Her Best Friend's Brother by T. Dell (read the beginning after the end novel .TXT) 📕

“Damn I like you Libby! I wouldn’t risk your friendship—even for three hours!” He whispered that last part into her ear before shoving off from the counter and returning to his lunch.

“I am surrounded by men determined to save me from myself… lucky me.”

“Is this about Brian? You two not getting along?” Parker was eating his lunch again.

“No, Brian is fine… but we aren’t realy together.

Just forget it okay?” Libby stuffed her mouth ful of griled cheese to force herself to stop rambling.

Chapter Eight

Outside Tony was pacing around the driveway. He had been so happy to be home a moment ago. But then he had walked in and seen Libby wearing what was obviously Parker’s shirt since Parker himself wasn’t wearing one, and what Libby was wearing must have been five sizes too big.

Tony wasn’t realy a violent guy, but it took al his self control not to rush in and pummel the guy when he had leaned in to kiss her. As soon as he had regained his motor functions Tony had quietly backtracked to the front door.

Why hadn’t he known that Parker and Libby were stil together? Libby hadn’t mentioned it, but then barring one late night inebriated phone cal (which stil haunted his dreams three months later) they had pretty much avoided al things romantic. It wasn’t as if he thought she sat home alone every weekend, but there was a pretty big difference between knowing she was dating, and having to witness it in his kitchen! Where the crap was he going to eat his breakfast cereal from now on? He sure as hel wasn’t ever going to be able to sit at the kitchen counter again.

Okay, he had to get a handle on this. Tony concentrated on taking deep breaths. Libby hadn’t spoken to him for five months after that party. After the night he had basicaly chased her into Parker’s arms. He was so stupid! She had been right there and he had pushed her away. He had actualy reminded her that Parker had been her date. Told her that ofcourseParkerwantedtobemorethanfriends. Stupid! No. He wasn’t going to think about that. He was just going to remember that, during those long quiet months, he had sworn to himself that he wouldn’t make any more dumb mistakes where she was concerned. And if that meant being just friends then that was what he would do, because he wasn’t prepared to lose her again. Maybe he should just drive around town for awhile. How long until Mel was leaving for New York?

Surely Parker would be leaving then too. When he came back he could take his friend Libby out to dinner, and maybe a movie, and maybe an ice-cream after that. Just as he had made up his mind, and was heading for his car he heard the front door open.

“Tony!” Turning he saw Libby running towards him. “You’re early.” She said as she slipped her arms around him for a too-brief hug. “You weren’t leaving, were you?” Libby glanced between him and his car.

Yes, he thought, I am leaving so I don’t put your dumb shirtless boyfriend through a wal. What he said was.

“Oh, no. I was just making sure I locked it.”

“Wel come on. Mel is your sister; it is only fair that you help us carry some of her crap down to the truck.” Libby towed tony into the house.

Awkwardly, Tony joined everyone in the kitchen where John and his sister were finishing lunch. “So… Did Mel make you guys do al the packing?”

“No”

“Yes”

“Yes”

“Yes”

Everyone spoke at once.

Tony smiled a little, but he couldn’t keep from glaring at Parker. Finaly catching on Parker cleared his throat. “Oh Libby is just borrowing my shirt until hers dries.” Tony raised his eyebrows. “Because she spiled coffee…” Parker trailed off—his usual confidence shaken.

“Wel I’m sure you’l want it back before you guys get on the road.” Tony turned to Libby. “You can help yourself to anything in my bedroom. You know where that is.” Libby looked a little confused but she headed off down the hal anyway. When she returned she had traded one oversized shirt for another and Tony barely restrained himself from pounding on his chest caveman style.

A couple hours later the truck was finaly loaded, and they were saying their goodbyes.

“I don’t think Mel’s brother is my biggest fan.” Parker smirked a little as he wrapped Libby in a one arm hug. The other arm was holding a barrel sized container of popcorn. Parker had proclaimed that he needed sustenance to deal with the upcoming road trip.

“Don’t let it bother you. He is sometimes a bit overprotective of me.” Libby puled a face. “Like most big brothers.”

“Right, but he isn’t your big brother is he?” Humor danced across Parker’s face.

“Tel him that.” Libby murmured into Parker’s shoulder.

“I think he can work it out on his own.” Parker put a friendly hand on Libby’s cheek. “You okay? You’ve been a little off al day.”

“End of the summer blues I guess. Remind Mel to text me when you get there.”

“You got it.” Parker kissed her cheek and then climbed into the truck. “See ya. Have a good semester.” The truck puled away, and her friends left.

Shaking her head Libby started back to the house.

She had to snap out of this. It wasn’t like they had excluded her from their little New York club on purpose.

And she loved Talahassee. Mel was right. Libby needed to go out more. And that would be on the first order of business when she returned to school next week.

Tony watched Libby through the window. He had already made arrangements to meet John and Mel in the city for dinner at the end of the week. Having accepted a ful time position at the Examiner, Tony would be in New Jersey. He would be able to see a lot more of Mel than Libby would, so he had left them alone