I was going over interview questions Tuesday morning when I got a text from Trevor.
Trevor: Your brother knows we're getting together Friday. Can I invite him?
I sighed as I thought about the day that changed the relationships between my brother Cam and me, Trevor and me, and Ethan and me as well.
_______________________
*FLASHBACK*
2 years prior
"Too many clothes." Ethan said as he pulled at my white tank and shorts as we laid in bed, facing each other. He was complaining about my pajamas. It was the same as my workout attire, minus the underwear and bra. There was no point. Ethan couldn't spend the night often, but when he did, we made the most of it. I knew putting on underwear would only slow him down.
He slipped his hands under my tank and started caressing my breasts. "I don't understand why you have to sleep with clothes on."
"I don't understand why you don't." I replied back, breathlessly.
"I normally do, but since there is zero chance of a kid running in in the middle of the night, I figured why bother." He answered, with a smile, while rolling my nipples between his fingers. I moaned, and pulled away slightly to remove my tank. He leaned in and sucked one nipple into his mouth while continuing to play with the other. As pleasure traveled all through my body, I looked down at him and grinned. "Happy?"
"Almost..." He replied. With speed and strength that surprised me, he turned us over, so that I was straddling him. I gasped as he pushed his pelvis up against me.
"If you weren't wearing those shorts..." he paused. I cried out as he held my hips down and thrust up hard, his erection grazing me roughly between my thighs. "I would be inside of you right now." he grunted, continuing to bounce me up and down against him.
"Ethan!" I panted, desperately trying to get my shorts out the way.
"No more clothes while you're in bed with me." He demanded, tugging my shorts in place.
"But... But what if there's a fire?" I whined. His face broke out in a smile.
"Fine. No pants or shorts"
"But-"
"Your shirts are big enough to keep everything important covered." He cut me off. He was guiding my hips into his, making our pelvises grind amazingly. I was ready to give in to every one of his demands when there was a pounding on my door.
"Go away" I yelled at Rocky as Ethan chuckled.
"You need to get out here now! Cam is at the door." She hissed.
Hearing that was like having a bucket of cold water dumped all over my body. I hopped up and got dressed, properly with underwear.
Ethan was getting dressed too.
"Please, just stay in here. I'm going to get rid of him and I'll be right back."
He reluctantly agreed and I hurried to the living room. I could tell by the look on my brother's face that he knew what I was up to and with whom.
"Cam-" I started.
He cut me off, shaking his head. "I couldn't believe it... No, I wouldn't believe it when I heard you were sleeping with him. But here I am, once again, seeing it with my own eyes."
"Cam, just listen to me."
"For what? What do you possibly have to say? That's not his truck out there? It was an accident?" He responded, darkly.
"No, I'm sorry." I said, pathetically.
"You're sorry? Before it wasn't your fault, now you're sorry. I'm starting to think you have some serious issues that makes you think sleeping with inappropriate men is ok." He ranted.
He didn't realize the fatal mistake he made by making that statement. Fatal, because at the moment, the brother I loved and admired died. The fact that he would bring up that painful memory, the one I buried deep when I was 16 years old, let me know that I needed to get this stranger out of my home. Immediately.
"Get out." I said, calmly, looking him in the eye.
"What?"
"I said get out. You can't have anything left to say to me, so leave. You're not welcome here anymore." I said, detached.
He momentarily looked hurt, but he stood up straight and said, "Fine. I'll let you get back to your friend. Don't come to me when it ends bad." With that, he stormed out.
____________________
***Present***
I texted Trevor back a simple one word response.
Me: No
After a few moments, another text came through.
Trevor: Ok. Just know he wants to talk to you.
Me: I trust you will let him know I'm not ready for that.
He sent another text.
Trevor: Yep. Just like you can trust he's not going to wait very long.
I let the conversation end on that note.
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The next day I had my job interview and I was offered the job the same day. Apparently one of the physical therapists resigned suddenly to take a new job, so they were shorthanded. Dr. Roberts, the doctor that I worked with in California, wrote me a glowing recommendation. So that, coupled with their desperation, got me a job offer after the interview.
Being my father's daughter, I negotiated my salary and schedule. Growing up chubby and shy, I tended to get nervous and second guess myself, but my dad always lectured "never let them see you sweat". I negotiated Tuesdays off with every other weekend on call and below average salary of a therapist (not surprising with my work experience) but opportunity for raises after 6 months. My dad would be proud of me.
Although they may have not seen me sweat, I definitely felt it (sorry, gross, but true!). So as soon as I got back to the house, I hopped in the shower. I just turned off the water when I heard a knock on the door.
"Just a second" I called out, stepping out the tub.
"Take your time." Brandon said, "I need to ask you something when you're done. I have a co-worker here."
"Ok!" I quickly finished, throwing on jean shorts and a fitted t-shirt.
When I joined Brandon in the living room, him and his coworker were eating Chili's to go and the smell reminded me that I hadn't ate since that morning.
"It smells good in here." I said, sitting on the ottoman next to them on the sectional.
"You smell good." Brandon's co-worker commented. I could immediately tell he's a flirt like Brandon. His blue eyes were gleaming with mischief. I was sure that, paired with his sandy blonde hair, kept him busy with the ladies.
"Thanks." I smiled. "It's Beautiful Day by Bath and Body Works"
"Adam this is Lily. Lily, this is Adam." Brandon introduced us. Brandon motioned to a bag sitting on the coffee table. "I got you a bacon avocado chicken sandwich."
I smiled at him. "You're awesome, thank you."
I was digging through the bag when Brandon asked, "How'd the interview go?"
"Great! I got the job." I answered.
"Congratulations!" Brandon cheered.
"Where are you working?" Adam asked.
"As a physical therapist at a sports medicine and orthopedics clinic."
"Awesome." Adam said, simply. I found my sandwich and an order of chicken tenders. "Who are the chicken fingers for?"
"That's what I wanted to ask you. I gotta go back to Target. We need to set up a new planogram before the store manager gets back. Do you mind watching EJ today? It'll only be a couple of hours." Brandon explained.
"That's great! I was going to wait until the next weekend he has with Ethan to go see him, but this is so much better."
Brandon nodded. "I'm going to go pick him up from school and Megan should pick him up around 5:30."
"Sounds good. I'm going to call and ask Ethan." I announced. I wanted to call partially because I don't want to overstep my boundaries again, but mostly just to talk to him.
"I already texted him. Beside, you already asked, remember?"
I shrugged and began opening my food.
After eating, I started cleaning and getting ready for EJ, nervously. We talked and shared pictures while I was in California, but he hadn't seen me in a long time. I was afraid he wouldn't be comfortable around me anymore. I took a deep breath when I heard the front door open.
"Well who's going to watch me if you and Racqelle are at work?" EJ asked, indignantly. I smiled at his familiar tone. I was used to him complaining when he felt like someone was doing him wrong, like taking away his games or making him clean his room.
"I thought I would, but if you don't want me to..." I answered, smiling at him in the den by the front door. His eyes narrowed as he looked me over, before recognition sets in on his face.
