Chapter 24 - My Brother’s Warning

Megan's POV

I was smiling from ear to ear the moment we left their mansion, and I still couldn't believe that Ashton is now my boyfriend. I felt so happy, and I felt like I am floating in the air, and it feels like I am on cloud nine at the moment. And while Lennon is driving the car, Ashton held my hand, and he squeezed it, and he looks at me sideways, and his sweet smile warms my heart. Then he put his arm around my shoulders, and he brings me closer to him until my head is on his chest, and it feels so wonderful.

For the first time, I realized it is so amazing to have a boyfriend. And being with his brothers made it more exciting and fun. Alice was right when she told me being in love is something that feels so great that you couldn't find the perfect words to describe it. I felt scared when I realized what I thought. I am falling for Ashton Pritzgold, and I know the price I have to pay to be with him, but I tried to ignore the bad feeling that I am starting to feel, and I try to focus on listening to his steady heartbeat.

The moment we arrived on our driveway, I felt a little disappointed that I have to say goodbye to Ashton and his brothers. And I can't stop myself from smiling by the time his brothers said "get a room" before I got out of the car because Ashton kissed me long enough to made Lennon cleared his throat. Still, Ashton didn't let go of my mouth, and he continued to kiss until they yelled at him, and he was widely grinning at me after the long kissed we shared while I felt so embarrassed with his siblings, even if I felt so light-headed after our mind-blowing kiss.

"Sorry, bro, my girlfriend is irresistible," Ashton said, and I am surprised that Cole climbed out of the car and opened the door for me.

"Thank you, Cole and Lennon," I said to them, and they both said welcome simultaneously. I said goodbye to Ashton's brothers, and I kissed him on the cheek before getting out of the car. I watched their car move away from our driveway, and I only get inside our house after I couldn't see the tail lights of their car.

I get inside our house, and the entire house is silent, and when I looked at my watch, it is almost ten o'clock in the evening.

"Megan!" I jumped on my feet when I heard my brother's voice, and I couldn't believe he is home.

"Hey, you scared me, Dexter," I said.

"I am sorry, I saw the Pritzgold brothers drove you home." He said and looked at me in the eyes. I am close with Dexter, but because I am so busy lately, I don't have enough time to talk with him recently, and I can tell his face darkened when he saw my beautiful smile.

"You know Meg, and I am waiting for the day that you will tell me that you have a boyfriend, and I was hoping for that moment to come that you will tell me that you have already had one, but being your brother, I just want to say you can have anyone you like, but not with any of the Pritzgold brothers." He said, and my face fell. I am so excited to tell him that at last, I have a boyfriend. But the looked on my brother's face is telling me he is serious with his words, and I suddenly felt nervous. Dexter has always been a good brother to Ava and me, and this is the first time he is so sure about something, and I think there is nothing I can do to change his mind.

"But why not?" I asked, confused, and he walked to the sofa, and I followed him and sat beside him.

"Who are you dating, Megan?" He asked, and I can feel the anger in his voice.

"What is wrong with you, Dex? Why do you seem so angry? You ruined my day." I said, and I got up from the sofa, and he caught my wrist before I can walk away from him.

"I am sorry, Megan. I know I should not tell you who to date, but I love you, and you know that I don't want you to get hurt. Open up your eyes, Meg; the world of the Pritzgolds is so different from ours. They live in a mansion, and they drive fancy cars. We are living in this house, and we ride a bus because our parents can't afford to buy us one, and we need to study hard to attain our dreams in life." He said, and he released a heavy sigh.

"You need to have part-time jobs so you can continue your study in college just in case you can't maintain your scholarship. And you need to know that mon was sick two years ago, and I am so thankful that she is still alive, and that is the reason why our parents are still paying their debts, and I sold my car, and I am trying to help them. I don't want you to know about it, Megan, but you are now an adult. And I am so happy that mom survived even if I need to make a sacrifice. We almost lost her two years ago, and the surgery helped to extend her life. And that is why I want to help them in any way I can, and mom doesn't want to let you know about it, but she has been suffering, and I don't want her to worry about our debts, Meg. She needs to open up to someone, and I can't think of anyone else but you." Dexter continued, and I can feel my tears fall on my cheeks.

"Why you didn't tell me about it? Not even mom. What if she died? I have savings, Dex. I could have helped them." I said while I was crying.

"And do you think mom will allow you to give up your dreams for her?" He asked, and I am crying hard, and he took me into his arms.

"Of course, I will give up even my dreams to save mom, Dex. I am her daughter too, and I have all the right to know what is going on." I said while he caressed my back, and I know I wet his t-shirt with my tears.

"I am sorry, Megan, but mom will get angry with me that time; you remember the time she said she was on a retreat? That was the time she underwent surgery. Don't cry, Meg, and mom is now fine. I want her to stop worrying about our debts because it might make her illness come back." He said, and I pulled myself away from him.

"I will give mom all my savings, Dex. I know I can maintain my grades, and you are right; I don't need distractions as of now. And dating Ashton could make me lose my scholarship." I said, and he looked at me with sadness, and I can tell he wants to tell me something, but he closed his mouth.

"So, the football prodigy is your boyfriend?" He asked, and I nodded my head.

"Yeah, but I need to break up with him because you hate him," I replied while pouting my lips.

"I don't hate him, Megan, I am just telling you the truth, and you need to believe me. Just stay away from him if you still believe that I am your brother." He said.

"That is unfair, Dex, we only became a couple like hours ago, and I can't just break up with him yet. Can I at least have him as my boyfriend for two weeks?" I asked, and he smiled and shook his head.

"You can't do that, Megan. The more you became close to Ashton, the harder you can break up with him. Believe me, and I have been there." He said, and I wonder who his girlfriend was that he experienced something like this, and I love my brother, but right now, I hate him for ruining my beautiful day.

"Have you eaten dinner?" He asked, and I nodded my head.

"Where!" He asked.

"At Ashton's place," I said.

"What?" He asked, and his eyes turned so big.

"What is wrong with you, Dexter? Are you alright?" I asked him, and he relaxed.

"I am sorry, I am just worried about you. How did Ashton's parents treat you?" He asked me.

"They are not around, " I said, and he relaxed.

"Okay, don't ever go back to their house. Megan, Ashton's father, is someone you don't want to meet." He said.

"How did you know?" I asked him, and I got so curious.

"I have a friend who got involved with Ashton's sister and believed me, and he became devastated. His heart has been broken, and he promised himself to never associate with any of them." He said, and I suddenly felt so sad.

"I am sorry, Megan. I know Ashton is your crush. I have seen you looked at him even you were in grade seven, and now that your fantasy came true, I need to beg you to forget him." My brother said, and I weakly smiled at him, and I don't feel embarrassed anymore that I realized Dexter knew that my boyfriend was my long-time crush.

"It is getting late, and I know you need to work tomorrow, so you need to sleep early. I know you, Meg, you will always listen to my advice, and you have to believe me, Megan. Ashton will only break your heart if you are not going to break up with him." Dexter added, and I got up from the sofa with a heavy heart.

"Good night, Dex," I said.

"Night, sis, " He said, and he ruffled my hair before he got up and walk to his room. Our house has only three bedrooms, and each room is not so big; I think Ashton's room is more extensive than our three bedrooms combined, and now that Dexter is home, Ava will be sharing a room with me.. I got up from the sofa and stride towards my room with a heavy heart, and I don't want to think about what is going on with my life, and I hate that my happiness was cut short.