Their Best Friend

Sammi POV Waking, I get ready and walk downstairs. As I enter the kitchen, I hear the laughter right away. “f*****g hell Grayson, I’m surprised she didn’t cut it off and feed it to you,” my brother Joel laughs and turns to see me. “What are your plans for today, kiddo?” Kiddo, I’m not a kid. Rolling my eyes, I begin cooking and ignore his question, more in refusal to accept that they call me that. “Samantha, what are you doing today?” Zak looks at me, and I shrug. “Nothing until work. Why?” Is this where they say they need me out of the way? They do that sometimes, and I know it’s because they bring back whatever woman they are f*****g together. They think I don’t know, but I know. I give up on cooking and grab something quick. “You have not moved out yet, Kiddo?” Grayson, their friend, laughs. “No, why would I? This is my parents’ house; why are you living here again?” I glare at him, and they laugh. “She’s staying here where we can watch her.” Jax smiles and hugs me. “Where’s Zade?” I glance around in confusion. “Had a meeting early this morning; why? What do you want him for?” Joel looks towards me. I shrug. I don’t want him, but Zade stands up for me when they go too far with their jokes. They are protective as hell, but I’m often the punchline in their jokes—like them calling me kiddo. “Are you working tonight?” Zak asks, and I nod. “Not the best place for you to work,” Grayson says, looking at me. “You would know, you go there,” I tilt my head, and he laughs. “I’m not denying that fact, kiddo. I’m arguing that it isn’t a place for you.” “Who are you again? ’Cause you’re not my brother, so you don’t get to have a say in my life.” I snap, and he chuckles. “No, but we have told you that there are better places to work. So when you’re ready to get a real job, let us know, and we will find you something.” Zak explains, and I laugh. “It’s my life; you do remember that, right?” It’s my choice, and I’m not a damn child like they think I am. All my friends instantly want them. It’s why I no longer bring them to the house anymore. I learnt quickly that my friends would often try and figure out a way to get closer to them. Then there’s the fact that my brothers and Grayson flirt with them, and I know they have f****d a few of my ex-friends. Which is why they are ex-friends. Still, my friends think it’s great to have four big protective brothers. They don’t have to live with them, though. I’m also not going to complain because without them, where would I be? Our parents died in a crash when I was eleven. Zade was twenty, Zak and Jax were nineteen, and Joe; had just turned eighteen. They were always close, and before my parents died, I was their little sister they doted on. The entire relationship changed after the crash. They became far more protective. The fun, carefree brothers I had who would, when I was younger, sit me on their shoulders had gone. They took over our parents’ businesses and brought me up. They wanted me to work with them within the family business, but I feel it’s more to keep an eye on me, which is why I had to find work elsewhere. “Sammi!” My head snaps up, and I look at Zak. “Be careful on your own home from work tonight.” “I always am.” I don’t get why they tell me that every time it comes to me working. “Right, but you don’t finish till gone two am. So come straight home, no stopping elsewhere on the way home.” My eyes roll at his words. I wouldn’t stop anywhere. There’s not exactly anywhere for me to stop, anyway. Walking through, I sit in the theatre room and put a film on. I’m supposed to meet friends today, but I would rather not, especially as I have work tonight. “What are we watching?” Jax sits down with a beer. My eyes roll at him. “It’s ten am, and you’re already drinking? Who is the child again?” I ask, and we all laugh. “I’ve got the day off work, so I’m enjoying it, kiddo.” They sit down, and I end up with Grayson beside me. He turns and grins at me. I kind of wish I had picked a different film now. They weren’t meant to be in here. Then again, I’m pretty sure when they realise what film it is, they will run. Nothing says awkwardness like watching a film full of s*x with your brothers. To be fair, I’ve been wanting to watch this film for a while now. I usually make sure I’m busy, and today I’m not. So I’m watching it. It begins, and I see Jax tense. “Okay, I’m going to go play some pool or something. Just so you’re aware, this film is not appropriate for you at all, kiddo.” His words have me laughing. “Why not? I’m not a child. What’s the issue with me watching a romance film?” “Romance? It’s s*x; it could quite possibly be classed as a porno,” his eyes roll, and he stands. “Yeah, I am not watching this s**t with you, kiddo,” Zak stands, then Joel as well. I laugh, grateful that my choice of film has them running. “What film?” Grayson looks at them. Zak explains it to him. “I’m interested now,” he slouches back more, and I groan. “You’re really going to sit and watch it with our little sister?” Joel laughs. “Oh, come on, it’s Grayson. He gets so into a film that the room could burn down, and he wouldn’t notice. He forgets his dates in movies. Don’t forget,” Jax laughs, and it’s not a lie. I’ve heard the stories that Grayson takes a girl to the movies and then leaves without her because he got so into the film he forgot she existed. “Whatever, we will watch you run when it gets awkward,” Zak chuckles, and they leave. “Well, come on, un-pause the film,” he glances at the screen as I do. “365 Days? Sounds more like an end-of-the-world film than romance,” he chuckles and gets comfy as the film begins. I relax and forget about him. I watch the film, and I’m drawn in instantly. I do well not to look at Grayson or remember him for a while. That is, until the part where the female is tied down and forced to watch a s*x act. Then my attention slips; I peer to the side and see Grayson watching it; his eyes flicker to me, and I quickly look back at the screen. Things only become more tense from there. During the s*x scene on the boat, I keep my eyes fixed on the screen, but I feel him watching me. When I finally get the courage to check, my eyes flicker to the side quickly, and he’s watching me intently. I try to force my eyes away from him, but the sound of the film in the background becomes louder somehow. Then he turns and faces the screen. The moment the film is finished, I rush out. I don’t talk, or look at him. I just run. I was so sure they would all leave when they knew the film. Apparently, Grayson didn’t know what it was, or he lied and wanted to sit there, anyway. Sitting, I look at Paul, his head shaking. “You’re fired.” I almost laugh in disbelief, but I hold it in and wait for him to say it’s a joke or explain further. He doesn’t; he sits looking at me like the conversation is over and done. “Why?” I, at least, am owed a reason for him firing me. “You’re not ideal to work here, Sammi. You stand out from everyone, and not in a good way. Look, I gave you months because of who you are, but now it’s time to admit it’s not working.” I still don’t understand why I am not ideal to work here. “It’s a club. How am I not ideal?” All I have to do is serve some damn drinks, which I do perfectly. “I’m the fastest server you have; how is that not ideal, Paul?” He sighs and points out to the club. “Look around, Sammi. You don’t fit in. Guys here want to have fun and see women, and you don’t dress the part. You don’t flirt with the customers; you serve drinks, and that’s it. The women here need to be confident; they need to flaunt their bodies and chat up guys because then the guys buy them drinks as well, and it tops up what we make.” My mouth opens to argue, but he continues. “Three, that’s how many free drinks you got this month. Alexa got over twenty free drinks last night alone. You don’t fit in here and would be better suited working in a small, quiet bar on a corner somewhere.” I nod, accepting he’s right. In some ways, anyway. I don’t dress like the other women. I don’t flirt or flaunt myself to them. “You knew this, so why have me working four hours of my shift before telling me? Oh, let me guess, because Alexa was running late, and you needed cover.” Standing, I grab my bag. “We will pay you until the end of the month.” I laugh at his words. “Screw paying me, Paul; I don’t need the f*****g money; I needed a life away from home.” Turning, I walk out and rush through to the parking lot.