All Chapters of THE BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER : Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

The last person I expected to see standing in Aria's kitchen was Blake.I froze halfway through the doorway, one hand still wrapped around the strap of my bag.For three whole seconds, neither of us moved.Then his eyes met mine.And just like that, every memory I'd spent years trying to bury came rushing back.Blake.Aria's older brother.My childhood enemy.My best friend's ridiculously handsome, unbelievably irritating brother.He leaned against the kitchen counter like he owned the entire house, dressed in a black T-shirt and dark jeans, his sleeves pushed up to his elbows.He looked older.Different.Dangerously different.But that same annoying smirk was still there."Well," he said slowly. "Look what the cat dragged in."I rolled my eyes."Nice to see you too, Blake."His smirk widened."Is it?""No."He laughed.I hated that laugh.Actually, I hated everything about him.At least, that was what I told myself."Chloe!"Aria's voice came from upstairs.Before I could answer, she

“How much did you hear?”Blake's question hung in the hallway.I stared at him.“Enough.”His jaw tightened.“Chloe—”“Who were you talking to?”He slipped his phone into his pocket.“No one you need to worry about.”I laughed once, but there was nothing funny about it.“You literally said my name.”“I know.”“And you said I couldn't find out what happened between us.”Blake went completely still.I stepped closer.“What happened between us?”He looked away.That scared me more than anything.“Blake.”“It's complicated.”“Then explain it.”“I can't.”“Why?”“Because it isn't my secret to tell.”My stomach dropped.“What does that mean?”He looked at me again.There was something in his eyes I couldn't understand.Regret.Fear.Maybe even guilt.“Go upstairs, Chloe.”I stared at him.“Excuse me?”“Please.”The word was so quiet that I almost didn't recognize it as coming from him.Blake never said please.I folded my arms.“I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's happening.”He

“We did.”Blake's words echoed inside the closet.For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.I looked at Aria.She was standing in the middle of the room, her face pale.Blake ran a hand through his hair.“Aria, you weren't supposed to tell her.”“I didn't know she was in here!”My hand flew to my mouth.The door suddenly opened.Blake looked directly at me.“Chloe…”I stepped out.“What did you do?”Aria's eyes filled with tears.“Chloe, please.”“No.” I shook my head. “Don't please me. Tell me what happened.”Blake exchanged a look with his sister.Then he sighed.“Three years ago, Aria and I were driving home from a party.”Aria lowered her head.“We were arguing,” Blake continued. “I was angry. I drove too fast.”My heart tightened.“Then we saw someone crossing the road.”I stared at him.“Her?”He nodded.“She was badly injured.”“And you left her?”“No.”Blake's voice cracked.“We called an ambulance. We stayed until they arrived.”“Then why did you say you killed her?”“I said we

“Has been watching me?”I stared at Blake.He nodded.“I don't know who it is.”I looked toward the house.Every window suddenly seemed darker than it had a moment ago.“That's supposed to make me feel better?”“No.”“At least you're honest.”He almost smiled.Almost.Then his expression turned serious again.“I'm going to find out who sent that message.”“You don't have to protect me.”“I know.”“Then stop acting like you do.”He stepped closer.“That's the problem, Chloe.”“What is?”“I don't know how to stop.”My heart skipped.I looked away.“Blake…”“I mean it.”His voice was quiet.“You've been here for less than a week, and somehow I notice everything you do.”I swallowed.“That isn't normal.”“I know.”He was standing close now.Too close.I could smell his cologne.I could feel the warmth coming from him.But he didn't touch me.He just looked at me.And somehow that was worse.“You're staring,” I whispered.“So are you.”“I am not.”“You are.”I looked up.His eyes were fixe

I stared at the message on my phone.Blake isn't the only person who has been hiding something from you.My heart was still pounding when I looked across the room.Blake was watching me.Not my phone.Me.There was something in his expression that made me wonder if he already knew what the message said.I quickly slipped my phone into my pocket.“Chloe?” Aria called.I turned toward her.“Yeah?”“You were about to say something.”I forced a smile.“I forgot.”Blake raised an eyebrow.He knew I was lying.Of course he did.Aria looked between us.“Okay… I'm going to get some air.”She walked away, leaving Blake and me alone.For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.Then Blake stepped closer.“Who sent the message?”I looked at him.“You know who?”“No.”“You're lying.”His jaw tightened.“Chloe.”“Don't.”I shook my head.“I don't want to talk about it.”He stared at me for a moment.Then he nodded.“Okay.”I blinked.“You're not going to argue?”“No.”“Wow.”A small smile appeared on h