Page 52 of My Brother's Best Friends
Makayla and Alex pull apart reluctantly. I plaster on a smile, mindful of Oscar’s fragile mood and eager to avoid another argument.
“If you’re talking about disclosing the foursome, you’re right,” I say.
“Excellent. Then we’re good to go.”
I smile and glance around our little party. “Are we? Just making sure.”
Slacks and sweaters for the three of us; a curve-clinging knit dress for our lady—I’d prefer her naked, but tonight’s obligation forces me to behave.
“Yes, we are,” Makayla says.
I guide her back into the suite, my brothers right behind us. “How are you feeling?”
“Wonderful, honestly,” she says, stroking my jaw. “This entire experience has been unexpected but exhilarating, and I have the three of you to thank for it.”
“You don’t have to thank us,” I scoff. “In fact, I think you have it a bit backwards. We should be the ones thanking you, milady.”
She giggles. “Milady.”
Oscar bursts in behind us, breaking up our little sidebar. “I’ve got the room key.”
“I’ll take mine, too,” Makayla says.
She snags a keycard from the TV stand and tucks it into her phone case. Alex holds the door, and we head out. Walking down the hall, a jolt of reality hits me. Out here, our secret feels massive. I’m not ashamed—nothing we did was wrong—but I still can’t touch her, and the restriction chafes.
Oscar threads his fingers through Makayla’s as if it’s nothing, and irritation spikes in my chest.
Something flips inside me; I’ve never felt like this before. I’ve always been carefree, non-committal about sharing women—never cared whose arms they landed in. Jealousy is a door we never open; it only leads to strife. Utter nonsense.
“Hang on.” I snag Oscar’s forearm, giving in to the worst part of me.
Makayla’s brow furrows, so I force a broad smile. Ever perceptive, Alex catches my drift. He dips his head and claims her free hand on the other side.
“Let’s not keep Bryan waiting,” he tells Makayla.
Makayla frowns but still steps aside, letting Alex steer her toward the dining room. Oscar’s irritation is palpable. His glare warns me to spit it out.
“Hey, man.” I tug him behind a towering lobby Christmas tree and lower my voice. “Why are you monopolizing Kay like that?”
“Monopolizing Kay?” Oscar sounds confused. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“This. The hand-holding in public, for starters,” I insist. “Earlier today, you took her to your bedroom alone.”
Oscar exhales and looks up at the ceiling. “I just wanted a moment alone with her, that’s all. It never bothered you or Alex before.”
“Don’t do it again,” I warn him. “Just because we didn’t say anything right away, it doesn’t mean it was right. All I’m asking is that you tone it down a bit.”
Oscar sighs, clearly wrestling with himself. Finally, he nods. “Alright. I apologize. It won’t happen again.”
I squeeze his shoulder. “Good.” I start for the dining room, but Oscar tugs me back.
“It’s just that this time is different,” he whispers. “She’s different—I can feel it.”
“What are you two talking about?” Alex asks, suddenly at our side without Makayla in tow.
“Where’s Kay?” I ask.
“She spotted Bryan and Callie in the restaurant and dashed ahead to join them,” Alex says. “Am I interrupting something?”
