Chapter 45

Our laughs simmered to subtle smiles as we were panting from our tickle fight. I instinctively pulled her closer to me. Our eyes searched one another frantically. I wanted her to give me something. Some sort of sign. Some inkling of a spark. Was I imagining this?

“I thought you were going to fall,” I whispered, leaning closer.

“I appreciate you not letting that happen,” she whispered back, echoing my tone.

I looked at her lips. They were beautifully chalked pink from her light colored lip gloss. She smelled so good. She prepped her mouth to say something, but she stopped herself.

I pushed her loose curls behind her ear. My hand lingered by her cheek. The silence between us was electrically charged. Neither of us spoke, we just stared at one another longingly. It wasn’t awkward . It was familiar. We both leaned towards one another. Our foreheads pressed against one another. Her eyes flicked towards my lips every few seconds. My hand pressed against her back. I ran my fingers down her spine. I could hear her let out a gasp.

“What are we doing, Kee?” she asked me.

“I’m not sure Brees,” I admitted, with my hand still on her back.

The warmth of her body burned into my skin. It felt so good to hold her. Our chemistry was evident and it hadn’t gone away. She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled deeply.

“You’re with Isadora and I’m…” she paused.

“I know. But what if…” I lifted her chin and started to bring her mouth towards mine.

“Brees…” I whispered, as I prepared my lips to kiss hers.

She closed her eyes and let the moment take over. Before our lips could meet, the front door burst open and Baylen came strolling in.

“What’s going on here?” he asked as I backed away from Brees, releasing my grip on her.

“Nothing, we were just playing around and Kee won the tickle war,” Brees said, convincingly.

“Tickle war huh? I’m sure it involved your lips too then?” Baylen said, rolling his eyes.

“Baylen quit it! No one kissed anyone. I’m sure you weren’t out there just chatting with Quinn. If I want to kiss Keegan I will! That’s none of your business. I’m headed upstairs. I don’t have time for this,” Brees said, excusing herself from our company.

Before she left, she planted a dramatic smooch on my cheek. I knew this wasn’t for me, but for Baylen’s sake.

“Dude, don’t be kissing my sister. You have a girlfriend,” Baylen said.

“Izzy isn’t my girlfriend. You know that,” I said. “I also didn’t kiss your sister. I know you don’t want to hear it, but I love your sister. I have hopes of getting her back while I’m home. I would love your support, but I understand if you can’t give me that,” I said.

“Listen, you broke her heart. I had to hold her at times when she couldn’t bear it anymore. I have tried not to get involved because my little sis will win that fight every time. You’re my best friend and I don’t want to lose what we have. So I will stay neutral. Just be certain about her, the next time you make a play for her. You should probably be single too,” Baylen quipped.

His tone was different. I could tell that when Brees hurts, he hurts as well. I knew I would never hurt her again, but no one else knew that and with good reason.

Baylen offered me the chance to stay the night, but I don’t think I could do it with Brees there. I couldn’t stop thinking about her and what would have happened had Bay not come back inside so quickly. She said she would kiss me if she wanted to. Did this mean she did want to kiss me? I was determined to win her back and never let her go again. This break I was going back to LSU with a girlfriend.