Page 100 of Secret Baby for My Brother's Best Friends

"Fuck, I wish I didn't have to go to work right now," he says, and my entire body pulses with lust.

"Do you have to?"

He grits his teeth and nods. "I think so."

He backs away reluctantly, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I have to be honest with you. I don't know if I'll be able to control my jealousy enough to sustain this relationship. But I'm going to try."

"You don't have to."

"Actually, I do."

"But I'm sure there's more–"

"There's no one else," he says, reaching back and unlocking the door. "You're worth trying for."

And with that, he leaves me standing in the same position, the words ringing in my head for what feels like hours.

The phone rings again, and that's what finally snaps me into reality.

"Hello?" I pick up, and this time, I can hear audible breathing on the other end, like whoever is there just finished working out or something.

"Hello? Can I help you?"

They don't answer. Once more, they hang up.

Strange.

I'm a little weirded out and briefly consider calling the cops, but I consider that to be a little overkill. It's probably some sort of prank. It’s not like I have any enemies except a cheating ex, and cheating exes are a dime a dozen in this city. So yeah, I figure Halloween is coming up in a few months, somebody might be getting there early creeping out the neighbors.

I forget about the strange phone call as the weeks drag on, especially since I'm having so much fun with the guys.

They take me out on more dates, and this time, Jake takes me out bowling.

I kind of baited him into it by pretending to be a total noob. And then when he was done explaining the moves and showing off, I completely smoked him on every single round.

It's only after the second round that he realizes he's been tricked, and I laugh at the look on his face.

"That was payback for the surfing," I say as he takes me back to his house.

"Oh yeah?" He grins. "Well, then I guess I have to pay back your payback with paintball."

“Ha. You’ve just got yourself into a world of trouble because guess who won the Armack City Paintball championship in 08?”

“You?”

"No, but I could have if I participated.”

He laughs. It feels so good hearing him laugh because I have a feeling that while he’s a huge joker, it’s hard to draw any genuine mirth out of him or tickle his funny bone.

Of course, I smile proudly when I manage it, as he slides his key into his door.

When he opens it, the lights are already on, and Adam and Sam are standing at the kitchen island.

I’m a little nervous, wondering how they’re going to react to seeing me with him, but Sam immediately smiles and walks over to draw me into a hug.

“Hey,” Jake says, grabbing the back of his shirt and tugging him off before his body can make contact. “It’s still technically my time. You’re intruding.” Though the tone is light, I study Jake tomake sure there’s no tension in his face when he’s saying it, and I notice Sam does the same thing.

When Jake meets my eye, I smile at him and reach over to squeeze his hand. His smile widens, and he squeezes back.