Just Between Us: A Friend's to Lover's Romance Read online

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  One:

  Two:

  Three:

  Four:

  Five:

  Six:

  Seven:

  Eight:

  Nine:

  Ten:

  Eleven:

  Twelve:

  Thirteen:

  Fourteen:

  Fifteen:

  Sixteen:

  Seventeen:

  Eighteen:

  Nineteen:

  Twenty:

  Twenty-one:

  Twenty-Two:

  Twenty-Three:

  Twenty-Four:

  Twenty-Five:

  Twenty-Six:

  Epilogue:

  Playlist

  Thank you for reading.

  Just Between Us

  A Friends to Lovers Romance

  Copyright

  Copyright© 2017 by Bri Stone.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission except in the case of brief quotations included in critical articles and reviews. For information, please contact the author. Printed and bound in United States of America. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Cover design copyright © by GermanCreations

  Editing by Lindsay Schwartz

  Copyright

  One:

  Two:

  Three:

  Four:

  Five:

  Six:

  Seven:

  Eight:

  Nine:

  Ten:

  Eleven:

  Twelve:

  Thirteen:

  Fourteen:

  Fifteen:

  Sixteen:

  Seventeen:

  Eighteen:

  Nineteen:

  Twenty:

  Twenty-one:

  Twenty-Two:

  Twenty-Three:

  Twenty-Four:

  Twenty-Five:

  Twenty-Six:

  Epilogue:

  Playlist

  Thank you for reading.

  One:

  Lori has always been smarter than me.

  We’re the same age, so we went to school at the same time. But she had to top it off by graduating a semester earlier than me.

  “You okay?” The woman in question dropped next to me on the couch.

  “Yeah, I’m fine, why?”

  She giggled a little. “You look like you’re deep in thought and you’re never thinking about anything.”

  I laughed at her insult.

  “No, I’m just happy for you. Proud of you.” I turned and caught her bright blue eyes.

  It never made sense to me, why she had the black hair—the blackest hair could be and bright blue eyes.

  “Thanks. It still seems like it isn’t even happening.” She curled her legs up on the couch and sighed, deep in thought.

  “Well, it is. You have to be a real adult now.” I nudged her knee. My hand lingered a bit longer than it should have, but she didn’t notice.

  “Ugh, I know.” She made a yuck sound and her face twisted up in mock disgust.

  She sat with me for a while. I hadn’t meant to remove myself from the party, but I didn’t really feel like conversing at the moment. Her dad got a few people together—we lived in a small town so all graduations are a big deal.

  But her dad was a firefighter, everyone in the city loved him so a lot of people just showed up, not even knowing what the party was for. I only knew her sister and her fiancé and a few of our friends from high school. I guess people in small towns didn’t grow apart.

  “Are you going to join the party?” She asked me.

  “I don’t really want to—but anything for you, best friend.” I told her.

  She smiled and stood up, smoothing out her pink dress. It flowed out just above her knees, the neckline was just low enough to show some cleavage, but not enough to be immodest.

  She looked beautiful.

  She pulled me up before I could protest. I made sure my dress shirt was tucked in right and then followed her into the crowd.

  You see that guy standing in a group of people, feigning laughs and smiles? Unfortunately, that’s me. I need a way out.

  “You want me to get you a drink?” I leaned down and spoke in Lori’s ear. And I really had to lean, she was over a foot shorter than me.

  “Uh yeah, a…”

  “Root beer, I know.”

  She rolled her eyes and rejoined the conversation. I took my leave.

  I was very familiar with their house—I practically grew up in it. Whenever I needed to get away from my nagging parents, I came here. My bike from junior high is probably still in their garage. We only lived a few doors down, though my parents’ house took up about ten acres of the neighborhood. Woodmont wasn’t that big to begin with.

  “Are you looking for something?”

  I looked up from the fridge to see Theo, Lori’s dad in the kitchen.

  “Oh yeah, just getting some root beer for Lori.” He nodded toward the pantry.

  “Didn’t get a chance to chill any but the cans are in there.” He gruffed.

  Theo was a simple guy. He didn’t talk much. For a while I thought he didn’t like me but now I just know it’s how he is. From what Carrie, Lori’s sister tells me, he changed after their mom died. Lori was too young to remember, around two years old I think, but Carrie was ten.

  I grabbed her a can of root beer and a sprite for myself. I know she likes it cold so I grabbed a cup and some ice.

  “So, how is the football going?” Theo popped open a beer and leaned over the counter.

  It was uncanny, how much he looked like Lori. Same black hair; but she got her eyes from her mother—I’ve seen in pictures.

  “It’s good. We had a good season so at least I didn’t go out a total failure.” I laughed once.

  “Oh that’s right, it’s your last one.”

  “Yeah. I had a good run though.”

  He nodded in agreement, sipping more of his beer.

  “Your dad said you were in the draft. Isn’t the combine coming up?”

  I shook my head. The last thing I wanted to talk about was my father.

  “No I’m…I don’t want to go pro. I’m going to medical school after I graduate.”

  He raised his brow. I guess everyone thinks I’m just a dumb jock.

  “Whoa. I’m impressed. Let me know how that goes…excuse me.” He left.

  Yeah, I should have seen that coming. I shook the negative thoughts of my father and his meddling and brought Lori her drink.

  “That took a while.” She downed the glass all at once.

  “Sorry, I talked with your dad for a bit.”

  “Oh. Well I’m going to open my gifts—come with me.” She grabbed my arm and dragged me up the steps before I could protest.

  She shut her bedroom door behind her and got started on the gifts sprawled across her bed.

  “Hey!”

  She smacked my leg when I laid across her pristinely dressed bed.

  “What? I’m tired. Who schedules a graduation ceremony at eight in the morning?”

  She scowled and shook her head in mock disappointment.

  I flew in from South Carolina and got here at seven, then drove straight to her ceremony. Duke university is a big deal because half of North Carolina was blocked off for it. I remember the day she found out she got in like it was yesterday. We were right here in her bedroom; she was afraid to open the letter so I did it for her. Of course I messed with her and said s
he didn’t get in. Then I felt like shit because she cried like I had never seen her cry before. When I told her the truth she didn’t speak to me for about a week. Yeah, not my brightest moment.

  “Anything good yet?” She had a pile of wrapping paper going already.

  “See for yourself.” She gestured to the stack of gifts on the floor.

  She spun around in her desk chair and read some cards. So far, she got a hell of a lot of books and fancy journals. Oh yeah, she’s a writer. Literally, all she does is read and write. She talks about her characters like they’re real people. ‘I can’t believe Jason is gone. How could he leave like that?’ Huh? We’ll be having a conversation and she pulls that.

  “Did you open mine yet?” She furrowed her brow at me.

  “You got me a gift?” Her tone of voice was shocked. I must be more of an asshole than I think.

  “Of course I did. My best friend is a college graduate. It’s on the bottom. Tell me when you get to it.” I leaned back and closed my eyes, planning to take a power nap.

  I didn’t even get to sleep last night because I was finishing an online final—political science killed me more than molecular biochemistry did.

  “Dillon? Wake up.” She wasn’t kind about shaking me awake. The skin on my shoulder when she touched me jumped to life, still tingling when her hand left me.

  “I’m not asleep.” I lied. I rubbed my eyes and yawned.

  When my eyes finally adjusted she was staring right at me with a bright smile. I guess she had opened my gift. I got her a flask that said, ‘write drunk (edit sober)’ on it, a 500 writing prompts journal she found on Facebook and really wanted, and a shirt that said, ‘I like my puns intended’ on it.

  “This is so great.” She hugged me tightly. Her slender hands flew around my neck, her cheek pressed against mine.

  I hugged her back and laughed.

  “I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure you would like the flask.” She didn’t drink alcohol much so I knew it would probably never have alcohol in it anyway. Apple juice maybe, but not alcohol.

  “Are you kidding? It’s my favorite one.” She laughed. She pulled away from me, still wearing a bright smile.

  “I just wanted to get you something special. You deserve it. So, it’s your obligation as my best friend to get me a super cool graduation gift too.” I added. She rolled her eyes.

  “Will do…and thanks for coming. I know it was pretty rough getting here.”

  I shrugged. “Of course I came. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  She smiled at me, her eyes gleaming right into mine. She looked away and kept opening gifts.

  I watched her with rapt attention. It was completely normal for me to drop everything and see my best friend graduate, right? Most of the time I spent with Lori, I wasn’t making rational decisions. Could be because I was a man after all, and she was really pretty…not just pretty--she’s beautiful, smart, witty, sweet…perfect.

  Lorraine Dawes is my best friend and I’ve been in love with her since I was fifteen years old--since before I even knew what love was. You know, normal stuff.

  Two:

  After hours and hours of fake smiles everyone was gone. I stayed to help Lori and her family clean up.

  “Where do you want these, Mr. Dawes?” Ryan, Carrie’s fiancé, held up two stuffed garbage bags. Theo shook his head and sighed heavily.

  “It’s trash, where the hell do you think it goes?” Theo gruffed.

  I laughed audibly. Carrie shot Ryan an apologetic look and shuffled off to the garbage bin. It’s not like he’s dumb, he’s an architect like Carrie. Theo just doesn’t like him. Like, at all.

  I didn’t even like Ryan. He was a nerd. No, I don’t have anything against nerds but he was an arrogant nerd. Thought he knew everything when really, he just draws some shapes and tells other people to build it. Design architecture or something like that. Carrie opened her own architecture firm a few years back and met him when she was hiring people.

  She didn’t hire him.

  “Thanks for the help, Dillon. Do you need a ride home?” Theo asked me. I shook my head.

  “No, my parents don’t know I’m here yet. I was just going to stay in a hotel.” I explained. He gave me a funny look but Lori understood how I was with my parents. How messed up our relationship was.

  “Nonsense, you can stay here.” He clapped my shoulder and started up the steps.

  “Uh, you didn’t offer me to stay.” Ryan said.

  “Dude…no.” I laughed at him.

  Theo shook his head and kept going. A few seconds later his door shut. Carrie soothed Ryan and then disappeared into the kitchen. Lori was struggling to reach the banner pinned up on the wall.

  “Let me help you, shrimp.” She elbowed my gut. She hates when I call her that, the few times I do. I couldn’t help it though, when she stands next to me I can see the top of her head perfectly.

  “I hate when you call me that.” I was still laughing. At Ryan and at her.

  I took down the banner and trashed it. No one else was graduating.

  We finished up the rest quickly. I threw the garbage out and came back in the house.

  “Lori?” I called out. No answer.

  I grabbed the overnight bag I packed and trudged up the stairs. Man, I was exhausted. Dead on my feet to be more exact.

  I went in Lori’s bedroom, I knocked first.

  “Yeah.” She called out.

  “Hey,” I swung the door open, “can I use your…shower.” Well shit.

  I just walked in on her naked. Well she had panties on—gray lace panties to be exact.

  “Dillon!” She frantically grabbed a towel and covered herself. Me? All I could do was laugh. I mean, it wasn’t the first time it happened.

  “What? You said yeah. That means come in.”

  Her face was bright red with her blush, her chest raised with a red color from her shower.

  “No, it doesn’t.”

  I came inside and threw my bag on the floor, heading for her bathroom.

  “Yeah, it does.” My eyes betrayed me, traveled past her wet hair, clinging to her chest.

  It was super long, sometimes I imagined her topless with her hair covering her breasts. Normal guy stuff, right?

  “Dillon, stop fucking staring!” I pulled myself out of my ass.

  “Right. Sorry. You know, I’ve seen you naked before.” I cocked a brow. She rolled her eyes.

  “Yeah, when we were in preschool.” That’s how long we’ve been friends. Small town, remember?

  “Only difference is you have boobs.” She reached for the first thing she saw and threw it at me. I caught it anyway. It was a shoe.

  “Hey! They’re nice boobs, don’t worry.”

  I held up my hands in defense. It wasn’t a lie. I had seen plenty of boobs in my day—I’m a football player, I get lots of TNA thrown my way. I only got a glimpse but hers are definitely up on the list.

  “Just go. Please.” She tried to be serious but she was laughing too.

  Even stuff like that wasn’t awkward between us. I guess the perks of having a female best friend is I get to know the ins and outs of the female mind—we have no secrets.

  “Fine.” I laughed again.

  Once the hot water of the shower hit me it felt like heaven. I washed my hair with her girly shampoo. I got out, wrapped a towel around myself and tried to control my hair. I looked in the mirror and saw just how much like shit I looked. My green eyes were dull, red circles were around my eyes. It was the first time I had washed my hair in two days so it looked like a sad, brown mop. Now, I’m not an unhygienic guy; but you know, … finals week.

  I stepped out of the bathroom when I gave up. Lori was sprawled out on her bed, her hair falling out to the side of her head as she read a book. She rested the hardcover book against her boob—must be nice, having such a nice place to rest things.

  “Ugh, put some clothes on.” She turned to see I was standing there.

  “On i
t, boss.” I moved towards my bag and grabbed a pair of boxers.

  “I can blow up an air mattress for you.” She rolled over and looked at me. Though I wasn’t looking at her face, I was looking at the tank top that could barely hold her boobs. I had to think about my balding, fat coach to stop a hard-on.

  “Nah, it’s cool. I’ll just sleep on your couch.” I pointed to the day couch she had on the far wall of her room.

  “Okay. Oh, blankets.” She jumped up and started digging in her linen closet. She had to be doing this on purpose right—the barely there shorts, I mean?

  Anyways. Sometimes I can be a total prick so I waited until she turned around to drop my towel.

  “Dillion!” She shrieked as I laughed.

  “What? Just changing.” She groaned and started dressing the couch for me. I pulled on my briefs and hung the towel back in the bathroom.

  “Thanks.” I told her.

  “Sure.” She sat back on her bed and kept reading.

  “I’m gonna grab a snack.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  We went down to her kitchen together.

  “Hey, I’m sorry about flashing you. Just thought I should make it even.”

  “No worries—already seen you naked. It’s just a bit smaller than I thought.”

  I mocked stabbing myself in the chest.

  “I’m so hurt.” I joked.

  She shook her head and looked through her fridge.

  “We have some leftover chicken salad sandwiches.”

  “Ah, that sounds awesome.” She brought out the tray and grabbed two root beers.

  I sat on the high stool and she sat Indian style on the counter. We ate in relative silence for a while.

  “So, what’s next for you anyway? A crappy desk job?” She scoffed.

  “No, I applied for this internship and I still haven’t heard back yet.”

  “Where is it?”

  “South Carolina.”

  I nodded.

  I went to Clemson, so at least I won’t have to be apart from her if she gets it.

  “There are publishing firms out there? I thought New York was the only place for that."

  “Yeah. It’s small and private but it’s a good start. They publish anthologies and science fiction mostly.” I nodded.

  It was hard enough all through college, being away from her. But if it wasn’t football season I flew or drove out to see her once or twice a month. It wasn’t far, so.