Like You Mean It

Brotherly Advice

It was now September and I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my brother. I took this weekend off, so that I could spend as much time with Mike as possible. We are Irish twins, sharing the same birthday exactly a year apart. We look a lot alike, and we act very similarly. He was always my main protector and best friend growing up. No one messed with the Harris brother's little sister, but even less if Mike was around, which he always was.

We had already decided to spend time as tourists and get out and see the sights in Boston, but today we were going to have a quiet night in with pizza, drinks and movies. We had already decided to re-watch the Avenger movies, would we get through all of them? Probably not. Did we care if we fell asleep on the couch or floor? Not at all.

I hear a knock on my door, and I let out a little squeal of excitement. I quickly open the door, and see my brother standing there with a big smile on his face.

"Charlie"

"Mikey"

We both say at the same time, as I fling myself into his open arms. He picks me up and twirls me around. We're both laughing and crying messes. We hadn't seen each other since Alex's funeral 3 years ago. Between a deployment and being stationed up here in Massachusetts, it was hard to find time to see each other. But now here he was, and I got him for a full weekend.

I look at him still in his acu's complete with his hat on. His blue eyes that matched mine shining brightly, his dark brunette hair buzzed cut, his big dimpled smile on full show, he looked great. I pull him in for another hug, inhaling his familiar smell. I just realized how much I had missed him.

I pull him into my apartment as he picks his bag up. "How have you been, baby sis?"

"I've been really good! I've missed you a whole bunch though! Now that I'm up here we can try to see each other more often! How have you been?" He laughs loudly at my quick talking, making me giggle.

"Slow down, Char." He chuckles at my excitement. "I've been good. The deployment was tough, but I'm here. And I would love to see my baby sister more often too."

I smile as I hug him again, holding him tightly, as if he was going to disappear into thin air. "I already ordered the pizzas, there's beer in the fridge, and I have the first Avengers movie queued up on the tv in the living room. Just go get yourself settled in, and changed, then meet me in the living room."

He grabs his bag again and heads over to my guest bedroom as I make my way to the living room with a glass of wine.

He returns to the living room minutes later with a beer bottle in hand taking a sip before sitting next to me on the couch draping his arm over my shoulders and pulling me into him.

"So, how have you been Char, honestly?" I smile as I turn to face him on the couch.

"I've actually been really good. This move has proven to be the best idea ever. Plus, for now, I'm closer to you too, which I see as a plus." I giggle at the gagging face he makes.

"Ever the sweetheart." I jokingly stick my tongue out at him scrunching my face, making him laugh. "I'm just messing with you. I'm glad to hear that. I'm glad you made the move too, you needed a change in scenery."

I sigh as I take a big gulp of wine. "Man, did I ever."

We hear a knock at my door, and I quickly get up to open it figuring it was the pizza. I pay for our pizzas and bring them back to the living room. We sit down on my living room floor, like we did many nights as kids, and start to eat our pizzas while catching up. The movie playing in the background serving as background noise.

It feels so great to get to catch up and see my brother in person. About an hour into the movie, my phone dings with a message. I smile seeing Chris' name across the screen.

Chris💕

I miss you. Are you having fun with your brother?

Me

You saw me this morning, silly 😛

I am! It's nice to catch up with him!

Chris💕

Are you saying you don't miss me?

Breaking my heart here Charlie.

Me

You are such a drama queen!😒

Of course I miss you Chris, but we'll see you tomorrow.

Chris💕

Haha alright, I'll let you go.

Enjoy your night catching up with your brother.

I'll see you both tomorrow, goodnight.

Me

Good night, Chris.

I can't wait for you guys to meet tomorrow.

The smile on my face is wide as I reread our text exchange. I sigh holding in the urge to write I love you in the message. I know I do, I feel it deep down, and it scares me. The last time I thought I was in love, I ended up getting my heart stomped on.

"Who has my sister so smiley that her dimples are showing?" I look up at Mike quirking an eyebrow at me.

I exhale a chuckle. "My boyfriend, Chris. The one I told you about, you will meet him tomorrow."

"Ah, yes, doctor Chris, the boyfriend. Is he anything like the last doctor that just used you and then dropped you?"

I stare at him in astonishment. "Hey, mind your manners! But to answer your question, no he's not. He's the complete opposite. He's attentive and sweet, he's funny and caring..."

"But?" I bite my bottom lip contemplating how to answer.

"Why do you assume there's a but?" He gives a look that says, really? "Alright fine, there's a but... Mike, I've fallen in love with him, but I'm afraid. What if it ends up like the last time? I lost Alex, he who shall not be named just used me, as you so aptly put it, and I just don't want to end up with another broken heart."

Mike pulls me into his arms. "Char, you can't live in the world of what ifs. It's not healthy. Yes, it hasn't been the easiest love life for you after losing Alex, but you can't just give up on love out of fear. Maybe everything that happened before, was meant to get you to where you are right now, and who you are with. I'm not an expert at love, but I can tell you really like this guy, and to not try to fully give into what you are feeling is worse, you definitely will end up with a broken heart."

I sigh as I wipe the tear that rolled down my face. "When did you become so wise?"

"I'm only wise when you need my help. Apart from that, I'm always a wise ass." I burst out laughing at the face he makes.

I hug him, mumbling a soft thank you, before we turn our attention back on the movie.

Tonight felt needed. It was nice for it to be Mike and me once again, just hanging out and being our goofy selves. I really had missed him. We spent the night watching movies, and catching up before sleep finally fell over us as we fell asleep on my living room floor.

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