The moment Jeff had asked Ellie to go inside, I knew something was up. Shit! I needed to be more careful around her, especially in front of Jeff. In just the short amount of time I’d been around her today, I wanted to know so much more about her. What were her favorite flowers? What was her favorite restaurant, band, and movie?

Holy fuck, what the hell was going on with me? I had this incredible urge to just be around her. I mean I’ve been with girls, plenty of girls, but none of them have ever affected me the way Ellie has. Just touching her alone causes me to get a semi. What the fuck is that about? She’s my best friend’s sister who just broke up with her douchebag boyfriend this morning.

Gunner, man . . . chill the fuck out.

Well, let’s get this over with. I walked over to Jeff, but not before I looked up and saw Ellie looking down at me, biting her lip. I’m pretty sure it took all my strength not to let a moan out from just the sight of her chewing on that lip. I knew she was worried about what Jeff was about to say to me, especially since she just attempted to flirt with me for the first time today. God, she was cute as a button, but holy shit she was so innocent and yet so seductive at the same time.

She gave me a weak smile and turned to walk into the house. I let out a big sigh and walked up to Jeff.

“What’s up, dude? Is everything okay?” I asked, getting ready for the first punch to be thrown.

“Yeah, dude, it’s all good. Listen, I totally forgot I had a date tonight with Rebecca. I’ve been putting this off for weeks now. If I call her now and cancel . . .,” Jefferson said as he looked back at the house. “Gunner, I hate to ask this of you, but can you stay home tonight and take care of Ellie? I don’t want to leave her alone. She has never taken these kinds of meds before. I mean, I know I’m asking a lot out of you to sit and watch my sister. I think she would be okay with it. Actually, I kind of think she might like you, dude.”

I just stood there stunned into silence, and I looked around for a second. Where the fuck was my best friend Jeff? The one who refused to let any of his friends meet his baby sister until after she was out of high school. The Jeff who actually threatened us with bodily harm if we ever laid a hand on her.

This day just keeps getting more and more fucking weird.

“Umm, no, I don’t mind at all,” I said to Jeff as I looked at him with a stunned expression on my face. “Jeff, man, can I just ask you a question?”

“You know you can, Gun . . . shoot.”

I ran my hands through my hair again trying to decide how you tell your best friend you are attracted to his baby sister you literally just met hours ago, and now he was about to leave you alone with her for who knows how many hours.

“Jeff, umm, I mean, I don’t mind at all staying home tonight, I didn’t have any plans, but dude. You’ve never let any of your friends around your sister. Matter of fact, you threatened us with bodily harm if we ever laid a finger on her. So, now you’re just going to leave her here with me alone when you used to make me leave anytime she would come over? I mean I think she is beautiful and, umm, I kind of . . . um, well I . . . fuck . . . I don’t really know what I’m trying to say here, Jeff. I’m confused as hell,” I said as I looked back up toward the house and then back at Jeff, who was just standing there smiling.

Jeff let out a laugh that caught me by surprise.

“What the fuck is so funny?” I asked looking at him like he had lost his mind.

“Dude, you got it bad. So fucking bad you can’t even talk straight!” Jeff said as he laughed his ass off, and I just stood there in stunned silence.

“You don’t think I didn’t notice the two of you staring at each other all afternoon? Or the fact that Ellie was devastated by what that fucker did to her, but five minutes after she saw you she was pretty much like, ‘Ryan who?’” Jefferson said as he let out another laugh.

“Wait, I’m so fucking confused, because Ellie has always been off-limits. Dude, you told me once you would cut off my balls if I ever so much as looked wrong at her. Are you trying to set me up for something here? I mean, if you want a fight, we can just head to the gym and duke it out, Jeff. Fuck, man, don’t play around with me like this,” I practically begged him. Yeah . . . something was not right here. I don’t fucking beg anyone for anything.

“Listen, Gunner, you’re my best friend. You’re like a brother to me. I would lay my life down for you, and I know you would do the same for me. If I was ever going to trust anyone with my sister, it would be you, dude,” Jeff said as he put his hand on my shoulder.

Just fucking great . . . here was my best friend trusting me with his sister and all I was trying to do was calm the erection I got every time I was around her.

“Umm . . . Jeff, I need to be honest with you. I think I’m attracted to your sister. I mean I would never disrespect you or Ellie in anyway. If you tell me right now to back off and never look at her again, dude, I’ll do it. It would be hard because I’m pretty sure your sister has me tied up in knots, and I’m a bit confused by this entire thing, but I would do it for you, Jeff,” I said as I ran my hands through my hair, waiting for Jeff’s reaction to my admission of being attracted to his little sister.

“Gunner, Ellie had a pretty fucked-up childhood thanks to my mom. She pretty much told her she was useless just like she did me. In Ellie’s mind she will never be good enough for anyone. I only ask that you give her time. If she ends up having feelings for you, then just see where it goes. Just keep in mind that she is innocent, very innocent, and best friend or not, if you hurt her, then I hurt you,” Jeff said as he gave my shoulder a much harder squeeze.

“Jeff, you know I would rather die than disappoint you, man. I promise you that. I promise to take care of her whether it turns out we are just friends or it becomes more than that. Always, dude.”

Jeff gave me a hard-ass slap on the back and we started for the door.

“Good to know, Gun . . . good to know! I’d hate to have to beat the shit out of my best friend. Now, let’s go see how she is settling in, shall we?” Jeff said as he turned to head into the house.

My heart started to beat faster, and I wasn’t sure if I was more anxious to see Ellie in my house or by the fact that I pretty much just got Jeff’s blessing. Man, this day just keeps more interesting as it goes on. What the hell else could happen?

As we walked into the house, Jeff called out for Ellie. She came from down the hallway and had her hair pulled up in a ponytail and had changed into a pair of Jeff’s sweats and a UT T-shirt. I’d never seen anyone so goddamn sexy in my life. I had to walk to the kitchen to adjust the damn hard-on I was getting . . . again! I think my dick has gotten hard more just this afternoon then it has all fucking year.

“Hey, honey, how’re you feeling?” Jefferson asked as he walked up to Ellie.

“I guess I’m okay. I think the meds are kicking in ’cause I’m really tired,” Ellie said with a yawn.

“Let me go put this in my room and grab a few things. I really hope you don’t mind, Ellie, but I had plans for tonight, and I’ve blown this girl off three times already. I can’t back out again. Gunner offered to stay home and help out if you need anything,” Jeff said has he walked back to his bedroom.

“Oh, umm, yeah, that is totally fine, Jefferson. I don’t need to be babysat though,” Ellie said as she watched Jeff go to his room and grab a change of clothes then head to the shower. I heard Jeff tell Ellie he knew she didn’t need a babysitter, then he hollered down the hall that he was taking a quick shower.

I was still in the kitchen, so I grabbed a beer out of the fridge. “Gunner, listen, please don’t stay home on my account. I’m really fine. I think I just need to eat something and lie down and rest for a while. I’m sure I will fall asleep really fast,” Ellie said as she looked everywhere except at me. She really was innocent, and damn, she was beautiful.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Ellie. I have no plans for this evening. I was planning on just chilling and watching a movie or two. Are you hungry? We haven’t been to the store but I can run and get you something. You probably should eat since you are taking the pain medicine, sweetheart.”

She looked at me for the first time since she came out of the bedroom and her face instantly went red. My breath caught in my throat. Her eyes just held mine for what seemed like forever before she finally talked.

“I am kind of hungry. Oh gosh, though, I hate to even ask you, I’m so embarrassed. Um, I’m sure Jefferson has time to run and get me something,” she said as she was about to turn and go ask him through the bathroom door.

“No! Really, I’ll go get it. I’m hungry myself, and I haven’t eaten since breakfast. Let me go run and grab something and I’ll be back in no time. Just let Jeff know I ran out to get us something to eat,” I yelled as I raced out the door.

I knew exactly what I would get her. I remember Jeff saying one time if she had her pick of anywhere to eat, this would be the place. As I jumped in my truck and fired it up, I could not help but smile. There was just something about that girl . . .