All Chapters of Craving My Best Friend’s Brother: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

***~~CHANCÉ~~***“Come here.”River Dawson’s voice slides down my spine like a slow shiver. I’m standing only a few inches away from him, but those two words still pull me closer, like I’m tied to him by something invisible.Maybe I am.I should feel embarrassed about how easily I obey him. About how desperate that probably makes me look. But I don’t think about that too much. Because I like him.No—I’ve liked him for four years.The hotel light is dim. Outside the window, the city glows under the night sky. It’s Friday night, and I’m far away from home.I told mom I was sleeping at my best friend’s house. Instead, I’m here. With him.“Closer,” he murmurs.I step between his knees. My heart pounds so loudly I’m sure he can hear it. My pussy is so wet, I’m sure he can feel it. Four years ago, River didn’t even know I existed. I still remember the first time I saw him. It was at the Dawson house. He sat at the edge of the pool, laughing with some other guys. I couldn’t stop staring a

I toss and turn until I finally stop. With my hand on my stomach, I stare at the ceiling, letting out a long breath. Cortney dropped me home thirty minutes ago, and River hasn’t shown up yet.Maybe it is for the best.I sigh, running my hand through my hair.What exactly am I doing? I know he will never love me. I know he will never give me a chance. So why am I still waiting?The knock on my door startles me. I sit up and quickly throw my hair in a low ponytail the way I normally do.“Come in.” I reach for my glasses and put them on.My elder sister opens the door and stands in the doorway. “Coming down for dinner? Mom made chicken.” I am not in the mood to eat, and she can see it written all over my face. “You like chicken.” She sighs and enters, closing the door behind her. “Okay, what is wrong? You know you can talk to me.”She sits down on the bed, and I pull my legs closer together. I search her eyes. I can’t tell her a boy is bothering me. I can’t open up to her because I know

***~~~ RIVER~~~***I notice her. I’ve always noticed her, and Chan has always been… naive. Quiet. Too soft for someone like me.I’ve been watching her for four years. Even before all these forbidden escapades. Before the lake. Before she saved my life.My jaw tightens slightly at the memory. If she hadn’t pulled me out that afternoon… I don’t even let myself finish that thought. I owe her. More than she realizes. And maybe that’s why I try so hard to make her invisible. Because if I give her too much attention, I already know how this ends.I know girls like her. They fall. They fall really hard. And Chan? She’s fragile. Just like I was four years ago. Just like I was before this lifestyle of mine started at sixteen. My phone had buzzed in my pocket that Saturday night just as I drove into the mansion's driveway. I didn’t need to check to know who it was. I saw her message. Did you get home safe? I read it. I just didn’t reply. I stared at it longer than I should have. I couldn’t

***~~~ CHANCÉ~~~***I’m still mad at him. But not the loud kind of mad. Not the kind where you slam doors or yell. The quiet, painful kind. The kind that sits heavy in my chest and refuses to leave.I feel sad. I felt hurt when he said the word “As if” to his cousin, Ricky. I know what we do isn’t supposed to be out in the light, but he could have just stayed quiet instead of hurting my feelings like that.Ricky is really cool. He looks just as bright as Cortney described him when she picked me up earlier. He’s cute, with dirty blonde hair, and his face is structured like that of methodical gods—just perfect. But I won’t lie: River has more than that. And as much as I’m trying so hard to ignore him, this invisible string keeps pulling me back to him.I keep stealing glances at him while I talk to Ricky. Ricky is fun, and I don’t want to be delusional, but River looks angry. Perhaps really angry that I’m laughing with his cousin.“Okay, guys,” Cortney says, clapping her hands togethe

The sting lingers, sharp and hot, but it’s nothing compared to the confusion crashing through me. Hazel’s words echo in my head—“Are you in love with River? Is that why you’re trying to ruin my life?” After that slap, I went deaf. The world muffles. The question she asked doesn’t even sink in properly; it just hangs there, unfinished, undigested. She grabs my shoulders and shakes me. “Answer me, minion. Is that why you did it? Because you’re in love with him?” She scoffs. “I knew you were a pretender, hiding behind that innocent-girl look. I see right through you. You’re a creepy, horny motherfucker who will never get smashed!” “That’s enough, Hazel.” Cortney steps between us. Her voice is low and final. “I’ve heard enough.” Tears burn behind my eyes. Hazel’s words cut deeper than the slap she gave me. I would never put River in that position. I would never do anything to hurt him. Sure, I hate Hazel—she’s so hot, so different from me, and I get why boys like River look her way. Bu