Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card (Jessie and Luke)

ESCAPE

JOSH - PRESENT DAY

The daycare parking lot was half-empty by the time I pulled up, late as usual. The setting sun cast long shadows over the playground, and I could see a few lingering toddlers wobbling around as teachers corralled them toward their waiting parents.

Asha's little face brightened when she spotted me through the window. She pressed her chubby hands against the glass, her tiny nose scrunching up in excitement. Guilt stabbed through me. She deserved better than a father who was constantly distracted, constantly exhausted, constantly angry at the world.

I barely managed a smile as I stepped inside. Miss Worth- Vivien-was kneeling beside Asha, helping her into her little pink sneakers. The sight of her made my jaw tighten. She looked up, and the moment our eyes met, something in my chest twisted. Hazel eyes, soft but assessing, framed by a cascade of dark curls.

Nothing about her reminded me of Laura. That's what made it worse.

"Daddy!" Asha's little legs carried her forward in an unsteady run, her arms outstretched. I bent down, scooping her up before she could trip over her own feet. She buried her face in my neck, her warm breath tickling my skin.

"Hey, baby girl," I murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She smelled like baby shampoo and finger paint.

0.00%

<

15:04

ESCAPE

Vivien straightened, brushing her hands against her skirt. "Rough day?" she asked, her voice careful.

I exhaled sharply. "Something like that."

She nodded, not pushing. "Asha had a good day. She-"

11:288 Nouchers

That's when I noticed it. The tear in Asha's little white shirt, right near her shoulder.

"What the hell happened?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, and Asha flinched slightly in my arms. Vivien's brows knit together.

"It's nothing serious," she said quickly. "She got a little tangled up on the jungle gym. It didn't even leave a mark."

Asha, oblivious to my rising frustration, wiggled in my arms. "Snack, Daddy?" she asked, rubbing her tired eyes with a pudgy fist.

I barely heard her. "She shouldn't be getting 'tangled up' at all," I snapped. "Isn't someone supposed to be watching her? For the money I am paying that shouldn't happen."

!

Vivien's expression cooled. "Josh, we do watch her. It's a playground. Toddlers stumble. She wasn't hurt."

I clenched my jaw, barely suppressing the urge to lash out again. I knew I was being an asshole. I knew it wasn't fair. But I was pissed at the universe, at myself, at this never-ending sense of helplessness. "Hmmm," I grunted, keeping myself in check - barely, adjusting Asha on my hip.

30.42%

15:04noveldrama

<

ESCAPE

288 /urers.

Vivien hesitated like she wanted to say something, but then she just sighed. "Drive safe."

I didn't answer. I just turned on my heel and left, buckling Asha into her car seat as she babbled to herself, completely unaware of my foul mood.

That night, after I'd managed to get Asha bathed and into bed, I sat on the couch, staring at my phone.

Vivien's name flashed on the screen.

We hadn't really talked since Christmas. Since that one night, we had dinner. Since the moment I realized how much I fucking liked looking at her. Since the moment I realized how wrong it felt, how much it felt like a betrayal. Since I palmed my own cock to the thought of her mouth wrapped around it.

For months, I'd buried myself in getting Laura into the rehabilitation program in Germany. It had been eight months now, and the last update from the doctors had been predictable -be patient, we'll let you know if anything changes. Doctor-speak for: Stop asking every damn day if she's woken

1.

So yeah, I was pissed. Pissed that my wife was gone in every way that mattered, pissed that my daughter might never know her mother, pissed that I was even thinking about another

woman.

And the worst part? Vivien didn't remind me of Laura at all. Not even a little. There was no guilt-ridden comparison, no painful memories lurking beneath the surface. Just her. Just someone who made me feel- 59.59%

15:04

ESCAPE

228 0x

I clenched my fists.

The phone kept ringing.

I nearly let it go to voicemail, but then-

"Fuck it."

I pressed the answer button, bringing the phone to my ear. "Josh," I said gruffly.

There was a beat of silence on the other end, and then-

"Hello?" Vivien's voice was soft but firm. I could hear the nerves laced in it.

I swallowed hard. "Yeah. I'm here."