Great friendships are hard to find but this time Jennette was sure she had found a friend who was not interested in her brother - someone who really liked her.
Jennette was quiet and studious, and she had a secret sense of humor that was witty and sarcastic, but few people ever took time to really get to know her. Her twin brother Jack was charismatic and charming. When he walked into a room all attention seemed to surround Jack and noone else. Jennette had grown up barely visible because her brother cast such a large shadow, but she didn't mind. She was his biggest fan when they were little so she was happy he lived in the spotlight. As they got into their teenage his personality grew and hers became more secluded.
Tracy had never met Jack, and Jennette planned to keep it that way. She was afraid that like everyone else, once Tracy met Jack, she wouldn't like Jennette as much anymore. She was just so boring compared to Jack.
The two girls met when they were paired up to share a dorm on campus and they seemed to instantly bond over hair and fashion. Jennette tutored Tracy and Tracy pulled Jennette out of her quiet shell.
"This weekend is going to be so much fun," Tracy said to Jennette and their third friend, Monica, as Tracy pulled her car into the driveway of the home where she had grown up. "My brothers are always teasing me when we are home, but they won't when I have friends with me."
Jennette was visiting Tracy's childhood home for the first time, but Monica had been Tracy's friend for years. The weekend was full of plans in celebration of Tracy's parents anniversary party.
"I didn't know you had brothers," Jennette said shocked that she had never heard about them in the three months that she had shared a room with Tracy.
"You didn't! Tristan goes to Tech with us, and he is on the wrestling team. He's gorgeous," Monica blurted out. Monica took a lot of pleasure in knowing more about Tracy than Jennette did, but in that moment Jennette seemed to know exactly how Tracy felt even though she didn't say a word.
Jennette was only interested in visiting her friend's home to help with cooking and decorating and hanging out with her friend, but it became apparent that Monica was hoping to hang out with Tristan too.
"I have two brothers," Tracy interjected in a timid but annoyed voice.
"Oh" Jennette said hoping to drop the subject.
"Tom is the oldest and he works in construction," Monica went on completely unaware that the other two girls weren't interested in her opinions at the moment.
The girls unloaded bags and went into the house. It was a big welcoming home with a large wrap around porch. Tracy's mom was a bigger framed woman with a wide joyful smile. When she hugged Tracy, Jennette could see there was a lot of love there. It wasn't something she experienced with her own mother and she thought how nice it must be to be embraced like that.
On the car ride over the girls had already discussed sleeping arrangements. Monica had insisted on sharing Tracy's room with her for old times sake, so Jennette would be crashing on the futon in the office that also doubled as a small home gym.
After setting her bags down on her bed Tracy said, "I have got to use the bathroom. Monica will you show Jennette the office."
"It's the last door on the left," Monica motioned with her hand as she plopped down on the bed. Tracy and Jennette shared a glance and a nod and Jennette left the room while Tracy snuck into the on-suite.
It felt kind of funny wondering into an unknown room in an unknown house, but Jennette was not going to let Monica intimate her. With her mind elsewhere, she opened the last door on the left, but she was not prepared for what she found inside.
The desk in the back corner did not catch Jennette's eye. The futon on the right side of the room didn't either. The treadmill was out of sight from the door, but in clear view was the weight bench...and the man laying down on it.
The weight bench and its occupant were the only thing Jennette was able to focus on. The bar was stacked on each end with heavy weights. The man pushing the bar up was wearing red cotton shorts loosely fitting around his thick hard thighs and over the relaxed bump right in the middle. The tone and shape of his muscles was evident through the thin blond hair on his legs. He wasn't wearing a shirt so his ripped six-pack of an abdomen glistened with sweat. The hair on his chest was also thin but it was more of a dark redish brown that thickened under his belly button and trailed down into his shorts. His arms bulged and his veins showed as he pushed the loaded, shiney bar up one last time to rest on the bench.
This was not on her agenda. Jennette was not going to fall for a friend's brother. She knew how hurtful that could be. She didn't even know Tracy had a brother an hour ago, and the thoughts running through her mind were not okay with her. Embarrassed, she looked down, apologized, and quickly backed out of the room and shut the door.
Jennette stood back and leaned against the wall catching her breath. Monica had described one of Tracy's brothers as gorgeous, so Jennette guessed this must be him. She never even saw his face but his body made her heart beat faster and the blood rushed heat through her body. Jennette had never felt this way before. She had never had a boyfriend because she was always more interested in her studies. She wondered why this glimpse had caused a knot in her throat and a pulse in her gut so instantaneously, but she was determined to resist it.
Jennette had barely caught her breath when the door swung back open and the shirtless man in the red shorts stepped out. Jennette turned to escape the interaction in determination to fight the rushing flutter she felt in her heart. As she turned his arm went up and he planted his large hand on the wall behind Jennette.
"Wait," he said as he blocked Jennette's exit back down the hall.
She turned and briefly looked at him, and then she tried to look down at the floor but instead she found herself looking at his amazing torso and his bright red shorts. His body was back several inches from hers but the sweet smell of his sweat embraced her and made her melt even more inside. She looked up into his face because she was afraid he would notice where her eyes had settled. His hazel green eyes pierced into her. His jaw was square and lightly covered in a redish brown bristles. His lips we smooth and a delicious, delicate pink. His hair didn't match his wiskers, as it was long and golden blond with a soft wave to the shape. Monica had understated the fact that he was indeed gorgeous.
"I'm Tristan. I didn't mean to scare you" He pulled his hand down and backed up just a step. Jennette was sad and relieved all at once by the little bit of distance between them.
"I just didn't want to interrupt." Jennette again looked down, and started walking down the hall, back to Tracy's room. She was hot and bothered and needed to get away from his attractive draw before she melted into a lustful puddle.
Tristan watched her walk away for just a second before following her. Most girls ran to him, not away, and he found himself amusingly enjoying the view.
He wanted to get a better look at her cute face. His had been amused at watching her pale skin turn a blushing pink. When he stood close to her, his six foot frame towered over her and he was intrigued by her long sweeping brown hair that smelled slightly like strawberry. Most girls couldn't take their eyes off of him and he knew it, but he was captivated by her mossy brown eyes that almost looked dark green and her long fluttering eyelashes.
As Jennette walked quickly away he admired her for not hanging onto the moment with him. She wasn't putting her hand on him or making excuses to talk to him. She was different - modest, and it was refreshing.
Jennette pushed open Tracy's door, startling Monica who was looking at her phone. She stated to explain, but Tristan rounded the corner too. "I didn't get your name."
Monica's smile spread at the sight of Tristan still shirtless and glowing with sweat. "You can call me Lover," she said in her most seductive voice.
Tristan was gone as quickly as he had come trailing back the response, "You'll always be Moan!"
Monica looked at Jennette like she was a cat who had just eaten the goldfish. "What happened?" she demanded.
"Nothing."
Tracy came out of the bathroom and nothing else was said about Tristan.