Trey
My sister stands in the doorway wearing a hoodie and jeans and I'm standing here in the sweatpants I managed to slip on last minute. "Hey big bro, long time no see," she says casually. I stare at her for a long moment. "Plans tonight?" she teases, gesturing to my bare chest.
I scowl. "Candice, where the hell have you been?" My tone remains steady, but turmoil churns within me. One, she's here unannounced after disappearing for months, and two, her best friend is naked in my bed.

"Relax, why do you act like you've seen a ghost?" she groans, pushing past me and strolling into the living room. She slumps down on the couch. I hurry to shut my bedroom door, mindful of Kiara still naked, wrapped in my sheets, her hair tousled from our recent lovemaking. At least I can buy her some time to get dressed before my sister finds out about us, and all hell breaks loose.
Candy glances at the door before narrowing her eyes at me. "Got one of your fuck buddies in there?"
My jaw tightens, and I shoot her a stern look. "None of your business," I retort, the tension in the room escalating.
She laughs at my hard tone. "Don't be so defensive. I don't care enough to ask which stupid chick with no self respect you've convinced to come back here."
I'm different now, and if she had been here the past two months, she would know that. Kiara has changed me for the better. I've always thought love was overrated, that I'll never settle down and spend my days sampling different flavors of women. However, ever since the night we met, I've come to the realization that if it isn't Kiara-flavored, I don't want it.
"What's happening, Candy? Why show up here without calling and at this time of night?" I inquire through clenched teeth.

She shrugs nonchalantly. "Wanted to surprise you. I haven't seen you in two months, I thought you'd be happier to see your little sister."
I narrow my eyes, letting silence stretch between us. I can sense she's not being entirely truthful; New York must not have been the great escape she envisioned it to be. I'm just waiting for the facade to crack.
After a moment, she breaks the silence, shifting the focus. "Can I stay here for a while? I swear, I'm fine just sleeping on the couch."
I cross my arms, studying her carefully. "Mom won't let you move back in?"

I know they're not on good terms right now, but it doesn't sound like Mom to leave her stranded like this. Not when it was her fault why Candy left in the first place. The guilt lingers in the air as I watch her purse her lips into a thin line, staring back at me. It's a silent game of wits, and it feels like she's studying me just as hard as I'm studying her. The unspoken tension between us threatens to crack the surface.
"Ugh fine," she huffs, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "I got off the plane and came straight here. I'm not going back to Mom's house. I still haven't forgiven her for messing up my life," she says with a slight pout, her eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and resentment.
Fuck.
That means Kiara won't be able to stay here anymore, and a sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. We've been alternating between her place and mine, but no matter where we sleep, I've grown accustomed to waking up with her soft warmth in my arms. The mere thought of losing those moments with her leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, and I hate everything about that.
But I can't just leave my sister stranded. I moved back here to take care of my family, and she's already carried the weight of thinking I abandoned her for three years. I can't let her down again, no matter how irrational she might be acting right now. Family is family, and I made a promise to be there for them.
I sigh, relenting. "Fine, you've got one month. Pack your bags and find your own place," I grumble, frustration evident in my tone.
Candy's face softens, a hint of relief in her eyes. "Thanks. I'm just going to stay low for a while. Please, just don't tell anyone I'm here. I'm not ready for that yet."
I scrunch my eyebrows. "You're not going to tell your best friend?"
She sighs, avoiding eye contact and fidgeting with her fingernails. "You wouldn't understand, Trey. I'm just not in the mood to talk to anyone. I need some time for myself."
Anger surges within me. It's not just because she's my girlfriend, and I'm in love with her, but the way she's treating Kiara is entirely fucked up. All it takes is one text to let someone know you're okay, and her disregard for Kiara's feelings is infuriating.
"You've had two months to not be in the mood to talk to anyone, you've had all of us worried sick, especially her. You need to talk to your friend," I say firmly.
She scrunches up her face, defiance evident in her expression. "Why the hell are you so worried about whether I talk to her or not? Just like with your fling in there, it's none of your business," she retorts, dismissing my concern with a wave of her hand.
My frustration boils over. "I just think it's fucked up, Candice!" I say, my voice rising, louder than necessary.
"Get off my fucking back and be supportive for once, okay?" She rises from the couch, glaring at me. She heads for the door, pausing to cast one last look back at me. Tears well in her green eyes, a mix of frustration and hurt. "Coming here was a mistake. I thought you were trying to be a better brother. Seems like I was wrong."
Her words cut deep, like a knife to the heart. It's not that I don't want to be there for her, but her behavior isn't okay. Both Kiara and I have been worried sick about her, and she seems determined to leave her best friend in the dark.
Too bad she's currently in my bedroom, most likely hearing every word.
Gritting my teeth, I reach out to stop her. "Don't leave, okay? I'm not trying to upset you. I just want to understand what's been going on with you."
I don't miss the satisfaction on her face as she walks back over to the couch and sits down, propping her feet on the table. The tension in the room seems to dissipate completely.
I lean against the wall across from her. "Are you at least going to tell me what happened in New York?" I ask quietly.
"I'm ready to talk about it," she mumbles.
"Let's go get your bags then. Well, after I throw on some clothes."
She nods, and I sense her gaze following me as I step into my room and shut the door behind me. Kiara is seated on the edge of the bed, fully dressed. Her eyes are red and I can tell she's been crying. The thought of her hurting because of my selfish sister shatters my heart.
"You heard everything?" I ask softly, settling down beside her and gently cupping her cheek. She nods, sniffling as she wipes away the fresh tears threatening to spill. I envelop her in my arms, planting a loving kiss on her forehead. "We're ending this tonight, Kiara. I want to tell her about us."
Her face contorts with worry. "She just got back. You sure that's a good idea?" she whispers.
"If she's going to be living here, she needs to know. I love waking up next to you, I don't want to give that up just because she's still mad at my Mom." I swipe my thumb across her cheek. "There's nothing to fear, I'll be right here beside you."
She gnaws on her lip, a gesture revealing her inner turmoil. "She didn't even want to tell me she's back in VA. How the hell is she going to react when I come out of her brother's room?"
I offer a reassuring smile. "We can do this, Cupcake."
"I'm going to lose my best friend," she says with a broken sigh.
I refrain from expressing that it won't be much of a loss. Candy hasn't been a good friend to her lately anyway.
"I'm going to go bring her bags up," I say, standing up and heading towards the door. "When I come back, we're telling her. Tonight."
She nods, and I can see the unspoken trust in her eyes as I leave, even though worry is etched on her face. I love her, and I'm not going to lose her. I know my sister is outspoken, stubborn, and at times violent, and I truly have no idea how she will react, but we'll navigate this storm together.