She's Still The One: A Brother's Best Friend, Rockstar Romance by Kaci Rose (websites to read books for free txt) 📕

her out. We’re going to talk about this. If I've learned one thing from Landon's parents, it's that you never just assume something will work it's self out in a relationship. You talk about it, bring it to the forefront, and fix it.

It's the stuff you let stew and simmer that will end things in a blink of an eye. Austin's mom told me that. I think she knew how I felt about Austin, and how Landon wanted to keep me at a distance. It wasn't too long after that conversation they passed in the car crash.

"They got back to you already?" She slowly walks over towards the large window that looks out over the backyard and the pool. I try to stay in the moment and focus on my girl.

"But it could be nothing. I told you I don't have a lot of information."

Another pause, before she sighs. Her hand not holding the phone rubs her forehead just above her eyebrows.

"I know, I promised. I won't leave Dallas's side, as long as you don't come home early."

Ahhh, she's talking to Landon. It must be about Branden. Speaking of, I head to the gate panel by the front door and make sure it's closed, turn the locks on, and make sure the security cameras around the property are working along with the security system on the house. I set the alarm and check they’re set to chime anytime a window or door is opened.

By the time I get back to the kitchen, she’s off the phone.

"What did Landon have to say?" I ask.

"Well, I didn't have a lot of info on Branden, but they couldn't find a Branden Lewis in Portland. It's making Landon nervous, but seriously, we were casual. I don't even know his address. I just know he lived in an apartment above a coffee shop downtown."

"You should be more careful with the people in your life." I frown, and she drops the spoon in her hand.

"Do you even know the names of all the girls you slept with, much less their phone numbers, addresses, and place of work?" She snaps.

My gut twists, because she has a point. There were a few I didn't even know their names. I want to say it was different, but I've been around her long enough to know that is exactly what not to say right now.

"He wasn't a one-night stand, Austin. You were seeing him for three months." I try to calm myself, because being angry at her won't help the situation.

"Doesn't matter since you’re still keeping someone on the side, apparently." She growls and tries to walk off.

Oh, hell no. Does she really think I'd do that to her? I'm new to this relationship thing, but I'm not a cheater and would never cheat on Austin. I've been waiting too long to get a chance with her, and I'm not fucking this up like that. If she only knew how long I wanted her, she wouldn't question me like this, but I don't think she's ready to hear it, it would just scare her off.

I follow her and wrap both my arms around her waist, before she even makes it out of the kitchen.

"Hey, remember on tour I said I had things to do, before you could be mine?"

"What like her?" She snaps back.

I step back just enough and smack her ass. This seems to stun her into silence.

"No. I had flings, and they knew the score, all of them. It wasn't a relationship. On tour, I called them all, including Beth, and told her it was over. I didn't even owe them that, Austin, but I did owe you that. I wanted to do right by you."

"How many women have been in your bed?" She asks, as I smack her ass again.

"Stop trying to put more walls up. Only you have ever been in my bed, all those times you didn't want to be alone. Only you." I whisper next to her ear.

"But she has been here before?" She says confused.

"Yes. She was my stand in date for a few events hosted by the label, one of which was held here a year ago, but we never slept together here. I've always thought of this as your house, too. So, I never brought anyone back here, I never could."

Her body loses some of its tension, and she relaxes into me.

"Why not?" She says.

Ahhh, the million-dollar question. How do I tell her, because it felt like I was cheating on her? Because I didn't want any of them in a space, I consider ours and is filled with her memories. I wanted to keep this space strictly hers and mine. There’s no way to tell her that, so I go with a cop out.

"It just didn't feel right." I turn her in my arms to face me. "Let's have some breakfast, put this morning behind us, and not let it ruin our day, okay?"

She nods, and I kiss her forehead, before letting her go back to the kitchen to finish up breakfast.

Over breakfast, she tells me how the receptionist from the label had texted earlier, and they were talking books. Her face lights up over how much she loves having someone with her taste in books.

I make myself a note to get a hold of her tablet and check out the books she’s reading. I can make it a point to look some up and send some to her, or maybe, get some signed copies for her to add to the library.

After we finish eating, we do the dishes from today and last night as well, before I turn to her.

"Ready to go swimming?" I ask.

Chapter 19

Austin

Am I ready to go swimming? I think we both need some cool water and to take a step back. It's been a crazy morning. First Branden, and then that Beth girl. I don't like how I felt, when I saw her hands on him.

"Yeah, I'll meet you out there.