Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 197

Chapter 197: You Lied To Me 

Brianna

“Gabe and Roy are also close so they were all around each other, hanging out and stuff. Roy's father went to prison right before he graduated high school and his mother, I have no idea about. So he moved in with Gabe's family for a couple of months but then he kind of just went off on his own. Him and Gabe helped Mr. Vortex run the crime family though. So yes, Roy was a ladies man of course, a troublemaker of course and kind of a chill dude at the same time. I feel like his reputation was like, known as a good time guy unless you sparked his temper then you were screwed.” I nodded to everything Jane has said.

A few stories between him and her, they surprisingly never hook up before and when I asked why she shrugged and said he never pursued her.

“I like that he knows he is inferior, Callan thinks he is god.” She compared them the way I was trying to.

“That was just a line to get in my past, do you believe every word that comes out of a guy's mouth?” I chuckled.

“Oh, come on. You heard him say on the phone that he has a crush on you.”

The weird feeling in my gut reappeared when she reminded me.

“I am damaged goods, I don't want to lead him in.” I huffed. We were in her room on her king size soft comfy bed.

“Oh, please, Brianna. Don't do this to yourself. Get over the men who are shit to you and give Roy a chance. Sure, he isn't an actual good guy but it doesn't mean he can't be good to you, he has already done a better job than most.” She looked at me pointedly.

“Honestly, Jane. I am just sitting here worried about all of their safety. That is so not on my radar right now.” I shook my head and her face flattered in disappointment.

When my phone buzzed, I practically jumped for it. I was so relieved to see it was Bryce and he was assuring me he was just fine.

“My brother is on his way home, I am going to get going.” I told her as I started gathering my things. He said he would pick me up on the way home. I can't wait to confront him anymore about this war he has lied to me about. 

The fact that Callan Harold was shot today is too close for comfort, he might be horrible to me but I would never want anything to happen to him. I still felt that deep pit in my gut when I heard he wasn't safe. When I heard Bryce was outside, I hugged Jane and rushed off to the car and as soon as I sat inside, I could feel the vibe was off. He really looked mad.

“Are you okay? I was so worried today.” I started and his eyes shifted to me and he appeared to be studying me for a second.

“Where were you last night, Brianna?” He asked, throwing me off by the question. I opened and closed my mouth realizing if he is mad, it is because he already knows the answer to that. But how?

“What happened today, Bryce?” I decided to start calling him out before he could with me. He clenched his jaw and nodded his head.

“Alright, we are going to talk at the house.” He said, started to drive off but much faster than he needed to.

I quickly put on my seatbelt, my mind started racing with thoughts the closer we got to home. It was dead silent in the car but I could feel his anger through the silence. How could he possibly know l lied last night unless Angelo told him. But he told me he wouldn't tell my brother, so I can't see why he would randomly do so right in the middle of a serious issue they are having at work. Did Roy say something? Maybe not to my brother directly but if he was bragging that he screwed me then it would explain Bryce finding out and him being pissed. That soured my gut at the thought.

When we got to the house, it only took us get into the foyer for Bryce to start going.

“Answer me, Brianna. Where were you last night?” He asked again.

“No, we weren't talking about me. We were going to talk about you and how you have been lying to me for weeks about your safety and mine. You have a war happening and you really looked me in the face and told me everything was fine!” He cracked his neck and released a harsh breath.

“I don't want you involved in any of this, how many times do I have to tell you that? I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to worry you, you see how nervous you were today? You would be upset every day and why would I want to do that?” He tried sounding like the good guy.

“You lied to me,” I deadpanned.

“And so did you.” He retorted quickly. I fidgeted with my hands which probably just shows my brother I was guilty.

“What are you saying?” I stupidly asked as I followed him away from the foyer and to the middle area between the kitchen and the living room.

“Don't play dumb with me, Brianna. I know you were with Roy last night! What the hell is it about you and my goddamn friends? You lied to me, right to my face and told me you were going to Jane. I thought you were safe and clearly had no idea you weren't where I thought you were. And looked how dangerous that could have been today when people's lives were at risk. You can't do that?” He shouted at me and I hated it when he did.

“Because I am an adult but you treat me like a child. You wouldn't let me talk to Roy or anyone else for that matter. I had to lie.” I huffed, I know it is a shitty excuse but it is true.

“Brianna, these guys are mafias and players. Do you honestly think that is what I want for my baby sister? You have been around enough shitty men, I don't want that for you.” 

He was angry but maintaining his full temper so far so he could get his point across. He is tall and built but he doesn't tower a person the way his best friend does when he is angry. He shoves at his sleeve a lot or pushes his fingers through his hair but he isn't making me flinch back with nerves.

“You lied to me and I lied to you, how about we just stop lying but you can't tell me what to do, Bryce and I won't let you. I know you don't want me with shitty men but Roy hasn't been shitty to me.” I tried to defend my latest action and he snorted and shook his head.

“Roy is just like Callan, they are dangerous and they are always with different women. They were just general assholes with bad attitudes, I don't just say this because they were my friends and it is embarrassing to me to have these guys screwing around with my sister. I say it because I know what is best for you and they are not it.” He really put the guilt on me.

Roy had to be bragging then if my brother feels embarrassed about this. I really wanted him to be decent but this feeling right now sucks.

“I hate that we were talking about this rather than the fact that your best friend was shot at today and you could have been there with him. And what is going to happen now? I don't want to be in the dark about this Bryce.” I tried switching gears but I knew he was fixated on this right now.

I think there are more important things happening than who I am screwing. He sighed and leaned his back into the wall where we were standing in front of one another. I was still fidgeting with my hands in last night's outfit.

“Kiddo, I don't tell you these things because I don't want you looking at me differently. Maybe if you were okay with my lifestyle, I would be more open with you but I don't want you to hate me.” He surprised me by saying. Hate him? I don't think I ever could.

“You are all I have, Bryce. How do you think I would hate you? What do you do that is so bad?” My gut clenched in anticipation. It has to be bad right.

“Let's sit, I will try and explain things a little bit better to you but please, I don't want you asking questions.” He ushered me to our sofa.

Inside the apartment was bright with the overhead lights but through the glass, it was dark outside. The city below us was twinkling with the glowing of lights but I knew those streets were more dangerous than I had previously even realized. Dangerous for all of us