Heather's Choice by H.L.B. Adams (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud TXT) 📕

eyes. The last time I told you, you got pissed and broke up with him, but you never gave up on him. I could tell by the way you looked at him that you weren’t over him.”
“Well this time it is truly over.”
“I hope so. I can’t stand to watch him hurt you.”
“Well no more. I’m going to start looking at guys who will treat me right.”
“Well speaking of that have you ever noticed how much I care for you?”
“I know we are great friends.”
“That is not what I mean. For some reason, that I can’t fathom, you don’t see how I really feel about you. I’m in love with you.”
Heather couldn’t manage to form even one word. All she could think was when, how, and she couldn’t bring herself to say either word. So she just sat there hoping something would come to her, but it didn’t.
After what seemed like an eternity to James, Heather finally spoke, “Um ok, I’m trying to think of something to say, but I keep drawing a blank.”
“Don’t say anything I was stupid to bring it up. You’re in love with Tim, no matter how horrible he treats you.”
“Ok, first off after what I saw the other day, you don’t have to worry about me being in love with your brother. I don’t think I ever really was or I don’t know. Anyway, I really don’t know what I’m trying to say.”
“Then don’t say anything just forget I ever said anything,” he said as he got up and left.
“What have I done?” Heather said to no one, “But what did he expect me to do. Run and jump in his arms the moment he said the words. He took me by surprise, big time. Uhh, I don’t know what to do.”

Heather stayed at Littlebit’s despite the tension. She had yet to see Tim. She had talked to him, but felt telling him what she knew was best done in person. It is harder to lie in person, and plus she saw him with her on two eyes, he can’t lie his way out of that.

About a week after James’ profession of love, him and Tim showed up down at Littlebit’s. Tim walked straight in picked Heather up and kissed her. When he put her down she slapped him. “What the hell was that for?”
“Well let’s see where to start, hmm let’s start with the girl I saw you kissing last week.”
“What the hell are you talking about? I haven’t seen you in weeks first off, and second I haven’t been kissing any other girls.”
“Damn I was wrong you can still try to lie face to face. Well it won’t work. The Friday I got home I came by the school to pick up a friend,” Heather said feeling the need to keep her friend’s identity a secret, “And well it wasn’t like you were trying to hide anything. I mean come on standing the middle of the parking lot.”
“Oh please how are you so sure it was me? And who the hell were you picking up?”
“First off you were standing next to your car, and you were wearing the shirt and hat I gave you for your birthday. Second of all it is none of your damn business who I was picking up.”
“Like hell it is my business. You are my girlfriend.”
“See you just gave yourself away. You stopped trying to deny that you have been cheating on me. And I’m no longer your girlfriend, and even if I was it still wouldn’t be any of your business who I am friends with.”
Tim stood there in shock. He couldn’t believe it; he had gotten caught and this time she wasn’t buying anything he said. It also bugged him that she was at the school. Who the hell would she be picking up? It had to be someone who knew they were dating and knew he was cheating on her. But damn it who could blame him, she’s gone over ninety percent of the time. “Well it looks like I fucked up and got caught,” he said as she walked out of the room, “But I would really like to know who set me up?”

James stood there in awe as Heather tore into his brother. I guess she wasn’t lying when she said the last straw was the last straw. She knew how to get her point across too. I mean she really ripped him a new one. Tim came in so happy to see her, and she slapped that smirk off his face in seconds. “Damn I really do love that woman,” James whispered while Tim contemplated who had set him up, “If he only knew.”
Twenty minutes later James found Heather sitting outside. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah I’m fine, actually I’m great. It felt so damn good to slap him. And the look on his face when I told him that I saw him, oh it was priceless.”
“Thanks for keeping my name out of it.”
“Hey no problem, I know you two fight enough without me being thrown into the mix. As much as I can’t stand him he is your brother, and siblings have to stick together, in some cases. Take me and Tiffany for example, a lot of the time I want to beat the shit out of her, but if anyone ever so much as tries to hurt her they will be dead.”
“Yeah I guess you’re right, but I still had to have you see what he was doing.”
“I know and thank you again for that.”
“Hey! What’s up with this little powwow? Did I miss something? Did you break up with me so you can go with my brother?” Tim said as he walked out the door.
“Well I would be a better match for her,” James replied for her.
“So, I’m guessing you enjoyed that little show earlier.”
“Well what wasn’t there to enjoy? She ripped you a new one. And I always enjoy when your actions catch up to you.”
“Hey, hey boys!” Heather interjected as Tim came toward James ready for a fight. “Now both of you just get over it, I’m not dating either one of you. So no fighting on my behalf.”
“Well he deserves a good beating, but if you insist,” James said kissing Heather on the cheek as he got up and left.
“So you’ve finally hooked up with my brother. I thought it would never happen. I’ve known for years how he felt about you,” Tim said.
“What are you talking about? I’m not with James.”
“Yeah well either way, I know how he feels about you. And if he is the friend you went to pick up, he deserves to have his ass beat.”
“And why would you say that?”
“Well first off he knew you were with me, and he wants you. Second of all brothers don’t rat each other out like that.”
“Oh so him letting me know you were cheating on me was a bad thing to do. What all would you like your brother to keep quiet about? Or rather I should ask what all has he kept quiet about?”
“Never mind,” Tim said and turned to leave. “I guess I’ll see you around sweetheart.”

Heather sat outside until dusk. She had a lot to think about. How James felt about her, how she felt about him. How Tim knew but never told her. Why would he not tell her? I mean knowing Tim he could have made it work for him, not against him. She’s known him his whole life of course she knew how he could spin something in his favor. But why wouldn’t he? Did he really care that much about his brother? She knew they loved each other, but they didn’t hesitate to hurt each other and competition was a way of life for them. It just didn’t make sense.

When she came in dinner was ready. She walked toward the kitchen to see Tim fixing a plate, “Here this is for you. You’ve been out there a while. I’m sure all that thinking has made you hungry.”
“Thank you,” she said as she took the plate, a little confused.
“Let’s go sit on the porch I want to talk to you.”
“I don’t know…”
“Oh come on I promise I won’t bite,” he said with a gleam in his eye.
Obviously he was remembering her in bed, and she wasn’t going to bite. “No I think I’ll stay in here.”
“Oh come on, I just want to talk to you. I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
“Ok,” she agreed wondering what the hell is going on.

James watched Tim and Heather head to the porch in silence. She might have broken up with him, but the way it looked she would be back in his bed tonight. James knew he had been stupid to believe that this time would be different. He knew she would never truly leave his brother, no matter how much Tim hurt her.

“So what do you want to talk about?” Heather asked when they sat down.
“James,” Tim replied.
“What about James?” she answered thinking here comes what I’ve been looking for; he is going to spin everything to work for him.
“I know you’re wondering how long I have known that my brother is in love with you, and you are also wondering why I have never said anything to you about it.”
“Ok so you know me, and I know you that is why I have been wondering.”
“Ah yes but in reality we don’t know as much about each other as we think. I realized how little I knew about you one day while talking to James. He knew so much about you that I had never heard. So of course I tried to beat him at the game. I told him something that I didn’t think he knew. Well he knew it. He told me I should pay more attention to my girlfriend. After our conversation I started to think, and somewhere in the middle of all that non-thinking, as you would call it, I realized he had feelings for you. I didn’t realize until the first time he told you I was cheating on you that he was in love with you.”
“So why didn’t you tell me? I mean you could have spun it as he was jealous and wanted me. That would be more like you I have to admit.”
“Yes it probably would, but you were the first girl he wouldn't cover for me with. I knew how special you were to him, and I had come to realize how much you cared for him too. I just couldn’t do that to either of you. I was the one who fucked up and for once I faced the music without trying to find an easy out.”
“So why did you say something about it today?”
“When I walked outside and saw y’all talking I realized he had finally told you. Well I realized he had told you or showed you a lot. Yes I know he was the friend,” he said seeing her about to say something. “I also could see the confusion in your eyes as you spoke to him. I just don’t want you to give him mixed messages. Don’t lean on him and think it will have no effect on him when you move on to another guy. I know you wouldn’t do it purposefully. Just be careful.”
“Damn and I thought you didn’t have a heart. You know that is why I always thought we were good together, me the cold hearted bitch and you the heartless bastard. I guess I was wrong there, you do