My Best Friend's Brother

9: Don't Overthink It

Marie

It's currently 2:30 in the afternoon and I just got off the phone with Emily. We talked for literally six hours straight. We would have talked longer but she had to sleep since she had work in the morning. Time zones suck. Having a long distant best friend sucks.

Today is Thursday, my apartment is almost set up. Thanks to Karter. If I were alone, I'd probably never get work done, I'm too lazy. Only my clothes are now at Karter's place rest is all at my place. Even though it's been like a week I've actually gotten so used to having Karter around but it's a good thing he's close by. My thoughts were interrupted by the door bell ringing.

I grab my phone and head downstairs. Karter looks at me and smiles. "I'll get it" he says and walks towards the door me following behind him.

Karter opens the door and we're immediately face to face with a smiley Alex and Grace.

"Hey Kar!" Grace says and slightly hugs him and walks inside.

"Sure, come on in" Karter says sarcastically making Alex laugh.

"Marie!" Grace comes to me and embraces me in a hug. I'm actually really happy I met Grace again, she for sure is one of the best people I know with a big heart.

She pulls away and puts her arms on my shoulder and gives a serious look which makes me laugh, "I've been calling you for like five hours. Who have you been talking to for so long? A secret boy I don't know about?" She said wiggling her eyebrows.

"I was on the phone with Emily for quite a while."

"Oh, then it's fine, you're excused."

"Any who. You and I are having a girl’s day because we need to catch up and talk about a lot of stuff. While Alex and Karter are going out and about to have some guy time."

"We are?" Karter asks? Looking at Grace then Alex. I notice that Alex still hadn't entered inside.

"C'mon Kar, grab your coat and we're leaving."

"But-"

"No buts!" Grace scolds.

"Fine" Karter mumbles and grabs his coat.

"Oh, and don't mind us, we'll just be doing some typical girl bonding while baking. So, I hope you have the essentials!" Grace says.

"You know where everything is right?" Karter asks.

"Course I do! Marie!" Grace says.

Alex walks inside once Karter got his coat. "Okay bye girls have fun" he kisses Grace on the lips and gives me a peck on the cheek. Karter walks over to us next and gives Grace a peek on the cheek and surprises me by giving me a kiss on the lips. My eyes open wide in shock. Alex and Grace also shocked with Karter's actions towards me. 

"What?" Karter shrugs with a smirk on his lips.

"You kissed Marie!" Grace exclaims.

"Alex kissed you!" Karter defends.

"He's my boyfriend"

"Well I thought we were all doing the same thing!" Karter smirks.

"Bye girls! Don't have too much fun." He winks at me and the guys exit the house.

Once they're gone Grace turns to me," And you said he didn't like you" with that we both head to the kitchen.

Currently we were making cookies. I'd explained everything to Grace from him opening up to me till our events at the club, from what Taylor said.

"M, how are you so oblivious to the fact that he likes you? Taylor is right. He likes you a lot! Everyone can see it!"

"I don't G, let's say he does. Then what? He clearly said he doesn't do relationships. Why would he change for me."

"M, a girl can bring out the best in guys and the worst. Girls can tame guys. Karter is nothing, even fuckboys end their horrendous ways of living just for that one girl! Marie you have no idea what you've done to Karter just by coming into his life."

"I really don't want to get hurt again G. If I open up to Karter and tell him I like him, I don't want him to run. I don't want him to use me"

"M, life is all about risks. Think of it like this, one heartbreak closer to a happy ending. Just kind of start hinting that you like him. Or wait, how about this, you're moving in two days. After you move if Karter calls to check up on you or shows up at your doorstep to help you. He really does care and then I think it's safe to say, that this guy likes you. So, deal?"

"Okay deal. Now enough about me. How has modeling changed your life?” I ask changing the topic.

Karter

We enter this fast food place and order our drinks.

"Kar, what was that back there?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, the kiss Kar"

"I told you guys. I was imitating you"

Alex raises an eyebrow, "Are you sure it wasn't for the fact that you like Marie and wanted to kiss her?"

"I don't like Marie like that" He raises an eyebrow at me again.

"Okay maybe I wanted to kiss her"

"That's all?"

"Al, I don't like her man"

"Kar, I think everyone besiDavid Marie knows you like her. Why do you keep lying to yourMf? It's been a week and you haven't hooked up or even hit on a single girl. You've spending all your time with Marie. Karter the way you look at her. There's nothing wrong with saying that you like Marie"

"Alex. I made a promise to myMf after Stacy that I would never love, never fall for another girl, I wouldn't trust any girl again. And everything was fine for me, I was living my life. Until a f*****g week ago. This flawless creature has literally captured me. I can't stop thinking about her, I want to take her out, to hold her, to call her mine. I get jealous every time a guy looks at her in the wrong way. I just can't help it! You think I wanted to fall for Marie? No! I like her man and it scares me shitless. I'm afraid of getting hurt again. But I'm always afraid of letting Marie slip away. I want to give us a chance but I don't know"

"There's always this s**t G says what is it? One heartbreak brings you closer to love? To death? Happiness. Whatever. My point is, you can't live this life style anymore Karter. And as far as Marie is concerned, you should really give her a chance. If it works out, great! If it doesn't don't lose faith Karter. Love is the strongest bond in this world. You can't lose that; I say play it simple. Ask her out on a date. Then see how things go okay?"

"I'll try soon. Okay."

"Come on let’s dig in before the food gets cold"

I'm not in love with Marie, but I can be if a relationship flourish. Love already did me wrong once. I hope it doesn't do me wrong again.