26. Eden
EDEN
God, I was so stupid.
Even hours after Alana left my apartment, I was beating myself up for how it all went down. If only I’d kept my mouth shut about it.
This was so not the way to go about the whole situation, but how else was I supposed to tell her that I was attracted to her? She didn’t believe a word I said. Well, apparently she didn’t believe the proof in my pants either.
It was a hopeless case.
To be fair, I could’ve done a way better job at telling her or refrained from doing so altogether.
But it was strange, really. I wasn’t used to someone reacting this way to me.
I tapped my finger against my bedroom wall, waiting for my brother-in-law to pick up his phone.
I figured it was better to call him than my sister to ask for advice, especially since Reece didn’t expect any explanations.
Brooke would’ve made me talk-talk, and I wasn’t sure I was up for that tonight. Especially at two in the morning.
“What did you do?” Reece asked the second his face popped up on the screen. He was supposed to be in his hotel room at this time, so why was he outside?
“Do you have a second to talk?” I asked, wondering if he was out with his teammates. As far as I knew, the Rangers were playing the Canucks tomorrow, so he had to get up early.
“Always, what’s up?”
I sat up in my bed, leaning against the headboard. “How did you make Brooke believe that you were attracted to her?”
Reece laughed, having to force himself to stop so he could answer my question. “Eden, your sister and I have been together for twelve years.”
“So?”
“We were thirteen when we started dating. I’ve known her my entire life.
When we got together, there was no questioning if I liked her, and honestly, at that age, I didn’t even think about being attracted to her.
Besides, attraction comes with liking someone, no?
” he said. “Brooke was the most beautiful and amazing person I’d ever seen in my life, and I just knew I liked her.
She somehow felt the same about me, so like I said, there was no convincing anyone. ”
“Yeah, but like… urgh!” I raked a hand through my hair. “How do you convince a girl you’re attracted to her?”
Reece shrugged, at least that’s what it looked like. He was still walking down the street. “I don’t know, tell her?”
“I tried.”
“And have you tried being nice, too?”
My eyes rolled yet a smile still tugged on the corners of my lips. “As a matter of fact, I have.”
My entire family insisted that I’d been the worst kid ever. My father even used to call me the devil up until I was ten.
“Have you considered that maybe she’s just not attracted to you and that’s why she refuses to believe you?” Reece asked. “Not everyone’s going to fall for your false charm.”
“My charm is very real, thank you very much.”
“If you say so.” He chuckled. “Do you like her?”
“She’s cool,” I replied. “Alana’s just really insecure and refuses to believe that anyone could think of her as beautiful, you know? So I’m trying to make her believe she is, but she just won’t listen to me.”
“Confidence takes time, you know?”
“Yeah, but Reece, seriously. She touched my dick and thought my body was malfunctioning or something, because there was no way I’d been hard for her. I told her I wanted to fuck her, and she just laughed, said I should stop pretending.”
He nodded slowly. “I did not need to know that.”
“Help me, Reece.” I dragged his name out. “As my brother-in-law, you have a duty to help me.”
“Fine. I’ll think of something and call you back later, okay?”
“Promise?”
“I promise, kid,” he replied, then paused for a second, his eyebrows drawing together. “Wait, I thought you and Alana were already dating. That doesn’t sound like you are.”
Oh. Right. I forgot about that.
Hesitating for just a second, I nodded slowly. “Well, yes, but no. Reece, it’s complicated. You can’t tell anyone though, please?”
“Okay?” He fixed his expression. “But just know, your parents are going to be pissed when they find out you lied to them about a relationship.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway. I can date someone who fucks me over, or I pretend to date Alana to help her and gain something you and Brooke benefit from in return. Either way, my relationship won’t last. Mom and Dad are used to it.” That didn’t make the whole thing less upsetting, though.
My parents wished me the best, I knew that. And I knew they were excited to see I actually posted my girlfriend on my socials, confirming the relationship myself. They were happy for me, thinking this was serious.
It was a huge step for me, too.
I just wished it was real and lasted forever. But I had no such luck. Ever.
“How does it benefit Brooke and me?” Reece asked, now looking at me with confusion.
“Brooke wants me to bake for your baby shower, right? But I can’t bake. At all. I couldn’t tell her, though, because she was so excited about the whole idea of the pastries being handmade by me. And I couldn’t ask Mom to teach me because—”
“She would’ve asked questions, and your sister doesn’t want anyone to know she’s pregnant yet.”
“Exactly.” A deep breath drew from my lungs. “So, Alana’s teaching me. In return, I’m helping her with Austin.” My voice dropped an octave as I said his name with disgust.
Reece laughed. “Sounds like you’re not too fond of that Austin guy.”
God, I hated him. To this day, I had no idea what Alana saw in him. He wasn’t even attractive. “He’s awful.”
“Is he? Or do you just make yourself believe he’s the bad guy because you realized you want Alana to like you?”
I scoffed but couldn’t deny there was some truth in his words. “Maybe a little of both.”
Reece’s lips curved up into a smirk. “Well, then, kid, it’s time you get your shit together. If you truly think Austin’s not good for Alana, help her see it. Show her.”
“I guess that’s all I can really do,” I grumbled, glancing down at the floor. “I just hope it’s enough.”
“It will be.”
At least one of us was convinced of that. “Oh, Reece… you can’t ask Brooke if she has any ideas to help me. This has to stay between you and me.” I gave him a warning look.
Reece sighed heavily. “We’re both fucked then.”