Free My Brother's Best Friend by Becky Andrews Page B

thinking we are a couple as something to be worried about.”
    Devin laughed. “I don’t think that’s too hard to fi—”
    “And for the sake of saving face, it might be best to remain in a pretend relationship until I can officially say Eric is out of my life.”
    Devin didn’t say anything, he only sat in his chair staring at me with his intense hazel eyes. “I mean it would only be for a little while and besides, this could really become a learning experience for me. We could pretend we are together, and you could be my teacher. I obviously lack a lot of knowledge and basic experience. I know that, but with help from you, with your vast expertise, you could help me perfect my own skills.”
    He continued to stare at me with those penetrating eyes. I couldn’t look away nor could I shut my mouth. “It could be fun, maybe. I mean, I really do need help with this stuff. You know I don’t have many people to talk to and since we have the house to ourselves with complete privacy for a week, why not help me out? Please don’t make me beg.”
    Devin pursed his lips then nodded his head. “Fine, but we do things my way.”
    I smiled. “Really?”
    “Yes. You want to know what a real relationship is like and so I’ll show you and teach you things that go with it along the way. You do realize this makes me no better than Eric, right?”
    I shook my head. “You’re nothing like him and this is not a mean joke you’re playing on me. You're doing me a favor, plus I’m asking you to teach me. I want to know what it’s like. And we are in the perfect situation where this just works out.”
    “Okay, Chris, but the minute we exit this room we are officially a couple in the eyes of everyone and in our own eyes as well. No backing out and no giving up because you’re scared or mad. We face things together like a real couple. If you’re mad at me, tell me. And if you are scared, you tell me.”
    I nodded my head. “I’d like to state for the record that I already tell you when I’m mad at you.”
    Devin chuckled and shook his head. “Duly noted. Now, are you ready to go home?”
    I nodded and grabbed my stuff as he shut down his computer. “Did you get what needed to get done, done?” I asked as we walked out to the car side by side.
    “Most of it. The rest can be saved for tomorrow,” he said then reached down to grab my hand.
    I almost blurted out a biting remark but the look he gave me shut my mouth. I had already forgotten our deal. I had to start thinking like we were a couple. Something that was hard because Devin had always been on my bad side. This was something I would have to get used to. Not that it was bad, holding his hand, that is. It was actually almost nice. The warmth from his hand warmed mine as we walked to his car in the cold nearly 60-degree weather.
    “So what are we doing tonight?” I asked to get my mind off the feel of his hand encompassing mine.
    “Um, dinner—yeah and, uh—” he stammered.
    “Something wrong?” I asked. We were almost to the car.
    “Uh, yeah, that thing you’re doing to my hand. It’s completely distracting.”
    I looked down and realized I was stroking his hand with my thumb and then squeezing it with my other fingers. “I didn’t even realize I was doing it. I was trying to focus myself,” I laughed. “I guess we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into.”
    “I knew it would be hard, but not this bad.” He sounded frustrated.
    “Sorry that I’m so difficult,” I told him angrily. As we reached the car, I broke away and got into the passenger seat, slamming the door.
    Devin climbed in and sighed. “We said we would talk openly. If this is going to work, we have to talk.”
    “Fine,” I conceded only because I knew he was right. “Do you remember when you said you would always tell me the truth?”
    “Yeah, I said I’d always give an honest answer to whatever question you ask, no matter how ridiculous.”
    “Why are you angry with