About half an hour later when my brother already left and I'm laying on the couch, watching TV, because I feel like I'll die any second, Rory comes out of her room. I feel a little better after my shower. I had to make myself at least presentable because I couldn't walk around looking like a fright all day. 

I smile at Rory and wave a hand around to indicate her she should join me. She sits down beside me. "I don't have much time, I'm going to lunch," she tells me.

I nod my head.  "Yeah, sure. I just wanted to order some pizza anyway." Is there any better cure for a hangover than greasy, unhealthy food? That always worked for me. Food and coffee. Sometimes it seems like my life revolves around just the two of these things.

"Why don't you come with me? I'm just going out with my best friend, but I doubt she'll mind," Rory offers. 

In this short time I've known Rory Warren, she came to grow close to my heart. I can just see what a sweetheart she is, that good, shy, quiet girl that's actually really gorgeous. She's got all the attributes to be a good person.  

And her offer is making me feel like she wants to be friends with me, too, and that she's starting to trust me a little bit more. I give her all the attention. "I don't really want to intrude ..." I trail off with a hesitation.

She gives me a smile of reassurance. "Please! It's better to come with us and have some fun than sit here by yourself. You won't intrude, I promise you."  

She convinces me. I nod my head, turn the TV off and stand up.  "Give me five minutes to get ready," I reply while already walking to my room. And when I say five minutes, that's not even a lie anymore. Because I've learned not to give so much shit about my appearance anymore and I abandoned that 'I'm not going out of my flat without any makeup on' crap.

"I hope you like Italian food!" Rory shouts after me.  

I appear at the door a second later, already holding a dress in my hands, giving her a serious look. "Rory, my dear, one thing you'll learn about me is that I eat anything you give me." I disappear back in my room again. 

I hear Rory's chuckle from the living room.

Ten minutes later, Rory and I are rushing out of the flat and driving to the restaurant. When we arrive, Rory's friend is already waiting at the table for us. Rory gives her a big welcome hug. 

She spots me then when Rory stops hugging her and introduces herself to me. Her name's Lily. "So, you're Rory's new roommate, huh?"

I nod my head and give Lily a warm smile. "And you're Rory's best friend," I point out. 

"That I am!" is Lily's reply before we all take our seats.  

"I've never been here before. It looks really nice," I say, making small talk.  

The restaurant was nice looking. It has that vintage look with a hint of richness that made the place look exquisite. The chairs were comfortable, covered with flush and there was a soft music playing. It's quite packed today, but people aren't creating much noise, so it's actually really peaceful and easy to talk. Another big plus is that the food is delicious.

  ◊   

We spend most of our afternoon talking and having a nice time. Rory opens up completely in front of me, telling us about her ex-boyfriend, Charles. Who deserves an A for being an asshole. The whole time Rory was telling what happened with them, I was staring at her in disbelief.

The bastard cheated on her and when Rory found him in the bed with another girl, he didn't even look apologetic. He didn't even stop her when she packed her things and left. And they were together for two years. 

After Rory told her story, she zoned out and went to some other place in her mind. She wasn't with us anymore and I'd bet that she's thinking about her asshole ex-boyfriend, but I let her be. 

I would know a lot about thinking about guys who don't deserve a second thought. 

My girls texted me during the lunch, asking me about what happened with the hottie from the bar and if I shagged him. I gave a court answer in the group chat that deserved a round of disappointment going on from their side, telling them that, no, we did not sleep together because he seems disinterested. But it also doesn't mean that I'll stop trying - unless he's got a girlfriend. 

At least that one last part gave me a round of applause. With a lot of emojis, of course. 

I thought Rory and Aaron are a thing, but then I remembered how Rory said that Aaron was new and I'm still not quite sure if Rory likes him or not.   

After our lunch, Rory and I go back to our flat and decide on watching a movie. She picks Magic Mike and I couldn't be happier about her choice. That film is always a good idea. 

After some minutes into the movie, I decide to bring up the subject that I've been giving a bit of thought to since last night. "So ... how long have and Aaron been dating?" I ask casually, not taking my eyes off of the screen.

"I'm not dating him, Brooke. I only met him yesterday."  

That shuts me up for a moment. Yesterday? They looked really close and familiar with each other. "But you two seemed close. You and Aaron, I mean."

I feel her looking at me, but I can't direct my eyes anywhere else. "Then you got the wrong impression, I guess ..."

When we're halfway into the movie, I decide to speak again. I'm a nosy woman and I'm not afraid to admit it. "What about my brother?" I ask this, fishing for more information. Just to see how she'd react and if I could tell the attraction between them is mutual.

My question seems to get her full attention and she looks at me. I quickly gaze at her before moving my eyes back on the TV screen while Rory keeps looking at me. "What about your brother?" she asks carefully.

I shrug and still don't move my eyes from the TV screen. "You two seem to be getting close, that's all. Besides, he was asking me about you." I smirk a little.

I knew that him coming to check up on me wasn't the only reason he came here this morning. He could've easily called me. I got this out of him when Rory left us alone in the kitchen. And then he started asking me questions about her. Which, as any other evil sister would do, I didn't answer, telling him to just go and ask Rory if he wanted to know.

  "Uhm ... yeah, I guess," Rory murmurs and I can hear a slight panic in her voice. 

I throw a pillow at her and laugh at her shocked expression. "Loosen up, I don't care if you two get close." 

"Brooke, I ... it's nothing like that, I promise," she reassures me.

I roll my eyes at her. "Look, Rory. You're a nice girl and he's a great guy. I wouldn't mind if anything happened between you. Just ... please be careful and patient with him, he can be a real jerk sometimes." I smile sadly. I believe Rory is too old to get a lecture from me, especially about my brother. 

And I don't know her enough to start spilling my brother's secrets. I know he wouldn't be happy about that. And if he wants to tell her about his past, he's going to tell her himself.  

"I'm not looking for a relationship at this moment, so nothing is ever going to happen between me and your brother. Can we drop it, please?" Rory sounds kind of angry. It could be because I'm prying. Or because she's lying to herself and we both know it. 

I know that if Braden sets his eyes on her - which he already did - he's not going to stop. I know how he is with women. That part never changed. The only part that changed is that he became completely emotionally unavailable and he doesn't trust any female. He's got them only to warm his bed.

Well, not really his bed since he never takes any woman home with him. 

Rory stands up. "I have to go prepare for the work."

I nod and pause the movie. "Do you mind if I come at the bar tonight? I promise I won't get drunk like last night, I just want to hang out some more and look at that hot piece you get to work with." I lick my lips and Rory snaps me out of my dreamy state with her laugh. "I didn't get a chance to thank you for taking care of me yesterday. I don't know what would happen if you weren't there. I already got an earful from Braden." I roll my eyes when I remember his lecture. "God, he's acting like granny pants sometimes," I mutter to myself and shake my head. "But thank you, Rory, it means a lot. I know I can trust you." I'm in looking into her eyes the whole time, showing her that my words are sincere and I mean them.

 "It's okay, Brooke. I did what I thought it'd be best." Rory smiles softly at me. "And no, I don't mind you coming at the bar tonight. In fact, you can come with me if you want and get to know Aaron better." She sends me a wink and I flush. Really. I literally flush. 

What am I, in elementary school again? 

"You really don't mind me getting to know Aaron?" I ask carefully, really making sure Rory doesn't have any interest in Aaron.

It's her turn to roll her eyes now. "No, Brooke, I really don't mind," she replies pointedly. 

I squeal a bit and Rory just smiles and shakes her head. "Oh, and do you mind if my brother tags along?" 

Rory's smile slips from her face. I see she freezes and her face goes pale. 

It was kind of Braden's idea to go to the bar tonight and him coming with me. I knew the reason and I didn't mind. If I get to see Aaron ...  

In that moment, the front door opens behind Rory and I look past her head. "Hey, Braden, I was just asking Rory if she would mind if you came at the bar with me tonight!"

I see Rory shutting her eyes and I wonder if it's just her reaction to Braden or it's actually something else. 

Braden comes closer. "Did you?" he asks questioningly and stopping in front of Rory, looking directly at her. "And what's the answer?"

Rory looks at him for a few moments. "You're more than welcome to come if you want to," she tells him with a tight voice. 

I see Braden gives her a big, wholehearted smile and I look at Rory in amazement. Because my brother doesn't smile that frequent, and he especially doesn't smile a lot around other women. Maybe small, flirty smiles that make me shudder when I see them, but this big one he just gave Rory ... Interesting.

I see Rory obviously checking him out, which makes Braden's smile grow even wider. I want to gag. 

"Perfect. We will take my car there," he says in his usual demanding tone.

"No, it's warm outside today. I'll walk and we can meet there." My lips perk up at the corners. Rory, sweetheart ... Defying my brother? You don't stand a chance. 

"We're taking my car, Rory. And that's the end of it," Braden responds with a slightly colder tone and I have to roll my eyes. This tone might work with Rory because she doesn't know him that well, but it's certainly not working on me anymore. 

When Rory opens her mouth to reply him and dig her hole even deeper, I interject, saving her. "Braden, stop being such a caveman!" I slap him on the arm, but he still doesn't move his eyes off of Rory. "And Rory," I turn to her, "let's go with Braden. It'll soon be getting dark and it's scary walking out there all alone." I look her with a pleading look.

I'm not ready to listen to yet another lecture from Braden. And, frankly, so isn't Rory.

Rory nods her head in agreement. She looks at Braden one last time before she heads back to her room to get ready for work. 

"What the hell, Braden? You're acting like an ass. And that's not how you'll make her like you, dumbass!" I grit out the second I hear Rory's door shut behind her.

Braden looks at me. "You called me two different names in one breath. Awesome. Can't wait to hear more of your insults tonight," he responds sulkily. 

I stare at him, wondering if he's really that moody or if he's just acting. I sigh because I know I definitely don't want to go there with him. 

"And you only heard that. Awesome. That'll sure make her like you. Really," I say sarcastically. 

"Well, sorry! But she's throwing me off guard and I just don't know how to act around her." Braden puts his hand on his neck and rubs it.

I fall back on the couch, crossing my arms over my chest and grin. 

Braden looks at me in frustration. "What? What are you grinning about?" 

I shrug and get serious, leaning forward again. "The first rule - don't be a controlling bastard. No woman wants that." 

"Brooke, you'd be surprised how many women want exactly that," Braden says with a grin.

I almost gag. "Gross. Do not ever imply on that when talking to me. Ever." I shudder. "But be a little more conservative, yeah? And a little nicer. I think you could easily get Rory's feelings hurt." I'm not happy about that thought. Not even in the slightest. 

Rory comes out of the room in that second and I quickly shut my mouth when I see Braden looking at her, shifting my attention to her, too. 

"Am I interrupting something?" she asks carefully. 

I see she did her makeup; she did the smokey eyes and put mascara on her eyelashes, making her eyes pop, her long, dark hair is falling down in waves. I almost whistle. She's killing it.

I shake my head and stand up, giving her a warm smile. 

"Do you always go to work looking like that?" I hear Braden say and I look at him, sending him a glare. Not that he notices it. He's got his eyes all for Rory. 

"What do you mean looking like that?" Rory asks slowly.

Braden shuts his eyes and brings his fingers to his temples, massaging them like he wants to calm himself and regain composure. When he opens them again, he looks calmer and more composed than a few seconds ago. "You're working at a bar, Rory, with I don't know how many perverts around you and you're wearing an outfit like that." He points at the outfit with his hands.

"And what's wrong with my outfit, if you mind me asking?"   

"You're ... you're ... argh, don't you have anything else? Something to cover you up or something less ... tight?"  

I stare at Braden in pure disbelief. Honestly, are men really so easy? And such pigs?! "You're hopeless," I mutter and I shove past him, bumping into his shoulder so he can remember to gain some control.

Jesus Christ, I can't look at these two anymore. 

"My job requires an outfit like this, Braden. Now, if you're done judging what I wear, we can move and go to the bar, before I'm late." Rory turns around and grabs her coat. 

Braden lets out a frustrated groan, followed by, "Fuck," and then, "I wasn't ... fine!"

When he goes past Rory, I hear him mutter, "Impossible woman," under his breath and walks through the door.

I'm laughing because this is better than a comedy. I might give Rory a medal! Rory is laughing, too, and we're walking down the stairs like we're crazy. "You ... I like you!" I point a finger at her and laugh yet again.

Braden is waiting for us by the car, shoving his hand through his hair. We're going with his Audi today. 

He opens the door for us.

The ride to the club is peaceful, none of them speaking. I am the only one trying to make a conversation; I mostly asked Rory questions, doing Braden a big favour, too.

I'm having ice cream for breakfast. Only because I went out yesterday and yeah ... it's always fun until the next morning. That's that.

Heading to picnic with my family now, which I already see will be a struggle (I just want to sleep!!). Haha.

Hope you liked this chapter.

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