In Love With My Brother's Best Friend

I went to pick up my drunk brother Maverick Lewis.

I overheard him ask his best friend Julian Winchester, "Why haven't you brought out that secret girlfriend of yours?"

My heart clenched. Julian and I had been dating in secret for two years, and I hadn't told Maverick.

A moment later, Julian's tipsy voice drifted over. "Is it necessary? It's just a fling. I'm not serious."

My body went cold. I raised my hand and knocked on the door.

1

Everyone turned to look at me.

"What are you doing here?" Maverick stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat next to him, gesturing for me to sit.

"The driver took the day off, so Mom and Dad asked me to pick you up."

Maverick nodded and called out to the group in the private room. "Put out your cigarettes. Sonya can't stand the smell."

His friends teased him. "Wow, you're so protective of your sister. What happens when she gets a boyfriend?"

Maverick laughed, swore playfully, and ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas about her. Sonya's pure and sweet, nothing like you filthy lot."

A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Are you saying there's not a single guy here you'd approve of?"

Maverick scanned the room, his gaze landing on Julian, who hadn't said a word.

He joked, "If I had to pick, Julian might do. I could get away with calling him my brother-in-law. But after what he just said, better not let him ruin our girl."

His tone was light, just banter.

Julian's expression darkened.

He glanced at me briefly, then looked away. "Stop talking nonsense. I see Sonya as my own sister."

A sister.

I stared at his tense, irritated profile, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.

"Sonya?" Maverick's voice snapped me back to reality. "Why are you staring at Julian?"

I quickly looked away, biting my trembling lip.

The group chimed in, teasing. "Don't fall for Julian's looks. He's not a good guy."

"Yeah, when he lost that game earlier, we asked what he likes about his girlfriend. He said she's young, easy to handle, and doesn't cause trouble. What kind of reason is that?" They laughed.

"We thought he was serious about her, but guess what? He said she's just too pitifully in love with him, and he felt sorry for her. That's it."

"He refuses to bring her out to meet us. Either he's too possessive and doesn't want us stealing her, or he knows they'll break up, so there's no point introducing her."

"Enough!" Julian's voice cut through.

He slammed his glass on the table, the sound sharp enough to silence everyone.

The room grew awkward.

Maverick, his closest friend, frowned. "What's wrong with you? Just because we mentioned Belen's coming back, you're this worked up?"

My heart skipped a beat.

Belen Lambert was coming back?

Julian lit another cigarette, took a few drags, then glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Why bring her up?"

Maverick grinned like he knew better. "Don't pretend. If you're not serious about that secret girlfriend, it's because you're still hung up on Belen."

Everyone knew he had a hidden girlfriend.

No one knew it was me.

When he hung out with friends, he'd answer her calls, patiently reporting his plans.

No matter how busy work got, he never forgot to send her flowers or gifts every week.

Even Maverick once told me, "Julian's really fallen for that girl."

I stayed calm on the surface, but my heart swelled with sweetness.

For two years, he was thoughtful and romantic, flawless in every way.

The only flaw was his insistence on keeping our relationship a secret.

He said if Maverick found out his best friend was dating his sister, he'd lose it.

I believed him completely.

Until I heard his words just moments ago.

Just a fling. No need to bring her out.