Page 80 of Tell No Lies

I looked between them, waiting for the next round of battle.

Brandon began shaking his head. His expression faded from anger to defeat. “I know, Carter. I know that if I could ask for anyone to look over my sister and protect her, it would be you, but I just can’t. She’s seventeen!”

“I know she is, but that doesn’t change how I feel about her.” I wanted to step in and speak for myself, but Carter’s arm was still holding me back. He wasn’t done. “You know just as well as I that she deserves to be happy. I’m just asking you to let us try.”

He was smart to ask Brandon’s permission. This would only work with his approval and support. Carter valued their friendship too much, and I didn’t have it in me to defy my brother or sneak around.

“I need to think about this.” He moved around us and fell onto the couch. He was rubbing his face and looked like he’d aged ten years during this conversation.

The front door opened again, and I looked over to see Liv walking in with a huge smile. “Hi, guys! Is Brandon ready?” Her smile faded when she saw him crumpled on the couch. “What’s going on?”

I looked at Carter for help.

“We just told him something, and he’s not taking it well.”

Liv looked between us. “Are you okay, Aubrey? Did something happen?”

I immediately began shaking my head. “No, I’m fine! It’s nothing bad.”

Brandon scoffed behind me.

She continued to stare at me and Carter. Her eyebrow slowly rose, and her smile reappeared. “You guys told him?” She was suddenly bouncing on her toes and clapping.

“You knew?” Brandon growled.

“I didn’t know they were together, but I’ve seen it.”

“What?” The three of us spoke at the same time.

“Oh, please. I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. Even when she was dating Mike, she was drawn to you. I knew you were trying to fight it, Carter, but I also knew you would cave eventually. Some people, like you two, are meant to be. You might have some obstacles, but I can tell you guys truly love each other.” She looked confident for a moment before confusion set in. “What?”

My mouth was on the floor. Love? No one had mentioned love. Brandon looked like he was ready to jump on Carter and pound him into the ground, but Carter looked just as stunned as I felt.

“That’s it! Get out of my house!”

Liv turned to Brandon in alarm. I’m sure she thought for a second he was talking to her, but no, he was glaring at Carter. If looks could kill, Carter would be dead and buried right now.

Liv stepped up to Brandon and put her hands on his chest. “Babe, you need to calm down. He isn’t some ex-con Aubrey found on the street. He’s your best friend, your business partner. Could you think of anyone else you’d rather have your sister be with?”

“Yeah, no one! She’s too young!”

“No, she’s not. She’s days away from being an adult, but a number doesn’t matter. Not when she is experienced enough and mature enough to make her own decisions. You trust her, and you trust Carter, who is only one year older. Now it’s time to show it.” She sized him up. “If we met in their situation, I would be sixteen to your nineteen. Just because we met later than them makes it okay?”

Brandon paled. “Don’t say that. It’s so gross.”

“Their age gap is nothing compared to ours,” Liv reminded him.

For the first time since he started yelling, Brandon looked at me. His face softened, and he slowly returned to the brother I knew. “Is it true, Bree?”

“What?” I was terrified of what he was going to say.

“You like him? You want to be with him?” It looked like it pained him to even ask.

“Yes, I do.” I pulled back my shoulders and stood tall. There was nothing to be ashamed of.

He looked over at Carter. “You swear to me you’ll take care of her?”

“Of course.”