Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 147

Chapter 147: Welcome Back 

Brianna 

“Thank you, David.” I said as he grabbed for the door. Then I turned to my brother, his features relaxed on his face.

“Hey, kiddo.” He held an arm out for me to give him a hug.

“Welcome back, I had the maid clean your room so the sheets are fresh and there is no dust or anything.” He assured me. I hugged him tightly but released him quickly. He isn't the most affectionate person but he does have a soft spot for me.

“You are looking around the place like you forget what it looks like. Does it feel weird to be back for good?” He asked, taking my carry on bag out of my hand. He walked it over to the entry of my bedroom where the men had lined up my luggages.

“Gosh, how much shit did you have?” He chuckled.

“It does feel a bit weird to know this isn't a visit but a permanent arrangement again. I kind of got used to London and I am certainly still on their clock because I am exhausted.” I chuckled. It is only nine in the night here and I am yawning. When he still arched his brow at my luggages, I smiled sheepishly at him.

“A few things accumulated over time, your Christmas present didn't help any. I left here with a whole new bag, remember?” I blamed him but a good suitcase full of things was actually due to Callan and all his gifts. The last of it was the shopping spree u had on the same day he walked out on me. I don't like to think about it, I certainly wouldn't tell Bryce where it came from.

“You can call it early if you would like but I do have some food waiting in the dining room. I wasn't sure if you would feel fed on the plan. So..”. He trailed off, I actually did have food on the plan because the thing was so damn fancy but I couldn't eat again. 

I waved him off to walk in there to show me what he got, it was light finger food which was perfect for now. Bryce and I sat down and started talking a little about the same stuff he always asks me. What is new? Is usually where we start.

“Things seem to be really picking up for you. I won't lie, I didn't expect all this so soon for you. Are you handling it well?” He asked.

“Meaning?” He shrugged.

“Meaning, you can get lost in the fast life.” I snorted a laugh.

“Bryce, I am not out partying with celebrities, I am working alongside a seventy-five year old woman who is also very straight-laced by the way.”

“All that will come with the territory though, just be careful. I am happy to see your name out there but the more attention you get, the more people know what you are up to. I know you worked hard to cut all those people out of your past but things have changed.” He reminded me. He is mainly talking about our family, more specifically our father.

“I will say, I didn't intend on ever modeling but after meeting Dontella, she had a vision with my images involved. It is fun side work and it gives me the opportunity to work with other fashion houses I admire. Like I have a shoot for Chanel coming up and I am very excited about it but I have also made it clear to Dontella that I want to design clothing. She knows I want to make a name for myself outside of being her muse. She has it all for it, so I feel like I am in a good place. I am still so young, so collaborating with someone so influential will be of great use for me. I am learning so much.” 

He looked pleased with everything I was telling him and he has always supported my career choices and the dreams attached to them. He was sitting across the table from me in a relaxed version of his suit. He probably only recently came back from work, whatever that entails. He looked the same, but things around me felt different. Maybe it is all in my head but I feel as though I am taking things in for the very first time. Surreal almost, though I didn't know why.

“You never give me an update on your life.” I decided to call him out after a moment of quiet eating.

“There aren't events occurring the way things are happening for you. It is work and we don't talk about work.” He reminded me.

“Well, I hope you are at least being safe.” I commented, his line of work frightens me.

“Everything is fine on my end, baby sis. Don't worry.” He waved me off.

I studied his expression but he has a stone wall just like his best friend. I wish I could ask about him but I can't do that, not with my brother. I don't know what he even knows about Callan's last visit to me but Callan had said things were handled when I asked if Bryce knew he was there pursuing me. If Bryce knows anything at all, he has never let on that he does. He is probably happy that we no longer have any lines of communication between us. For a second he looked contemplative.

“What is it?” I asked, I knew the expression and what it meant. He was weighing the pros and cons about telling me something. Whatever it is, I would rather he tell me.

“Nothing,” he grabbed his drink and took a sip.

“I don't believe you.” I frowned.

“It is nothing, Brianna. I was just making a mental note for work.” He replied.

Again, I studied him but it is of no use. I Just nodded and let it go as I always seem to do when it comes to him. To dwell is to strain what Bryce and I have. If I think too much about his line of work or his secrets or anything else that makes him someone other than who I thought he was, then a sour taste can form at the back of my mouth. So I didn't think, I just looked at him and saw my protective brother. That is all I want to see.

****

Bryce and I had been hanging out on the sofa after having eaten together. I wasn't expecting company tonight, so when there was a loud banging on the door, it made me jump out of my skin. I quickly looked at my brother to see if he was reacting the same way. When he reached behind him like he was ready to grab something odd in his waist, I got nervous that trouble was here. Trouble was definitely here, just not the kind I feared.

When he swung the door open, a high pitched scream echoed through the apartment. My head whipped in its direction and barreling towards me was my best friend. Jane Harold, looking as glamorous as ever. I hopped up and met her half way, I could hear my brother grumbling at our loud reunion but my focus came back to Jane.

“Oh my goodness, I missed you. Look at this Versace outfit, are you kidding me? I am obsessed.” She took in my wide pant leg jeans and fluffy black heels. I had the dangling earrings and tape recorded bag.

“This is so cute.” I tugged on her fabulous top.

“Isn't it? I went shopping yesterday.” She grinned.

“Of course, you did.” I chuckled.

We often grab hands when we speak, I have no idea why but it is a habit at this point. I walked her out of the entry and over to the living room where my brother went back to his spot on the other end of the sofa. He kept my decorum while I was gone. The candles in front of the sofa and the vase where I kept the pink flowers, though there aren't any right now. These are replacements from the ones he and Callan broke the day they fist fought in the apartment. Bryce told me to just buy fake flowers or I will kill every penoy in this city but it just isn't the same.

“Let's go to your room, I want to gossip.” Jane said before I could fully reach the seat. She glanced over her shoulder and flipped her hair over it.

“No offense, Bryce, we love you and all.” She teased him. He just rolled his eyes and told us he wasn't getting up. So if we wanted privacy, we were welcome to go to my room like she suggested.

I have already spent the last few hours with my brother, so I didn't feel as bad about leaving him to spend a little private time with my best friend. I have seen her in five months, five months with her and five months without her, aside from the occasional visit.  I always wondered if Callan was privy to that information whenever she had come to London. He had made it pretty clear he didn't want to pay for her to live there but he doesn't keep tabs on his little sister very often.