Nate chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Delaney asked. She had spent a good hour getting ready and it showed. Her hair was pulled back in a low bun and the brown and gold eye shadows made her eyes pop.
“Your boyfriend is making fun of me for being sick.”
“Babe . . .” She dragged out the word. Her hands wrapped around his waist and she looked up at him with a loving glance. “Be nice.”
“Do you want something to drink?” he asked her and then looked over at me.
Delaney stood on her tippy toes and kissed his lips. “I’ll have a vodka tonic.”
I wanted to know what it was like to kiss him. “I’m good, thanks.”
Delaney watched as Nate walked out of the living room and toward the kitchen. “God, he has the most perfect ass, right?”
“I’m not staring at your boyfriend’s ass.”
Delaney giggled and laced her arm with mine. “Do you want to go socialize with our future in-laws?”
“Not really. I'm still sick.”
She frowned. “That stinks, Brie.”
“It’s okay. I’m high as a kite on some cold medication Louisa gave me.”
Julian snuck up behind me and kissed the back of my neck. I could smell the liquor on his breath. “You’re so beautiful.” His teeth bit my flesh. “Have I told you that today?”
“Julian.” I pulled away and turned back to face him. “You have family here.”
“I know but it's hard to keep my hands off you.” He tugged at my waist and brought me flush to his body. “Later, I’m going to kiss every inch of your body,” he said in a loud whisper. Delaney giggled and I heard Nate grunt.
“Okay. Well, I’ll go help your mom and aunts in the kitchen.” I turned to reach for Delaney. “You coming?” I didn’t wait for her to respond as I tugged her with me. I noticed that Nate kept his head down, refusing to meet my gaze.
Thanksgiving dinner was filled with laughter as Louisa shared stories of the boys growing up. The food was delicious, and Delaney and I cleaned up the kitchen as a thank you for their hospitality.
By the time I headed to bed, I was exhausted, so I popped two NyQuil in my mouth and welcomed the comatose sleep that would soon take over my body. Julian’s arm looped around my body, my back against his chest as he kissed my neck.
It was then that I heard them. Nate and Delaney. The wall where Julian’s headboard rested was a common wall to Nate’s room. Delaney moaned and their bed creaked.
They were fucking.
Pain pinched my chest. I closed my eyes and hoped the drugs would knock me out, but Julian pressed his growing erection to my lower back. His lips kissed my shoulder with hunger.
“What are you doing?”
“Come on, Brie.” He pushed his pelvis further into my back.
“Julian, stop.” I reached for his hip that had been grinding on my ass.
“I’ve been a patient man—”
“This isn't going to work.” I spun around to face him. “I’m sorry, Julian, but what you want from me I can’t give you because I don't feel the same.” I scanned his eyes. “I don't want to lead you on and give you empty promises. I love spending time with you, but I want to be your friend.”
“Damn . . .”
“I’m sorry.”
Julian scoffed and stood. “Yeah, I'm sure you are.” He grunted and stalked out of the room.
I ignored his comment.
I ignored Delaney’s whimpers.
I ignored Nate’s heavy breathing.
And I ignored the jealousy that grew in my chest.
Chapter 9
Brielle
Julian spent that night on the couch and we drove home in silence the following day. I spent the rest of the weekend catching up on homework and ignoring his calls and texts. Delaney had caught my cold and spent the remainder of the weekend in bed as I fetched her soup and Gatorade. I didn’t tell her that Julian and I broke up; I wasn't in the mood for her inquisition. She spent the weekend ignoring her boyfriend. She said she didn’t want him to see her like this. In other words, she was too tired to put on makeup.
A week after Thanksgiving, Julian and I finally spoke. He’d messaged me a few times wanting friendship; we agreed we would remain friends, and he reminded me I would always have a place in his heart.
Everything was right in the world again.
The semester was coming to a close and there were only a few more buildings to study for my art class. On Wednesday, I arrived at the parking deck downtown, hopped out of my car, and headed toward the Bank of America Corporate Center. It was the tallest building in Charlotte, standing at 871 feet, and had floor to ceiling windows that made it look as if it was all glass.