My Best Friend's Brother

15: Jealousy

Marie

I had gotten up a while ago and prepared myself some breakfast. I sat down on the table and began digging in. Once I was done, my phone vibrated. I picked it up and a reminder was in front of me which read, "Li and El's house warming party at 4! Don't be late!". Crap! I'd forgotten about that. I check the time and it's 12 already, I'd overslept today. Thank God I'd gotten a gift beforehand.

After my shower I decide to put on a dress. It's a mustard color dress with pink and white flowers. The dress reaches my ankles and is very flowy on the bottom. The dress has a cutout at the midriff, showing little of my stomach. I decide to wear white sandal heals with the dress. I straightened my hair and applied some foundation and lipstick. I checked the time, it was 3:15. I decided to put on a pair of sunglasses since it was a sunny day. I was ready and just about to head outside.

As soon as I grab my phone and exit my room, there was a knock on my door. Who could that be? I don't remember having other plans. I open the door to see Karter Allan leaning against the door frame.

"Ready to go M?" He asks with a smile.

"Wait. We had plans? Where are we going?" I ask.

Karter laughs at my confused face, "To Li and El's house warming party? I'm assuming that's why you're dressed?"

"Oh, we were going together? Karter you didn't have to!"

"Yes, I did. Their house is almost 40 minutes away. Now come on let’s get going" Karter says.

"Okay let me grab the gift and lock the house!" I say.

I step outside and Karter intertwines our hands together. Butterflies erupt in my stomach. God why does he have this effect on me?

We reach the car and Karter opens the door for me. As he's driving, I take time to check him out. He's wearing all black including a black hat and sunglasses. He looked really good. The first two buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned and I could see several tattoos. I didn't know Karter had tattoos.

"M are you listening?" Karter asking bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Sorry no. What'd you say?" I ask.

Karter lets out a chuckle, "I said, you look beautiful as always. Where were you lost anyways?"

I slightly blush at his compliment, "Thank you. I was just observing your tattoos. Didn't know you had them"

"I actually have a lot. Maybe one day I can show you?" He asks with a smile.

"I'd like that. But how many are we talking about here?" I question.

"I have, wait lemme do the math." Karter pauses, “I have 62" he adds.

My eyes widen,"62? WHAT? Wow. I only have is 8" I reply.

Karter looks at me, "Wait you have tattoos? I want to see"

"The day you show me yours I'll show you mine. Deal?" I ask.

"Deal" he says and smiles at me.

Soon we reach Li and El's house. Karter parks the car and we get out. This time I intertwine our fingers together and I don't know if it's just me but once I held his hand, Karter started smiling. We entered inside and were greeted by Eleanor.

"Guys! Hey! You're here. I was worrying you guys weren't going to show!" Eleanor says and hugs us.

"Obviously we were going to come, here this is something little for the house" I smile and hand her the gift.

"M, you didn't have too. Thank you so much!" Eleanor says.

"I should catch up with the other guests. Both of you have fun and enjoy" El smiles at us and walks away.

"Come on. Let's look for people we know!" Karter says.

Karter and I walked over to the bar and picked up some drinks. Karter opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by a voice calling his name.

"Karter! Is that you?" We turned around to see a woman, with lavender hair, she looked like she was in her early 40's. She walked over to Karter.

"Li! It's been so long!" Karter exclaims as he reaches out to hug her.

Once they pull away the woman speaks, “It has been. It wouldn't kill you to visit once in a while." She smiles. I catch her attention and she smile at me while I return," Your girlfriend is pretty Karter! Hello sweetheart" she extends her hand which I shake.

"I'm not-" I start but Karter interrupts me.

"Marie this is Lou, one of my old friends and Lou this is Marie. She moved here from NY she's Marie’s best friend" Karter says.

"It's very nice to meet you!" I say.

"Likewise, dear. It was really great meeting you but I should get going now." She smiles. "Karter you and Marie should come by our place for dinner sometime. It'll be nice" she adds.

"It will. We'll try. Give a big kiss to Lux from me and say hi to Tom from me!" Karter says.

"I will. Bye guys!" She waves and heads off.

"She seems nice" I say. Karter just nods at me.

Karter

Soon after Lou left, Alex and Grace showed up. Grace and Marie went their separate way while Alex and I chatted at the bar.

"Did you ask Marie out yet?" Alex asked.

"I was planning on doing it tonight" I say somewhat nervously.

"Mate chill out. She's going to say yes. She likes you. You can tell" Alex says.

"You think she does?" I ask.

"Yes, she does. Don't worry." He says.

It's almost 7 now and it's getting pretty dark so everyone who is left goes inside. As Alex and I head inside, my eyes start roaming for Marie. I look to see her laughing and talking with a guy. Who is he? Why do they both look so happy. I walk over to Grace and Sophia who are not much far from Marie and that annoying guy. My eyes are still fixed on them as I speak to Grace and Soph, "Who's the d**k with Marie?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"Why you jealous?" Soph asks smirking.

"No, I am not. Just curious." I say.

"Yeah okay. That's Jake, he's El and Li’s neighbor. He's also a dancer, we work with Marie" Grace says.

I just kept staring at them from a distance. "Kar, we're leaving!" Alex says.

I don't even bother; I just wave without looking at them. "What's wrong with him?" Carl asks.

Sophia points towards Marie and Jake, "Oh, so someone's jealous!" Carl says.

Soon Carl and Sophia also leave along with Jake. Marie comes to me and smiles, "Should we get going as well?" She asks.

"Sure. Whatever." I say. Marie grabs my hand and we walk over to El and Lou. We say our goodbyes and head out.

The car ride was pretty silent. You could sense the tension in the car.

"Karter, are you alright?" Marie asks worriedly.

"Fine" I say.

"Are you mad at me for some reason?" She asks.

"Nope".

We reach her apartment building and she insists that I come and have dinner with her. I agree after a lot of persuasion.

We didn't talk much during dinner either, just watched a movie and ate. I could see Marie glancing at me from time to time worriedly. Once we were done with dinner and Marie had cleared the dishes, she sets next to me on the couch.

"Did you have fun Kar?" She speaks up, I look into her eyes to see concern.

"It was alright." I say.

"Kar, what's wrong. I'm worried. Why are you acting so cold?" She asks.

"I'm not Marie. So, do you like Jake?" I ask abruptly.

"What?"

"Do you like Jake?" I repeat.

"Yes, he's my co-worker and friend, he's really nice" she says.

"I mean like, like him? Do you want to date him?" I ask.

Marie lets out a giggle and I look at her confused. "Karter, he's gay" all the sudden, my anger goes away. I feel like such an i***t for getting so angry.

"Oh" I say. She laughs.

"Yeah." She says smiling.

I move closer to her and put my hand on her cheek, I move my thumb on her cheek, "So if you don't like Jake. Is it alright if I kiss you?" I say just above a whisper. She slightly nods.

I start to lean in and so does Marie. Soon our lips touch. I can feel the fireworks exploding inside of me. Our lips move in her perfect sync. Her lips are so soft and they feel amazing with mine. Soon we both pull away to catch our breathe.

Our eyes locked with each other, "Wow. I've been wanting to do that since I say you at the airport!" I confess.

She smiles, "Well I'm glad you finally did" Marie says.

"Would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow?" I ask.

Almost immediately Marie responds, "I'd love to".

After talking for a while, I decide to head out before it gets too late. Marie comes with me to the door. Before she opens the door, I place my hand on her cheek and quickly peek her lips.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Be ready by 7" I say, she smiles and nods at me. With that I open the door and head to my car downstairs with a huge smile on my face.