Page 111 of My Best Friend's Brother

“I don’t wanna fall out, Logan.”

I sense a but coming.

“I just want you to know I’d never hurt her. I wish you knew that.”

“Based on your CV, Raff, I’m afraid I don’t,” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him. “If you’ve asked me here to seek my permission to start breaking my sister’s heart, you can think again.”

“No, I haven’t. I want us to be okay,” Raff grumbled, meeting my eyes. “But I like her.”

“Good for you. Then you understand that she deserves better.”

I tilted my head to the side when Raff locked eyes with me.

I felt sure he was going to say something else for a brief moment, but he didn’t. Instead, his shoulders sagged a little, and he grabbed his beer with a frown.

“Are we done talking about Ellie?” I asked, clearing my throat.

“Yeah,” Raff mumbled, but I wasn’t convinced.

“I’m serious; she’s off-limits to you.” I leaned forward, pointing my beer bottle at him. “I love you, man, but you’re a liability with women.”

“Speaking of which, How’re things going with Jess?” Raff asked, changing the subject swiftly.

“Good,” I answered nonchalantly.

“You two a thing now?”

“Yeah.” A smile curved my lips upwards. “Check me out.”

“Logan Zander in a relationship minutes after leaving one.” Raff snorted, and I made a face.

“Nah, this is different. But don’t piss me off, I still want to smack your pretty little face for kissing my sister.”

At the mention of Ellie, Raff’s eyes changed, the playful light evaporating into darkness. Before I could question him, though, it was gone, replaced by a cheeky grin.

“McDonald’s?” Raff suggested cheerfully, draining his beer.

“Yeah. I’ve got some time to kill before I meet Jess,” I agreed, finishing my drink.

The walk to McDonald’s was comfortable, and the awkwardness between us lessened as we caught up over a Big Mac or two.

“You’re lucky they let you off,” Raff said through a mouthful of food. “Even though Carlisle had that coming.”

I nodded, thinking about how good it felt to smash my fist into that wanker’s face. The damage he’d done to Jessica was going to take fucking ages to fix, but I was determined I’d do it.

“How was Jess about it all?” Raff asked, dipping a handful of fries into his ketchup.

“Worried,” I admitted, feeling like a dick. “I think it scared her.”

“She’s not like that, is she? But, she clearly likes abitof rough,” Raff teased, laughing at my scowl.

“She makes me wanna sort my shit out.” I polished off my burger and fries, sucking the salt from my fingers. “Not that I have a prayer, but, you know.”

I shrugged as Raff watched me, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Why can’t you?”

I looked at him as I tossed my wrappers into the bin beside us.

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