My Bestfriend's Brother Shouldn't Know How I Taste

Bailey's pov

I saw the way my words made her feel. I saw the shift in her eyes. The reaction I should have expected.

But I can't take those words back and I....don't want to. Because I mean them. Every single word that rolled off my tongue, I meant them with every inch of my being.

I know I hurt her, I know she feels betrayed. But I can't continue to lie to myself too. I can't please her with a lie anymore. I want Kaleb.

I love Kaleb.

I blinked rapidly, trying to remove the presence of tears in my eyes so I can see her properly while I uttered. " Your brother deserves to be loved to Mirabella. He is worth being loved.”

I shook my head and take a step forward, pinning her down with a sincere stare. " I love him and I'm sorry, but if I have to choose between you and him, I will love you both. I will choose you both. But if you make me choose then I will choose him.”

I played with my fingers, knowing that I was pouring my heart out in front of my family too. But it needed to be done and I should have done it sooner.

“1 know I did wrong by not telling you. I know you're pissed off but we can't help who we love Mira.” I throw my hands up. " We can't choose who we fall in love with, it just happens. But what we can choose is who we let go."

I shook my head. " And I won't let go. I'd choose you both but if you force me to choose I will choose him because I won't let him go. And that's my choice. That's what I choose."

Mira is silently staring at me and her eyes flicker over to her brother that I didn't realize stood beside me until my arm touch his chest and his arm wrap around my mid-section to pull me into his embrace.

His grip felt like he was trying to protect me, as if silently telling me that he was here and that everything would be okay. I took comfort in his touch and melted into his warmth.

Mira peered at the two of us, more specifically his hand and then her eyes lift to mine and my heart stops. “ How many months has this been going on behind my back?"

I looked down in shame, knowing she will piece things together quickly. " It started at the party.”

Mira frowned. * Which party?"

" The one Kaleb hosted in your home." I whispered. It hadn't been a month yet, well I don't think it had been but it sure felt like Kaleb and I were together longer than this, despite only agreeing to be his girlfriend today.

I could see the gears in her head shift and realization hit her. " You didn't sleep on the couch did you?"

I swallowed. Keeping secrets from Mira was one thing but lying to her was another. Mira detested liars, especially lies coming from people she cared about.

Seeing my silence, she nods, a sneer bridging on her face. " Take off that bracelet around your wrist. You no longer deserve it." Spitting those words in anger, she slammed the door closed and locked it. Her head is forward as if she can't bear to look at me anymore.

Her words hit me like a dart, flying straight to my heart. I staggered, but in Kaleb's arms as he hugged me. I can't breathe because I am crying and Kaleb soothes me, whispering sweet words in my ear.

"I'm sorry." He said softly. * I will fix this. I'm sorry. She'll calm down and come back to her senses."

But even those words from the boy I love could ease the crippling pain in my heart. I know how stubborn Mira can be when she is mad. She once stayed not speaking to Kaleb for a week because he poured rotten eggs in our hair during a prank.

I lied to her. For weeks.

Best friend's don't lie to each other. The bracelet was a symbol of that. A symbol of our promises.

"I'll speak to her. I'll try to get through to her." Kaleb whispered, planting a delicate kiss on my cheek and wiped my tears. " I promise we will make her see. I promise I'll not let you down for choosing me Bailey."

As he continued to soothe me, my mom and dad stepped toward us. I instantly ran to mom and she hugged me tightly as I cried. " I don't know what to do." I cried.

She runs a hand down my back in a comforting manner. " It's okay baby. Your heart just wants what it wants. Your heart is never wrong." She kissed my cheek and dad went over to talk to Kaleb.

"I'm sorry for the scene Mr. Reed." Kaleb apologized.

“ Don't be. It made me realize I gave my daughter to the right boy that will cherish her." Dad said and clapped Kaleb lightly on his back, smiling. * You remind me of myself. I found the love of my life at your age." Dad looked over at mom, his eyes shinning brightly with fondness.

" Whatever or whoever that tries to come between you two, don't let that feeling go."

After a few more words the horn blares and we looked at Mira in the car seat. Her arms are crossed childishly and she's glaring at the front. Kaleb sighed and looked over at me, smiling sadly. " I will head on home now flower. See you tomorrow?"

I nod, sniffling as mom wiped my tears with the back of her hand. Kaleb bit his lip, rocking on his heels.

"Can I come to pick you up tomorrow for school?"

I looked behind him at an annoyed Mira who was still glaring at the road ahead. I shook my head. " If it won't be an issue, then yes."

Kaleb smiled, saying goodbye and soon leaves. As we watch his car drive off, dad pushes his hands in his pocket and smiled. " You chose correctly Bailey.”