My Best Friend's Brother

CHAPTER ONE

Maya dreamt of the old porch again. The warm summer air smelled like honeysuckle, heavy and sweet. In the dream, she sat with her knees pulled to her chest, a sketchbook resting on her legs. Every now and then, she looked up and saw Ethan walking by — tall, sun-kissed from afternoons outside, his easy laugh bouncing off the wooden rails.

She always pretended to draw the garden, but her pencil usually ended up outlining the curve of his jaw, the messy way his hair fell over his forehead when he bent down to tie his shoes.

In the dream, he turned to her and smiled — that soft, secret smile he didn’t give to anyone else.

She reached her hand out to him, heart pounding, but just as their fingers touched, she woke up with a sharp breath, her heart hammering.

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The taxi rattled as it drove into Cedar Hill’s main road. Maya pressed her forehead against the window, trying to steady her breathing.

The town looked almost the same as when she left. The gas station still had its flickering neon “Open” sign. The library still had the colorful book return box out front. The old blue benches near the bakery were there too, now surrounded by baskets of bright summer flowers.

A wave of emotions crashed over her — comfort, fear, nostalgia — as if the whole town might recognize her at any moment and whisper, That’s the girl who left.

She caught her reflection in the glass: pale, tired, with eyes too wide. You’re not that scared girl anymore, she told herself. You’ve grown. You’re stronger now.

But the tight knot in her stomach stayed.

The driver cleared his throat, pulling her back. “Almost there, miss?” he asked kindly.

She nodded quickly, fumbling with her bag. “Yes… sorry. It’s just been a long time.”

He gave her a small smile in the mirror. “Coming home is always hard.”

Home. The word felt heavy in her chest.

Her heart jolted as they passed the high school. It looked smaller than she remembered, sitting quietly behind the football field. She could still see her teenage self sitting on those front steps, whispering secrets with Lily after games, feeling like life was simple and endless.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

She had left during sophomore year, when her parents decided they needed a “fresh start” in Chicago. She had begged them to let her stay. She wanted to finish high school here, to stay with Lily. But they didn’t listen.

That was when Lily’s family — the Bennett's — stepped in. They welcomed her like one of their own, opening their doors and hearts without question. For two years, their home became hers. She had late-night kitchen talks with Mrs. Bennett, played board games with Mr. Bennett, and shared endless music and midnight secrets with Lily.

She remembered standing on their porch that first day with her suitcases, trying to act brave while her heart felt like it was falling apart. She had already spent so much time there that it almost felt like home before she even moved in. And when she did, they made her feel like a true daughter, not just a guest.

And then there was Ethan.

Her heart gave a small, guilty thud at the memory. Ethan Bennett. Lily’s older brother.

Back then, he was a senior — tall, confident, with a quiet charm that felt impossible to resist. He had this warm smile that could make her stomach twist into knots, and eyes that felt like they saw everything she tried to hide. He would ruffle her hair when he passed her in the hallway, or toss her a soda on movie nights. Every small gesture sent her heart racing.

She had never told him how she felt. Before she could, he graduated and left for college in California. She heard bits and pieces about him later — how he started a tech company, became a CEO before turning thirty. It all felt so far away, like a story from another world.

The driver turned into the Bennett's driveway, the same cracked driveway where she and Lily used to practice rollerblading and skateboard tricks.

She paused, looking at the house. So many memories floated around her — late nights eating s’mores in the backyard, singing along to old songs in Lily’s room, giggling under the covers after lights-out. She could almost see Ethan’s car pulling up beside hers, his hair messy from soccer practice, giving her that relaxed wave before disappearing inside.

She pressed her palm to her chest, taking a deep breath.

He wouldn’t be here. She knew that. Last she heard, he lived in San Francisco, busy with meetings, parties, and a life she couldn’t imagine.

This visit wasn’t about him. She was here for Lily, for the Bennett's, and maybe for the girl she had left behind all those years ago.

The driver stayed quiet, sensing her hesitation. Finally, she pushed open the car door and stepped out, grabbing her small suitcase and rolling it toward the porch.

She paused at the steps, her fingers brushing the railing she used to climb on like a monkey.

She could almost hear Mrs. Bennett calling out, “Shoes off before you come in!”

The front door was painted a soft yellow now, with a pretty wreath full of tiny lavender sprigs and little wooden stars.

She stood there for a moment, her heart thumping loudly in her ears. Her fingers hovered over the brass doorbell. Just ring it, she told herself.

Her mind drifted to Ethan again. She pictured him somewhere in a sleek office, laughing with important people, completely unaware that she stood here, shaking at the thought of stepping into his old home.

A small laugh escaped her lips — nervous and wistful at the same time.

She shook her head. Stop it, Maya. You’re not here for him.

Finally, she pressed the doorbell.

She heard quick footsteps inside, then a muffled thump. Her breath caught.

The door swung open.

Lily stood there, her hair longer than before and twisted into a messy bun. She wore an oversized vintage T-shirt and ripped jeans. She looked just the same, only brighter, more alive.

“Oh. My!” Lily gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

For a second, they just stared at each other.

Then Lily shrieked and threw herself forward, hugging Maya so tightly she almost fell backward. Lily smelled like vanilla lotion and fresh laundry — exactly the same as every sleepover, every late-night snack run, every whispered secret.

“You’re really here!” Lily whispered, her voice shaking. “I can’t believe it. You have no idea how much I missed you.”

Maya felt her throat tighten. She nodded, tears rising to her eyes before she could stop them.

Lily pulled back just enough to look at her face. “Oh my gosh, you look amazing. And tired. And… oh, just get inside already!”

She grabbed Maya’s hand and dragged her inside. “Mom and Dad are going to flip when they see you. Your old room is waiting — Mom redecorated it a bit, but she kept most of your stuff.”

Maya’s eyes darted around the hallway as she stepped in. The cinnamon roll smell drifted through the house. The family photos lined the walls. The same old rug she and Lily used to slide across in socks still lay on the floor.

She felt the knot in her chest start to loosen. This place didn’t just look like home — it felt like it.

She turned to look at Lily again, who was smiling so widely her cheeks might split.

For the first time in a long while, Maya felt like she belonged somewhere.

And as Lily closed the door behind them, Maya took a deep, shaky breath. She knew life wasn’t going to be simple here. There would be old wounds, unexpected feelings, and memories she hadn’t faced in years. But maybe — just maybe — she had come to the right place.

She squeezed Lily’s hand, and Lily squeezed back, giggling.

“I missed you so much,” Maya whispered.

Lily grinned. “Then stay forever.”

Maya laughed through her tears.