Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Novels & Stories

“Big difference.” I smirk because it’s easier than admitting she’s right. I’ve spent years perfecting the art of pretending Mia Reynolds is just Noah’s little sister. The kid who used to steal my fries and punch me in the arm when I called her squirt. Except she stopped being a kid somewhere between high school graduation and now, and every time she walks into a room I have to remind myself she’s off limits. Noah’s off limits. Best friend code. Blood oath shit. But tonight the code feels paper thin.

“If it’s not important, Daniella, don’t waste my time.” “No, it’s important,” Daniella insisted. “It’s about Ethan… and Maya.” Lily brows pulled together. “What about them?” Another pause. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed lately, but your brother and your best friend have gotten really close,” Daniella said slowly. “Like… not just friendship-close. More like relationship-close.” Lily sat up straighter. “What are you talking about?” “Oh, you didn’t know?” Daniella said, pretending to sound surprised. “I thought you did. I mean… how could they hide it so well from you of all people? But maybe that was the point. Maybe you were the stumbling block they didn’t want in the way.”

“Fine.” I stalked back to the counter, grabbed my bag, and muttered a quick goodbye to Nancy and Matthew. Matthew hurried over, his eyes darting between me and Aaron. “Are you okay? Is he forcing you to do anything?” he asked in a low voice. I shook my head. “No, I’m fine. He’s my best friend’s brother. He’s just… looking out for me,” I said, hoping that would be enough to reassure him. Aaron appeared behind me, and Matthew took a step back, his unease evident. “I don’t like him,” Aaron muttered under his breath as we walked outside.

“Okay, real talk. There’s an infinity pool that literally looks like it drops into the ocean. And the spa? Dad, you promised me unlimited treatments.” Alexander chuckled, settling into the seat across from the girls. His long legs stretched out, brushing accidentally against Mia’s knee. She felt the contact like a spark. “I promised you both unlimited treatments,” he corrected, his voice smooth and authoritative. “But if either of you comes back with temporary tattoos or regrettable piercings, I’m blaming Mia.” Mia grinned, leaning forward slightly. “Why am I automatically the bad influence?” “Because you usually are,” Lily and Alexander said at the same time, then laughed.

My mouth opens, ready to argue it does not involve my brother in drugs, but I catch myself in time. Sadly, not in time to close my mouth before giving myself away. My brother is many things, but after watching his best friend OD at sixteen, he's not a drug runner or seller or pusher or anything like that. In fact, he promised me after being banished to Pelican Bay and the lackluster club, he would work on turning it around to a more legitimate business. There's a very thin line most clubs can walk where they maintain the reputation but can use their services for good.

When he can't get you off with his little dick, I give you permission to fantasize about me. "Thanks, but no thanks. That would only make me throw up," I snap back. We grew up together, and he, Nikolai, and Mason have always tormented me behind Gray's back. The only reason I even invited my brother's asshole best friends because Gray insisted. According to him, they're family and deserve to be treated as such. But I hate them all. "When shit doesn't work out between you and Isaac, just know you can call me anytime," King says with a shrug, his words igniting my anger.

And here is where it gets complicated. "Marco." I look at my brother. "There are things I'm working through. In therapy. Things that I'm not ready to—I'm not going to tell you about them over a paper airplane on a Saturday morning." "Are you okay," he says. The direct version. The one he saves for when the sideways version won't do. "Getting there," I say. "Genuinely." He doesn't push. He picks up the paper airplane and hands it to me across the table.

My shirt looked far better on her than that boy’s ever did, drowning her in my scent, marking her as mine for anyone with a nose to smell. And I had no intention of letting her take it off anytime soon. She finally glared up at me, that spark of defiance she’d been trying so hard to bury flashing bright in her eyes. “He is different,” she snapped. “He is my best friend.” My lips curled into a mocking smile. “I’m your brother. You’re going to listen to me.” Piper scoffed under her breath, the sound equal parts annoyance and disbelief. “Yeah, right. Some brother you are. Brothers don’t try to fuck their sisters.”

His voice sounds cold and disconnected and it feels like being punched in the gut to see him in so much pain, "I can't do that, best friends don't leave each other when the other one is hurting." My words come out hopeful, hopeful that he would allow me to be there for him right now like we've always been there for one another in the past. A smirk spreads across his face as he drops his arms from my shoulders and clenches his jaw, "Best friends, huh. Well, you know what, best friend. Go back to you're perfect life with my brother and leave me alone," My brows furrow at his words as they slice right through me for some reason.

Brian asked, and his eyes showed concern. "What are you even doing out here?" My brother asked. Yes, always interrupting the greatest moments of my life. "Honestly, it doesn't really look that bad," Lyla said in a bored tone. I don't really ask for princess treatment often in life, but this had been the one rare opportunity stripped from me. That night, my brother and I were two injured siblings returning home together. I did not even bother explaining to him what I was doing outside the basketball court. I had bigger problems. I had a black eye, a double date, and a best friend who was going to kill me tomorrow.