Falling for My Best Friend's Brother

I don’t go drinking every night, so I wouldn’t know, I typed back quickly. Asshole.

Just a few times a week? Only when Brock and Jock are available?

Haha. Very Funny. I made a face. Brock and Jock were twins that I had hired to pose as boyfriends for Liv and me in order to make Xander jealous when things hadn’t been going too well for them. It hadn’t worked out very well, and Brock and Jock hadn’t fooled anyone into believing that they were our boyfriends.

What are you doing up so late? Looking to get into trouble? My heart stopped as I read his words. Was he trying to pick me up?

What kind of trouble? I typed back quickly.

You tell me.

What are you asking me, Aiden?

Nothing. I was just joking.

Oh okay. What are you doing?

About to hit the sack. I have a big meeting at work tomorrow.

Oh okay. Disappointment filled me. Tonight wasn’t going to be the night that Aiden Taylor professed his love for me.

Aiden: Sweet Dreams, Alice. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

Alice: That might be hard.

Aiden: I’m well aware of that. :)

Alice: What does that mean?

Aiden: What do you think it means?

Alice: I’m not 16 anymore.

Aiden: I’m glad to hear it.

Alice: It was an honest mistake. I lied. It hadn’t been a mistake at all.

Aiden: I know. You told me.

Alice: I got confused about whose bed was whose.

Aiden: Sure you did.

Alice: What does that mean? Sure you did.

Aiden: Alice, sweet dreams.

Alice: We should talk about this Aiden. I don’t want you thinking anything that you shouldn’t be thinking.

Aiden: That was a long time ago, Alice. I’m over it.

Alice: Fine. Good Night.

I closed my laptop and jumped out of bed, feeling antsy. What did he mean he was over it? Was he still mad at me? Was he angry? Was he trying to tell me that he was over me and letting me know that I had no shot with him? I groaned as I walked to the kitchen and heard Liv and Xander whispering and doing heaven knows what in the living room.

“Get a room, guys!” I shouted into the living room with a snarl, suddenly feeling upset and angry at the both of them.

“Alice?” Liv sounded surprised, and I heard her get up off of the couch and walk into the kitchen. “Everything okay?”

“I’m fine. Just wondering why you guys think it’s okay to make out in our joint living room,” I said churlishly as I opened the fridge. “Isn’t your boyfriend a millionaire or something? Do you guys have to make out in our living room, like some randy teenagers?”

“We weren’t making out,” Liv said simply. “We were watching a movie.”

“So why did I hear whispering and kissing?”

“You heard kissing?” Liv raised an eyebrow at me. “Xander asked me to pass him the popcorn, and I told him to get his own,” she explained and studied my face. “What’s going on, Alice?”

“Nothing.” I bit my lower lip, my face hot with shame. “Sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” She continued to stand there. “Are you sad about Aiden?”

“He’s just a jerk,” I groaned again as I pulled out the carton of chocolate milk. “I don’t know why he gets to me so much.”

“Because you like him.” She smiled.

“Yeah, I guess so.” I poured a tall glass and then looked for some cookies. My stomach was in knots and I needed a sugar high to make me feel better.

“It’s fine, Alice,” she continued. “He’s just being an ass. He’ll come around, and he’ll forget that silly little kiss.”

“That’s not everything,” I said softly as I pulled out my purple box of Cadbury Fingers. They were my expensive treat to myself. They were more expensive than regular cookies because they were imported from England, but I loved my sticks of biscuit covered by milk chocolate. They were worth going broke for.

“What do you mean, that’s not everything?” Liv stood behind me and as I turned around, her brown eyes looked cautious. “You didn’t have sex with Scott, did you?”

“What?” My voice rose and my jaw dropped. “Hell no. Of course I didn’t sleep with Scott. How could you think that?”

“Well, you’re acting funny,” she said with a frown. “What else don’t I know, Alice?”

“Ahem.” Xander walked into the kitchen and cleared his throat. “I’ve put the movie on hold, but I’m wondering if I should just leave?” He looked at me and then at Liv. “It seems like you guys need to talk?”

“Thanks.” I nodded and smiled at him weakly.

“No.” Liv frowned and then gave me a look. “You don’t have to leave.”

“Are you sure?” He stood there with a smug smile on his face. “I don’t mind, and it seems like Alice really needs to talk.” He looked at me again, and I stood there with my heart in my throat. I couldn’t look at Liv. I was scared she was going to tell Xander he could stay. Which would mean that she was officially choosing him over me. Which would not be cool. I was her best friend. I had first dibs on her time. If she told him he could stay, I was going to feel very, very sad.

“If you don’t mind,” Liv said and walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll make it up to you.” My shoulders relaxed at her words. She wasn’t choosing Xander over me. Yet.