Page 42 of Imbalanced Minds
Shortly after the boys have vacated my bedroom, Nat runs in and slams my door closed behind her. “Girl, spill!” she huffs out, like she just put up the biggest fight to get back in here.
“Well, you brought my favourite wine, so—” I’m cut off by her hand over my mouth, something we do on the regular to shut one another up.
“No, I mean, what is with you and Cory? It’s like you’ve gone stupid with… Oh, my giddy aunt, you love him? You’re in love with him?” She feigns shock when in all reality she’ll be fizzing at the seams with excitement.
I sit on the bed, staring at her with the biggest smile on my face not giving her any words.
“Oh my, you are, aren’t you? You’re in love with Cory.” She states.
I nod while still holding the stupid smile on my face. For once I don’t know what to tell her. She’s usually the first one I’d spill to, but with Cory, I like keeping it all to myself. It’s much more personal with him.
“Have you told him since you started dating?”
“Yes.”
“I’m so happy for you, Iris. You deserve so much happiness. I have to confess; I’ve been kind of hiding from you since I told you I was moving in with Justin. I didn’t want to rub my happiness in your face, but you’re so busy with your own, I didn’t even stop to realise it. I’m sorry, hon.” She comes in for a hug, and by hug, I mean she tackles me on the bed and attempts to spoon me.
“Get off me you creep.” I laugh, causing the boys to come in and find us in yet another compromising situation.
“Shit, I can’t handle this again,” Justin says then leaves the room yelling for Cory to join him in having a whiskey. We can’t help but holler as we hold each other in a bear hug; one I’ll always love because Nat gets me for me and doesn’t judge.
Heading through the kitchen after having our little heart to heart, we grab our wine the boys so kindly poured for us and head to the living room. I sit on Cory’s knee, wanting to be close, and snuggle in.
“Careful, Angel. Keep rubbing on me like that and we definitely won’t make it past this couch.” Cory whispers in my ear, causing me to whimper. I give one more wriggle just to test the waters then decide I probably should play nice. He is after all my brothers’ best friend and my brother is sitting across from us, glaring daggers.
Taking a different direction from the one I was really hoping for, I jump up to make a toast.
“I’d like to say a few things before I get totally off my rockers. Here it goes. Justin, you have been my pain in the arse big brother my whole life, but I love you and respect you—most of the time,” winking and laughing at his stunned facials, I carry on, “Nat, my best bitch, I’ve had so much fun being your BFF and that’s not going to change—it better not,” I point to Jay while raising my eyebrow for added effect, “but, I really do love you guys and I wish you the world of happiness and all of that soppy crap. So, here’s to you guys and your new adventure together.” I raise my glass and cheers to two of the best people I know.
I squeal into my glass when I’m pulled back onto Cory’s lap. “I like you here better, baby girl,” he murmurs to me. I melt into him once more, loving his warmth and the safety of his arms.
I’m undecided if I want to be party Iris tonight; this man has broken me in a good way, and I couldn’t be happier.