Four

Josh

I was home for Christmas break and for once I was ready to come home, since this time I was taking Lee back with me. We spent too many months separated and I was ready for her to move to Trinity. I missed having my best friend around every day. I missed the way we could bullshit for hours. Sure, things had been strained between us, but we always fell back into sync. Things never stayed weird between us for long. 

I hated that the two of us went days without talking. It was all my fault. She should’ve never had to witness what happened with Brynn. I still can’t believe it happened. I’ll never forget that look on her face. I felt like shit for days over it. It stirred something inside me. Like I had broken her heart. 

But I knew that couldn’t be it. We were best friends and nothing more. Sure we flirted, but it was just light-hearted. The two of us had never even talked about anything more. It was just this easy, comforting love that didn’t need explanation and didn’t involve unspoken feelings. 

She was more than my best friend; she was family, and the only person who ever got me. She forgave me even though I acted like an ass. We never mentioned my dick, and after a few minutes of awkwardness, things were good. 

I was so glad to be home and with her. Being around her was like being with one of the guys; only she was way better to look at.

“Are you two planning on getting out of bed today?” I heard my Mom ask, but I didn’t bother opening my eyes. I was back in my bed and tangled in the sheets with Lee. Was there any reason for me to get up? 

Um, no…

“Go away Mom. I need more sleep.”

“It’s lunchtime and it’s Christmas Eve. We’ve got a lot of things to do today.”

Lee stirred beside me and I pulled her closer. “Don’t move, Lee. It’s a trap.”

She giggled. “Hey, Mrs. Lowe.”

“Hey Honey,” my Mom called. “See if you can get his ornery butt out of the bed.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The door closed as Mom left my bedroom and I locked my legs around Lee’s where she couldn’t get up. 

She looked up at me with those big, brown doe eyes. I loved the way she looked in the morning. God, I missed her. 

“Damn Lee.” I didn’t miss that morning breath, though. “Brush your teeth Woman!”

“What? Like your breath is any better. Smells like you’ve been licking your ass.” She shoved my chest and climbed up off the bed. 

The tiny shorts she was wearing barely covered any skin. Her pale white cheeks were poking out the bottom. She had a hot little body. Too bad, she was off limits. 

She strutted over to the en suite and I watched her every move. Don’t think I haven’t thought about having her a hundred different ways right there on the sink she stood in front of. For years it was the biggest struggle ever. I fought the urge, and I’m glad I did. She’s my best friend, and I wouldn’t ever do anything to jeopardize it. 

Anything.

“Get up butt head, you need a shower.”

“You taking one with me,” I waggled my eyebrows. She turned bright red. I loved messing with her. She was an easy target.

She tried to act like my words never affect her, but she couldn’t fool me. 

“There are three other showers in this house. I think I can find another one, thank you. Is your brother here yet?” She peeked out the door into the hallway. 

“How should I know? I’ve been in the bed with you.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re useless.” 

“You could just put on pants and you wouldn’t have to hide from anyone.”

“It’s two doors down. I can make it.”

She peeked out the door once more before making a break for the bathroom. 

“Looking good, Paislee!” I heard my brother’s deep voice from the hall. 

Oh shit. I nearly died laughing. She knows how Adam is. She should’ve seen that coming. He’s always picked on her. I mean to the point where she’s punched him in the stomach. He was probably listening down the hall just waiting for her so he could pounce. 

Never underestimate the Lowe boys. We always have something up our sleeve. 

When I heard the bathroom door close and she was inside, I hopped in the shower too. As much as I hated to, we really had a million things to do. I still had two more gifts to buy and I had less than twenty-four hours to do it. 

“What smells so good, Momma?” I leaned down to kiss her cheek.

“I’ve got a pie in the oven. Gram and Pa will be here around five for dinner. Is Lee going home tonight?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “Does it matter?”

“She’s been here all week. I’d say her parents probably want her home for Christmas. Especially since she’s leaving for school next week.” Mom leaned back against the island and folded her arms across her chest.

“I’ve missed her.”

“Uh, huh.” 

I knew that look. She’s always thought that Lee and I were something more, that the two of us were meant to be together. No matter what I said, I could never convince her that she was wrong. And she was. I was wasting my breath trying to tell her any different.

“I would count on her for dinner tonight, but she’ll probably go home afterward.” I reached in the fridge to grab a soda. “I have to go pick a few last minute gifts, what do you need me to do?”

“Glad you asked,” she handed me a list, a very long list.

Would it do any good to argue?

Nope.

I groaned, and shoved the list deep inside the pocket of my jeans.

Lee walked into the kitchen with her wet hair hanging loosely over her shoulders. She had on that light blue sweater that I got her last year for Christmas. It looked so good on her. 

“I’ve got to head out and run some errands for Mom and pick up a few more gifts.” My car keys jingled as I picked them up off the counter.

“Will you drop me off at home?” 

“No, are you crazy? That’s too far.”

“Shut up, Ass. Let’s go.” She grabbed my arm and yanked me towards the door. “Bye, Mrs. Lowe.”

I pulled up in her driveway, parking in front of the first door of the three-car entry. “You coming to dinner tonight?”

“I can’t.” She tossed the strap of her bag over her shoulder. “I have plans tonight.”

Oh yeah. That was news to me. “What plans?”

“The usual. I’ve got a date. It’ll be really late before I get home. If you know what I mean?”

“What? Hold up.” I grabbed her hand. “You’ve got a date.” It was more of a statement than a question. Not that I thought she couldn’t have a date; it was just weird hearing her say it. In all the years I’d known her she’d only been on a handful of dates, none of which made it to a second one. As beautiful as she was, it just wasn’t her thing. Or it didn’t use to be. 

“A. Hot. Date.” She narrowed her eyes.

“With who?”

“I don’t kiss and tell.” She winked at me just before she stepped out of the car. “Pick me up at seven.”

“Funny Lee.” I shook my head. 

“You should’ve seen your face,” she laughed. “That was priceless. And don’t look so stunned next time. I could get a date if I wanted to, you know? I’m not a prude.”

My hands went up in surrender. “I’m sorry, Lee. You got me. You got me good.” The thought of her randomly dating hit me in the gut. Nobody would ever be good enough for her. 

“See ya later hot stuff,” she waved as she headed inside. 

What was I thinking? Naturally, she could get a date. Jesus! The girl was beautiful. Maybe dating would be good for her. But the thought of it makes my stomach knot up again. Why couldn’t she just be lesbian? I could get on board with that.

Something was holding her back. It’s not something we’ve ever really talked about. The few times she had dates, they were over before they ever really started. It was nothing serious. Ever. Maybe something was holding her back. Maybe once I got her out of town things would be different. 

I want her to be happy. I needed to make time to talk to her about it soon.

“Ugh,” I groaned. If I ever got finished with Mom’s list.