Chapter 16 - Brothers and rivals

BYRON'S POV

I could hear Rebecca humming against my shoulder in her sleep, and it was incredibly cute. I snaked my arm around her, and pulled her closer, so that she could better lean against me. She must be exhausted, after the trip and such.

We came to eat at the deli because we wanted to do something different and, actually, none of us felt like cooking, even though, it would have actually been Rebecca's turn to make dinner, but none of us wanted to stress her.

The truth is, we've all grown very much fond of her, but there's a meaningful difference: to me, she's a great friend I feel attracted to, meaning that I wouldn't be in a relationship with her because it would be useless, but I would spend all night with her.

Don't take me wrong, it's not like I see only sex in her, it's just that I don't have feelings of that type towards her. Must be because my stupid heart is still stuck with someone else. Even if she's getting married.

I bumped into Maya a few days ago. At work. At first I thought I was hallucinating, what was she doing there? If she came to a law firm, she needed a lawyer? Was she in trouble? All those thoughts mixed up in my mind, and I would have walked up to her and asked if everything was fine, but then I got the most direct response ... her meeting up with my boss and kissing him.

I knew Josh was about to get married, he told me that, but I never ever imagined his bride would be my fucking ex girlfriend. Hell, I thought Maya was overseas. She had ambitions, wanted to travel the world, she always said she would love to live in Asia, so I thought she made it, or maybe she'd stayed in LA,like she said she would - though I guess back then she said that only to get rid of me.

Then again, after we broke up in sophomore year, we lost contact, therefore I couldn't possibly know unless I stalked her Facebook profile, which I don't because luckily I don't even have Facebook. Al kinda gave me news about her because they kept in touch for a while, but they they lost contact too. Although,I think he mostly quit telling me about her because he saw how much it hurt me to even only think about her.

They were great friends in high school, we all were, actually, in high school Maya was kinda the same as Rebecca now for us. Though differently. I mean, Maya was a great friend of Al's mostly, Will and I just came along, but I never really considered her a simple friend. I was head over heels for her since the beginning.

We spent four years together, even if on and off sometimes, and while the last two were painful, given all those fights and the distance and so, the first two were pure bliss.

God, I loved her. I was so deeply in love with Maya as I never thought I would be. And I still fucking am. I had to see her again after years, realize she's long gone, to see what I hid deep down.

These years I've found myself thinking about her, but I always pushed it back, knowing there was nothing to do about it, yet ... a few days ago I saw her again, in all her breathtaking beauty, her mind-blowing essence, I just ... everything came crushing on me.

It's not like she's perfect, she can be maddening, especially with her suspects and jealousy, but I've always loved that she's strong, emancipated, doesn't care about anything, she does what she wants, no matter the circumstances, she's determined, whatever she wants, she'll get it.

In fact, before I even made a move on her, at the beginning of junior year, she just came up to me and stated, serious: "I want you, you don't know it yet, but you want me too, so let's just save time and get together, alright?". When I confessed I was already whipped, she laughed, claiming that it was obvious.

She's always been so amazing, and I thought I'd moved on, but I'm still so madly in love with her. Too bad I couldn't see it sooner. I should have been as bold as her and taken her back when I could.

Even though, I did try to fix things between us, but she didn't want to hear reasons, the alleged cheating was simply the last straw for her. The worst was when she downright confessed she didn't love me anymore. That just crushed me. The guys know it, I've never been as much down the gutter as after Maya broke up with me. In this I can understand Will, but the situation is different.1

At least Maya didn't cheat on me. Countless times. At least Maya didn't spend three years pretending she was in love with me only just so I'd marry her and she'd get my money. Mel did that.

In perspective,the fact that Maya merely ripped my heart to pieces by spitting in my face that she didn't love me anymore was nothing, I guess.

Anyways, the point is, I've grown very fond of Rebecca, I care for her as much as I care for the guys, the one difference is that she's not quite a sister but neither a possible flame. She's just this beautiful girl I find attractive but have only friendly feelings for.

That's me. The other two are a whole different story. I wonder how doesn't she see that Al is completely whipped. Will is a better pretender, always has been, but I've known him since always, I could smell repressed feelings from miles away. And the way he lashed out on me after I slept with Rebecca? Please, that was just plain jealousy. But he's too stubborn and proud to admit it.

I smiled when Rebecca unconsciously wrapped her arms around my torso, as if hugging her pillow, and hummed in her sleep some more. I'm glad she came to us, she's an extraordinary girl that I think has suffered more than she lets know, she's much more than what the eye meets.

Rubbing her scalp, I placed a small kiss on her temple while the other two fought over who should eat her tortillas now that she was fast asleep. Kids gonna be kids, huh?

I'm actually older than both of them, but I was in the same grade as Will since high school because I failed fifth grade and kinda lost the eight one. You see, I failed fifth grade because I was kinda slower as a child, it took me longer to learn, and they went too fast.

Who would have ever thought I'd place third in my Law School class? Nobody. Well, not my teachers back in elementary school, but certainly my parents, they've always believed in my chances. I kinda suffered from dyslexia back then, that's why it was harder.

I failed eight grade because I was expelled. I kinda got in a fight with some punk that'd been bullying my best friend, so, yeah, I gave him a piece of my mind.

Al enrolled to college with us because he didn't feel like living the experience without his 'brothers', as he likes to call us. I guess that, him being only child, it's different, while both Will and I have grown up with siblings.

Even though, to say Wyatt and the other two are brothers to Will, that would be pure insanity. Those three have made his life pure Hell, no kidding. I got in no little fights with Steve because of the way he treated his brother, and Wyatt? Such a huge asshole. The only one that could be saved is Dennis, but he's always lived in his brothers' shadows, therefore he became just like them.

Will was the puppy of the family, he came many years after the other three, when things between his parents were already hellish, and Steve kinda blames him for that, says it's his fault if their parents' marriage went downhill. It wasn't Mr. Foster cheating on his wife on a regular basis and drinking his ass off, no, it was Will being born. Stupid assholes.

Then again, Steve is kinda doing the same as his father, so why am I surprised that he defends him? It's like Wyatt took the infidelity gene, while Steve took the alcoholic one. Dennis is just the idiot that's always followed them around like a lost puppy.

I have three sisters, I honestly couldn't fathom treating them the way those three bastards treated Will. I guess it's also because my parents made me swear to protect the girls ever since each of them was born, but still. Just because their father is an absentee parent that's never even cared to acknowledge he had a fourth son, doesn't mean his brothers should do the same.

I guess one positive thing about all of this is that his bad relationship with his brothers allowed Will, Al and I to become the small family we are. I mean, Al was lonely, Will had those morons, I needed a brother because my dad and I were surrounded by girls. So there you are, we're brothers.

And now we've got this cute little sister that's not really a sister, given what we've done and what the guys were intent on doing. I don't think they're gonna be up to their sharing thing now, though. Given how they're both whipped, I highly doubt they'll think of sharing her.

I cuddled Rebecca in her sleep as they ate, kinda sheltering her from sight of the other customers and so, even though it wouldn't have been necessary, considering there was virtually nobody in here.

I could see Al stealing glances at her, and almost always there was a small smile on his lips, one I've never seen before. The kind of boyish smile someone crazily in love would show.5

Will was more diplomatic, he glanced at her now and then, but didn't show any sign of interest. He's a poker face master, so it doesn't really surprise me.

"Guys, before I forget, my elders are renewing their vows next month. I'm best man, you're the groomsmen, obviously." Al informed us. Will groaned, predictably, already saying he was out of it, so the battle began, Al vs. Will, to win his participation. Obviously, Al won, playing the guilt guard of "but wouldn't you want to be there for your dear brother?".

One would think, after those three morons, Will would hate even only the word brother, but he's always secretly loved how Al calls him "baby bro", even if there's only one year of difference between them. The truth is, Will's too proud to admit it, but he likes this brotherhood thing we have because it makes him feel like he's got real brothers, despite those three jackasses.

Al also informed us that Rebecca would be bridesmaid, and I was tempted to tease them a little by asking who would be her groomsman, but I kept it, not to cause a brawl. Besides, now that I think about it, it'll be between me and Will, considering that Al is best man. Well, I'll gladly leave the honor to my best friend ... if he swallows his pride and admits that he's completely and utterly in love with our Rebbie. Better said, he will be. He's just not yet, but he's on his way to falling, I know him too well not to see the signs.

Will got grumpier after the talk about the ceremony, and I guess it's because he'll have to go back home at least for a couple of days, which he always tries to avoid the most possible, for obvious reasons.

I mean, if you had a jackass of a father that barely even acknowledges your existence and is drunk off his ass most of the time, plus three brothers that have bullied you all throughout childhood, would you go back home even only for an hour?

Will going back home means ongoing fights, that's why he never leaves New York, and if he does, it's with me or Al or both, so that he'll spend time with us more than with them. The only couple of times he was forced to go without us, he wound up taking refuge at my parents', after the nth feud with his dad.

Yeah, one wouldn't believe it, but Will's had a pretty shitty family, no wonder he's always been so brooding. Then Mel went ahead and ruined him for good. I can't help but wish maybe Rebecca can do something to heal him in some way.

Although I can't really pick a side, it would be going against one of my best friends or the other. I'll just root for my Rebbie, whoever she is happy with, I'll be happy for her.

Although, to be honest, the thought of me and her has kinda crossed my mind, in the beginning, when I didn't know her much ... then I grew so fond of her, even only sleeping with her made me feel guilty, but she shrugged it off, saying it was nothing, we just had some fun together, nothing to worry about.

The thing about her, I think she's had a tough life, her boyfriend dying must have taken a huge toll on her, but I kinda sense there's more to it, I just don't know what ... well, it's probably her family. I mean, she never ever mentions it, she never ever calls anybody to chat or something.

It's the very same as Will. He never calls home, when his mom calls - every two months, it only darkens his mood. Rebecca has had troubles with her family, I'm pretty sure. My guess is, she was orphan. That's why losing her boyfriend was worse, because she was attached to him, kinda replaced her lost family with him.

Or maybe I'm just reading into things and she's got a perfect family she hears from when I don't see her. Who knows. Though she mentioned she'd repressed herself all her life, now she wants freedom, so what if she was Amish and was forced to separate from her family because of the choice she made to live in the mundane world? I wonder if she'll ever tells us. It's up to her, either way.

Once we were done eating, we paid – splitting the bill in three, me paying for Rebbie as well – and I was about to seize our sleeping roommate in my arms, just not to disturb her, she looked so cute while sleeping, but Al beat me to it, picking her up bridal style and walking out.

I think he's the most taken, this is possibly the first time ever a girl means more than just a booty call for him. With Kim, back in high school, it might have gone past friends with benefits, she was up for it, but of course, him being the manwhore he was, he spoiled it all. I don't think he ever even realized she was head over heels for him.

We walked silently to my car, and Will opened the back door for Al to place Rebecca inside. Once done, Al closed the door and turned to us with a sigh, leaning against the side of the car. "Guys, I'm in trouble." He announced, raking a hand over his face. I chuckled, already sensing what he meant, but I asked either way.

He groaned, turning to the car, where Rebecca was peacefully sleeping, lay in the backseat. "I think I'm in love." Al announced.2

I smirked, going to pat his shoulder. "As if that weren't obvious." Not exactly a great pretender he is, you can read everything he thinks and feels right on his face,that's why I'm surprised she hasn't realized yet.

He gave me a dirty look, then turned to Will, who seemed unfazed by the whole thing, in fact he only shrugged. Too proud to face reality, isn't he? Even though,I think he's still a little hung up on Mel,that's one reason why he won't let himself go.

"Well, I guess that your plan isn't on anymore, is it?" I kinda teased, glancing between both, though kinda hopeful, because I don't really like this idea of them treating our Rebbie like a doll they share. It's true that we've always been fine and sophisticated in this queen of our bed thing, as Al calls it, but still.

Al scoffed. "I think she wants it, no, looks forward to it." I frowned. "Yeah, I can see it in her eyes, she desires it."

"Well, you can back off. Like I did." I mentioned matter-of-factly.

Of course, he gave me a dirty look. "If I back off and you back off, that's not a foursome, it's just Rebecca hooking up with Will."

Will chuckled, shrugging, carefree as ever. "Well, I don't mind. We've already settled on being friends with benefits."

Had he never said it. Al sent him such a glare, it made me gulp even, unused as I am to this reverse in characters, I mean, normally Will is grumpy and brooding, Al is easygoing and laughs a lot.

Will threw his hands in the air, smirking. "I can always back off, if you like." Maybe he would, but we'd see cranky Will back, wouldn't we?

Al scoffed, shaking his head. I see this is gonna end badly. Sooner or later they're gonna feud over her, ruining their friendship. It's what I wanted to avoid since the beginning, that's why I was against it when they asked me.1

That and because I didn't want to see her like one of the other girls we shared. I wanted her to be different, one of us. Even if we were fine and sophisticated and such, in the end, that was still only a booty call, sure, we made a dream come true for those girls, but in the end, it was still a fling we had. I don't want Rebecca to be the same. And I don't want the guys to fight because of her.

"Maybe you should both back off." I cut in. "Didn't you just say she was our fourth musketeer?"

Al rolled his eyes, while Will chuckled. "Bye, that doesn't mean we can't do what we do with her."

I gave him a dirty look, not liking those terms, but he merely shrugged. Will's one hell of a pretender, trust me. Otherwise how could he pretend, for years, that his family was perfectly fine while it was a complete and utter mess?

"I think we should let her decide." He concluded. Al agreed, even if reluctant, while I, well, I don't even want a part in this.

***

"So since when you guys are all best buddies?" Al asked, with a hint of jealousy, as we walked towards our apartment, Will carrying Rebecca. Surprisingly enough, he didn't even say anything, he just seized her in his arms once I'd parked, and walked straight into the building.

I think it has much to do with Al having spent the drive home keeping her head onto his lap, caressing her, making her hum in his sleep, but they'll deem me crazy if I say that.

Will shrugged simply. "I just realized something." He mentioned.

"And what is it?" I asked.

There was a small smile on his lips as he looked down to Rebecca in his arms, but he concealed it in a split second, like the great pretender he is. "She's more than I thought."

More than he thought, huh? So he's realizing she's not like Mel, neither a silly girl all rainbows and unicorns. I wonder what made him change his mind. "So you're finally admitting it?" I asked.

He snorted, predictably. We mentioned it in the car too, that he might feel more for her, as much as Al does, but Will kept denying. So stubborn he is. "I've got nothing to admit." He countered, without losing a beat. We'll see about that.+

Wanna bet that within a month or two I'll have to play mediator as they fight over her?