Crushing on my brother's best friend

Chapter ten - Dinner with friends

Austin's POV:

Rosie got mad at me for writing her history report. I have to say that I wrote it at the last minute. She told me she had one, but I thought she had started working on it. I found out the truth by picking up her stuff. Sometimes, she writes her homework in the kitchen or the living room and leaves her books there. My best friend has marked her history report in her notebook. I wanted to read it, but I couldn't find it. One thing about her is that she always puts in her homework with everything related to her subjects. That means her report should've been in her textbook or notebook. That's why I stayed almost the whole night writing it. The problem was that I didn't have a printer. Luckily, her parents do. Mister Carter has to go early for work because of a meeting. I asked him if he could print the report and bring it home. He agreed to do it. Well, I didn't tell him this was homework for his daughter. Otherwise, I don't think he would've helped me. All I had to do was put it in Rosie's backpack. It was easy. It's not like she liked it. I won't be able to help her always. I won't let her fail. I took her with me to help her. That includes her schoolwork as well. I might have lied about the story with the teachers. All of them liked my work. The thing is that I didn't have an excuse. That's why I had to think of something. I did it because I wanted to. There is no other reason. As I have said, I like taking care of her. Well, I promised that I wouldn't do this again. It's good that she will graduate soon. I might help her in high school. Sadly, I can't do it at university. I don't know what she will study, but I'm sure I don't have the skills. Honestly, she can be a good writer with a bit of practice. The choice is hers. I don't want to make her do anything she doesn't like. I hope that Rosie will choose something she likes.

Today I will have dinner with my friends. We haven't seen each other in a while. I think it will be good for us to talk. I wanted to take Rosie, but I probably won't do it. That way, I can understand what Josh knows about her. She hasn't told him anything, but if he has noticed something wrong with her, he will speak about it. I bet he won't say anything. I don't know how to make him spend more time with her. She needs her brother's support, even if she will never admit it. I decided to text her.

Hey, I hope you have a good day. Please, have a decent lunch today, and don't starve yourself. I want you to be healthy. I'll see you at home. :)

- Ok, guys. Who will buy lunch? - David asked

- I can do it. I haven't done it this week.

- I want a salad with chicken.

- For me, take a sandwich.

- Any drinks?

- You can buy more water.

- A liter and a half?

- Two liters and a half.

- I don't think they have that big bottle in the restaurant.

- Ok, then buy two bottles of liter and a half.

Luckily, the restaurant is close to the house. In total, it took me thirty minutes. I had to wait a bit for David's salad. I ordered a sandwich, too. Usually, that is what I eat the most when I work. At home, I cook. I came with the lunch and gave it to the boys.

- Here you go.

- Thanks, man.

- Finally, we'll be ready with this house tomorrow. - Pete said

- Why do you say it?

- Because I got bored. I want to work somewhere else.

- Maybe we'll have an apartment to fix.

- I want a penthouse.

- Keep dreaming. Austin, how will you spend the vacation? - David asked me

- What vacation?

- We have a free week.

- Oh, you mean that. I don't know yet. I will probably be at home.

- You can take Rosie somewhere.

- She has many things in her head. After all, she will graduate soon. There are many tests and exams.

- Did she tell you to which university she will go?

- No, we haven't talked about that. I will ask her.

- If none of you has plans tonight, we can go out. - Pete said

- I have. I planned to go out with my friends. We haven't seen each other in a while.

- I thought you had lost connection with them. - David said

- No, I didn't. Why did you think like that?

- Because you don't talk much about them.

- I have nothing to say. I don't know what they are doing. I can tell you more tomorrow.

- You don't have to do it. It's not our business.

The rest of the afternoon we spent working and talking. We might be a small team, but I prefer it that way. I got comfortable working with them. When I finished the day, I went home. Josh, Devan, and I have to meet at 7 pm at a restaurant. Devan chose it. I walked in and went to check on Rosie. She must be here since the front door is open. I went to her room and knocked on the door.

- Hello.

- Oh, hey. I didn't see you were here.

- It's ok. What are you doing?

- Homework. I'm almost ready.

- Good.

- When do you have to go out?

- We'll meet at the restaurant at 7 pm.

- Nice.

- I was wondering something.

- Nothing good comes out of it. - she said, and I laughed

- Do you want to be with Kylie while I'm outside? I don't want to leave you alone. I can leave you with your parents if you don't want her. What do you say?

- Kylie is good. I haven't seen her soon.

- You can help her with the kids.

- They will probably be asleep.

- They are not babies anymore. I mean, they don't need to sleep that often.

- How long will you be outside?

- I don't know. For at least an hour. Why?

- No reason.

- I will come to pick you up. I promise.

- I know. Thanks.

I left Rosie to finish her homework. I went to take a shower. When I was ready, I went to get dressed. We'll be inside, but it's not that hot. Soon, my best friend came in. She doesn't like to leave me alone, but I'll be back. I thought of denying it, but it would be good for us to spend time together. We got in the car, and I drove to Josh's house.

- Hello. Are you ready? - I asked as Josh opened the door

- Come in. Give me ten minutes.

- No problem. Hi, Kylie.

- Well, hello. You finally decided to visit me.

- Are you pregnant?

- What? No?

- Then why are you holding your stomach?

- No reason. Austin, I'm not pregnant. You can relax.

- Oh, the problem is not mine. I'm not the one who has to take care of the kids.

- When you have yours, we'll talk again.

- Ok, I'm ready. We can go. - Josh said

- Have fun, girls. - I said, and we left

We decided to walk to the restaurant. I don't plan on drinking. It will be good for me to walk a bit. Devan was already waiting for us. I can't believe he left Natalie alone. They seem inseparable. I'm glad he found someone he likes. In high school, my friend seemed a picky person. Luckily, that is not the case.

- Hello, guys. What did you do? Shower together. - Devan said and laughed

- I didn't miss you at all. - Josh said

- The only people you miss are Kylie and the kids. - I said

- That is not true. I miss other people, too.

- Like who?

- My parents.

- And?

- And what?

- Nevermind. Let's order food. I'm hungry.

- I didn't forget about my sister.

- I won't be so sure.

- I will never forget her.

- Let's say that I believe you.

- So, she is staying with you now?

- Yes. Is there a problem with that?

- No. Can I know why you did it?

- Because I wanted to help her. Since you don't have time for her, I will do what is needed. I mean, to bring her mood back.

- Is there something I need to know?

- You are asking the wrong person. I'm not the one who has to talk with you about that.

- You can tell me.

- No, I can't. Rosie is the one who has to talk with you. Ask her, not me.

- Fine.

- Please, don't argue. Let's have a peaceful dinner. - Devan said

- I'm not arguing with anyone. - I said

- If you say so.

We ordered food, and soon it came. I left Josh and Devan to talk. The thing is that I have nothing to tell them. I know that was the idea of this dinner, but I got annoyed. I won't tell him how Rosie feels. I wish he could have time for other people. I don't want it to sound like that, but he became selfish.

- Austin, won't you say something? - Devan asked

- What?

- You don't talk.

- I have nothing to say. I do the same things every day.

- All of us are working. That takes most of our time, but I'm sure something interesting has happened to you, too.

- No, it didn't. Tomorrow I'll finish the current house. Then I'll have a one-week break.

- That's good. What will you do?

- I don't know. Probably I'll be at home.

- You can use the time to go out and meet new people.

- Yeah, I'll pass. I want to hear how life with kids is. Messy? Funny? Terrible?

- Sometimes, they get on my nerves. Most of the time, they want to play with me. - Josh said

- I bet you do everything they say.

- Of course. I will do everything for them. I love my kids.

- Sadly, it's only them. - I mumbled to myself

- What?

- Nothing.

- Do you have something against my kids?

- What? No.

- Are you sure?

- I only wish you had time for other people as well.

- I do have. As you can see, I am here alone.

- True, but it took time to decide if you would come. Kylie will be fine. You don't need to be around her all the time. Leave her to breathe. She won't go anywhere.

- When you find a girlfriend, you will understand.

- I don't need to have a girlfriend to understand this. After all, I do the same things.

- Because you are obsessed with my sister.

- I'm not obsessed with her.

- Then why is she at your house?

- So that is the problem. How many years have passed? I'm not interested in your sister. I mean, not the way you are thinking. Man, she is like my little sister.

- No, she is my sister.

- But you never have time for her. I'm doing your job because you don't want to do it.

- That's not true. I'm a busy person.

- During the weekend you don't work. It won't cost you much to spend an hour with her.

- Who will take care of the kids?

- Kylie is not a kid. She will be fine. Also, you have parents. Stop being so selfish and self-centered.

- What? I'm not.

- Guys, don't argue. Please. - Devan said

- What do you want from me? - Josh asked

- Nothing because you will do it only because someone told you, not because you want it.

- I don't get it.

- Because you are an i***t.

- Hey, I might be many things, but not that. She already has you.

- So? I'm not you.

- What are you saying?

- That if you had spent time with her, you would've known she wanted to spend time with you.

- Really?

- Yes. She is your sister. I might do everything, but I can't replace you. Kylie and your family are not everything. You have a sister and parents. Also, you have friends.

- Ok. I will spend time with her since you want it so much.

- No. She wants to be with you, but not because someone told you to do it. You don't want to be around her at all. What happened?

- The food here is delicious. Don't you think? - Devan asked

- Since you know everything about her, why don't you go to see her? She would love to spend some time with you.

- You know what? That's what I will do. Here, keep the change. - I said, put money on the table, and left

I walked up to Kylie's house to pick up Rosie. She wanted to know what happened, but I told her to ask Josh. Otherwise, I might say something she doesn't want to hear. My best friend got into the car, and I drove home. The ride was silent. I better calm down. I didn't want to argue with him, but that became something we started to do often. I have no idea what happened to us. In high school, we never had such problems. I parked the car and walked to my room. Soon, Rosie came.

- What happened? Did he do something to you?

- No, everything is fine.

- Can you stop lying? You tell me this all the time.

- I don't know how you two are related.

- Why do you say this?

- Your brother is selfish.

- I told you not to talk with him about this.

- I had to. I know how much you want him to be here. The problem is that he doesn't get what I'm telling him.

- Please, don't talk with him about this. I don't want you two to argue because of me.

- You are saying this too late.

- Austin, please. Listen to me. I don't want to ruin your friendship.

- You won't ruin it. Also, that is something between us. If you don't mess, it will be better.

- Why don't you forget about it? Be around me all the time, and that's it.

- I am around you all the time.

- I mean to don't stop doing it. I would love to spend more time with you, especially when you have a free week.

- What do you want us to do?

- I don't know yet. Can you smile now?

- Why?

- When you are angry is not something I like. - she said, and I laughed

- Here you go.

- That's better. Thank you.

Rosie wanted to watch a movie with me before bed. That is something I can't deny. Also, I need it. Getting mad at Josh won't resolve the problem, but he plays on my nerves. The other reason I am single is that I don't want to put my attention on one person. It's not like I'm not doing it now. I will try to save my friendship with the boys, but I feel something is broken. Maybe we have to stay away from each other for a while. Well, we are doing a great job. All of us are caught up in our lives. No one has time for anything else. I hope that this won't affect our friendship. I don't want us to get more distant.