Stronger Together (bxb) ✔

Chapter 14 - Jesse

Jesse's POV

"5-weeks-ago-Mike-and-three-of-his-friend-raped-me." Chase's voice was so quiet and fast that his words seemed to all to blur together. The only things I heard were Mike, friends and rape? I feel my blood begin to boil as my mind pieces together what Chase said. My whole body tenses.

I am going to murder Mike!

I take a shaky breath in to calm myself, I'll have time to murder him later, right now I need to focus on Chase. He's so vulnerable right now and I don't think he can handle my anger. I take another breath in and slowly exhale.

"Chase, baby bro, can you take a deep breath and tell me exactly what happened?" I watch as Chase raises his tear stained face. His breathing is shaky and he looks like his whole world is ending.

I just want to wrap him in a hug and tell him he doesn't have to tell me if it hurts him too much but I can't. I need to know what happened so I can help him. I need to know what happened to push him to the edge.

What was so terrible that he was so terrified to tell me? Did I do something to help force him to this point? Did he not trust me? How did I fail him? I push all these questions down because right now it's not about me, it's about Chase.

"Th-th," he breaths in and exhales slowly. "That night when I went over to Mike's house..." He proceeds to tell me everything that happened; how Mike broke his trust by cheating, how he dragged him inside with the help of his friend, how they used his body, how they spewed insults at him the entire time and told him he deserved it and how they threatened me.

I didn't say anything at all as he spoke, just gave him silent encouragement and cried with him. I can't believe Chase went through such hell and didn't tell anyone.

When he started exhibiting changes in behaviour I thought maybe Mike had cheated on him and Chase was more invested in the relationship than I thought.

I thought it was just a really bad break up. I didn't think this; never this.

How did I not know? I should have known! We're twins for crying out loud! I feel so guilty.

I bury my hands in my face sobbing. Shit! I need to keep it together! This is not about me and how much of a failure I am. I manage to curb my sobbing and look back up meeting Chase's eyes. "You are so strong baby bro. You really are the strongest person I know Chase."

"You're not mad at me?" Chase's ask timidly, tears still streaming down his eyes.

What the hell? Did he think I would be mad at him? Is that why he didn't tell me? "Baby bro, why would I be mad at you?" I ask gently.

"Well I thought you would think that I am dumb for continuing to go out with Mike even after you told me that you thought he was bad news. I thought that you would think that it's my fault, that I allowed it to happen and that I deserve it for not listening to you." He mumbled staring at the couch.

Holy shit! Is this what he thought! Is this why he didn't tell! He thought I would think it's his fault. What kind of poppycock is this?

Then something dawned on me; I was always angry, almost cold when asking about what happened that night. I was pissed when I thought about who hurt him. He actually thinks that my anger was directed at him. Wow I'm a shit brother!

"Chase, look at me and listen very carefully, you did not deserve this. No one does. What happened to you was horrible and scary and might affect you for the rest of your life but it was not your fault. You did absolutely nothing wrong. You are beautiful and perfect, always have been and always will be. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise." I need to make sure he understands that he is not to blame.

Chase smiles at me, the first genuine smile I've seen on his face in weeks and nods. "Besides," I continue, "do you really think if the roles were reversed you could tell me who to date? Hell no!"

Chase's smile widens and a weight seems to have been lifted off his shoulders but his smile quickly fades, replaced by worry.

"You don't think you deserve a better brother? One wh-who's n-n-not tainted?" I can see him bracing himself for rejection, preparing himself to be abandoned.

I snort, "don't you think I should be the one asking that? I'm basically an adulterous whore! Do you know how many married men I've slept with?"

It's true I've slept with more married men than I care to admit but I was trying to get out of that funk, hence my dry spell before I met Bryan. Oh my god! What if he's married? Ugh I hope not! That would really suck.

Chase laughed a little at that but I could still tell he needed reassurance. "But to answer your question, I think I have the most amazing brother in the world and I wouldn't trade you for all the tea in China! And you're not tainted, you are still my super hot, sweet and shy little brother and I will always love you and have your back."

I can probably count the amount of times I've verbally said I love you to Chase. It usually makes both of us cringe so we almost never say it. Instead we show our love through hugs and listening to each other ramble on about random things but I really think he needed to hear that.

Chase smiles brightly at me and reaches out almost strangling me in a tight hug. "Thank you so much, I love you too. I don't know if it's too late already but can you help me take Mike and his friends to court?"

"Of course baby bro, you have my full support!" I smile as tears roll down my cheeks, this is a good sign.

So I've been updating this fairly often but at random times so I'm going to try to stick to Sundays and Wednesdays. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! ❤

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