Kiara
After completing the final step of the revision process, I send my manuscript to three different publishing houses. The thought of being rejected again lingers in the back of my mind, whispering doubts about my future as a writer.
I mean, if it happens, I'll still have some time before I run out of money, but what happens if I don't get a book contract before I'm broke? I'll end up on the street, begging my parents to move back in while I hear Lavender and Jordan fucking every night in the next room. The thought curdles my stomach, the ramen I just ate threatening to come back up.

No! I've been through enough with that whole situation, I will not allow them to ruin my life any more than they have. I just have to believe my writing is good enough this time.
I glance up from the couch as Trey strolls in with the biggest grin on his face, like he hasn't just worked six long hours at his restaurant. Business seems to be booming since he followed my advice and redid his menu. His chef, Alex, came over the other day and after they came up with the specials for the rest of the month, I helped create delicious, enticing descriptions that would spark the interest of their customers.
We're equal now, I think. I helped him with his restaurant and he was the inspiration for the sex scenes in my book. I think my male character, Eric, carries the same confidence and dominance as Trey, but he's also a gentle giant. Only my female character, Xaria, has a way of bringing that out in him.
I wonder if I'm Trey's Xaria.
He greets me with a quick "hey". Then, he starts stripping off his shirt as he walks into his bedroom. A minute later, I hear the shower kick on.
Dirty thoughts immediately plague my mind. It would be so simple just to go in there, pull back the curtain, and beg him to fuck me against the wall, but the thoughts dissolve as quickly as they appeared.

I should applaud myself for my self control the past two weeks...or maybe I should appreciate every time someone or something interrupted us.
Trey emerges from the bathroom half an hour later wearing a blue flannel shirt and navy blue jeans. I watch curiously as he puts on a black cowboy hat, salivating at how sexy he looks. "Uh, where are you going that you're wearing that?" I ask, burning the memory of this outfit into my brain. I feel my control snapping like a thin rubber band. I may end up fucking him tonight, and I don't see anything cockblocking us.
"We're going out tonight, Cupcake," he says brightly.
I furrow my brows, glancing down at my phone. "It's almost midnight. Where are we going?"

He grins. "It's a surprise."
A surprise? The thought of us going out together fills me with a mixture of anxiety and excitement.
"Is this a...date?" I ask, biting my lip.
"Nope. Just two friends going out for some fun."
"Oh." I feel a slight sense of relief, although the word "friend" is starting to put a bitter taste in my mouth. If we're just friends, is he going to hit on or be hit on by women in front of me? I could barely handle it at the hospital, I can't imagine the jealousy I would feel if someone flirts with him this time, especially with him wearing this outfit.
"I kinda pulled an outfit from your bag that complements mine, I hope that's okay. It's on the bed for you," he says, rubbing the back of his neck.
My eyes widen. "You picked out an outfit?" He nods, and I practically race to the room. On the bed, a pair of jeans and a white button-front crop top await me, with black boots sitting neatly on the floor.
I wonder if we're going to a rodeo or something. I'm kind of excited to go out. All I do is write lately, and now that it's completed, I'm ready for a long break from my laptop. Since Candy left and I have no other friends, it's nice to have someone to go out with.
I put on the outfit and find Trey sitting on the couch, a smirk forming on his face as he glances up. "Damn, that looks even better than I imagined," he breathes.
I feel a warm glow spreading across my face. "Uh, thank you. I guess we should get going?"
"Hold up, I almost forgot." He gets up and goes to the room returning with a hat identical to his but smaller. His hazel eyes glimmer with amusement as he puts it on my head. He steps back and admires the whole ensemble. "Perfect," he purrs.
I purse my lips. Obviously, this hat is not his. I don't want to wear anything that other women he has been with have worn. "How long have you had this?" I ask, trying to hide the bitterness in my voice.
He bites back a smile, entertained by my poorly hidden jealousy. "Bought it a few days ago, you just weren't paying attention."
He...he bought it for me?
"Oh," I mumble, the tension in my voice.
He doesn't hide his amusement as he hooks his arm around mine and we head to the car. There's a short ride to our destination, my stomach flipping and flopping the entire time. We pull up in the parking lot of a place called, "Rhythm and Boots".
I cling to his side as we enter the building where people are dancing or sitting at the bar drinking. There's a mixture of scents, tobacco, whiskey, and the earthy aroma of cowboy boots. I look around in awe. How have I lived in Virginia so long, and never heard of a place like this?
"Do you want a drink?" Trey offers, still standing beside me.
I shake my head. "The last two weeks have been...enlightening. I've never not wanted a drink so badly."
Plus, the last time I drank around him, I acted like a slut.
Never again!
He lets out a dry chuckle. "Yeah, I feel you. The day we met was the last time I had a drink. I realized that it's just too easy to go down the same path they did."
The air pulsates with vibrant energy, a large group of people on the dancefloor spinning, dipping, flipping, and shit. I watch in amazement, swaying along to the music. There's not one person there that doesn't look like they're having the time of their lives.
"Do you wanna dance?" He reaches his hand out to me and I take it, feeling a jolt of energy. My heart is racing as he pulls me to the dance floor and envelopes me in his arms.
"I don't know how to dance," I admit, nervously biting my lip.
"No problem. I'll teach you," he whispers close to my ear.
How does he even know how to do this?
Oh yeah, they probably do this shit every day in Texas.
His eyes hold a mix of confidence and excitement as he places one hand on my waist and the other holds mine. "Relax and follow my lead," he instructs with a warm smile.
He takes a step and I mirror it, deciding to trust him completely. If I fall and bust my ass, I know he'll catch me. As the dance unfolds, the music envelops us in its lively embrace as we move in sync. Step by step, twirl by twirl, I slowly become more confident...more immersed in the connection we share.
His eyes never leave mine, and it's like the world around us fades away as the walls I have around my heart come crashing down. It's just me and him and we're in our own universe where we don't have to fight our lust for each other. A universe where this isn't the biggest betrayal to my best friend. Where I don't have to pretend that his every touch doesn't affect me. Where I won't have to leave in a few days and we can have more nice moments like this.
From the longing in his eyes and the subtle caress of his touch, I wonder if he’s experiencing his own inner conflict about this.
I silently wish this song never ends and I can be in his arms forever. I giggle as he dips me, his lips brushing so closely to mine. Fear and desire wash over me. I want to kiss him so fucking bad, but he suddenly pulls me back up and spins me around before wrapping his arms around me and pulling me against his chest.
Our hearts pound loudly, our breaths coming out in pants as we step back and forth. Emotion bubbles up inside of me, my throat growing thick, and I quickly pull back from him. I look anywhere but at him as he spins me again, but our bodies continue to move perfectly in harmony. My heart skips a beat as realization hits me like a freight train.
I'm falling in love with him.
No, it can't be. I mean, Trey said from the beginning that he doesn't do love, so there's no way he could feel that "L" word for me. I feel foolish for mistaking simple lust for something more. Falling in love with my best friend's brother—how incredibly stupid!
My head is spinning, and every touch from Trey sends shivers down my spine. I'm gasping for breath and struggling to compose myself, feeling an urgent need to escape.
Okay, this song is too long.
This is wayyy too intense.
I'm drowning in feelings I can't admit aloud, and there's no safety vest!
"Come back to me," Trey murmurs, snapping me from my thoughts. My eyes move to his and he smiles, gently caressing my cheek. "There's my Cupcake."