8

I 'm left standing in the dining room, Liv beside me, as Amelia rushes off after hugging Liv goodbye. Her sudden departure leaves a lingering awkwardness in the air. I can't shake the image of her, eyes and mouth wide open, while she just... stood there, watching.

Fuck. I never expected to see her while showering, of all times. The thought of her watching me, it was... unexpected, but if I'm being honest with myself, it was also strangely exciting.

Nah, it straight out turned me the fuck on.

And as if my dick had a mind of its own—let's be real, it does—he, too, liked the thought of it. After she sprinted off, I'd turned the cold water on, dousing my body, which had become a raging inferno, to help push away the thoughts of her and focus on catching her before she bolted out of there.

Caught up in my head, Liv turns to me, concern etched on her face. "Is she acting normal to you?"

I glance at my sister, trying to gather my thoughts. "Dunno. She's your friend?"

I do know something is off. Why would she be acting normal after catching me in the shower, after all? I just can't shake the uneasy feeling now settling in the pit of my stomach. And as if it can't get any worse, I feel a rush travel straight down to my dick.

Not now, wanker.

Minutes pass, and breaking me out of my thoughts, Liv asks. "You right, Bradley?" scepticism evident in her voice.

I clear my throat, shaking my head. "Yeah, just... thinking."

"About?"

"Nothing that concerns you."

She narrows her eyebrows. "You're always thinking."

I shoot back, "Well, it's a hard habit to break." And isn't that an understatement.

Liv rolls her eyes, but her expression softens. "True, but sometimes it's good to take a break from all that thinking, you know?"

I grunt in response, her words hitting a nerve. If only it were that easy.

She has no idea.

That uneasy feeling? I know exactly what it means. I should not be this attracted to Amelia. But I am. Fuck.

I've always prided myself on my restraint, but lately, it feels like I'm losing my grip.

As the afternoon drags on, Liv and I silently carry on with our routines. A buzz from my phone shatters the silence, signalling a new message. Glancing at the screen, I see a message from Xavier in our family group chat.

I inwardly sigh, realising I'll have to push aside thoughts of Amelia for now. Maybe this distraction is what I need. Being around my family, as exhausting as they can be, brings a sense of normalcy. It's a welcome break from the turmoil in my mind.

Ever since Xavier moved in with Isla, making their place our new gathering spot, they've been pushing for these family dinners. Mum used to enforce weekly dinners like it was law. Xavier seems hell-bent on keeping that tradition alive.

My phone buzzes again, this time with multiple texts flooding in from the group chat.

Feeling a bit rebellious, I shoot back a text.

Xavier's reply is swift, trying to sound imposing, but it just makes me scoff silently.

I read their messages with a smirk but stay silent. They're not wrong—I won't be late. It's family dinner, and I'm not about to keep them hanging.

"Liv, you haven't watched the new episode of Fire Country yet? I can't believe it! I just managed to get Xav to catch up," Isla exclaims.

Liv laughs, shaking her head. "I know, I know. I'll watch it soon, I promise."

Xavier nods, looking slightly amused. "Yeah, she's been saying that for weeks now."

As Isla goes on about the TV show, I tune in half-heartedly. TV isn't my thing. My mind's always racing, and sitting still for shows isn't my idea of fun. Sometimes, I need to hit the footpath to clear my head.

Isla and Xavier's place is inviting, filled with the scent of home-cooked meals. We're gathered around their hefty wooden table, loaded with a feast. There's everything—fresh-baked bread, colourful salads, juicy roast chicken, veggies galore, and smooth mashed potatoes.

Isla's got this glow about her; whether it's from the pregnancy or just being with family, I can't tell. I wonder if they're planning to spill the beans soon.

As we settle around the dining table, conversation flows effortlessly, each of us catching up on the latest happenings in our lives. Despite seeing each other often, there's always something new to share. Xav's still managing the farm, now with extra help to tackle the workload and renovations. Isla's a constant presence, balancing her time between the farm and the clinic without ever seeming to take a break.

As Isla and Liv delve into lively discussions about Fire Country , and other shows I've never even heard of, Xavier chimes in with his own commentary. Amidst the chatter and laughter, my thoughts drift away, fixating on Amelia more than I care to admit.

What would it be like if she were here with us at this family dinner?

A part of me imagines her seated at the table, engaging in our banter, and for a fleeting moment, I wish it were true. But I quickly shake off the fantasy. Bringing myself back to the present, I dismiss the thoughts as pointless. I focus on the conversations around me, determined to keep my mind from wandering again.

Xavier's clearing of his throat jolts me back, prompting me to refocus on the discussion at hand.

"You good, Brad?" he asks, his gaze searching mine.

"Fine," I reply with a nod, hoping to brush off any signs of distraction. I glance around the table, hoping my momentary lapse went unnoticed.

"Bradley, you've been quiet over there. How's work been?"

Mum's curious gaze settles on me, and I shift uncomfortably in my seat. Work isn't a topic I enjoy discussing, especially here. I've dealt with my share of cases—some straightforward, others challenging—but work stays at work, a line I prefer not to blur. I clear my throat, trying to dispel the unease settling in my chest.

"It's been fine, Mum," I reply. "Just the usual."

Xavier's gaze lingers on me a moment longer, his curiosity palpable. I quickly divert my attention to my plate, avoiding him.

"So, Isla and I have something we need to tell you all," Xavier chimes. His announcement draws everyone's attention away from me, and for that brief moment, I'm silently grateful.

Mum, always eager for news, leans forward in her seat. "What is it?" she asks eagerly.

Xavier glances at Isla, and they exchange a knowing smile before he continues, "It's still early days, but—"

Before he can finish, Liv interjects with her characteristic impatience, her excitement palpable. "You're pregnant?" she blurts out, eyes widening with surprise.

Isla beams, her smile infectious. "Yes! It's still early, but we couldn't wait to tell you all."

The room fills with congratulations and happy chatter, the joy of the moment spreading like wildfire.

Despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me, I find myself smiling. It's a significant change, and despite Xavier being the older one, I feel a surge of pride and protectiveness for him.

Dad clears his throat, a gruff sound amidst the emotional atmosphere.

"Oh, don't tell me you're crying over there, old man?" I tease, trying to keep things light. Xavier chuckles.

"Fuck off, Bradley. Got somethin' in me eye, is all," he replies gruffly.

"Mhm. Sure thing, bud," I mutter, watching as Dad rises from his seat and claps Xavier on the back, messing up his hair in a playful gesture. Leaning down, he plants a kiss on Isla's tear-streaked cheek. The dogs join in, barking happily at the commotion, and Xavier bends down to give them some affectionate belly scratches.

As the initial excitement settles, Liv bombards Isla with questions about the pregnancy, and Mum gets up to hug them both, tears of happiness glistening in her eyes. I lean back, silently observing the scene unfolding before me. My family, in its evolving and unexpected ways, reminds me of what truly matters.

Seeing Xavier so content, knowing he's about to become a father, stirs thoughts about my own future. The idea of having a family of my own, of being a father someday, tugs at a deep longing inside me.

In that moment, amidst the love and laughter of my family, I can't deny it—I yearn for that one day.

My phone vibrates on the table, pulling me out of my thoughts. I pick it up and see a text from Daniels.

I contemplate it. Maybe hanging out with that boofhead might settle my thoughts.

Amelia

I'm sitting on my couch, take-away from Madison's spread out in front of me. I tap on my phone and open FaceTime, calling my sister, Kat. It's not long before her face fills the screen, and little Millie's bright eyes peek over her shoulder.

"Hey, you two," I greet them, trying to keep my voice light despite the turmoil in my head.

"Hi, Meli!" Millie chirps, her little hand waving enthusiastically.

"Hey, sis," Kat says, a knowing smirk already forming on her lips. "So, what the bloody hell was that today?"

I groan, sinking further into the couch. I had texted her earlier, and of course, she's bringing it up again. "Nothing. Shush. There are children present."

Kat scoffs. "Oh please. Hey, Millie, cover your ears for me, okay?" she says casually.

I hear Millie's little voice respond, "Okay."

I shake my head. "Is she actually doing it?"

Kat turns the camera to show Millie sitting on the floor with her ears covered while still watching the TV. Oh, bless her.

I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "He was... in the shower, but I'd thought it was Liv… so, I'd lingered, and then…" I trail off, feeling my face heat up.

Her eyes widen in amusement. "So… was it big ?"

I blush furiously, shaking my head. "Kat, come on!"

She bursts into laughter, Millie joining in, though she doesn't quite understand the joke. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist!" Kat manages to say between giggles. I cover my face with my hands.

"Well, at least it'll make for a good story," Kat says, still chuckling. "You'll laugh about this one day."

I nod, trying to see the humour in it. "Yeah, one day."

As I picture him in the shower, rippling muscles, water dripping down his body, his member on full display, my whole body shudders.

But the image lingers, haunting me, tempting me with thoughts I shouldn't entertain. I shake my head, trying to dispel the thoughts. This is wrong, I remind myself. He's my best friend's brother, for crying out loud. But the more I try to push the image away, the more vivid it becomes.

His deep voice, his piercing gaze, the way his wet skin glistened under the water... Stop it, Amelia , I scold myself. This is not what I should be thinking about.

But the butterflies in my stomach continue to flutter, betraying my resolve.