Dylan
In my eyes, the biggest obstacle to a relationship with Eden, other than Eden herself, was Josh. How do you explain to a girl’s older brother that you dig her? That you more than dig her, that you pretty much have been in love with her for the last four or five years, give or take. How do you even start that conversation?
Well, I was about to find out.
“Hey, man. How’re you doing,” Josh asked as he walked into my small apartment near post.
“Josh, dude. It’s so good to see you,” I greeted him, rising unsteadily to my feet and clasping hands with my best friend. Josh gave me a back-slapping hug.
“You’ve looked better, Dill.” Josh’s eyes scanned me from my disheveled head to my wrinkled t-shirt to my scarred-up leg sticking out of a pair of gym shorts.
“Shut up, man. See if you look better after falling out of an airplane.” It was good to see him.
“Like I’d ever jump out of an airplane. I leave that daredevil shit to you.” He glanced around the bare apartment. All that was left was the furniture it came with and two huge green duffle bags. “You ready to go?”
“Yeah. Thanks for doing this.” Josh flew in early this morning. One of my Army buddies picked him up at the airport and dropped him off here, so he could help me drive my truck back home. Home. Nerves filled my gut at the thought of going home. Going home meant Eden. It had been a week since I’d texted her. I was too chicken to do it again and she hadn’t initiated contact.
“No problem. I’m always up for a road trip.” Josh shouldered one of the green bags. “This all you got?”
“Yeah, I can get this one.” I hated how helpless I felt sometimes. But at least I was alive and mostly walking. After hiking the second duffle onto my shoulder, I reached for the forearm crutches that had become my best friends as well as my worst enemies. I was thankful for the help they provided but resented the need for that help.
I was working on the self-pity thing. I’d been given the option after my injury to go to training for a different military career. My plans of becoming part of an elite military group had shattered the same time as my leg. Like I said, I was lucky to be alive, but I couldn’t help the disappointment I felt about having to give up the military career I’d always dreamed of.
I chose to get out instead. Because of my injury, I’d get some disability from the Army for the rest of my life. I was also eligible for the GI Bill, but college still didn’t appeal. I figured I would go home and work with Derrick just like he’d always wanted me to. I was going to be fine.
“Let’s get out of here,” Josh said as he backed out of the parking space in front of the apartment building. I looked around one last time. I couldn’t say I’d miss this place that much. Washington was dismal for a large part of the year. In fact, I was leaving just when the weather was starting to get good. I did like the summers in the Puget Sound. But I could do without the nine months of no sun and constant drizzle. Yeah, I wasn’t going to miss this place at all.
“I think I’m in love with your sister.” I waited until it was my turn to drive to blurt out that piece of information, figuring if he was driving the shock of my statement might send us off the road and that if I was driving he’d be less likely to punch me, making me lose control of my truck.
“Dude,” was all he said after a full minute of making me sweat it out. “I’ve known that for years.”
“What?”
Josh barked out a laugh. “Are you kidding me? You’ve been checking her out since puberty, man.”
Was that true? “I have not.” I was either relieved or mad but for some reason Josh’s response made me want to punch him.
Josh rolled his eyes. “Yes, you have. You’re my best friend, did you really think I didn’t know you had the hots for my baby sister.”
I made a face. “She’s not a baby.” The way he said that made me feel like a cradle robber. I had to keep reminding myself that three years wasn’t that much in the grand scheme of life and it only mattered because she was, or had been, so young.
“Whatever, old man.” Josh smirked. He was enjoying this too much. Where was the protective older brother that threatened all our friends and pretty much every guy in our high school away from his sister?
“And you’re cool with that?” I had to make sure. Josh was the best guy I knew. I loved Eden, but I didn’t want to have to sacrifice my friendship with Josh. I would if I had to, but I didn’t want to.
Josh frowned at me. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
I knew my eyes were bugging out of my head. “Dude, you’ve never liked anyone Eden’s dated.”
“First of all, she hasn’t dated that much. I don’t think she’s even had a boyfriend.”
I knew all that. I’d had regular updates from both Josh and my mom about Eden’s social life, such that it was.
I’d never told Josh about Marshall and how he’d broken her heart. I never told him about taking her to my house. To my room. Sleeping beside her in my bed. And I sure as hell never told him about kissing her.
“Why hasn’t she?”
Josh shook his head and nailed me with a look that said he thought I was an idiot. “You’re such a girl sometimes.”
“Eff you, dude. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come on. Just ask me if I think she hasn’t dated because she’s got it bad for you? That’s what you mean, isn’t it?”
Josh was such a prick sometimes. “Why are we friends again?”
“Because no one else would put up with your drama.” Josh propped a foot on his knee and drummed his fingers to the beat of the Imagine Dragons song on the radio.
I sat on the question burning a hole in my tongue, knowing he was going to tease me about it, for as long as I could and then I had to ask. “So, why don’t you want to punch me for liking your sister? And why haven’t you already?”
Josh smirked and rolled his eyes again while I reminded myself I was driving and starting a punching match with him right now wasn’t smart.
“Dylan, why did we always tell any guy that looked at her to go to hell?”
That was easy. “Because none of those douches were good enough for her.”
Josh didn’t say anything, just lifted one brow.
Huh? “What are you getting at, dude?”
“Man, you are my best friend. I know you better than anybody. You are the best man I know. Of course, I’m not going to knock your teeth out for wanting to kiss my sister. I know you’ll treat her with respect and do everything you can not to hurt her. You loving Eden is like hitting the boyfriend jackpot as far as a big brother is concerned.” Josh glanced at me again. “Just no kissing in front of me. My good will only goes so far.”
I was stunned. I had no idea Josh felt that way. I mean, I did, too. Josh was a good man and I was lucky to have him have my back. But shit.
My eyes felt suspiciously misty. Crap. Maybe I really was a girl. Blinking hard, I cleared my throat.
“Thanks, man.”
“Of course, you have a lot of work to do to convince Eden.” Josh laughed harder than necessary. “I don’t envy you that.”
“You ain’t even kidding,” I agreed because he was right. All of this was presumptuous on my part, assuming I would be able to prove to Eden I was serious about my feelings for her and that she gave one lick for me.
But damn. I hoped she did.
“Hey, speaking of best guys I know. How about being the best man at my wedding?”
“What the hell? Did you propose? And you’re just now telling me?” I took my eyes off the road long enough to glare at him.”
“I haven’t proposed yet. I’m waiting until school gets out. We’re going to St. Pete’s for a week to celebrate the end of another school year.” Josh grinned. “I’m gonna propose on the beach.”
“That’s awesome. I’m so happy for you. Lisa’s amazing.” She really was, too. A perfect match for Josh.
“Yeah, I can’t wait. I’m hoping for a short engagement. It would be nice to have it done before school starts next year.”
“Wow, that is a short engagement. You’re a brave guy waiting ‘til the last minute.” What a dummy.
Josh just laughed. “Don’t worry. Lisa’s been planning our wedding for the last six months. Proposing will just be a formality.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “And the opportunity to give her the ring.”
Wow.
“Congratulations, man.”
I only hoped I’d have the same happiness as my friend.