Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 26

Colby

I kept thinking about what happened when Lia was approaching us just as those girls were blatantly flirting with us as we waited for her to come outside. They just walked up to us, giggling and trying to engage in conversation with us.

Rain started talking to them right away, but he was a friendly outgoing guy. He likely didn’t even realize they were flirting. Meanwhile, Matt just kept grunting in response to their questions and Jesse blatantly ignored them! I was the only one attempting to genuinely talk to them while aware of what they were trying to do.

It was disrespectful for them to do it when they knew Lia was nearby.

The second she saw the girls, I saw the jealousy flash across her face. She was experiencing a case of the green-eyed monster rearing it’s ugly head. It happened with me and the guys, but in Lia’s case, there was no reason for her to be jealous!

I had no interest in anyone but Lia. The same could be said for Rain, Matt, and Jesse. Speaking for them wasn’t something I’d normally do. Except in this case because I knew I could safely answer for them.

As much as I hated to think of Lia being jealous… it also filled me with some joy. For weeks now I wondered if any of us were making any real headway in our relationship with Lia. Now I knew that she might deny her feelings again and again, but there was something there that she felt for us.

When the realization hit me, I hopped on the group chat to talk to the guys. They should hear what I had to say.

Guys, I think Lia was jealous. -C

Jealous? Of what? -R

Do you remember when those girls from her school were fawning over us at the pickup? -C

Yes, what about it? -M

Lia was glaring. Like, actual daggers. -C

She glares at you all the time. -R

No, this was different. Trust me, it was jealousy. -C

Jealous? Lia? I don’t see it. -J

I swear. Especially when that one girl asked if we were single. Lia looked like she wanted to throw something. -C

Or someone. -M

Exactly! You saw it too, Matt, didn’t you? -C

…Maybe. -M

Wow, Matt agrees with Colby. This might be a sign of the apocalypse. -R

She probably just thought they were annoying. I mean, they were. -M

Or she didn’t like them around us. You know because she’s jealous. -C

Or protective. Significant difference. -J

No, it was jealous. I could tell. -C

What does it even mean if she was jealous? -R

It means she’s starting to care. -C

Or it means you’re imagining things. -M

Not imagining. I’m observant. -C

You’re a menace. -J

I prefer “charming.” -C

You’d better not bring it up to her. -M

Why not? It’s funny. -C

Because she’ll shut down, genius. -J

Jesse’s right. If you push too far, she’ll probably stop talking to us altogether. -M

She wouldn’t stop talking to me. She loves me. -C

Colby, you’re delusional. -R

Delusional but right. Admit it, you’re all a little jealous that I’m her favorite. -C

“I was doing fine until you sat down next to me and started asking strange questions,” I admitted, eying him warily. “What’s wrong with you?” 1

“Nothing is wrong with me. Why do you think something is automatically wrong with me?”

“Do I need to repeat what I just said?” I asked with a roll of my eyes. “Colby, stop with this crap and just tell me what is going on. The sooner you get to it the sooner I can move on and finish my school work. This is the last batch I have to do before graduation and I’m eager to get it done.

Colby sighed. “Okay, fine we’ll get right to it then. I saw how you were the other day and I just wanted to talk about it.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Lia, you don’t have to be ashamed of it. Jealousy is completely normal.”

My cheeks turned bright red, the blush spreading down to my neck.

“Why are you doing this to me? I think you want to embarrass me.”

“No!” Colby exclaimed. “That’s not what I want to do at all, Lia. I just want to let you know that it’s okay to feel jealous. It is completely normal.”

I sighed softly. “Okay, I was jealous. Why do we even need to talk about it?”

“Like I said, I just want you to know that it’s okay. But you also don’t have anything to worry about. None of us have any interest in anyone but you.”

“I know that, Colby. You don’t have to tell me that but I do appreciate it nonetheless.”

Even though I knew none of the guys had eyes for only me, I still felt this happiness rush over me at hearing it confirmed. I smiled, ducking my head so Colby wouldn’t see the silly grin on my face. 1

“You blushing and grinning like an idiot aren’t you?” Colby teased.

“Are you calling me an idiot?” I questioned, frowning at him, but I was teasing.

He snorted. “I can tell you bullshitting me.”

Laughing, I nudged him with my elbow.

“Thanks.”