my best
friends brother
28

blair

"So you're telling me you'd prefer Heimdall over Sam Wilson?" My eyes go back to Dylan after Dana asks her another 'important' question. Dylan gulps her drink and nods proudly. "Heimdall is played by Idris Elba and that man is a tall glass of fine. Why wouldn't I pick him?" I look back at Dana who shakes her head.

"It's Sam for me. He's understandable and kind. It's a reason Steve Rogers chose him to take up the mantle of Captain America. Plus he mostly stays to himself and comes from a small town with a sister and two nephews. He's someone my mom would fall in love with more than me." I turn back to Dylan who squints her eye.

"You big wuss. Heimdall can shove his alien dick in me anytime. So can Valkyrie with her fine ass too," I chuckle, tapping the side of my red solo cup as I listened to them debate about which marvel characters they'd prefer. Honestly, it's been an interesting convo.

"What do you think Blair?" Dana faces me.

I stop mid-tap and look between my best friend and the girl Arlin was practically in love with. Dylan raises her brow at me, turning in her seat to threaten me with a look. "Yeah peaches, who would you want more?"

Taking a sip from my cup, I glance at Dana.

"I'm sorry Coco as much as I love you, I'm gonna have to agree with Dana on this one," she gasps dramatically while Dana dances in her seat.

"Sorry, I'm sorry!"

"It's just... yeah Heimdall is gorgeous and all but, Sam is a pretty sweet and stable guy. He lives on earth and isn't guarding a barrier in space all day every day, plus he has ties with bucky and won't give me alien babies."

"Oh, that is a bunch of bull! I feel so betrayed!"

Dana and I laugh at her.

"You know, you're exactly Arlin's type." She squints at Dana and shakes her head. I widen my eyes as she tilts her head. "What?" Dylan looks at me with wide eyes.

"Uh, I have something," I sit up and cross my leg over the other to change the subject. "Kiss, marry, kill."

"Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and Clint Barton."

"Fuck Rogers, Fuck Barnes and kill Barton."

"I said kiss or marry, you always have to turn something into a freak show." I shake my head at Dylan who shrugs and sips from her cup. Dana laughs, drinking hers.

"Okay," she clears her throat. "Kiss Bucky, marry Clint, and kill Steve—don't judge me!" She stands for herself
as she notices Dylan and I shoot up at her answer.

"You killed America's ass!" Dylan boos her.

"The reason is!" She holds her finger up getting ready to make her claim. "Bucky today could be a one-night stand kinda guy, too afraid of commitment. Steve is still hung up on Peggy for some reason and he's always busy. Clint, however, he's a family man who gave up his mantle panty of times for them. He's a great husband!"

"Okay I can get with that," I agree with her.

"But I'm still killing Clint. I consider him an uncle figure. I'm marrying Bucky for sure and kissing Steve."

"I guess I can understand that, but I like my answer better," Dana shrugs and leans back in her seat.

"I feel like in some other universe, you too are best friends." Dylan points at Dana and me. I immediately shake my head. "I can't see myself with someone other than you, Coco. You know that. No offense Dana."

"None taken. I'm fine with being a lone wolf."

"Until you met Arlin." Dylan points out, trying to muffle her words by putting her lips to her cup.

But Dana clearly heard even if it was loud as hell around us. Dana is the awesome girl Arlin told us about and introduced us to the moment we got to her party.

She was just as he described her to be. She's an amazing and welcoming person. Despite her calming to always being a lone wolf for half of her life, she was pretty good at making temporary friends. Though now that she's met Arlin, I don't think any of us would be temporary.

And I think she's cool with that, seeing how well she
fits in our group. Especially with Dylan and me.

The three of us were sitting comfortably in the backyard of her parents' house who was away, me on the couch cushions while Dylan was seated in a chair with a plush cushion and Dana in a beach chair. We were sitting by a fire, the party still alive. Everyone was either in the house or out here dancing and enjoying the air.

Since we arrived here, I've been sitting in the yard.

To be more specific, I was avoiding running into Aiden. Luckily we all didn't drive together as we'd usually do. I rode with Dylan as he rode with Kaden and Arlin.

The only contact we've made since what happened was when we all got out of the cars and met up to walk to the house together. The rest of them mingled on our way here while Aiden and I stayed quiet. I could tell he did his best to ignore me, trying to stay in sync with the boys while I stood in the back of them wishing he'd look at me. Nonetheless, I expected this treatment.

Being out here with Dylan and Dana has kept me occupied and it's been nice. I could stay right here in this spot all night but I knew I'd have to face him sometime. But for now, I was enjoying the party and Dana.

"Don't give me that look girl, I know you got a little thing for our friend. You can admit it, we won't tell."

"Yes she's always like this so if you deal with Arlin, you're dealing with Dylan as well," I answer Dana's unasked question. I could tell she was going to ask.

"And don't worry, you may not know us well but you can trust us. I understand if you don't spill, she won't."

"No I mean Arlin is great." She smiles across from her and my eyes follow to wear Arlin was stepping out into the backyard with Kaiden and... Aiden. Just great.

"Just great?" Dylan pressures and I roll my eyes.

"He's a great guy and we have a lot in common which is something I never would've thought. I never met someone with the same interests and mindset as me. It's kinda nice, something I'll have to get used to but I think I can make it work. It's like... having two of me."

"And that's not so bad I guess. I like me."

I look away from Aiden when his eyes meet mine and turn to smile softly at Dana's response. The way her eyes light up while she looks at him, waving him over when they caught eyes. It reminds me of the first time I saw Aiden. Like actually saw him in a different light than just my best friend's brother. It was also the way he looked at me. The way Kaiden looks at Dylan and so on. I frown slightly and drink from my cup.

Shit, they were coming over. All of them.

I didn't know how Dylan did it. Act so normal around Kaiden even though she had strong feelings for him.

Being around Aiden just did things to me.

"I was wondering where my girls were at," Arlin smiles down at the three of us, looking proud and satisfied that we were getting along just great. I love this for him. "Your girls? Please," Dylan raises a brow at him.

I look up at Aiden who was already looking at me.

"You know you love me, Coco," he mocks my nickname for her, wrapping an arm around her neck for a small hug. She rolls her eyes. "Hm, too far." She bites him.

Say something to me, anything.

"What we're y'all talking about?" Kaiden plops beside me and glances in my cup before giving me a look.

This helped me take my eyes off of Aiden.

Leaning over my shoulder, he whispers. "You okay?"

I give him a small smile. "Yeah of course."

"You sure? You're drinking and your cup is bouta be gone. This ain't you. What's up bubbles?" he takes my cup and sits it down on the small table. I roll my eyes.

"I'm fine Kay, I promise. It's a party and I'm actually enjoying it for once, why not celebrate it? Hm?" I force a smile and grab my cup again, downing the rest of the drink. I lean back and wrap my arm around my waist.

His eyes linger on me for a while as I stare blankly at the fire. Aiden was standing on the other side of it.

"Dear brother, could you be a dear and get me another cup? Please?" My ears go back to the conversation.

Dylan had her arm out, waving her cup at Aiden.

"Do I look like Maid in Manhattan to you? Get up and do it yourself," he was clearly annoyed and I could take a wild guess why. Dylan scolds him then smirks.

"How would you like it if I tell your little secret girlfriend you dream of her? My mouth can get real dirty, I can make up a dream fantasy just like that," her smirk was evil and while everyone else murmurs in interest, I became tense. Our eyes met briefly before he leans over to snatch the cup from her hands and walked away. "You're a bitch."

"The baddest my dear brother," she flips her hair that was free from her usual braids. Dylan barely wore her hair out and free but tonight she did for some reason.

It was flowing in the wind gracefully.

And I didn't miss the way Kaiden was surprised to see her hair flowing free. He couldn't keep his eyes away.

"Secret girlfriend?" Dana wanted the conversation to go further and I try my best not to make my tense shoulders obvious, especially with a very observant Kaiden over my shoulder looking at me like I would crack. It's like he's trying to catch my reaction to the conversation topics, seeing if any made me tick.

As if he wasn't an open fucking book himself.

"He's been on the phone with some girl lately laughing it up. I don't know, I don't recognize her voice though."

I slightly frown unnoticeably.

"Go Aiden," Dana smirks and I find myself swinging my foot that's over my leg way too much so I stop but it doesn't go unnoticed by Kaiden. So I stop completely.

"Unless you two know something," Dylan looks between Arlin and Kaiden. Kaiden tilts his head at her, licking his lips. "I know a lot of things, baby," his eyes briefly glance at me and that causes unwanted panic in my chest. "But Aiden's my homie, so I don't speak."

"Hm," she eyes him from head to toe.

"I'd expect this behavior from you, so," she turns to Arlin who was too busy inspecting the tattoos on Dana's left arm. "Yo love bug," he looks up blushing. "I don't know much and even if I did, I don't speak."

"Is that some kind of pack you idiots made? 'I don't speak'? What utter bullshit. You fucks know who this girl is and I'm going to find out, even if I have to fuck it out you two," Kaiden hums at the idea and smirks.

"I'm open to that idea. This house is full of bedrooms, I'd love to see you try and make me talk," I honestly felt like I was interrupting something. I could tell how bad they wanted to jump each other's bones. They should just do it and get it over with but I knew Dylan. She was stubborn and liked a challenge. She was teasing him.

"You'd have to get me drunk enough to fuck you."

"That's assault. You ruined the mood." He scolds.

"Good," she smirks.

"Could that be the girl?" Dana speaks up, pointing across the yard. Our heads turn and I never felt a burn of jealousy hit me so hard in my life. Well, maybe I have but it's been a while since I've been jealous.

That new girl. Hayden.

With Dylan's cup in his hand as he walks out of the house, Hayden was right by his side laughing loudly as if he told her the funniest thing. I roll my eyes hard. Wait. My eyes are wide and I look at Dylan, her face falling. If she's here then that means...

"Girl I thought wasn't real," well shit.

Ashontay plops on the other side of me, tossing her leg on the small table in front of the couch. She leans back and faces me. "Ashontay," I say her name, surprised.

"I still find you hard to believe." Her eyes gloss over my face. Dylan gets up as Aiden and Hayden we're close by, snatching her drink from him. She began gulping it. "You're welcome," he rolls his eyes at her.

I squint my eyes at Hayden, not liking the way she moved so innocently against him, her arm wrapped around his. The way I wanted to skin that arm.

"Are you guys Ashontay's friends?" She perks with a smile. Ashontay groans at her sister. "For fucks sake Hayden we just got here. Stop thinking I know every fucking person I meet. And stop fucking rubbing on a guy you barely know," she scolds her sister, silencing the air. I slightly smirk, loving Ashontay for that.

"As if our summer at home meant nothing," her eyes glance at Dylan and Ashontay gives her sister both fingers and a sarcastic smile. I frown. Oh, yeah.

They spent the whole summer together.

So much time, so many shared moments, a bunch of alone time together. I could not stomach that at all.

"Okay, who's up for a game?" Dana suggests.

Aiden chuckles wryly. "I know someone who loves playing games. They sure do win a lot so beware."

I blankly stare at him as he avoids looking at me.

"You say utter bullshit," Dylan speaks up.

Crushing my empty cup, I give a dirty look to him and the clingy ditz before pushing myself up and storming into the house. I shove past everyone to end up on the front lawn. Flopping down on the grass, I groan.

Being petty and throwing shade was new for him. I wasn't expecting it but I guess I deserved it. Just not like that and in front of everyone, especially Dylan. It's like he was doing it to get underneath my skin. I hope he's happy he got what he wanted. Rubbing my tipsy head, I felt a body sit beside me and knew it was Kaiden.

The black nail polish on his fingers as he handed me a water bottle gave him away. Sighing, I take the water.

"Thanks."

"Don't worry, I covered for you," he leans against me to say over the music. Even though the party was inside with the music muffled, it was still very loud. Where the hell did Dana get those speakers? I'm surprised the neighbors haven't complained yet. I drink the water. "Covered me for what?"

"You stormed off. I told everyone you went to get another drink because you wouldn't have played the game without being a little drunk. Which is half true."

I drop the water bottle in between my legs.

"Thanks, I guess."

"You wanna tell me what's going on?"

"I can't tell you. I can't tell anybody."

"You know, Aiden been acting weird too. Said almost the same thing. He said it didn't matter if he told us or not." I bite my tongue and avoid looking up at him.

"And you stormed off after what he said."

"Just say what you think," I sigh in defeat.

"I know about you two. Well, I figured for a while, but Aiden eventually told us. So, wanna tell me about that?" I scoff. "Talk about Aiden who I've been avoiding?"

"Bro the cats out of the bag so you mind as well tell me. Dylan is too oblivious to know. Arlin and I got you."

"Well, how much do you know?"

"He couldn't stop talking about you, that's one. So I'd say he really wanted you to feel what he felt? He went
on about you still being hooked up on Matteo..."

"See that's just it. I don't not feel what he feels, it's just... he was moving too fast for me. We've been on one date and haven't even established our relationship. I felt guilty being with him because of Dylan and my feelings for my ex. I told him just how I felt and he was hurt."

"You shouldn't still be hooked on that fucker."

"Yeah, I know. I... went to his house yesterday."

"Excuse me?" He went big brother mode.

"Don't worry, nothing happened. I just told him how I felt, he wanted to get back together but I told him I couldn't because of Aiden and I'd be hurting him. Plus, the image of him cheating was still fresh in my mind."

"And he's a liar, something I was blinded by being with him," I shrug and hug my legs to my chest. I turn my head to look a Kaiden who was glaring at me hard.

"You're an idiot you know that?"

"Thanks."

"But at least he's gone from your life, right?"

"Somewhat. I'm working on getting over him."

"And you think being with Aiden is going to help?"

I frown. "I never said that."

"You didn't have to."

I take a deep breath. "I like Aiden. Always have."

"But he likes me too much and that's scary."

"Because of Dylan?"

"Yes but the thought of getting cheated on again, broke me. My stupid feelings for my dumb ex and I couldn't bear the thought of him being with someone else. Especially knowing how much time he spent with Hayden in Jamaica. So I'm saving myself from it all."

"I didn't mean to hurt him and he doesn't understand why I ended things. He doesn't know that I stored my feelings away for the sake of having to choose between him and Dylan. He doesn't know that if I give in, I'm stopping him from having a great relationship because I'd be paranoid all the time and still betray Dyl."

"So why not tell him at that?"

"And witness more hurt on his face?"

"He's gotta understand where you're coming from."

I sigh and stretch my body across the grass, laying my head in Kaiden's lap. "I don't wanna lose them both."

"Maybe you could distract Dylan with your feelings for her," I look up at him and he nearly shoves me away.

"Yeah, I know things too, baby," I mock his words from earlier and smirk. He blows out a breath and shrugs. "Well, at least this stays between us, right?"

I connect my pinky with his open one. "With us."