One Night Stand With My Bestie's Brother

Chapter 10

"When I was in high school, I discovered across it during a drive, and it quickly became my place of reflection away from the ocean behind your house. I like places like that since they are unpopulated and undeveloped. She gave a shrug, and I gave her a grin. We liked it for the same reasons that Shauna did, and she did too. "How did you manage to locate it?"

"Thompson and I stumbled into it one afternoon, and we both came here for the same reason." I still do that whenever he is preoccupying a lot of my thoughts. It's almost as if I can sense him even if he's not here. When I turned around, I saw that she was sitting next to me in complete silence.

"I sense my parents at any beach, but especially at the beach that is near your house. We had many family dinners and casual get-togethers there throughout the course of the summer. They absolutely adored it, and upon Dad's retirement, they planned to start looking into purchasing one of the homes. I was completely unaware of this fact until I looked at her. "It didn't happen. I believe I was capable of doing things by myself, but living in such a large house all by myself was depressing, despite the fact that it was so beautiful.

As I gazed at her profile, I responded to her by saying, "I understand." I couldn't help but notice how stunning she looked, and I quickly extended my hand to shake hers. Shauna gave me a frowning expression, but I could tell from the sight in her eyes that she was in need. "It is acceptable for you to feel this way."

"Not with you," she said as she peered back through the windshield while responding to him.

“Why? Weren't we good together?" I asked her as she grinned at me.

"While I was still reeling from the death of my parents, you were drinking and going through your grief process. Yes, it was wonderful, and it was a healthy method for adults to get rid of their inner demons. I'll never forget that moment in my life." I was able to catch a glimpse of her grin. "It didn't amount to anything else, and we've moved on as a result."

"Have you experienced something similar with another man?" I questioned her as her cheeks began to flush.

“No. I haven't spent much time with other people, but even if I did, I wouldn't be interested in someone like that. She responded while giving me a stern look in the eye. "I get the impression that other women, not specifically me, bring you solace. I am aware of how you have conducted yourself during your schooling, Harry. I was present there.

"I don't. I make an effort to, but I really did feel at ease and at one with you as I went to sleep that night. I detested having to face the day by myself. She couldn't help but show her disappointment by squeezing her lips together.

"You did the same thing as I did, but I never went to sleep. I got out of there that night after destroying the proof. When I recalled how many different women had expressed interest in spending the night with me, my face sank. The minute I fell asleep, the person whose help I required left without me.

"I see." Shauna pushed open her door and went back to her vehicle, where she started the motor, and then retreated from the parking area. Like I observed her, I experienced the anguish of being by myself first thing in the morning just as I did back then. I just had no idea why this was happening, so I chalked it up to the death of my closest buddy. The pain was made greater by knowing the truth.

I was aware that my mother would want me to be there, so I got in my car and drove home. While she was preparing the meal, she anxiously awaited any encouraging news. I pulled into the driveway, parked the car in the garage, and then took a seat for a second before heading inside the house to get my coat and enter the kitchen.

It was immediately obvious to me that Mom was preparing her world-famous Chicken Marsala, as she was standing at the stove stirring something. You are right here. I had the impression that they were going to hire you on the moment.

As I excused myself to change, I responded, "No, but I'll hear something shortly." I then kept my word. As I pushed through the door to my room, I looked down the corridor because I hadn't heard the girls. Before heading back down, I covered the scratches with a t-shirt and some gym shorts that I had changed into.

I told my mother about the interview, but I left out the bit when I talked about my previous employer, and it made her laugh. Dad arrived home not long before supper, and Emrina and Shauna returned from a quick trip to the grocery just as we were about to sit down for the meal.

You are at this location. While Emrina was getting red in the face, Mom disapprovingly told them.

“Sorry. There was a discount offered." As Shauna looked at her, she said something under her breath. She did her best to avert my eyes at all costs and took a seat as soon as Emrina had finished placing the luggage on the couch.

"Emri, I don't expect you to show up for supper every single night at my house. This is a very momentous occasion. While Emrina gave me an inquisitive look, Mom reminded her of something.

"Did you receive the job?" As I sipped my water, her words dug deep into my skin.

"No, but I'm happy to report that the interview went well. I anticipate that I will hear from you very soon. As she smirked at me, I couldn't help but smile and turn my attention to her close buddy. Shauna was preoccupied with the food on her plate and appeared to be ignoring everyone else who was talking around her.

I pondered what, if anything, I could have done differently earlier to make things better for us both, but it was too late. I concentrated on the food and ate it as quickly as possible so that Mom wouldn't realize anything was wrong. It was imperative that I put on a pleasant front right now and act as though I enjoyed my job.

After we had finished eating, Mom had dispatched the girls to purchase a cake for dessert, and I got to see it. I thanked her and assured her that nothing was decided upon at this point. I recognized that she was attempting to cheer me up since she had given me my favorite flavor, which is Boston creme. After I had finished my slice, I made an excuse to go for a stroll along the beach.

If I were to get the job, I would continue working here. I could start anew by living here until I found an apartment that was more to my liking, and then I could go on. In the event that I was not selected for the position, I would be able to look for work elsewhere and make a clean slate in a different place. You do realize that things could turn out differently than they did in Avalon, don't you? I took in a lengthy view of the coastline and sighed as I realized that San Francisco had the comforting feeling of being at home for me. Both Shauna and I had the feeling that we had arrived home.

I continued to walk despite the uncomfortable feeling of a knot forming in my gut from the food. I tried all I knew to do in order to get over this shite, but nothing helped. When I thought about the night I spent with Shauna, I realized that sleeping with one female after another was no longer a solution to my problem. I tried to ignore it and keep making the same mistakes, but neither of those things helped any of the wounds get better.

Even deciding to make Avalon my permanent home never seemed quite right to me. I thought that getting a girlfriend would make everything better given that I was working a wonderful job and my life was just getting started. She messed with my head, but I've never loved her and I've never given her any thought about moving in with me.

Despite the fact that the female I sought was already in the room, I managed to mess that up. The fact that she knew me so well contributed, along with the fact that it was inadvertent on my part, to the fact that I botched it. It was imperative that I begin with a new person.

When I turned around to check behind me, I saw Shauna waiting at the other end of the beach. At that moment, I was in the process of making the final decision. As she looked at me, her dress swirled over her legs, and I raised an eyebrow in response.

I was unable to see her face well. What exactly was she up to? Someone called her name, and I looked up to see my sister waving her hand and standing on the deck. After giving her attention to her and then turning her attention back to me, Shauna quickly headed for the stairwell as soon as Emrina began speaking to her.