I’d never been so nervous to see my brother. It was crazy really, but after hearing so many bad things about his new girlfriend I was apprehensive. What was I going to do if she was as bad as everyone said? At least Clay had warned me in advance that they’d be there.

“You okay?” Leo asked as we walked up the front steps to Clay’s house. It was a cute ranch a few miles from his shop.

“Yeah. Fine.”

“All right. We’ll leave as soon as you want to.”

“Great.” I took his hand. If I was going into this event, I was going in with him.

I didn’t recognize anyone at first. I didn’t even see a few familiar faces that nagged at me. I guess Clay ran with a completely different crowd now. But then I saw one I definitely remembered. One of my high school math teachers.

He noticed me too and walked over. “Cassidy Lawton. Wow, you’re all grown up.”

“Hi, Mr. Cody.” I avoided direct eye contact. I’d had a crush on him in high school, and I still felt funny about it.

“It’s Tom. You’re older than I was when I taught you.”

“Way to make a girl feel old.” I attempted to break the tension. I was sure people saw their old teachers all the time, but I wasn’t used to it.

“I didn’t mean that—”

“Don’t worry about it,” I interrupted.

“I don’t believe I’ve met your date.” He held out a hand to Leo.

Leo shook his hand. “Leo. Nice to meet you.”

“I was Cassidy’s math teacher a long time ago.”

“Was she any good at it?” Leo smiled. He was enjoying my discomfort far too much.

“Not the best. Not the worst.”

“But memorable all the same?”

“Yes. Cassidy wasn’t the kind of student you forget.”

Leo gave me a funny look. “I bet.”

“Yeah, so it was great running into you.” I forced a smile. I wanted to find Clay and make our exit. I was already regretting the decision to show up.

“You too. Glad you’re doing well.”

I pulled Leo away before the conversation could continue.

“You’re memorable, huh?” Leo bumped his shoulder into mine.

“Yeah, not sure what that meant.”

“I’m not going to comment and get myself in trouble.”

“That’s probably a really good decision.” I made my way further into the living room in search of Clay.

He spotted me and walked over holding the hand of a guy I’d never met.

“Glad you two could make it. This is Aidan.” He gestured to the guy at his side.

“Hey, nice to meet you.” I held out my hand.

Aidan accepted my handshake. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Hopefully nothing too bad.”

“Mostly amusing stories. “

“Oh boy.”

“Your brother is here.” Clay nodded to the side. Sure enough Nile was standing there with a girl.

“I guess I should go meet Melinda.”

Aidan coughed. “Good luck.”

“You don’t like her either?”

“She’s a piece of work. I told Clay not to invite her, but he insisted.” Aidan rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t invite her. I invited Nile and hoped he’d use judgment.”

I sighed. “All right, I want to get this over with.”

“Maybe they’re exaggerating, and she isn’t that bad,” Leo suggested.

“Maybe,” I mumbled as we made our way across the room. “Hey.” I smiled at my big brother.

He looked over. “Hey.” After a startled moment he hugged me.

He pulled away. “Melinda, this is my sister, Cassidy.”

“Of course.” She smiled in a forced way. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“Same to you. It sounds like you are making my brother very happy.”

“I am.” She turned her head slightly. “And I’m so sorry to hear about your broken engagement.”

I tried to ignore the slight smile she wore. “Yeah, thanks. It happens.”

“But it had to have been humiliating. You must feel so mortified.”

I could feel my eyes bulging. “Why? I broke it off.”

“I’d feel like such a failure if it was me. A complete and utter failure. And to lose your job too.”

“I didn’t lose it. I quit.” There was a big difference between the two. I had absolutely no regrets about my decision.

“Same thing.”

“Not the same thing.” I looked at Nile. Surely he’d say something. He only shrugged in apology.

“And you’ve moved on already? That’s cute.”

Leo cleared his throat. “Wait, is this a joke?”

“What do you mean?” Melinda frowned.

“You’re meeting your boyfriend’s sister for the first time, and you’re treating her like garbage?” He turned to Nile. “And you’re letting her?”

“I’m being honest. Honesty is always the best policy. You can’t get anywhere in life without it.” She patted Nile’s arm.

“Honesty?” I grabbed ahold of Leo’s hand to keep myself calmer. “You want honesty? Breaking off my engagement was the right thing to do. As was quitting my job. I couldn’t be happier with either decision.”

“Or at least that’s what you think now.”

“Melinda,” Nile whispered. “Come on, she’s my little sister.”

“You know she’s only back here so she can convince you to mess up your life. Your mom hates me and probably forced her to turn you against me.”

“My mom doesn’t hate you.”

She did, and she had every reason to feel that way. “I’m here because my family lives here.”

“Listen, you are welcome to mess up your life, but you won’t be taking your brother down with you. He’s on his way up, and he doesn’t need you.”

“Nile? For real?” I struggled to get the words out. I was in shock.

“Uh, maybe we should catch up later.” Nile took Melinda’s arm. My eyes stung, and my chest clenched. That was it? The brother who’d always been the first to stand up for me, who’d defended me against every bully and threatened every ex-boyfriend was going to walk away when his girlfriend called me a screw up and told me to stay out of his life?

“This is fucked up.” Leo tensed. “Your girlfriend just tore into your sister, and you’re ok with that?

“We’ll talk later.” Nile shot me a warning look.

I thought of a million things I wanted to say, but I’d regret them all. For once I kept my mouth shut when it counted.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” Leo pressed Nile. He was getting angrier, and I had to get him out of there.

I grabbed his arm. “I want to leave. You said we could leave when I was ready.”

“Now? Your brother needs to apologize to you.”

“Not now.” I was ready to cry, and I refused to let that girl see a single tear. “When you’re ready to talk to me like a human being let me know.” I spun around and dragged Leo with me. I didn’t stop until we were outside.

“Cassidy!” Nile yelled.

I turned around. “What?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You couldn’t say that in front of her?”

“No. I can’t have her mad at me.”

“You’d rather have me mad?”

He wrung his hands. “She’s here, you’re not. You’ll leave again and show up twice a year.”

“And that means I’m not worth something to you?” I didn’t bother to explain I planned to stay.

“Of course you mean something to me, but if I have to choose between pissing one of you off, it’s going to be you.”

“I don’t even know what to say.”

“I do.” Leo strode toward him.

I jumped in the middle. “No. We’re leaving.”

“I’ll see you soon.” Nile walked back to the stairs where Melinda was standing with a smile on her face.

I got in the car. Leo got in and slammed his door. “Why did you let him walk away like that?”

“What was I supposed to do? Let you punch him? Then I’d be upset with you. And I don’t want to be mad at you.”

His face softened. “I’m sorry I got so angry, but I couldn’t take it.”

“Neither could I.”

“I’m not okay listening to someone degrade you. That’s never going to be acceptable whether it’s your brother, or mother, or anyone.”

I grabbed the wheel. I still hadn’t turned the car on. “That’s not him.”

“It’s amazing the damage a bad person can do to a good person.”

“He’s planning to marry her.”

“That sucks.”

“It does.”

“Don’t even try to send me home by myself tonight. I’m angry enough I might go back there.”

“You’re making threats in order to spend the night with me now?”

“I’m not letting you sit and dwell on this by yourself. I know that’s what you’d do. You’d also start believing some of it.”

“I did leave. He has a point there.”

“Nuh uh. Nope. Turn the car on please.”

“I don’t drink much, but right now I need one.” My anger was threatening to boil over.

“I have a much better idea.”

“Sorry… I know you—”

“This has nothing to do with me. It’s for you.”

“What’s the idea?”

“My place or yours?”

“Mine.” I didn’t hesitate with my answer.

“Want the bigger bed?”

“Something like that.” I pulled away from the curb.

“This is a funny time to say it, but you look hot tonight.”

At the next stop sign I looked down at my dark jeans and 3-quarter length baseball style tee. “I do?”

“Yes. Very hot.”

“Is this your alternative to alcohol? Butter me up?”

“No. It’s me being honest. Honesty is the most important thing you know.”

I pushed his arm. “Don’t.” I tried to hold in a laugh.

“If it was about someone else it would be funny.”

“It would be.” I pulled into my spot, and we got out.

Leo waited beside me while I unlocked the door. “You’re finally letting me stay over. I feel special.”

“You are special.” I kissed him lightly on the lips after turning on the lights.

He closed and locked the door behind us. “Ok, ready for my plan?”

“Sure.” I set aside my purse and kicked off my shoes.

“Get naked.”

“Uh, that’s not very subtle.”

“Believe it or not I’m not doing this for my benefit, although I will of course get the side benefit of enjoying the view.”

“I’m not taking off my clothes until you tell me why.”

“Don’t you trust me?” There was an intensity in his eyes and words that unnerved me.

“Yes.”

“Then do it.”

“Are you doing it too? Or is this a ‘I have to experience it on my own’ thing?”

“I can get naked.” He pulled off his shirt and stepped out of his pants. His boxers followed.

“You are so confident in your body it’s crazy.”

“You should be confident in yours.” He watched me just as intently.

I pulled off my shirt and pushed off my jeans.

“Keep going.” He gestured with his hand.

I unclasped my bra and let it fall to the floor. My underwear followed.

“Good. We’re making progress.”

“Ok, now what are we doing?”

“Follow me.” He headed down the hall toward my bathroom, and I tried not to stare as I followed. By the time I got in there he already had the shower running. “It’s a good temperature. Get in.”

“We’re taking a shower?”

“You are. If you want company, I’m completely ready and available. But like I said before, this is for you.”

“I want company.”

“I’ll join you when you’ve had a few minutes to yourself.”

“If you say so.” I stepped under the warm spray.

“Keep your eyes closed and push away thoughts of everything.”

“Easier said than done. On the thoughts thing.”

“Try,” he encouraged.

“Ok.” I tried. I closed my eyes tighter and focused on the water and how good each hot beat felt rushing down my body. The tension started to melt away. I heard the curtain move, but I ignored it. I continued to focus on the feel of the water.

His arms came around my waist, but he said nothing. I changed my focus to the feel of his hands and his body pressed about mine. The way it felt to have our wet skin against one another’s. I moaned. A simple touch had never felt more intense.

His breath caressed my ear. “I’m falling in love with you.”

“Me too,” I breathed back. I’d never been more vulnerable in my life, but I liked it. I liked opening myself up even if it meant I’d get hurt. I needed to feel. It had been so long since I’d let myself.

“Don’t try to stop. I won’t either. We might as well enjoy the ride.” He ran his lips down my neck.

“It’s a great ride.” I leaned my head back.

“Uh huh.” His lips slid further down my neck.

“Was this your plan? Get me to relax in the shower and then seduce me?”

“You forgot the get you naked part.” He ran his hand over the swell of my breast. “But no. I wanted you to relax. But I couldn’t resist. I can’t resist you.”

“I don’t want you to resist.”

“That’s good because I’m no longer going to be able to do it.” His lips met mine, and I stumbled out of the stream of the water. I kissed him back, wanting to use my lips to convey what my words couldn’t. I wasn’t just falling, I’d fallen. There was no turning back, and I didn’t care. I pushed my way into his mouth this time, loving his taste, and the way his hands felt as they wrapped around my body.

He reached around me and shut off the water. “Shower sex is over rated.”

“Agreed.”

We moved in a blur toward my bed where we tumbled down into the sheets. We were getting everything wet, but that only made it better.

He kissed my neck, before sliding his lips down my body. I reached up and ran my hand down his body at the same pace his lips were moving down me. He kept his eyes open, watching me as he moved.

Then he suddenly stopped and moved beside me. “I meant what I said before.”

“In the shower?”

“Yeah, and that means all bets are off. I care about the end because I care about the middle. I care about us.”

“I do too.”

“Then can we make a promise to each other?”

“Yes.” I threw out my new rule to ask what the promise was before agreeing.

“We’ll give this a real shot. No running away the second things get rocky. Otherwise there’s no point.”

“It’s too late to turn back. Stop acting like that’s an option.”

“I gave you a hard time about being afraid of being hurt, but I’m afraid too. Probably more than you.”

“I promise.”

“Me too.” His lips met mine again, and we let them echo our words.