My Best Friend's Brother

I Don't Need Her Permission

I watch as Jackson walks away, then stops, "Just in case y'all are looking for Sarah, she's at my house."

Liam steps onto the porch, forming a fist with his hands, "I swear to God I will kick your ass, Brooks."

Jackson turned and laughed, "I think you are looking for my brother. I am not the one getting in her pants."

I knew what was about to happen, but I couldn't let it. Liam took off across the front yard towards The Brooks house.

"STOP!"

He slowed down to a walk and looked over his shoulder.

"Please, stop."

I tried to plea with my eyes, and he finally stopped walking.

Jackson walked back up to my front door, "What the hell is going on between you two?"

Liam made his way back to my porch.

"It's none of your business, Jackson. Just go home."

Liam took his place by my side, "Go back inside, I have a few words to say to this prick."

I grabbed Liams arm and pulled him into the house, "Sarah is over there, she can't know you are over here. Just let it go, I promise he isn't worth it."

He pushed my hair behind my ear, "Fine."

He flipped Jackson off, then slammed the door in his face, and walked me back to my room.

"Do you think he is going to tell Sarah?"

Liam stretches across my bed with his hands behind his head, his muscles flexed, "Why don't we just tell her first?"

I almost choked, "Are you kidding right now?"

He smirked, "Why not?"

I pulled my hair up behind my head and tied it up with a scrunchy.

He rolled off the side of the bed and walked over to me, "Let's just tell her.. tell her that we are kind of vibing."

I laugh, "Vibing? Is that the easy way to get out of saying 'We low key want mess around but need your permission first'?"

He put his hand around the back of my neck, and pulled my scrunchy out of my hair, "Em, I don't need her permission to mess around with you," he moved closer to me, "I just don't think you are ready." 

My hands ran down his back and I stood on my tippy toes, "I don't think I have ever been this ready in my life."

His hand on the back of my neck pulled my lips to his. This time, it was gentle and soft and slow. It was different from last time.

I slowly let everything else slip out of my mind, I was focused on this moment. My hands ran over his chest and shoulders. His hands split time between my hair and neck, and my waistline.

Without separating my lips from his, I slowly pulled him towards the bed. He hesitated, but finally let his body lay on top of mine. We were both so lost in the moment, and I didn't want it to end.

My phone started ringing, but neither of us let go of the other. He finally pulled away, "That could be your mom... you should answer it."

I grab the phone, "Hello?"

"Emilie, it's me sweetie. I just got off of the plane, are you okay?"

"Yes, mom. Are you?"

Her voice cracked, "I called Amy, she and Thomas are driving down tomorrow. I asked them to check in on you," Amy and Thomas Brooks were the parents of the Brooks brothers, and my new neighbors once more, "I am sorry that I left this morning on bad terms with you..."

"Mom, stop-" my eyes were starting to water.

"I love you, Emilie."

"I love you, too, mom."

The phone was silent, except for a muffled cry. My heart was beginning to break all over again.

"I will call you in the morning."

"Okay..."

"Goodnight, sweetie."

I close my eyes, fighting tears, "Goodnight, mom."

The phone call ended and I sat down on the foot of the bed. I had to be strong for my mom, but she isn't here. My eyes couldn't hold the tears anymore, they came a flood.

Liam didn't speak, he simply pulled me back into his arms and I cried myself to sleep.

I woke up the next morning, immediately aware of my morning breath. I covered my mouth with my hand and turned away from Liam's face.

"Mornin." He pulled my back into his chest and I attempted to wiggle away.

With my mouth covered, I mumbled good morning. He laughed and let go of me.

Once we had both brushed our teeth and changed into decent clothes to face the day, I checked my phone. No missed calls or messages.

With Sarah staying with Justin, I wondered if she had known about my dad... and if she just didn't call me.

"Let's go get breakfast."

I smile at Liam and he hands me my jacket and purse, "Breakfast sounds amazing."

The Waffle Palace was pretty crowded, but we managed to find an empty booth in the corner away from the crowd.

I looked the menu up and down trying to decide what I wanted. I look up and meet eyes with Liam who is now grinning ear to ear, "What?"

He shook his head, "Nothing, I just can't stop looking at you."

I felt my cheeks go red, and I raised my menu to cover my face.

He reached over and took the menu from me, "You are beautiful, quit hiding."

"Well, if it isn't the best friend.. and the ass of a brother."

I didn't have to look to know who that voice belonged to, "Jett, what the hell do you want?"

He smirked, "Just stopped to say hi."

"Well you can keep walking now." Liam was stern with his words, it was a command not a suggestion.

Jett sat down in the booth pushing me further to the wall, "I think I may hang out for a bit."

"Please, Jett. Just go." I push him back out of the booth, using all of my strength.

He stands up, "What if I stay? Are you going to call your daddy to come beat me up?"

Liam slammed the fist down on the table, "Shut your mouth, before I shut it for you."

My eyes feel to my lap, no one really knew who my dad was... or what he was and they definitely didn't know that he died yesterday.

Jett pushed Liam a little more. Laughing, "You don't scare me, Liam."

Liam stood from the booth and flared his nostril just inches from Jett. I could see his hands balling into fists. He was already past the point of me being able to do anything to calm him down.

I slid between the two of them and pushed Jett away by his chest, "I would leave."

Jett waved the air, "Whatever. You two aren't any fun anymore. I will just go find Sarah."

Liam laughed, "Pretty sure Sarah doesn't give a shit about you anymore."

Jett turned and looked confused, "You don't know anything, Liam."

"I know she spent the night with Justin Brooks last night."