My Brothers Best Friend

Chapter 8: Running Buddies

NOAHS POV

As soon as I walked into my bedroom I sat on my floor. What the actual f**k just happened? I put my face in my hands. Get it together Noah. He was just helping you out, I tell myself. God, he was standing so close. I could feel his breath on my neck and with my small sunburn it felt ten times hotter. The way he gently caressed my body, the way he caressed my chest. I wanted so badly for his hands slide futher down but who am I kidding? This is Hayes best friend. I sit there for a few moments try to get my s**t together. I can’t go back out there right now. I’m sure my face is permanently blushing.

I hear the door open, Hayes and Brie are back. Thank god. I stand up and take a quick shower before getting changed into my old work shirt and a pair of shorts. My long brown hair has been in a bun all day so I gladly leave it down and shake out the excess water. I open the door and walk out like nothing happened. I smile at Brie whose arguing with brother about some stupid alcohol bottle. I feel Brent’s eyes on me but I try to ignore it. We stand around eating pizza. Even after pizza we all stay out around the kitchen island talking. I decide it’s time for me to retire to my bed. “Goodnight guys” I say waving to everyone. Hayes, of course bear hugs me. I wince, “Hayes my sunburn!” He quickly sets me down. “Sorry sis” he says backing up. I make brief eye contact with Brent before disappearing into my room. I lay in bed trying to shut my brain down. I keep seeing Brent, feeling Brent’s hands on my body. My entire body being feels hot and it’s not from the sunburn.

…

I wake up the next morning to my phone dinging several times. I groan. Who the f**k is texting me right now. I look at my phone and see that it’s only 7:20am. I swear if it’s hayes again I will have words for him later. My eyes have to adjust to the small amount of light coming from my phone. I open my texts. They’re all from Brent, what the hell. They read:

“Morning running buddy”

“Be there at 7:15 for our run”

“Earth to Noah Jaxen”

“Early bird gets the worm!”

“Wakey wakey”

“Going to keep texting you until you come out”

“I know you’re awake”

I groan. Is he joking?? There’s nothing that’s going to get me out this early. Just then my phone dings again.

“I’ll buy you coffee”

My head perks up. I enjoy my sleep but I will always choose coffee. I text back within seconds. “Deal”

I put my running shorts on, and a bright pink racer back tank top. I pull my running shoes on and throw my hair into a messy bun. I quickly brush my teeth and I think I’m out the door in under 3 minutes.

I open the front door and see Brent’s bright smile. “Really, Noah?” He says with his arms crossed. “What?” I say innocently as I start to stretch. “Coffee? Coffee is what it took to get your butt out of bed?” He says laughing. I giggle, “listen, when you said you would run with me I figured it would be on my terms and my time. Right now my body would like nothing more than to crawl back into bed so yes, coffee was the right word” I say playfully sticking my tongue out at him. “Alright, alright next time is on your time” he tells me as we start our jog. “Who says there will be a next time? Maybe I’ll learn the lay of the land in one day” I say picking up my jogging pace. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, plus you don’t even know where we are getting coffee” he says jogging backwards for a minute. I roll my eyes at him, “ugh, fine”. Brent seems satisfied with my answer. We continue jogging until we find our groove, enjoying the comfortable silence that settles between us.

After 20 minutes we stop at a shop not too far from the rugby house. It’s a cute little hole in the wall. “This place is a hidden gem” Brent says holding the door open for me. I step in and close my eyes, taking in the sweet aroma of the coffee. My mouth waters at the sight of pastries that stare at me from the glass case. The set up is so cute. You can tell it’s a locally owned shop that’s cared for by its owners. Brent leans into me, “get whatever you want. My treat”. My tongue darts out to wet my lips. I rub my hands together. I’m not ashamed, I’m a sucker for a good cup of coffee and a flakey, sweet pastry. I look through all my choices. I stand back and rake my teeth against my bottom lip. “Still haven’t decided? It’s been like 15 minutes” Brent says teasing me. I press my lips together c*****g my head to the side. “Dramatic much? It’s been like 4 minutes at most and a decision like this can’t be rushed” I say glancing back to the case in front of me. I look over to him and he’s grinning at me like what I said was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard. “Really?” Is all he says. “Listen, some girls take hours to find the perfect shoes or the perfect dress. It just so happens that I take hours to find the perfect pastry” I say crossing my arms. He laughs out loud and shakes his head at me.

It took a few more moments for me to finally settle on a delicious looking danish filled with honey cream, and almond. I ordered a medium vanilla cappuccino as well. We sit on a couch over in the corner. I looked around admiring the artwork and books that lines the walls and shelves. “This place kind of reminds me of where I used to work back in Chapel Hill” I say taking a drink of my coffee. “Oh, the bakery?” He says settling into the couch angling himself toward me. “Yeah! Edna’s!” I say with excitement. I take a bite of my pastry and my eyes go wide. I think I just took a bite of heaven. The flakey dough combined with a sweet and creamy honey almond flavor is enough to make me moan. I close my eyes and lay my head back savoring the taste. When I open my eyes again I see Brent staring at me with a huge smile on his face. “That good, huh?” He says taking a sip of his coffee. I laugh and nod my head. I shove the pastry in his direction. “You have to try it” I offer. He smirks and leans forward taking a bite. I won’t lie, watching his mouth cover something that’s already been on my mouth is a bit of a turn on. Watching his jaw move as he licks the sweet honey flavor off of his lips has me hot and bothered like no other. He smiles and nods his head, “yeah that’s pretty good” he says drinking his coffee. “Liar! It’s the best damn thing you’ve ever tasted and you know it!” I laugh. “Okay, you got me” he says smirking again.