2

Drake's POV

I stared continuously at Paul who was now smiling. I was more in shock that I was almost about to ask her for her number and have her come over before I left for New York. I felt sick to my stomach and uncomfortable that I had been attracted to yet another girlfriend of Paul again. And accidentally as always.

“Wait… Do you two know each other?” The girl asked, staring at me then at Paul who nodded, still smiling.

“He’s my brother,” Paul replied and wrapped me in a side hug. “I am so glad I saw you.”

I was still feeling bothered. Why did Paul always get the good girls? The sexier ones, the ones who always got my attention.

“What’s up?” I asked after he pulled away.

“Oh, how rude of me. Drake, this is Nina Saw and Nina, this is my brother Drake Hamilton.”

Nina smiled at me, making my heart flutter. Fuck, she was gorgeous. She looked too real to be true. The way her lips curved into a smile and the way her siren eyes slanted. The more I looked at her, the more it felt like I was getting pulled into whatever remnant of attraction I was feeling for her.

“Hi… again,” she said and waved her hand at me. “Were you just doing the homework?”

I scoffed, trying to think of a lie to use. I didn’t want to suddenly appear incompetent, and I didn’t know why. She was just someone I met, and I didn’t understand why I needed to prove myself good to her. No other woman made me this.

“Not really,” I said, and she nodded then faced Paul who looked down at her with a soft smile.

I knew that look. I knew that fucker was head over heels in love with her and here I was, getting attracted to her.

“I’ll see you before you leave. I have to meet a few course mates, okay?” She said and stood on her toes then kissed his cheek before waving at me and walking away.

We stared at her before Paul blocked my view with a pointed look aimed at me.

“Don’t even think about it,” he said, and I gave him my middle finger.

“Your lady’s nice looking,” I said, and he flipped his middle fingers at me, making me laugh.

“I know you, Drake. I saw that look in your eyes. This one’s mine for real,” he said and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Come on, let’s go watch some matches at your place. Oh, and we are leaving for Rochester tomorrow. Mom already booked our tickets. She wants us at home before the birthday.”

We walked on, talking and laughing, while I pushed the thought of Nina out of my head and mind. She was taken and she needed to stay away, far away.

+++

“You can’t be serious,” I said to myself as I stared at Nina when she walked into the first-class section of the plane.

I had thought Paul had been joking when he said that Nina was coming and stayed with the idea that she was not coming for real. Now, she was here, smiling at Paul who sat close to the entrance of the first-class section. I sighed and looked away, staring at the tarred ground outside.

I perked slightly when I felt movement beside me. Familiar scent filled my nose and when I turned, I made eye contact with Nina. She craned her head and some locks of her hair fell over her cheeks.

“Hi, Drake.”

“Hey. I didn’t know you were coming with us.”

She blinked, looking confused. “With you guys?”

“Paul told me you were coming with us. Did he invite you to our sister’s party or something?” I asked and she looked even more confused before realization masked her face.

“Oh… no, no, no. Actually, I live in Rochester too. My parents live there… well, my mom. She wants me over for the summer.”

“Oh. Right. I thought you were coming with us.”

I swallowed when she took off her jacket. The shirt she was wearing hugged her breasts and curvy waist. The neckline did not help, and I felt like shit for staring at my brother’s girlfriend. Even though the flight was not going to be long, this was going to feel like the longest flight of my life.

+++

When my body vibrated, my eyes opened, waking up from my slumber. I blinked and looked outside; the plane was running along the tarmac. I yawned and looked to my right. Nina was reading a book with her ears covered with her pink noise canceling headset. I looked to where Paul was sitting and saw his hands holding his tablet. I sighed and relaxed on the seat, waiting for the plane to stop.

Fifteen minutes later, we were leaving the plane. Nina and Paul were behind me, walking hand in hand and giggling like the couple that they were. I have rolled my eyes to the point my eyeballs hurt. Soon enough, we left the airport and stopped in front of the busy entrance. I squinted my eyes to spot the family driver before Nina stood beside me and waved at someone. I squinted my eyes again and saw a middle-aged man holding a large card with her name on it.

“See you soon, guys,” Nina said and walked toward the row of people with placards.

“Over there,” Paul said and pointed toward the end of the row of people.

I saw Phil, our driver and started to make my way to him. I smiled at him when we got to where he stood then he motioned for us to follow him. With our luggage rolling behind us, we followed him to the black tinted window SUV. Phil and Paul put the bags in the trunk while I opened the back door. I got in and a strong force hit me. I was confused for a second before I realized that someone was hugging me.

“You’re back!”

I laughed and hugged Lia back. When the front doors opened, she rushed forward and squealed. Lia was always bubbly. The bubbly one out of us all.

“Big bro Paul!” She said in gusto, and he screamed in shock.

“Fuck! What is wrong with you, Lia?” He asked.

I chuckled and closed the door when Phil started the car. Lia wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, while Paul made gagging sounds.

“I missed you so much,” she said and gave him a long peck on the cheek. “Muah!”

Lia giggled and pulled away while Paul wiped his cheek. She sat back and folded her legs on the seat when the car started to move.

“So, you miss him but not me, huh?” I asked, feigning hurt with my hand on my chest.

“Cut the crap, silly,” she said and leaned toward me. “So, tell me… Do you have a girlfriend now? Paul told me he has one and I can’t wait to see her.”

Lia loved gossip and I couldn’t do anything but roll my eyes then went ahead to tell her how I was not interested in sticking to one woman. But a particular woman was now filling my head, a woman that was my brother’s.

A part of me didn’t care if I tried to take her as mine but the part of me that loved my brother and family and didn’t want a repeat of what happened with our grandpa and granduncle, was greater.

But I could do everything without causing harm, right?