Page 28 of That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend

She shifts her jaw, but she says nothing.

“After the way Brady and I had been treating you, I got the idea to give you the bracelet as an apology.”

Kasey’s shoulders begin to quake. “Why on earth should I believe you now?” Her voice is a quiet tremor.

“Ask Pat Murphy. He’ll tell you.”

She presses her lips together like she’s trying not to lose control. “So after years of pranking me, you were just going to give me … a bracelet?”

“Yeah.” He flinches. “I knew it was a long shot. And I was afraid you might laugh in my face, but I was also hoping somewhere deep down, you had feelings for me too.” Kasey’s eyes are shining now. She looks down at her bare feet. “Anyway,” I say. “That was my plan but…” I let the story trail off. She knows how it ends.

I stop recording, and Kasey lifts her face. Her beautiful face.

“Beau.” Her voice is almost a whisper. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think you might be telling the truth.”

I move toward her again, and this time she stays put. Sweat’s rolling down my back, but Kasey’s shivering in her dress. I want to wrap my arms around her to stop the tremble. But whatever happens between us now needs to be on her terms. I take another step forward. Then I reach out and poke the bare skin of her shoulder.

“Tag.” I say. “You’re it.”

She blinks. Bends her head. “I don’t get it.”

“You’re in charge now, Kasey.” I hold up her phone. “Say the word, and I’ll send these videos to everyone in town. I’ll stay away from you for the rest of this week. Or I’ll stay with you for the rest of this week.” I move another inch closer. Close enough to feel her shudder without even touching her. “Whatever you want,” I say. “Anything for you.” My words are raw and jagged, and I’m sure she can hear my heart pounding. It’s banging that loud. But I don’t care. I’m done pretending.

Kasey lifts her face to mine, and I feel her breath come warm and quick. In this moment, I’d do anything to kiss this woman. Quit my job. Give up my best friend.

Say the word and I’m yours, Kasey Graham.

“What do you want?” I whisper.

She parts her lips. “I want revenge.”

ChapterEleven

KASEY

“Revenge?” Beau’s staring down at me, his eyes wide with disbelief. “That’swhat you want?”

No. What Ireallywant is to kiss him. And I also want to believe him. So very badly. I told Beau Ithoughthe might be telling me the truth even before I was completely sure. Now I’m afraid if I let my guard down, my lips will start doing things my heart’s not ready to back up. So for my own good, I should pull away. Too bad my body wants us to stay this close for the rest of my natural-born life.

“I guess revenge might be too strong a word,” I say, taking a step back and blinking fast. “How about payback? No. That’s still not quite right.” I shake my head. “I’ve just been on the receiving end of a few too many pranks over the years. Is it so wrong to want to give everyone else a little taste of their own medicine?”

“Okay, Kasey. You win.” His shoulders sag, and he takes another step away from me. This doesn’t feel like winning at all. “What kind of medicinedid you have in mind?”

I chew my lip, already regretting going down this path. But payback is safer than kissing, right? Way safer. “I haven’t figured out all the details yet,” I say. “But maybe we could teach our moms a lesson about trying to manipulate us. And maybe not just our moms. Maybe Brady too. And Natalie.”

“Huh.” Beau furrows his brow. “What does Nat have to do with this?”

“Do you seriously not know?”

“Know what?” Based on the tilt of his head, he isn’t kidding.

“I never did anything to Natalie, but your little sister sure hated me anyway. She even threatened to secretly slip Ex-Lax into my brownies once.”

“Whoa.” Beau shakes his head. “I guess Nat wanted to keep us away from each other as much as Brady did. She must’ve figured out I had feelings for you too.” At this, my heart skips a beat, and those darn butterflies rush back to my stomach. Why is Beau saying things like this to me?I had feelings for you. Then again, he used the past tense.

Had.

As terrible as that word feels—sinking inside me—it also makes complete sense, and reminds me why I can’t let myself fall for Beau Slater any more than I already have. He can’t afford to care about me now. He’s got a globe-trotting career to pursue, and he won’t give up his dream job. He can’t. And I get it. He’s wanted to be a photographer since high school, just like I dreamed of being a journalist.

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