not think I’m enough for Decker? He just voiced the same fear I’d recently shaken, but it’s still a fresh scab. One that my brother just ripped off.
What if he’s right?
What if Decker gets tired of me and walks away?
He could decide one morning that he tried this experiment, but one woman just isn’t enough for him.
I’mnot enough for him.
