FORBIDDEN TIES {My Brother's Best friend}

ELE

ith every smile he sent my way. Each grin felt like a private

e smiled, the way his laughter resonated in the

in front of me, blocking my view of Cyrus. Irritation prickled at my nerves as I tried to

gs known. Our sibling bond, though not particularly precious, couldn't

slightly ajar door at Cyrus. He stood tall and confident, a ray of sunshine in my otherwise mundane wor

d, I stumbled and cursed quietly under my breath, hoping Cyrus hadn't noticed my clum

flushing with embarrassment as

and I turned to see her smiling down at

ing to feign nonchalance

elp me up from the floor. Her touch was comforting, g

sh on Cyrus. She always knew how to lift my spirits and offer

er teased gently as she helped me

ted playfully, earning a laugh from her. Moments like these m

ng her out of the room. Even as we made our way to the kitchen, I couldn't shake the image of Cyrus from my mind,

plate with precision. It was my favorite part of the d

ded eagerly, ready to fulfill my task. As I walked back upstairs, I could

ing the only girl for ten years had its challenges, but having Anya around added a new dynamic to our famil

was met with Reggie's

laimed, taken aback by

to block my entrance. But I simply roll

smile as Reggie begrudgingly stepped aside. Reggie could be the mos

e were their actual names, and rumor had it that our parents

I announced, catchi

wasn't one to talk much, but when he did, it was always worth listening to. Despi

eractions were limited to polite greetings, mere acknowledgments of each other's presence

Blue asked, standin

urself," I replied, earning a lau

his arm around my shoulders as w

ut a glare from Ezra silenced him. Teddy was Reggie's best

relented, raising hi

the dining area where Anya was

under her breath, earning

ds," Mom corr

ling her eyes. I could hear Grey chucklin

ng that he would choose the seat next to me. However, my hopes were dashed when he took the spot beside Anya. In

commented, turning his gaze to my mo

es nice," Reggie chimed in

" Anya asked Teddy, her eye

ince she was a baby. She always preferred Tedd

t she saw in him as I looked a

ied, his words causing a brief moment of te

ie exclaimed, clearly take

he other way around, you pervert," Teddy quickly clarified, trying to diffus

red under his breath, earnin

ded him firmly, her tone le

as he chewed his food. Damn, his lips were perfect. Every

tinuing to eat, afraid they

till, I admire him and my mom a lot. Their love is something I always prayed for when

came over, and he w

ar the plates, Grey stood up too to help. I took Ezra's plate

d to it anyway. I went into the kitchen with m

isioning him rolling up his sleeves to join me in dish duty.

sked, his brow fur

ustering my most persuasive to

d. "No, no," he said, already

teased, feigning offense, my hand th

" Grey said, grinning, before d

had failed spectacularly. Turning to my mom, I

h a drawn-out sigh. Lord, I hate doing dishes, and I never used to d

hes," I whined, hop

o You have no choice," she said, her

"Now, this is what happens when you're trying

eration as I approached her for a

" I suggested, a mischievous twinkle in my

ow," Mom said, her tone sympathetic b

ally she's the one going through a lot," I argued, unabl

a hint of regret in her voice as she r

s, then?" I suggested, grasping at

out, a glimmer of

silenced me. My mom, ever the gracious

then I will," my mom said, her tone ca

offered, his smile warm and genuine

da

B