All Chapters of In the Arms of the Older Brother: Chapter 1 - Chapter 4

CIARAHonestly, what was I even doing here? As if tonight hadn’t already messed my mind. Now, I was hiding in the men’s restroom, tucked awkwardly inside a stall, practically in the arms of a stranger, who claimed he was helping me.The whole thing was insane. I’d barely processed the fact that the friend I’d loved for five years had been secretly dating my childhood friend. Now, instead of finding a quiet place to fall apart, I’d somehow ended up straddling this guy, because apparently those were his options for cooperating with him. Either I sat on the toilet in a squatting position or wrapped my arms around him and let him lift me up like it was nothing.And of course, I couldn’t just sit there, graceless with my red dress, not in front of a freaking stranger. So, I did the only thing that made sense at the moment. I stupidly clung to him, letting him hold me, hoping I didn’t look as desperate as I felt.“Hey, mister, are you sure you’re not taking advantage of my situation?” I whi

CIARAFate? That was the last thing I expected to hear from someone this manly. Honestly, he didn’t seem like the type to believe in fate, or destiny, or anything that couldn’t be touched or proven. But maybe I was wrong.Maybe I really couldn’t judge a book by its cover.“So… where are you taking me, mister?” I asked, suddenly realizing how quickly I’d agreed to leave with him. He’d just said he was going to unwind, and for some reason, I’d gone along with it, barely thinking twice.“My friend owns a bar around here, and tonight’s the soft opening,” he said, hands buried in the pockets of his leather coat.Walking beside him, I felt so much smaller than usual—it was almost strange, but not in a bad way. There was something about it that made me feel protected. He reminded me of Austin, but this guy was taller, broader, more solid than Austin ever was.“I see, then I guess I’ll accompany you. I need a drink anyway.” I shrugged, following him through the busy sidewalk, people moving pa