Rescued by My Best Friend's Brother

Rescued by My Best Friend's Brother A Brother's Best Friend Romance A.L. Elkins A.L. Elkins Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name] All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Contents 1. Chapter One 1. Elena 2. Chapter Two 2. Elena 3. Chapter Three 3. Jasper 4. Chapter Four 4. Elena 5. Chapter Five 5. Jasper 6. Chapter Six 6. Jasper 7. Chapter Seven 7. Elena 8. Chapter Eight 8. Jasper 9. Chapter Nine 9. Elena 10. Chapter Ten 10. Jasper 11. Chapter Eleven 11. Elena 12. Chapter Twelve 12. Jasper 13. Chapter Thirteen 13. Elena 14. Chapter Fourteen 14. Jasper 15. Chapter Fifteen 15. Elena 16. Chapter Sixteen 16. Jasper 17. Chapter Seventeen 17. Jasper 18. Chapter Eighteen 18. Jasper 19. Chapter Nineteen 19. Elena 20. Chapter Twenty 20. Jasper 21. Chapter Twenty-One 21. Elena 22. Chapter Twenty-Two 22. Elena 23. Chapter Twenty-Three 23. Jasper 24. Chapter Twenty-Four 24. Elena 25. Chapter Twenty-Five 25. Elena 26. Chapter Twenty-Six 26. Jasper 27. Chapter Twenty-Seven 27. Elena 28. Epilog 28. Elena More By A.L. Elkins Chapter One Elena I never thought I would find myself in the pouring rain, soaking wet, and standing on a dimly lit porch, waiting on my best friend to open the door so I could fall into her arms. I thought by now, I would be happily married in my own home, starting a family, since all of mine had either abandoned me or died. I had no one, and although Josie had told me I could stay with her after I’d texted her, I had no idea if our friendship would be the same after ghosting her these last few years—or was it more? Josie, my best friend since middle school, had been placed on the back burner shortly after I met my ex. It wasn’t intentional, but when I think back on it, I am sure Bradley had his hand in separating me from her. It is my fault that I’d allowed it. I hate that I did that to her. She deserves a better friend, but here I am, desperate, cold, and alone. I let out one last sob before finally knocking on the door. I hope she is still awake. It is pretty late. Maybe, I should have waited until tomorrow. But where? Where would I have gone? I have no money. The only things I have are this backpack and the few items in my barely running Dodge Neon. My life has been this way for too long. Goosebumps rise on my arms, and the cool night breeze sends a chill through me. I hold back my shivers, trying not to look like a ragged dog begging for a treat. I press the doorbell and scan the house. It is awfully large. I hope I am at the right address. I typed it in just like she sent it to me. If I am at the right house, then Josie must be doing pretty well for herself. The dark walnut door swings open, but no one stands in the doorway. “Can I help you?” a small voice asks. I bring my gaze downwards to find a little girl with a short bob. Is this Josie’s niece? I knew her brother, Jasper, had gotten married and had a kid, but I thought she was younger… much younger. She sort of reminded me of the character, Matilda, the way she set her hand on her hip and raised those dark brows. “Who are you?” she asked. I give her my best smile, though it probably looks extremely forced. “Um. Yeah. Uh. Is—” Jasper, the last person I wanted to see, appeared. He is just a little older than me, but to say we never got along is an understatement. In fact, we despised each other. He hated the way I “influenced” his sister, when in reality, she did more of the influencing. I just hated the way he acted so much better than us. All he ever did in high school was spend hours upon hours playing those stupid video games. But that teenager no longer stood in front of me. He had changed in a way that made me a little uncomfortable. He still had his dark, wavy hair, but it is well-kept and styled with experience. He still wears his black-rimmed glasses, but instead of the large dorky ones, he looks like a professional businessman. Even now, he wears a light blue collared shirt that made his blue eyes pop. And beneath that shirt was no scraggly teen. It felt strange to find him attractive. It all disappears when I notice him scanning me with a grimace look on his acne-free face. I clutch one of my arms with the opposite hand, covering my body. I suddenly feel naked, seen. “Elena?” he asks, his voice much deeper than I remember. “Sorry, this was the address Josie had given me a while back. I didn’t know it’s your house,” I mumble. “What are you doing on my porch?” He glances down at his watch, one that looks quite expensive. “And at nine o’clock at night?” “Sorry,” I say again. “Do you know where Josie is?” He peers down at my luggage and sighs. Classic Jasper. He looks at the little girl. I’d forgotten she had even answered the door. “Get ready for bed, baby girl.” He holds her chin with his hand and kisses her forehead. “I’ll be up in a few minutes after I take care of this.” She nods. “Love ya, Daddy.” “Love you, too.” He smiles as she skips away. The smile fades into pursed lips. “What do you want with my sister, Elena?” He speaks in a flat tone, showing no signs of sympathy. I glance down at my phone and open the thread of messages between Josie and me. “Is this Josie’s