The Stripper That Stole My Heart

Chapter 7

Chapter 7:

A nervous smile crept up his face as we watched each other, and he looked away from me before he swallowed, "You...just gonna stand there, or you gonna say hi to your little brother?"

"I just....I wasn't expecting you to be here," I said, unable to really think of what to say, "I mean....yeah hi...Thank you...for coming."

As he looked up at me, he chuckled a bit still nervous, "Adam.....he called me."

Fully stepping into the room, I closed the door behind me finally, as I heard the people being ushered out of the chapel to the reception area. I couldn't help but stare at him, remembering him as the little kid I watched over. "I...I heard. It was kinda nice of him," I responded, my nerves were getting the better of me, and it was unusual to be out of things to say.

"Clare is still as beautiful as ever, you're lucky you kept her so long, brother," my younger brother said calmly, making an effort to appear relaxed.

"Thank you," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest, trying and failing to grope for a conversation. I knew he was going to be in here, I had asked Adam to send him.

"You called me in here Matt, obviously you wanted to talk to me. You just gonna stand there and look stupid or are you actually going to talk to me," he said, his face growing serious as he faced me head on.

I caught a glimpse of his chest piece, sighing at the tattoo and looked up to meet his gaze. "I'm just...I'm not sure what to say really. It's been a good while," came my answer, as I met his gaze, my eyebrows slanting down ever so slightly.

"Yeah, I got that. Matt, you call me in here after not seeing me for seven years and you can't even think of something to say? Nothing comes to mind? Nothing you want to say to me? I was thirteen when you stopped speaking to me. Thirteen! I have the balls to come to your wedding, because your best friend tells me you want me there, and you can't even say anything to me!?" he exclaimed angrily, nothing he said was really yelling, just his voice was raised an octave. He knew better than anyone not to yell at me.

"I'm sorry, Jack! I'm sorry, okay? Is that what you're looking for? Well I am. I'm sorry that I left you, but please Jack, please, this is my wedding day. I have a wife who wants today to be perfect. Please don't start this fight," I pleaded, leaning down slightly as I placed my hands over my face.

I heard a sigh escape Jack's nose, as he looked at the floor. When he looked up I ran my fingers through my hair, meeting his gaze full on. He took a cautious step forward, and I simply watched him. "I waited for a month by the window, waiting for you to come back," he said to me.

I shut my eyes tight, my hands fisting at my sides. "Jack, I'm sorry," I repeated, unable to think of anything better, "I don't have an explanation."

"Just tell me why you left," Jack replied calmly, "That's all I want. It's all I ever wanted."

"Because I felt guilty, I felt like I was the problem, that I had done something wrong and the only way to help you was to leave," I told him, meeting his intense focus with my own.

Jack took another step forward and I straightened from my hunched over position, though my expression was still distressed. And as he came forward another step, I was surprised when my younger brother threw his arms around me, only to hug me tight.

Surprised by the action, I didn't respond at first, but once I realized what he was doing, I wrapped my arms around the boy, returning his embrace as I felt his chest heave once and his breath left in a hiss. "Thank you, little brother," I said in a quiet tone while he gripped my shoulders.