Right Man, Worst Brother

Maya ~_< Liam leans back on the couch, phone in hand, scrolling through photos like he’s choosing a new set of clothes. "She’s hot," he mutters, tapping on a picture before passing the screen to Ray. Ray barely glances at it. "You say that about all of them." I let out a forced laugh, sinking into the chair across from them. "That’s because they all look the same. You have a type, Cole." Liam smirks. “Brunette, long legs, easygoing. You say it like it’s a bad thing." I don’t say it’s a bad thing. I don’t say anything at all. Because if I do, the words bubbling under my tongue might slip out. ‘When will I ever be your type?’ Instead, I keep my smile in place and lean forward, pretending to study the girl on his screen. She’s pretty. Bright blue eyes, pouty lips, wearing a bikini that leaves nothing to imagine. I wonder if she knows she’s being rated like this. That’s if she cares. "She’s cute," I say lightly. "You should hit her up." Liam nods in agreement, already typing out a message. "See? This is why you’re my favorite, Blanche. You always see reason with me.” Ray snorts. "Yeah, until you’re whining about how boring she is after one night." Liam shrugs like that’s not the point. To him, it isn’t. It never is. Girls come and go, and I’ve spent years watching them come around him, never staying long enough to matter. And yet, here I am. But it isn't enough to be here. Ray nudges me with his foot, drawing me out of my thoughts. "Why do you even entertain his bullshit?" "I don’t," I lie easily. "It’s just fun watching you two go back and forth." "Right," Ray mutters, unconvinced. His sharp gaze lingers on me for a second too long before he shifts his focus back to the TV. I sink deeper into the couch, trying to keep my expression blank. He knows me too well. He always has. I think that when you share a womb with someone they can tell what you're thinking even before you think it out loud. Liam chuckles as he pockets his phone. "Anyway, she’s in. Should be here in an hour." "That fast?" I joke, even though it stings. "Fast? It’s been like, three days of texting. That’s slow for me." I bite my cheek to keep from reacting, but Ray doesn’t hold back. "You’re disgusting." Liam just grins. "Jealous?" "Not even remotely." I laugh along with them, pretending like it doesn’t affect me. Like it doesn’t hurt every single time I watch him pick someone else. When Liam’s phone buzzes, he checks the screen and stands. "I gotta grab some drinks for later. You two good here?" Ray waves him off. "We’ll survive without you." Liam heads for the door, and the moment it shuts behind him, Ray shifts his attention to me. "You’re being weird." I raise a brow. "Weird how?" "You know how," he says flatly. "Why do you let him treat you like this?" I blink. "Treat me like what?" Ray sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. "Like you’re one of the guys. Like you’re his personal cheerleader while he parades girl after girl in front of you." I force a laugh, but it comes out hollow. "I am one of the guys." "No, Maya. You’re not." There’s something about the way he says it—so firm, so knowing—that makes my chest tighten. But I don’t want to have this conversation. Not now. Not ever. I push to my feet, plastering on my usual smile. "Relax, Ray. I don’t care who Liam dates. It’s not that deep." He doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t push. "Whatever you say." I make my way to the kitchen, needing space, needing a moment to breathe. But as I stand there, gripping the counter, I can’t ignore the ache in my chest. Because no matter how many times I tell myself I don’t care, the truth is—I do. I care so much about why I can never be that girl for him. ~_~_~_~ The girl shows up exactly an hour not even a minute later, just as Liam said she would. She’s even prettier in person. Long, soft brunette hair, an effortless confidence that shows in the way she moves. She walks in like she owns the place, or at least been here before, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room before landing on me. "You must be Maya," she says, smiling. "Liam talks about you all the time." I blink, caught off guard. "He does?" She hums, stepping closer. "Yeah. Says you’re like his little brother, I found it weird at first but now I see why.” I swallow hard, forcing out a laugh. "That sounds like him." Ray shifts on the couch, watching the exchange closely. Liam steps in, throwing an arm around the girl’s waist. "Maya, this is Bree. Bree, this is Maya." "Nice to meet you," I say, though I don’t mean it. Bree tilts her head, studying me. "You’re not what I expected." I frown. "What does that mean?" She smiles, but there’s something sharp beneath it. "I don’t know. I just pictured someone more masculine or something, a tranny even.” There’s an underlying meaning to her words, but before I can analyze it, she steps even closer, invading my space. "You’re really cute," she murmurs, low enough that only I can hear. My body tenses. "Excuse me?" Her smile widens, like she enjoys my reaction. "Relax. I just think it’s funny." "Funny how?" She leans in, her lips grazing the shell of my ear as she whispers, "You're in love with Liam but he barely notices you. I guess looks aren't everything." My breath catches. I jerk back, heart pounding. "I—" But she just laughs, flicking her gaze to Liam, who’s completely unaware of what just happened. "She’s sweet," Bree says, wrapping herself around him like she’s trying to show me what I will never have. Liam grins. "Told you." I stand frozen, my pulse hammering in my ears. Bree meets my gaze one last time, her smirk taunting me. I don't know what she's planning but whatever stage this was, I just lost the first level.