Not My Hero

The corners of my mouth begin to lift at the thought.

Does that mean she wants me to kiss her?

It’s only been two weeks, though. Yeah, Brie is doing much better, and she’s even more relaxed with my mother. But isn’t it too soon?

Picking up the glasses, I carry them back upstairs while I mull over all the questions in my head. I find the women in Brie’s room, and I hand her the soda.

“Do you want to get a blue bedspread?” Mom asks Brie.

Brie first swallows the sip she just took, then answers, “Yeah, or it can be gray like Colton’s.”

Mom glances around the room. “We need to get you a dresser and a table and chair.”

Brie smiles at Mom. “That will be great. Thank you.”

“We’ll go after school tomorrow.” Mom begins to walk toward the door. “I’m going to start with dinner while you guys finish up in here.”

Mom leaves the room, and Brie’s eyes dart to me before they snap to the wall.

Should we talk about what almost happened between us?

Ah… Nope, not yet.

I set the glass down and grab the roller. Clearing my throat, I say, “At least my mom got the paint off your face.”

“Yeah,” Brie mutters as she dips her roller in the paint.

The silence that falls between us feels both awkward and electrifying.

I wonder how Brie feels about me. Damn, if she’s not attracted to me, I’m screwed. I really don’t want to be the best friend that doesn’t get the girl. That would suck a hell of a lot.Chapter 20BRIEWhen I wake up with Colton’s chest rising under my cheek, a broad smile spreads over my face.

We slept on the couch because my room smells like paint, and Colton wouldn’t hear about me sleeping in my bed.

It’s my birthday. I’m eighteen!

The thought broadens my smile.

Careful not to wake Colton, I climb over him and off the couch. Wanting to do something nice for them, I take some bacon and eggs from the fridge. It’s basically the only thing I can make without setting fire to the kitchen.

Grinning, I first fry the bacon. While I break the eggs into a bowl, I start to softly hum a tune. I beat them until they look fluffy enough while my thoughts turn to ‘the almost’ kiss. At least, I think that’s what it was. Colton hasn’t said anything about it, and I’m not about to bring it up.

I glance at the living room and grin when I see Colton leaning against the back of the couch, his arms crossed over his chest as he watches me with a smile on his face.

“Morning,” I chirp happily.

“Morning.” Pushing away from the couch, he walks toward me. He stops really close to me, and my stomach flutters as he brings his hands up, framing my face. “Happy Birthday.” Then he leans down, and my heart stops as his lips brush over my cheek.

I struggle to breathe and can only blink when he pulls back.

Wow. If it was that intense just from Colton kissing my cheek, I wonder what an actual kiss will feel like.

Probably like fireworks going off.

“Are you making breakfast?” Colton’s voice sounds hoarse, and he clears his throat.

I take a deep breath, and scrunching my nose, I turn back to the stove to pour some of the eggs into the pan. “I wanted to do something nice. I can’t promise it will be as good as your mom’s, though.”

Colton steals a piece of bacon, and I watch as he eats it. When he doesn’t comment on how it tastes, I lift an eyebrow at him. “And?”

A grin that’s nothing short of heart-stopping pulls at his mouth. “It’s good.” I keep staring at him until he points at the stove. “The eggs are going to burn.”

“Shoot!” I quickly stir them while a blush creeps up my neck.

Colton begins to set the table, and I’m super aware of how he moves around the kitchen.

I really like Colton, and it’s not just because he’s helped me so much. It’s because he has the kindest heart, the bravest soul, and a smile… that makes my heart beat faster in a way it never has before.

This life might not have been easy so far, but Colton’s light has a way of breaking through the dark.

The corner of my mouth curves up.

I’m in love for the first time.

“I think the eggs are done,” Colton says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Focusing on what I’m doing, I see that they’re a minute away from burning and quickly scoop them out into a plate.

Dang, that was close.

“Morning,” Cassie says as she walks into the kitchen. “Are you guys making breakfast?”

Colton shakes his head. “Brie is. I’ll make coffee.”

Cassie comes to me, and when she wraps her arm around my shoulder and gives me a sideways hug, I don’t feel as anxious as I used to.