Page 3 of Deal Breaker
Joshua’s eyes didn’t leave the screen. “Get us some more drinks on your way back? That pizza was way spicy.”
At least it wasn’t just me.
I burst through my bedroom door and into the bathroom, one hand unzipping my pants, then ground to a complete halt.
Standing in front of the mirror was Sophie, brushing her teeth. She wore an oversized New York Giants—my team—football jersey, which grazed mid-thigh, stretchy shorts peeking out from beneath the hem. The shirt was at least two sizes too big and enveloped her body.
She looked totally adorable. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a perky ponytail, her clear blue eyes wide as she registered the shock of my arrival.
“Oh, shit, sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” My hand froze where it was.
“S’okay,” Sophie mumbled through a mouthful of toothpaste, a little escaping and dribbling over her bottom lip.
Instinctively, I stepped forward and brushed off the excess with my thumb. “You had a little…well, you know.” My mouth curved up into a smile. “And if you don’t mind, I’m desperate to take a leak.”
She shook her head, as if jolting herself back to the present. “Sure, yes, of course, give me a sec.”
Sophie turned her back, delicately spat into the sink, rinsed and dried her mouth. Then without another word, she left.
“Thanks, Soph, you’re an angel.”
I turned and rested against the door, letting out a hard breath.
Sophie Hale had been over to my house a million times. She’d had sleepovers with my sister more times than I could count. But tonight, it was like I saw her for the first time. That cute outfit, wearing my favorite team’s colors, the flush in her cheeks when I touched her. My dick twitched, overtaking the need to pee for a moment.
What was I thinking? She was my sister’s best friend. Autumn would kill me.
It took me a few minutes to calm down. I did what I needed to do and ventured back downstairs, careful to avoid going near the living room where I could hear Autumn and Sophie talking—not loud enough to hear the subject though. My ears burned. Could they be talking about me?
“You took your time,” Joshua complained, when I walked back in. “And where’s the soda?”
“Shit, sorry.” I slumped back down onto the beanbag and reached for my controller. “I’ll get some later.”
“What’s your problem?”
“I just saw Sophie in the bathroom.”
Joshua’s head snapped around to face me. “Was she naked?”
“Ewww, no! I’m not a perv.”
“Good thing too. She’s like, fourteen, buddy, and practically your sister. That would be gross.” He turned back to the TV screen. “Plus, she’s a snobby rich bitch. She wouldn’t look twice at you.”
“But you like her friend, Brianna,” I challenged. “Same thing, right?”
“Not quite. She isn’t my sister’s best friend. She isn’t off limits.”
Joshua’s earlier words echoed in my ears as I concentrated on playing our game. Sophie may have been the same age as my sister, but I already knew I saw her differently. If only I didn’t have to pretend I hated her now.
Chapter One
Sophie
“I need all of this completed by the time you go on vacation.”
Tim Tarrant, my boss, pushed a pile of paperwork across the desk towards me.
“But…all of it?” My eyes widened at the workload. I’d only be away for two days: Friday and Monday. If he wanted me to finish all of that before Thursday evening, I might as well live in the office.
