Watermelon Juice

(Keegan’s point of view)

The second I saw Brees standing there with watermelon juice dripping down her arm, my chest tightened.

I hated that she could do that to me.

One look.

That was all it took.

She was different this summer. Maybe it was because she was finally in high school. Maybe it was because I hadn’t seen her as much lately. Or maybe I was finally noticing things I’d spent years trying not to notice.

She wasn’t just Baylen’s little sister anymore.

And that was exactly the problem.

I had promised Baylen.

I had offered the idea to him and he shut it down immediately.

And now that promise felt heavier than ever.

Because if I was being completely honest with myself, there was a part of me that wanted to walk over to Brees, wipe the watermelon from her arm, and tell her she looked beautiful.

Instead, I shoved my hands into my pockets.

“Come with us,” I said.

The little smile that spread across her face made my heart jump.

For half a second, I forgot about Baylen.

Forgot about the promise.

Forgot about Jada.

I just wanted Brees there.

I wanted her around me.

Then reality hit me.

I had a girlfriend.

Jada.

And even though things with Jada weren’t some epic love story, she was my girlfriend. I’d chosen to be with her. I couldn’t pretend that didn’t mean something.

Besides, Brees deserved better than being caught in the middle of whatever mess was happening inside my head.

So I forced myself to say the words I knew would change her expression.

“I’d love for you to meet Jada.”

The second her eyes widened, I knew I’d hurt her.

“Ja-Ja-Jada?” She stuttered.

I wanted to take it back.

Immediately.

I wanted to tell her she didn’t have to worry about Jada. I wanted to explain that it wasn’t serious.

But what would that accomplish?

I’d still be lying.

And I’d still be breaking Baylen’s trust.

Baylen started teasing me, and I laughed along with him, grateful for the distraction.

“She doesn’t go to Huff, though. She’s from Northern.”

I glanced back at Brees.

She was trying so hard to act like she didn’t care.

“Can’t today,” she said quickly. “Casey and I are actually finishing school shopping with my mom.”

She started rambling about cleaning watermelon off herself, and I almost smiled.

Almost.

Because I knew what she was doing.

She was running.

Running away from me before I could see how much those words had hurt her.

“Sure, Squirt.”

I gave her the smile I always gave her.

The familiar one.

The safe one.

The one that belonged to Baylen’s little sister.

“She isn’t even my girlfriend, dude,” I added when Baylen started teasing me.

It was true.

Technically.

But I knew what everyone thought.

And maybe I should’ve just left it alone.

As Brees gathered her things, I watched her walk toward the house.

Something in my chest told me to go after her.

I didn’t.

I couldn’t.

Because every time I got too close to Brees, I remembered Baylen.

My best friend.

Her brother.

The promise.

Don’t mess with her.

So I stayed where I was.

A few minutes later, Brees came back outside wearing a crop top and jean shorts.

I froze.

Not because she’d done anything wrong.

Because she looked older.

Confident.

Like she was finally seeing herself the way everyone else had started to see her.

And for one stupid second, I forgot every reason I had for keeping my distance.

My eyes followed her before I could stop them.

She caught me looking.

I immediately looked away.

Damn it.

I shouldn’t have been looking at her like that.

I shouldn’t have wanted her attention.

I shouldn’t have felt that strange ache in my chest when she smiled.

But I did.

And the worst part?

I didn’t think Brees had any idea how hard I was fighting myself.

She waved before getting into her mom’s car.

I lifted my hand and smiled.

Then she turned away.

I watched her for another second before climbing into the Jeep with Baylen.

“You good?” he asked casually.

“Yeah.”

The lie came too easily.

I looked out the window.

Brees was already pulling away.

A part of me wanted to tell Baylen everything.

That I thought about her more than I should.

That I liked when she was around.

That sometimes I caught myself wondering what it would be like if she wasn’t his sister.

But I couldn’t say any of it.

Because once I said it out loud, there would be no taking it back.

And I had promised him.

So I would keep my distance.

I’d let Brees believe I didn’t see her differently.

I’d let her believe Jada was all I wanted.

Maybe eventually I’d even convince myself.

Because wanting Brees was one thing.

Choosing her was another.

And I wasn’t willing to betray my best friend for a feeling I wasn’t even supposed to have.

Still, as the Jeep pulled away, I looked back toward the road where Brees had disappeared.

And I couldn’t help wondering if she had seen the way I’d looked at her.

I hoped she hadn’t.

Because if she had…

I was in a lot more trouble than I wanted to admit.