Crushing on my brother's best friend

Chapter twenty - An apology is needed

Austin's POV:

Two weeks have passed since the accident with Rosie. Her mom still doesn't want to talk with me. I understand why she is mad, but I don't know what to do. I mean, to make her talk with me again. I know I messed up. I take full responsibility for my actions. Hiding things from her wasn't the best thing ever. I promised my best friend I wouldn't tell anyone. Breaking promises to people is not something I like, but it won't be that bad if I do it for someone else. Well, when it comes to her, I will do everything she tells me. That is as long as this thing is good. Sometimes, we have had disagreements. It was mostly because I wanted to help her. I will never do something against her. Neither, something which is not in her favor. I want her to know that she is in good hands with me. At least her dad is not mad at me. It's not a lie that I haven't been to her house much since then. The thing is that I didn't want to argue with miss Carter. We have to talk, but I don't know when this will happen. Probably it won't be soon. She is upset because of that. I told her to stay away from it. Let's say it will be better for her to stay away. After all, that is between her mom and me. Despite that, we go out often. I don't know why she always wants to be with me, but I appreciate it. As I have said before, I like spending time with her. I indeed need to have a social life. The thing is that I don't want it. I'm happy with what I am doing now. Many people might not like it, but I don't care. They can't tell me what to do. Also, I won't listen to them. I am old enough to make decisions by myself. It's not like I know what I want. I already have everything. Maybe I can find activities or something to do in my free time. Of course, I will invite my best friend to join me. I hope that I will never lose her.

Currently, I am working in a restaurant. One couple bought a building. They want to turn it into a restaurant. It needs a lot of work to make it look nice. I have no idea what this place used to be, but I see people didn't take much care of it after it was closed. There were some weird stains on the floor. We have to remove all of it and replace it with a new one. Also, I saw coffee stains on the walls. At least, that is what it looks like to me. Maybe it's something else. It will be better if I don't know.

The boys and I started with the floor. That way, we could step on it while doing the rest of the place. Now we are working on the walls. The couple thought that wallpapers would do the work. It wasn't going to happen. We can put wallpapers if they want, but that will be at the end. First, we need to cover all the stains. We'll need a lot of paint for this.

- Do I need to go and buy more paint? - I asked.

- You should. We need at least three buckets of white paint. - David said

- Something else? You can give me a list. That way, I don't go back three hundred times.

- Let's finish with the walls first. We'll think about everything else later.

- Ok, then. After I finish in the store, I will buy us lunch.

- Take pizza for me. - Pete said

- Anything else?

- No, you can go.

- I'll be back soon.

I took my car and went to the store. This is our go-to store when we need materials. The workers already know me. Also, they know that we work with high-quality materials. After all, quality matters more than the price. I took three buckets of white paint. Here is the thing. We tried to remove the stains with everything we found on the Internet. Also, people have told us. Sadly, nothing worked. That's why we decided to cover them. He will take a lot of time because the paint has to dry. Hopefully, it will be worth it. When I finished in the store, I went to a small restaurant. They have pizza, but they don't sell it in slices. That's why I bought two small ones. I think they will be enough for us. After all, we have to work, not eat.

- I am back.

- Good to know. - David said

- Here is the food. I will go back to take the paint.

- It looks so good. I didn't have breakfast today. - Pete said

- Why? - I asked.

- I woke up late.

- I see. I'll be back in five minutes.

I went to my car and took all the paint. Later, I joined the boys for lunch. The pizza was good. It's not the best I've ever eaten, but it was delicious. Maybe Rosie and I need to make another one. I know she loves cooking with me.

The rest of the afternoon we spent working on the walls. As I see it, we won't finish with them this week. It will be good if we do it in the next one. The place is not that big, but it's not that small, either. When I finished there, I walked home to take a shower. I may or may not have promised my best friend to take her to a movie tonight. I need to stop promising her things, but I can't. I will do anything for her. I was dressed when I heard the doorbell. I told her that I would come to take her. Quickly, I want to open the door. That is a good surprise.

- Miss Carter? What are you doing here?

- Can we talk? Please.

- Yeah, sure. Come in.

- Thank you. Hopefully, I'm not bothering you.

- No, it's ok. I only took a shower.

- Look, I'm sorry for what I said to you. I understand why you are doing all this, but I can't accept that she hides things from me. I feel we don't have that relationship we used to when she was little.

- She doesn't want you to worry about anything. That's why she is not telling you anything. Also, she knows that you will freak out. For her, it's enough that you care about her. She doesn't need anything else.

- No, she needs you. As much as I don't like to say it, she loves you more than anyone else around her.

- I don't think it's true.

- Trust me. It is.

- Well, I appreciate it.

- Please, don't feel bad. I'm glad she has someone who takes care of her. She needs this. I only don't understand why all of this is happening. Josh never had such problems in high school. You too.

- I don't know. It's a mystery for me, too. The sad part is that her brother doesn't pay attention.

- I know. I have noticed this, but I have no idea how to fix it. It's like something broke between them.

- No offense, but he became a bit selfish. Well, since he moved out with Kylie. She and the kids are the only things in his life.

- I think Rosie might have noticed this too.

- She tried to talk with him a few times, but he never had time for her. After some time, she gave up. I think she was disappointed, not mad.

- Well, that is even worse. I don't know what to do with them.

- They have to solve their problems alone. We shouldn't mess here.

- Maybe you are right. If you don't have plans, you can come home for dinner.

- I want to do it, no matter if I have some.

- It's ok. You can come tomorrow.

- Oh, no. I won't miss your cooking.

- Ok, then. We can go home.

- You didn't have to come here. I messed up.

- No, you were a good friend. There is a difference. An apology is needed.

- I appreciate it. How long will dinner be?

- Well, if I cook something simple, we can eat earlier. Why?

- I may or may not have promised your daughter to take her to a movie tonight. - I said, and she laughed

- You need to stop promising her so many things.

- I know, but I can't.

- She is your weak spot, isn't she?

- Yes, she is.

Miss Carter and I walked to her house. I decided to help her cook. At least she left me. Mister Carter said that my best friend was sleeping. That's why I didn't go to check on her. It's better if I don't wake up. I might do it when dinner is ready. We decided to make meatballs with spaghetti and tomato sauce. It's something quick and delicious. We were done for an hour. Later, I went to wake Rosie. She was happy to see me, but not that I had to disturb her dream. After all, we can't be late for the movie. Both of us walked downstairs and sat at the table.

- Is there peace now? - Rosie asked, looking at her mom

- Yes, there is.

- It was about time for you to apologize.

- Rosie. - I said

- It's ok. She is right. I had to do it.

- No, you didn't.

Rosie and I stayed with her parents for a while. Later, we walked out for her movie. I didn't expect her mom to come and see me, but it was a relief. It's good to know that she is not mad at me. Well, from now on, I will be careful. After all, I don't want anything like that to happen again. Soon, we arrived in front of the cinema. I bought two tickets and popcorn with bottles of water. Then we went to find our seats.

- Are you excited? - I asked

- Yes, I am. I watched the movie.

- What? You said you hadn't.

- I might have lied.

- Rosie.

- I wanted to watch the movie with you.

- We could've watched it at home.

- I know, but we always do it.

- Ok, ok. At least don't tell me anything. No spoilers.

- I won't. Thank you.

- You're welcome.

We watched the movie peacefully. No matter that she has watched it. I noticed how she was checking out the male character. We have never mentioned her celebrity crush, but maybe he is hers. I pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head. She was quick to snuggle. We stayed like that until the movie finished. I was surprised that she didn't fall asleep. It's not like I won't wake her up. We can't stay here for long. Both of us took out things and walked out.

- I assume you liked the movie. - I said

- Yes, I did. What about you?

- It was good. I liked it. Now I will ask you something.

- What is it?

- Do you have a crush on the male character?

- What?

- Answer me.

- I don't have a crush on him. I don't know what you are talking about.

- Are you sure? I noticed the way you were looking at him.

- I didn't look at him any differently than the other characters.

- Yeah, keep talking until you believe it. He is your celebrity crush.

- What? I don't even have one.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am.

- Ok, ok. What do you want us to do now? I can take you home.

- Can we walk around? I don't want to go home yet.

- Sure. Where do you want us to go?

- I don't know. I like walking at night. There are fewer people.

- But I can't let you do it alone.

- I know. You are a good company. I like spending time with you.

- Thanks, I appreciate it. - I said, smiling

- You need to do it more often.

- Do what?

- Smiling. I wonder when a girl will make you feel like that.

- I think you know.

- How?

- You are with me every day.

- That's not what I meant. You know what I was talking about.

- You have to wait for it. That won't happen soon.

- Why? You have never told me. I know you don't like talking about it, but I'm curious.

- It's personal.

- You always say that. Is it because of me? Am I the reason why you don't want to get a girlfriend?

- It's not because of you.

- Yes, it is. Now I get it. Look, I won't get jealous of her. If you like a girl, go and tell her. Every girl will be lucky to have you as her boyfriend.

- I don't like anyone! Can we stop talking about it?

- Ok, don't get mad.

- Then don't make me.

- I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you. - she said and nodded her head

- No, you didn't hurt me. I only don't want to talk about it.

- It's ok. I understand.

- Thank you.

Both of us continued walking. I know she only cares about me. The thing is that I don't want to talk about that with her. The only person with who I have shared this is my mom. I needed her advice on that. She said that I was worrying too much. According to her, no one will replace my best friend. The thing is that I'm not sure. I want to keep our friendship for as long as possible. Rosie is my best friend. I don't want this to change.

Around midnight, I took Rosie home. She wasn't happy about it, but she had no choice. It's getting late. We walked to her house. I didn't plan to go inside, but she convinced me.

- Rosie, I have to go home. It's getting late.

- Can't you stay here? My parents won't mind. After all, I stay at your house often.

- That is different. No offense, but I feel better at home.

- It's ok. At least you spent the day with me. Thank you for that.

- No problem. Call me if you need anything, and I will come.

- I will do it for sure, but not now.

- I'm saying it in case something happens.

- Well, thank you.

- I will go now. Good night and sweet dreams. If you want, I can come to take you to school tomorrow.

- Thanks. I would love that.

Today was a good day. I had fun with her. It was good to spend the day with my best friend. Maybe I spend too much time with her, but I don't care. She is the person for who I care the most. I am old enough for a girlfriend, but I don't want to have one now. Rosie is more than enough for me. I don't want anyone to replace her. Mom said that wouldn't happen. Well, I'm not sure. Also, it feels good not to need to take care of another person. Girls need too much attention. I don't think I can do that. Luckily, my best friend is not complaining. At least I'm doing one thing right. I hope that we'll always have such a great friendship.