10. West
10
WEST
I practically ran into the bathroom—as much as my injured leg and tired muscles allowed—shutting the door behind me. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might explode out of my chest. What the hell just happened out there?
I did my business, but I wasn’t ready to go out just yet. With shaking hands, I cranked the shower on full blast and stripped off my clothes. The steam quickly filled the small space as I stepped under the scalding spray, hoping it would clear my head.
But all I could think about was Drew. His lips so close to mine. The heat of his breath. The intensity in those bright-blue eyes.
“Fuck,” I muttered, pressing my forehead against the cool tile. My body was betraying me, responding to just the memory of our almost-kiss. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to will my erection away.
But even as I tried, my traitorous mind conjured images of Drew’s strong hands on my body, his lips trailing down my neck…
I groaned, turning to face the spray directly. The water pounded against my flushed skin as I tried to focus on anything else.
The foster brother label echoed in my mind, a cruel joke that had once been a lifeline. Now, it felt like a cage, trapping me in a role I was desperate to escape.
“Fuck,” I hissed, pressing my forehead against the cool tile.
My hand clenched into a fist, the urge to punch something overwhelming. But I couldn’t. Couldn’t risk Drew hearing, coming to check on me. Not when I was this raw, this exposed.
“It’s not fair,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the rush of water. “We’re not even related.”
I turned, letting the water cascade down my back as I leaned against the wall. Unbidden, the memory of Drew’s eyes flickered through my mind. The way they’d darkened just before our almost-kiss, pupils blown wide with what I could have sworn was desire.
“No,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Don’t go there, West. You’re seeing what you want to see.”
But what if I wasn’t? What if that look, that touch, meant exactly what I thought it did?
Hope bloomed, fragile and terrifying. I tried to squash it, but it persisted, whispering tantalizing possibilities.
Even if he felt the same, it didn’t change anything. We couldn’t… I couldn’t risk losing him.
The thought of Drew not being in my life, of awkward silences and avoided glances, was too painful to contemplate. But so was the idea of never knowing, of always wondering what might have been.
I groaned, running a hand through my wet hair. When did my life become a fucking soap opera?
I stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel and drying off with quick, purposeful motions. My mind was made up. I needed clarity, and there was only one person I could turn to for that.
As I tugged on a clean T-shirt and sweats, my eyes landed on my phone where I’d left it this morning with my dirty clothes. I snatched it up, my thumb hovering over Noah’s contact. A tremor ran through my hand, and I took a deep breath.
The phone rang once, twice. I paced the small bathroom, my bare feet leaving damp prints on the tiles.
“West?” Noah’s voice crackled through the speaker, tinged with worry. “Dude, I just saw the news. Are you okay? The fire?—”
“Relax, man. I'm fine. The fire’s out. I was the only one in the building, and I’m fine.”
“Thank God,” Noah exhaled. “What do you need? Can we help with anything?”
I sighed. “I hope so. Just not exactly related to the Foundation.”
“Oh?” Noah’s tone shifted, a mix of curiosity and concern.
I leaned against the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was a mess, curls sticking up every which way. But it was the look in my eyes that made me pause with a mix of fear and determination I barely recognized.
“I…” I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “I need your advice, Noah. It’s about Drew.”
There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear the gears turning in Noah’s head. “Drew? What about him?”
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and dove in. “I’m going out of my mind. It’s becoming harder to be with Drew and not tell him how I feel.”
Noah’s sharp intake of breath crackled through the phone. “Holy shit, West. You’re ready to do something about it?”
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“What brought this on?”
I ran my fingers through my damp hair, remembering the electricity of Drew’s touch. “We almost kissed,” I admitted quietly. “And I swear, Noah, the way he looked at me… I think he might feel the same way.”
“Of course he does!” Noah exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. “West, I’ve been trying to tell you this for ages. The guy lights up like a Christmas tree whenever you’re around.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Really?”
“Really,” Noah confirmed. “You’ve just been too busy playing the ‘foster brother’ card to notice.”
I groaned, leaning my forehead against the cool mirror. “God, I’m an idiot, aren’t I?”
“Hey, no self-deprecation allowed,” Noah scolded gently. “You’re not an idiot. You’re just…cautious. Given your history, it’s understandable.”
His words hit home, and I felt a lump form in my throat. “I just… I don’t want to mess this up, Noah. Drew means too much to me.”
“And that’s exactly why you won’t mess it up,” Noah said softly. “Trust me, West. The way you two care about each other? That’s something special.”
I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and exhilaration course through me. “You’re right,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I can’t keep running from this. It’s time I face these feelings head-on.”
“That’s my boy,” Noah cheered. “So, what’s the game plan?”
I chuckled, running a hand through my hair. “Game plan? I’m flying by the seat of my pants here, Noah. But I guess…I need to talk to him. Really talk to him.”
“Sounds like a solid start,” Noah agreed. “Just remember, West—honesty is key. And for God’s sake, use your words this time, not just those puppy-dog eyes of yours.”
“Hey!” I protested, laughing despite myself. “I do not have puppy-dog eyes.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that, lover boy,” Noah teased. “Now go get your man.”
As I ended the call, I caught sight of my reflection again. This time, my cheeks were flushed, my eyes bright with a mixture of hope and terror.
You can do this. It’s just Drew. Your Drew.
The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I pushed away from the sink, squaring my shoulders. It was now or never.
With trembling fingers, I came out of the bedroom. The apartment was quiet, but I could hear the faint sounds of Drew moving around in the kitchen. My heart pounded in my ears as I made my way down the hallway, each step bringing me closer to a moment that could change everything.
I paused at the kitchen entrance, watching Drew as he stood at the counter, his back to me. He was humming softly, completely unaware of my presence or the emotional turmoil raging inside me.
“Drew?” I called out, my voice barely above a whisper.
He turned, his blue eyes meeting mine, and just like that, all my carefully prepared words evaporated. But as I looked at him—really looked at him—I realized that maybe words weren’t what we needed right now.