“You don’t need to worry,” he murmurs, his eyes locked with mine. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I force a smile and nod, even though I want to puke at the thought of losing him. “Promise?”
“I promise. Not even the grim reaper can rip me from your side.” He cups my cheek and kisses my forehead before straightening and begrudgingly releasing my hand. “We don’t need to worry about that happening, though, because I don’t know if it’s even about us.”
“Right,” I say. No jumping to conclusions. If he’s not worried, then I shouldn’t be, either.
“That’s my girl. I’ll be back later. Until then, behave.”
I frown as he snatches a black t-shirt from the island. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Aiden snickers and tugs on the shirt. “Meaning, no more riding my helmet.” He casts a heated look at me over his shoulder. “Unless you’re up for an audience. Or better yet, riding me instead.”
He leaves before I can respond.
Leaning forwardin my gaming chair, I squint at the screen. Brandon and I chose an easier game because I mentioned needing to relax. The typical fighting games we play would onlydump more adrenaline into my veins, which is the last thing I need after the tension-filled interaction with Aiden a few hours ago.
“I’m thinking of going to that store to buy the last few pieces for my Otaku Con cosplay,” Brandon says. “By the way, are you still planning on going next weekend?”
“Yeah.” I aim my disgruntled look at the webcam. “I haven’t missed an Otaku Con for four years in a row. There’s no way I’m breaking that streak. Why do you ask?”
“Well . . . you’ve been distracted lately,” Brandon says with a sigh. “I was worried you’d ditch me. Still am, if I’m being completely honest. I miss you.”
Guilt stabs my chest. “Oh.”
“Yeah,” Brandon says. “But I can kind of understand. You’re in the honeymoon phase of a new relationship. I’m sure it’ll wear off sooner than later, but I don’t want you to forget about me, ya know?”
I nod and play with a lock of hair near my neck. “I don’t think I could ever forget about you.”
I still get butterflies in my stomach when talking to Brandon, but they’re less prominent now. It’s like they switched teams, preferring to make themselves known whenever I’m with Aiden.
Not only is that wrong, but it’s dangerous. I can’t lose myself while pretending to be with my brother.
“Most importantly, you can’t fall for me.”Aiden’s warning echoes in my head.
“Oh, yeah?” Brandon’s features brighten, his smile stretching across his face.
“Yeah, you’re my best friend,” I say. “I mean, other than my brother, who’s also my best friend. But you get the idea.”
He chuckles. “Thanks. I can’t imagine your brother getting along with him.”
I turn toward the computer screen and tap a few keys, pretending to play the game while mentally scrambling for the right answer.
It’s not like I can say,oh yeah, about that. My boyfriend is my brother, so of course he’d have no problem with himself.
Cue “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
I snort a laugh and catch myself before bursting into hysterics.
“What’s so funny?” Brandon chuckles.
“My brother wasn’t happy at first,” I say with a shrug, “but after meeting my boyfriend, he seems to like him.”
“Really? That’s surprising.”
“What? Why?”
“Well,” Brandon drawls, “your boyfriend seems like . . .”
