Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother novel Chapter 78

brother

Chapter 78: Penny

Bo’s house is enormous. Like, genuinely obrosion. It’s gising busury suburban mangine money, all polarine pless relings and a chandelier more than Tyler’s cm. People spilling out of the driveway, misir is thumping boat muigh Lem

decision I’ve made in the last ten minutes.

Tyler nul Milä, however, look like they’ve been invited to heaven’s poles.

“Let’s get a drink?” Mila says, Teoping her arm through mine an see walk in. “We are here s celebrate you, Miss Lead Role

That settles my stomach a bit, just a bit. Lunile and nod, and Tyler tosses his arm around my shoulders, preting a kiss to my temple

“Hell yeah, we are

The living room is crowded. Bodies packed tight, laughter echoing, red cups everywhere. A gid I vaguely none from history is already dancing on the couch. There’s a punch bowl on the kitchen island, surrounded by a chantic group who seem deeply invested in who’s spiking it with what.

to spots as fre

us from arms the room, He strides over like he owns the place, throws a beo–hug at Tyler, then stops cold when his eyes land on me

“Penny?!” he exclaims, eyes widening like I just pulled off a mask and red I’m secretly Beyoncé

I give him a shy wave. “Hi, Jo.”

He looks me up and down and mutters, “Holy…” before clearing his throat quickly and turning back to Tyler. “Hey, man, thanks for coming”

Then his eyes flick back to me and then to Sila, standing beside me like she’s been plucked off the cover of a rave poster.

to grins. “Damn, bro. Where do you find these ballerinas?”

› darkness when you least expect it.”

That gets a laugh. Then to disappears into the crowd and we head toward the basement, where it’s just as packed but less chaotic. There’s a foosball table, a pool table, arcade games glowing in the comers, and a bunch of people cheering around a game of beer pong.

Tyler spots a group of friends–including Zoe and Rebecca, of course–and immediately makes a beeline for them.

Mila and I exchange a look.

Zoe’s dress could double as a bandage. I’m not judging, but it’s lot. She hugs Tyler like they’re a rom–com, arms wrapped tight, het face way too de to his. Rebecca follows, tossing her hair and doing a little lean–in kiss to his cheek.

They both throw polite waves at me from across the room,

Mila narrows her eyes. “Is it just me, or can you see the euct shape of every organ through that drew?”

1 gigle, despite myself. “You’re not

* wrong.”

Tyler gres me a thumbs–up from across the room, then

in partners up with Zoe for beer pong like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

But I don’t let it bother me. I have Mila. And right now, she’s pulling me toward the darts and saying, “Cope on, let’s show these amateurs how it’s done.

Spoiler

alert:

we do not show them anything. We suck. But we’re laughing too hard to care,

Eventually, Mila makes a face and says she needs the bathroom. “Try not to get murdered seduced while I’m gone,” she tosses over her shoulder

| roll my eyes, smile–and then I’m alone.

1/3

Chapter 78: Penny

Itum back in where Tyler is. Still laughing with his group. Still hasn’t looked over at me once.

minutes, then decide to go find j

I climbs the stairs slindly, dodging couples and stepping over someone who is–why–eating spaghetti mut of a Tupperware on the

Iround the corner–and crash right inth someone.

“Sorry=” | start, and then blink. “You”

It’s the blonde gay from school. The ate who asked to take a photo with me for his little sister. He prios, blue eyes lighting up.

“We have to stop meeting like this.”

I laugh “Seriously.”

He looks at me for a long second, then says, “You look… Incredible.”

Heat food my checks. “Thank you”

“How’s the lead ballerina life?” he teases, rudging me gently.

I blink. “How do you-

“My sister,” he says. “She’s obsessed with you. She saw your name in some rehearsal schedule her studio posted and flipped. She’s been set on practicing Swan Lake ever since,”

“She made me print the picture. It’s on her wall. She might be in love with you.”

Laugh “Tell her I said thank you–and that if she ever wants to come see the Spring Gala, I’ll get her tickets.”

His mouth drops. “Are you seri

He hugs me. Just like that Arms around me, tight and wann, like we’re trends. Like this isn’t weird at all.

“Thank you,” he says. “Serioudy. She’s going to lose her mind.”

I pull back and smile. “It’s no problem. I mean it.”

He glances around. “So how do you know Jonathan? I mean, besides being a local celebrity move.”

1 stort. “He’s in a couple of my class. But mostly, he’s my boyfriend’s best friend.”

“Tyler Hayes.”

– His whole face changes.

“Hayes?” he repeats.

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