My Brothers Best Friend

Chapter 6: Pool Daze

NOAHS POV

When I walked into the apartment I saw Brie standing at the kitchen island making a drink. I raised an eyebrow, “alcohol?” I ask putting my stuff into the chair. She shook her head, “hell naw, sista. This is my hangover concoction” she said taking a sip before closing her eyes savoring the taste. I looked down and saw she was already in her bathing suit with a golden lace cover up. “Go get your suit on so we can soak up the sun by the pool” Brie instructed. “I honestly don’t know where my swimsuit is. It’s buried in my boxes somewhere. I can just throw on some shorts and a tshirt” I say sitting on the arm of the chair. The look she gave me would’ve made anyone think that I just slapped her grandmother. She wagged her finger at me, “uhm no no. You cannot enjoy the sun in shorts and a tshirt. Follow me, I have an extra suit” I sighed and followed her. She pulled out a bikini and handed it to me and motioned me toward my bedroom.

I changed into the two pieces and my eyes widened. The bikini top was a bright teal color and was held together by a small clasp between my breasts. If I made any small movements I’m sure my breasts would fall out. The bottoms were a mustard yellow and sat perfectly on my hips. The sides were tied together by very thin pieces of fabric. I’d never worn a bikini this revealing. I wasn’t ashamed of my body but as I looked in the mirror I kept thinking ‘maybe I should just go nude’. I chuckled to myself. Clearly I would never but I definitely felt nude in this suit. Thank goodness I had shaved my legs. “Is everything okay in there?” Brie shouted from the living room. “Brie, I don’t know about this. I’ve never worn a bikini like this..” I said still looking in the mirror, my normally hidden tattoo, now visible. Before I knew it she burst through the bedroom door. Her mouth dropped open. “Holy s**t! Noah, you’re a babe! I wish I had your figure!” She said, her mouth still wide open. I covered my face, “oh my god! Get outta here” I laughed swatting at her. “Here, I have an extra cover if it’ll make you feel any better” Brie said handing me a white see through cover up. I pulled it over my body and fixed my messy bun. “Let’s roll, babeh!” Brie said grabbing her sunglasses and her drink. I grabbed my stuff and followed.

The apartment complex we live at has a pool directly behind it. It’s a pretty good size and fenced in for safety. I was incredibly thankful that there were only a few other people there. We put our stuff down next to the lounge chairs. Brie’s phone started ringing. She answered, “howdy, handsome! Yeah..okay well we are already out here..yep..just come on back” she hung up. “Who was that?” I asked getting ready to take my bathing suit cover off. “Your brother. Him and Brent are here. They wanted to swim too” Brie says tearing her cover off. Her bikini was black with high waisted bottoms. Lucky b***h. She sat down on the lounge chair, confident as ever. There was no way I was taking my cover off, knowing that Brent was coming. I sat down on the lounger. Brie looked at me, “what are you doing little kangaroo?” A nickname she’d occasionally call me when she said I was acting like a Joey hiding in its mothers pouch. She pulled her sunglasses down and glanced at me. “Lounging” I say trying to act normal. She chuckled, “no baby boo. Take that damn cover off now!” She demanded playfully. I laid my head back on the lounger. “Do I have to? I don’t feel comfortable in this” I said, sounding like a complete nerd. “Noah Rae Jaxen, you have an incredible body! Don’t be ashamed. Plus you will sweat to death in that cover!” Brie urged me. I knew she was right. I don’t know why I was so nervous. “If you don’t take it off I will remove it myself” she said lurching forward. I laughed and got off the seat. “f**k! Okay, okay!” I say growling. I swallow the knot in my throat and lift the cover over my head. As I pulled it off my head my eyes locked onto an incredibly ripped chest walking through the gate. His eyes were locked on me and I swear I saw him look my body up and down. I tossed the cover on top of my things and tried to act normal. My confident moment was shattered the second my brother walked through the gate.

“Ahhhh! Jesus Noah! Cover up for f**k sake” Hayes said walking toward the chairs and setting his stuff down. I crossed my arms and shook my head at him, my cheeks no doubt turning red. Brent punched in the arm. “Ouch! What!” Hayes said rubbing his arm. “You know what, you ass!” Brie said standing up and shoving Hayes into the pool. We all had a good laugh about it. I clapped, “my girl, ya’ll!” I said.

“You’re so dead!” Hayes said quickly getting out of the pool chasing Brie. She screamed and ran. “No! No! I’m sorry! I don’t want to go in. My hair!” Brie tried to argue dodging Hayes. “Oh no, Gab. You are going in now!” Hayes said finally grabbing Brie around the waist. She giggled and fought, screaming as he effortlessly tossed her into the pool.

I laughed and shook my head and glanced over at Brent who was also laughing. I sat at the pools edge and stuck my feet in. I watched as my brother and Brie playfully fought in the water. I closed my eyes and leaned back resting on my hands, stretching my body a little bit to get all the sun I could. I felt someone brush my arm. I opened my eyes and see Brent sitting down to the left of me.

I thought I’d still be mad at him but he wasn’t mine. He never had been so I couldn’t be mad at him for trying to right by his best friend. No matter how much I wanted Brent to want me, I’m thankful to call him my friend. As much as I wanted to get out of my brothers shadow I had to accept the fact that I still had a handful of people who would look out for me, even if it was just because of who my big brother was.

“How’s the sun treating you?” Brent asked leaning back on his hands as well. I smiled trying not stare at his incredible body. “Like a queen right now. But I’m not letting my guard down. That’s when I usually get burned” I joked swishing my feet through the cool water. He smiled and my heart throbbed in my chest. I bite my bottom lip and look into the water. “Noah, I wanted to say that I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I didn’t just walk you home because I felt like I had to. I walked you home because I wanted to, I wanted to make sure you got home safe” Brent said sitting forward, his arms resting on his legs. My heart squeezed even more in my chest. Why was he so perfect, so kind, so wonderful, so f*****g attractive? “Brent, it’s okay. I’m not mad. I mean, I was buuuut..when it comes down to it I’m thankful to have a brother who cares enough to make sure I’m looked after” I say giving him a half smile before continuing “but I really appreciate it. Thank you” Brent licked his lips before they turned upward into a knee weakening smile. “Now, about the jogging thing.” He began. I threw my head back and groaned. “I just worry about you Noah, I’m fully convinced you could take care of yourself but until you get to know the area better why don’t I run with you?” Brent suggested, turning his body to angle toward me. Maybe I couldn’t hear as well since my brother and Brie were still flopping around in the water or maybe my heart was beating too goddamn fast but it sounded like Brent just offered to go on my runs with me. I raked my teeth over my bottom lip staring into oblivion for a moment too long. Brent waved his hand in front of my face, “noah?” I raised my eyebrows realizing I hadn’t answered him yet, “yeah! That could work. Thanks Brent. But this time don’t try to sneak up on me. You’re lucky it was a punch to the throat and not a knee to the groin which is my alternate defense” I laughed shoving him. He sucked in through his teeth and covered his groin as if he was already picturing how bad it would hurt. He nudged me back with his elbow, “hey, for your information I wasn’t trying to sneak up on you.” We both laughed.

A few moments later I noticed Brent glancing over at me. He cleared his throat, “can I ask you something?” I angled my body toward him now, “sure, what’s up?” I asked furrowing my brow. He looked unsure about what he was about to ask which made me worry. “I wasnt trying to stare but I noticed your tattoo. I didn’t know you had one” he said pointing. My hand instantly came up to my ribcage. My tattoo was no bigger than a silver dollar and sat right under my bra line on my ribcage. I took a deep breath. I hadn’t told many people about the tattoo. The only people who really knew about the reason behind it was my family. “Yeah, I got it at after Christmas” I began. “Summer after my junior year I found a lump in that spot. I had an ultrasound and then a biopsy done and found out it was stage 1 breast cancer. The oncologist ordered a PET scan that thankfully showed no cancer anywhere else. The tumor wasn’t very big so they were able to remove it and I underwent some radiation. 6 months after everything I was declared cancer free and I had a little scar to remind me but I wanted to get a tattoo to cover the scar.” I said holding my breast up so Brent could see the small heart shaped tattoo that encased the breast cancer ribbon inside of it. His face was blank as he stared at the small tattoo. Before I realized it his large hand had rested on my side. My body was on fire under his touch as thumb slowly rubbed over the tattoo. He removed his hand before looking up at me. His blue eyes looked into mine. “I’m sorry Noah, I had no idea” Brent said, his deep voice sounding sad. I smiled at him, “it’s okay. It was my choice not to disclose it to people” I say touching his hand. For a brief moment his fingers hold onto mine. My heart starts to race as my whole body tingles. His thumb slowly rubbing over my fingers this time. I wait for him to let go but he doesn’t. I’m almost positive that he can hear my heart drumming in my chest. He finally let’s go and looks at me. “Were you scared?” He asks still sounding so sad. “At first, yes. But I’m really thankful that it was caught early. My parents were great and I had a wonderful oncologist who was very proactive. I had great support” I say smiling. He looks caught up in his thoughts. I reach down into the water and splash him playfully trying to lighten the mood. He opens his mouth as if he’s really surprised. “Oh I’m sorry, did I get you?” I ask with a mocking tone. He splashes me back so I try to push him in the water. It turns into all out war as we both struggle to push each other in. “You’re not winning this!” He says gripping my arms right above my elbows. My hands are pressed against his chest as I can’t contain the laughter. “I think I’m holding my own pretty well” I say back still laughing. In one fell swoop he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into the water with him. We crash into the water, his arm wrapped tightly around me holding my body against his. I swim to the surface laughing, shoving water at him. I took the opportunity to swim away from him through the cool water for a little while. I needed to cool off after what had just happened anyways. I had hoped that I’d be able to get over my crush on Brent. But as always, my heart refused to evict him. I had a feeling I was in for a long year.