The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister(40)

“For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t be interested in her anyway—even if she weren’t your friend. She’s not my type. And I get why you didn’t try to set her up with me. I sure as fuck wouldn’t have set you up with someone.” I clarified, “You know, if you weren’t already engaged.”

Lala had been carrying her bag with her all night. Right now it acted as a barrier between us as we danced.

I looked down. “Is that a vibrator in your purse, or are you just happy to see me?”

She clutched it tighter. “Very funny.”

“I try.”

“You are funny.” She rolled her eyes, swaying her hips a little. “I wish I didn’t find you so damn amusing.”

I leaned in and spoke into her ear, “I think you find me a little more than amusing.”

She shook her head slowly. “Admitting my attraction to you was a huge mistake, not to mention completely inappropriate.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll go back to Philly—or worse, California—and all this weird tension between us will be a mere memory. Out of sight, out of mind.”

While that was meant to reassure her, the words left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Because they were the truth.

I was just the fuckboy she found tempting, not the guy she’d end up with.

***

By the end of the night, Tia was sloshed. Owen was even more bored and unimpressed. Brayden had exchanged numbers with that girl he’d been talking to. And me? I was painfully sober. Not sure why, but I felt like if I’d gotten drunk tonight, I might’ve said or done something even more dumb than I already had. So, I’d limited myself to one beer. Lala had one vodka cranberry, followed by a Shirley Temple she had no idea was a Shirley Temple.

We dropped Tia off first to make sure she got home safely. Then the four of us headed back to the building.

Once inside, Brayden went on ahead of the pack to his apartment while Owen seemed to be following me back to mine, and he then decided to linger in front of my place. I knew he was doing it because he wanted to make sure I went to my apartment and not to Lala’s, or vice versa. God, he was such a dick sometimes.

But even when Lala had bid us both goodnight and disappeared inside her apartment, Owen still hung around.

“Can I help you?” I asked as he followed me inside my place.

“Just making sure you don’t do anything stupid, my friend.”

“You don’t need to babysit me.”

“Not babysitting you. Just looking out for Ryan’s little sister.”

I opened my fridge to grab a water. “What makes you think I haven’t had multiple opportunities to tempt her that I’ve passed on? You seem to think I can’t be trusted when all I’ve been fucking doing is staying on my best behavior. In fact, being good is nearly killing me.”

“I don’t believe that you’d pass up an opportunity to go in for the kill if she really weakened to your charms.”

He had no freaking clue. I slammed my water bottle on the counter. “Do you have any idea how much restraint I’ve exhibited, Owen? Let me tell you!” I paused, giving myself one last chance to stop before saying fuck it. “I slept in the same goddamn bed as her that night we had to stay in a hotel together. Because she insisted I not sleep on the floor. Then sometime after she fell asleep, she unknowingly pushed her ass right against my dick. You know what I did? I fucking moved. Put some space between us. Hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life aside from burying my best friend. So tell me I don’t have restraint,” I spat. “Tell me!”

I stopped short of telling him about the timed, mutual peep show she and I had done. Details. That I would take to my grave.

Owen kept blinking, as if trying to process. “You slept in the same bed?”

“That’s the part you’re stuck on? Did you not hear everything else I just said?”

“Yeah. I heard you, and I still can’t believe it. Ultimately, it was your decision to get into that bed, even if it was her suggestion.”

“Sue me for wanting to sleep in a warm bed.” With Lala.

He pointed up at the ceiling. “You do realize Ryan can probably see everything you’re doing from wherever he is?”

While that idea made me cringe, I snapped back, “You know what, Owen? If he could really see inside my head, he’d know how damn hard I’ve been trying to do the right thing and control my actions. Feelings? They’re not so easy to control. I made a decision not to cross a certain line with her as long as she’s engaged. Because of my feelings for her, I’ve toed the line—I admit it. But I haven’t crossed it, even though I wanted to a long time ago. You got to give me some credit for that.”

Owen just stood there, shaking his head. Then he rubbed his eyes and muttered, “You know what? It’s late. I’m going to sleep.”

I smirked. “I love shutting you up almost as much as I love proving you wrong. When I get to do both at once? Even better.”

“Don’t get too confident, jackass.” He pointed to his eyes then back at me. “I’m still going to be watching you.”

I gave him the finger. “Here’s an idea. Why don’t you find yourself a woman so you’re not constantly up in my business?”

“Find me someone I’m interested in,” he said as he opened the door to leave.