Her brothers best friend

Chapter 7

Joes pov

Joe woke up. He grabbed his phone. Nothing from Della. But he did ask to get alerts whenever she posted on social media. And she did. She was back on the couch. The fire was roaring. A cup of coffee in her hand this time. It was her left hand. She had the book opened in her lap. She was wearing leggings and boot socks. And she had a ring… wait a ring! He went to read the caption

‘I could get used to this for the rest of my life!’

He didn’t realize they were that serious. If she would stop and think for a moment she would realize she was making a mistake. A huge one! She belonged with Joe. He got out of bed and started his day. He went for a run. He had breakfast. He had some training he needed to do today.

Della’s pov.

She was so comfortable on the couch. She posted the picture and most people surprisingly didn’t mention her ring. She was fine with that. Although how can you miss it? It was very much in your face. Cruz kissed the top of her head. “I need to go help dad on the farm you going to be okay alone for a few hours?” He asked. He sounded concerned.

“Yes. I got my book more coffee in the coffee pot. I’ll be fine.” She said. He smiled at her. “What?”

“I’m so excited you said yes. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” He kissed her on the head again. He walked towards the door and left. She went back to her book. Her phone started vibrating. It was Joe. She ignored it. He called right back. She ignored it that time too. He gave up. Thank God. About 20 minutes later the door bell rang. Must be a package or something. She got up and opened the door. Nope it was Joe. She had to stifle the urge to roll her eyes. “What do you want?” She asked crossing her arms.

He looked her over. Something about the way he did that made her excited. She got really aroused. Joe appreciated her body. Cruz didn’t seem to care too much about her body. She worked hard for it and seeing the appreciation on joes face seemed to make it all worth it. His eyes were filled with lust. She had a flashback to her dream. NO! She moved that out of her head. Joe was not the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Cruz was!

“They found Jared. He has been shot in the leg but he will survive. They are bringing him back to the states.” Oh that was great news!

“Oh. That’s great news!” She threw her arms around him and hugged him. What was she doing?! She went to back up. She was now staring into his eyes. Gosh his gorgeous eyes. He put a thumb on her lower lip.

“Gosh you’re gorgeous.” She knew he meant it. Joe doesn’t give out random compliments. He leaned down and kissed her right on the lips. She arched her back and moved further into him. He deepened it and his hands went to her hair. Pulling her even closer. He moved one down her back and pulled her body closer. He broke off the kiss and started kissing her neck. She was having a hard time focusing.

“Gosh I love you.” His voice was husky and deeper. A moan escaped her lips. What was she doing?! She suddenly moved back away from Joe.

“I’m engaged.” She said trying to salvage what little faithfulness to Cruz she had left. He looked surprised.

“Congrats. I hope he’s good to you.” He said it so harshly. He turned around and left. He slammed his truck door rather hard. She’s never seen Joe angry. She went back into the cabin. She sat on the couch. The afternoon and evening went by in a blur. She didn’t move. She was trying to think. But the way Joe just kissed her. The way he glided his hands over her. The way her body loved it. The lights came on.

“What are you doing in the dark?” Cruz walked into the house with a pizza. Food yes! She wasn’t that hungry. She felt sick.

“I don’t know.” She really didn’t. She was just deep in thought and didn’t think about it.

“Hungry?” He asked bringing over a plate with two slices. Looking at the pizza made her stomach growl. She forgot to eat lunch.

“Slightly.” She grabbed the plate. He kissed her on the lips. Why wasn’t she feeling the sparks like she did with Joe? No. She wasn’t going to think about that. Not now. She had an amazing man. End of story. Joe wasn’t going to take that from her. He broke off the kiss and sat down at her feet.

“How was your day?” He wasn’t asking to be rude or accusing. He trust her. Which made that little lapse in judgment that much harder.

“Oh good. Apparently I was a little too involved in my book and Joe tried calling me. He ended up stopping by to tell me they found Jared. He’s been shot in the leg. But they are bringing him back. I’m waiting for the call that he’s back.” She said.

“That’s good news!”

“It is very relieving. What about you? Anything fun happen today?” She asked then took another bite of pizza.

“A pig we didn’t know was pregnant gave birth to 7 piglets. Dad said to bring you over tomorrow to see them. You’ll love them.” She smiled she would. And maybe spending time with Jordan would help her. He was her dad. She lost her dad a year ago. Over seas. A mission went bad. She wasn’t that close to her dad to begin with. So when he died it wasn’t that big of a loss. She was closer to uncle frank. He was her dad figure. Then there was Jordan. He didn’t have kids. Or so she thought. It was a surprise when Cruz showed up out of no where being his dad’s clone.

“I would love that honestly… can we stop by my house to get my truck?…I want to be able to leave if they say they’re back with Jared and I can see him.”

“Of course. I was going to say we could do it today. I forgot you looked so comfy on the couch. Maybe you can pack up a few things and bring them over. Just stuff you would need if you stayed overnight a couple of nights in a row.” He said. That sounded tempting. After her afternoon with Joe she doubts she will be able to marry Cruz. Maybe if she avoids Joe those feelings would go away. She will fall in love with Cruz again. She hasn’t seen or talked to Joe in two years and she didn’t even like him before he left so this was weird to her. He was also 9 years older than her. She can’t marry him or be with him.

“Della?” Oops. Too far in thought.

“Sorry what did you say?” He didn’t seem mad.

“Still worried a little about Jared?” She can run with that.

“Like where on his leg did he get shot? There’s an artery in the thigh. Did they completely miss that? Was it on his lower leg?…”

“Call up uncle frank. He will put you at ease.” True. He will. She was done her plate was sitting in her lap. Cruz grabbed it. “Want another slice?”

“No thank you I’m good.” He kissed her forehead. Nothing. No shocks, no elevated heart beat. Nothing. Joe had her heart racing. He loves her. She knew he meant it. Cruz and her have never even said I love you to each other. Why were they engaged? Cruz came back over.

“I need to go into the office and input some stuff and do some budgeting for the farm. Call up your uncle and talk to him. I’ll be upstairs.” He kissed her on the forehead again and left. She grabbed her phone. A message from Joe. Ugh!

‘Sorry about earlier. I knew you were engaged. I just know you’re making a huge mistake. But it’s your life. If you love Cruz I’m happy for you.’

Gosh no. She didn’t need any of this. She started typing.

‘I think it’s best we don’t see each other for a while. I’ll make that your problem.’

She will be around her brothers. She will give them space so they can hang out. She won’t stop them. She will just come over to Cruz’s. He won’t mind one bit.

‘I wish you would change your mind.’

‘I won’t! I’m in love with Cruz. I’m marrying him.’

Silence. Hopefully that will keep him away from her. Another message popped up from him.

‘You mean to tell me you felt nothing on the porch? Your heart wasn’t beating fast? You didn’t want it to go further?’

She could lie to him or tell him the truth.

‘Nope. Nothing.’

Lies.

‘That moan said otherwise.’

‘It escaped.’

She didn’t know what else to say.

‘You’re making a mistake but that’s okay. I’ll let you. Sooner or later you will be coming to me. I know you will.’

‘Nope. I will never go to you for anything. Also isn’t it kind of weird about I don’t know our age difference? You’re too old for me. Time for you to move on.’

Nothing came back. Good. He was gone. Her phone vibrated again. He’s back.

‘We should meet up for coffee tomorrow.’

What?! No. That was the last thing that she needed.

‘Can’t. Already promised Jordan I would go over tomorrow. He’s got new little piglets.’

‘After then.’

‘Probably will be there all day. If Jared’s back and in the hospital then I’ll be over there. Sorry can’t tomorrow.’

‘What about Thursday?’

What was wrong with him? Why can’t he get the hint she didn’t want to be near him?

‘I don’t know. I’ll have to see what happens with Jared.’

‘Okay. Please let me know. We need to talk.’

‘Nope. We do not. I really don’t want to see you again. Ever!’

Silence again. Good. Hours ticked by. Nothing from him. Good. Cruz came down.

“Did you call up uncle frank?”

“No. I got distracted.” She held up her book. He laughed.

“Well I’m going to shower then go to bed I have to be up early. I have the guest bathroom set up for you. If you want to use it. I also have my bathroom set up for you.”

“Which one seems like the better option?” He seemed to think about it for a second.

“Mine has just a walk in shower. The one upstairs has a huge soaker tub… with jets.” Her eyes got wide.

“Why didn’t you tell me about that earlier?” She got up and went to run upstairs. Cruz laughed.

“Because of that. I will never see you again.” She laughed from the top of the stairs.

“Don’t wait up for me.” She said mostly joking. He laughed.

“Enjoy it. It’s been a rough few days for you.” He walked away. She looked into a couple rooms and then saw it the bathroom. Dang that tub was huge! She started the water running. She took advantage of the toothbrush and toothpaste. She brushed her teeth and then slipped out of her clothes and got into the tub. She turned the water a little to the right so it wouldn’t be so hot. Her phone vibrated. That better not be Joe.

‘Look under the sink.’

Cruz. She got out of the tub looked. Bath bombs!

‘Okay I’m never leaving. You’re stuck with me forever.’

‘Sounds amazing to me.’

She knew he meant it. She put a bomb in the tub and hopped back in.