She's Still The One: A Brother's Best Friend, Rockstar Romance Kaci Rose (essential reading txt) 📖

someone, much less my brother of all people. We've always been a team, him and me. There’s no way he believes that, but he still said it.

Once my emotions are under control, I start driving. I get on the highway not even paying attention to which way I'm going, but I end up downtown. I randomly take a few major exits and put Nashville in my rearview mirror. I crank up the music and try not to think. I want to let all the anger and emotion go and clear my head.

Of everything I expected to come out of Landon's mouth, I never thought it would be that no one was good enough; that he could be that selfish.

Then again, I never thought I'd see the day he was so harsh to his best friend either, and that he'd put him down that way. It makes me wonder what else he has been feeding to Dallas over the years.

For a fleeting moment, I have a thought, is all this worth it? I can easily pack up and point my car west and be somewhere new in a day or two, and everything can go back to normal.

But it can't, can it? After having this time with Dallas, my heart will never be the same, and we will never be the same. The thought of walking away from him rips my heart out, and I know I'm in this for the long haul no matter what happens with Landon.

There’s a sign for a scenic overlook ahead, so I take the exit and park. The view is amazing. I’m on top of a small mountain, overlooking a small town with more mountains in the background.

I sit on the low stone wall and let the wind hit my face. Here all my problems feel so small.

A car pulls in a few spaces down, and a couple, slightly older than me, gets out. They have huge smiles all over their faces, as they take in the view. You can tell how much in love they are just by the way they look at each other.

He stands behind her and wraps his arms around her, as she leans back into him. My eyes water, because I want that so badly. I thought I had it, and if I'm honest, I still do if Dallas meant what he said, and I know he did.

In that moment, I know I will fight for Dallas and me, because I meant what I said this morning, too. He’s worth it, and I choose him. I choose us.

I sigh. If I'm honest, I didn't run, because I was unsure of my feelings for Dallas. I ran, because I was unsure if I can live with Landon right now. I don't want to be around him; I want our bubble back.

I want to be wrapped in Dallas's arms. I want to fall asleep that way and wake up that way.

I get back in my car and reach a spot where the highway splits. I can go south towards the beach or keep heading towards the mountains. With how small my problems felt on that overlook, the choice is easy. I continue towards the mountains.

The highway narrows, and I'm not sure what I'm looking for, but I see an exit labeled scenic drive, so I get off, figuring at the very least, I can have some pretty views, while I figure things out. I only make it a few miles, before the answer to everything sits right in front of me.

Talk about a sign.

Chapter 28

Dallas

Now, it's my turn to be mad. The hurt is Austin's eyes and making her run out of here like that, fuck. No one does that to her. I don't care who you are; I won't even let Landon treat her like that. What the hell has gotten into him?

I turn to Landon, who is still staring at the door Austin just slammed.

For a moment, I think about running after her, but I know she needs to think and clear her head, and I will give her that while I deal with Landon. Even though, all I want to do is tell him to fuck off and go after my girl.

When he finally turns his gaze back to me, I speak the one truth that trumps everything else. It's also the last thing I'm sure he's expecting me to say.

"I love her and have since high school," I admit for the first time out loud. It feels wrong that Landon is the first one to hear it, but it needs to be said. I'm putting all my cards on the table.

He just stares at me. There’s no emotion on his face, so I say what I had planned.

"Yeah, I slept around, but I was always honest with them, and I didn't want commitment. I didn't want it if it wasn't with Austin. I had it in my head she would never want me. I want you to know I haven't slept with her. She's different, and she’s more important."

"You haven't slept with her?" He looks shocked.

"I haven't. This time with her has only made me fall in love with her even more, and I realized I can't live without her."

I pause and let that sink in.

Landon studies my face, while his is still blank of emotion.

"I hate to lose you. You’re my best friend, but I can't live without her. So, don't make me choose, because there’s no contest, it will always be her."

He sighs and runs his hands over his face.

"I remembered what yesterday was, and I canceled my trip and got back as fast as I could," he says. He's talking about the anniversary of my mom's death.

"I had Austin. We talked, and I told her everything, even how I used to spend the day. You always said I hadn't dealt with it, and I think you were right. There was a part of it I couldn't talk to even you about,