All In The Family

“Any particular reason why we're bailing out on this party so early? We're missing out on the cake; I wanted some cake, Kelly,” Ashley complains, sliding into the passenger seat as I start my car up.

Ignoring her for a moment I begin to pull out of Carrie's driveway, silently rehearsing a response in my head. “I just...” Couldn't sit around eating cake with my brother after what just happened with his fiance in her closet.

Ashley shifts in her seat and cocks her head to the side, studying me carefully for a minute before her eyes light up. “Oh my god!” She squeals, slapping her hand against my thigh. “You totally had sex with her,” she concludes, straightening forward again and tossing herself back dramatically against the seat.

I sigh and pick up speed. “I didn't even mean for it to happen but obviously my self control sucks.”

My best friend snorts beside me. “Obviously.”

“You're not helping, Ash. You know what would have been a helluva a lot more helpful?” I ask, turning my head to glance at her for a second before focusing my eyes back on the road.

“Protection? Because, all you had to do was ask.” She jokes.

I glare at her and punch her in the arm. “No, really though...” I say sternly.

Amused, Ashley replies beside me. “Enlighten me.”

I grasp the steering wheel tighter. “If you weren't encouraging me to pretty much jump her bones. Ugh, I'm going to hell...I'm a horrible sister.” I groan, not paying attention to the speedometer.

Ashley shifts nervously beside me. “Um, Kel...not that I'm worried or anything...but you may want to slow down just a bit.”

“Since when am I even interested in girls my brother likes? We have completely different taste in women.” I continue, ignoring her.

“Apparently not...but really, Kel, slow down.” Ashley says worriedly.

Finally I let up on the gas pedal and take deep breaths. “In check...in check...” I repeat under my breath.

Ashley relaxes beside me once my speed is at the actual limit now. “Clearly that whole 'in check' thing didn't work for you, Kel,” she points out, teasing.

I shake my head and release a deep sigh. “Fuck, I know...I know.”
 

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I bury my face into my knees in embarrassment, listening to Ashley bursting into hysterics at my expense.

“Seriously, in the closet, Kel?” She laughs harder. “Do you have any idea...” She pauses, trying to catch her breath, “How fucking ironic that is?” Yes, I do, Ash. I don't need you to point it out to me.

Frowning I lift my head from my knees and stretch my leg out on the couch to kick her. “It's not that funny,” I say seriously.

She nods. “Oh but it is,” she insists, her laughter slowly dying as she raises her hands up in the air in surrender. “Okay, okay it's not funny. I'm sorry. I know you like her,” She says.

I nod. “That's what makes this so hard...I mean, it's like...”

“You're falling for her,” she says pointedly.

I groan and push away from the side of the couch, moving towards Ashley as I allow myself to lay down against her knee.

“You're totally falling for her,” Ashley repeats, resting a hand on my shoulder. “Shit, I didn't think this would happen for you again, not with the way you've been going through women.”

Shifting my neck upwards I glare at her. “Gee, thanks. And what perfect timing I have right? She's engaged to my brother.” If only I had been able to remind myself of that before letting myself cross a line. Oh who the hell am I kidding, it was bound to happen eventually.

“Yeah, what's the deal with that? She's clearly not as...straight...or what the fuck ever...as people think she is, and she's obviously into you too. I mean, come on.”

“Hell if I know...we haven't exactly held actual conversations...well, I mean we have but not really any that help with getting to know each other so much,” I point out.

“Well you need to start hanging out with her more or something, get to know her better,” she suggests.

I stay quiet for a moment, thinking about her suggestion. “I don't know...” I hesitate.

“Oh come on, the damage has been done, Kel.”

“You're not really good with this best friend thing right now. Shouldn't you be screaming at me telling me not to let it happen again or something?”

Ashley shifts underneath me and pushes me up from her lap. “Nope, but what I will say is that you definitely need some real alone time with the girl to get to know each other better, because there's definitely something there.” She pushes up from the couch.

“How is that fair to Jason though?”

She shrugs. “It's not. And you better hope you didn't brand the girl or anything. That would be quite interesting for her to explain to your brother.”

The statement immediately sent my mind to a place it didn't need to go. “Ash, stop talking, please. I don't need the image of my brother and Carrie...in my head.” I shudder.

“I'm just saying.” She says smuggly.

I push up from the couch now too. “I didn't leave a mark,” I huff out.

“Okay,” Ashley replies, putting her hands up in defense. “Lets get some sleep now, Casanova,” she teases, hooking her arm with mine and leading us down the hall to my room.

Resting my head against her shoulder I let out a soft sigh. “So, how do I go about trying to get 'alone time' with her?”

We enter my room and Ashley unhooks her arm from mine. “Well, she lent you some clothes, so you can always tell her you're going to stop by and drop them off, or she might even suggest coming to get them herself. Something simple like that,” she explains, lowering herself down onto my bed.

“Okay, that sounds easy enough...I think I can do that,” I say, lowering myself down beside her.

Ashley pats me on the back. “Good, now get some sleep.”

I nod and slide under the covers, reaching to turn the light off as I do. “Night, Ash.”

“Night, Kel.”