My brothers best friend

Chapter 3: Caught in the Middle

(Edited)

Chapter 3

Jake's Point of view

"Why don't you just let her go to the party, man?" I ask, my voice low but firm. I'm gripping the steering wheel, the engine hum of the car matching the low thrum of frustration building inside me. Mason's slouched in the passenger seat, arms crossed, his eyes focused out the window as we drive toward the dorms. It's just the two of us, but the air between us is thick, tense. "It's not that deep. And she's right. She was partying overseas, and it was probably worse over there—more dangerous, too. So why are you trying to make her college life a living hell? You're suffocating her, Mason, and you know it."

Mason lets out a frustrated sigh, his fingers tapping against the armrest in that way he always does when he's trying to hold it together. I can practically see the wheels turning in his head, calculating every word, every tone. But I'm not backing down. This is about more than just a party. It's about Valerie.

"She doesn't deserve this," I continue, my voice getting sharper. "Even I hate the idea of her partying with other guys, but I know that she needs this. She's not some little girl anymore. College is supposed to be about experiences. If she's stuck here, bored out of her mind, she'll drop out, and fall back into posting again, or who knows what else. We both know she doesn't want to be trapped in some perfect little bubble, Mason. She needs to be free. She needs to be... herself."

I can feel the weight of his glare, even though I'm not looking at him. His silence is worse than any argument he could throw my way. He's a good guy, my best friend, but he's so wrapped up in his protective instincts that he can't see the bigger picture.

"Dude, it's just a party," I say again, trying to reach him. "Why are you acting like this is the end of the world?"

Mason finally turns his head, his jaw tight, his eyes burning with the kind of intensity I know all too well. "She's nineteen, Jake. I'm her older brother. It's my job to protect her. And I don't care if she was partying in God knows where before, I'm not letting her go to some wild house party with God-knows-who. Do you know what those guys will do? Look at her like she's some trophy? No. I won't let that happen."

I can feel the irritation simmering in me. Yeah, I get it. He's her brother. He wants to protect her, keep her safe from the world. But this isn't the way to do it.

"She doesn't need you to hold her hand, Mason," I snap. "She needs you to trust her. To let her make her own decisions. You partied when you were a freshman, so why are you acting like it's some sin for her to do the same thing? You can't just lock her up and expect her to be happy. She's not some doll you can keep on a shelf. She's not a baby."

I don't know why it's bothering me so much. Maybe it's because I get her. I see what Mason can't. Valerie doesn't need someone to tell her what to do; she needs someone to listen to her. And right now, she's not being heard.

"She's my sister, Jake," Mason says, his voice low, almost tired. "I know what those guys are like. I've seen it. All it takes is one look, one wrong move, and she's lost in that mess. I'm supposed to protect her from that. I can't... I can't be the one who stands by and does nothing."

I feel a pang in my chest at his words. I don't want to think about other guys looking at her, either. But it's not just about that, is it? It's about something deeper. I don't want her to be trapped in this bubble where Mason thinks he can control every part of her life. He's making her out to be helpless, but she's not.

"Look, man," I say, trying to keep my voice calm, even though my patience is running thin. "You partied when you were nineteen. So why are you acting like it's some crime for her to do the same? I'm just saying... you didn't even give her the chance to decide. You shut her down before she could even say yes or no."