All I Wanna Be (Spin off to Somebody To You- Nemi)

Chapter 2

Nick

I knew something was wrong with my brother when he left after dropping Damon off. I wasn't sure if it was something unrelated to hearing Demi call me dad, or if he was offended by her comment. In any case, I hated seeing Joe upset about anything. He was always going to be my little brother, so I was always going to be protective. I also never wanted him & I to have issues. We had so many in the years before, I did whatever I could to make sure we were always cool now.

I caught up with Joe in the driveway, as he was walking toward his car. He turned around when I shouted out his name. "Bro... you seem upset. What's bothering you?" I asked as I walked toward his car.

"Nothing." Joe said in a flat tone, shaking his head & looking at the ground.

"Don't fucking lie to me." I warned, leaning on his car.

Joe sighed, squinting up at the sky. "I can't compete with some of the big shit you do." Joe crossed his arms & looked back down at the ground.

"What are you talking about?"

"You renting out Dodgers Stadium. I can't afford that & I don't know the right people." Joe shrugged his shoulders, clearly feeling sorry for himself.

"Dude, I'm sorry. I thought you were cool with it." I put my hand on his shoulder, giving it a little squeeze.

"I am. I mean how can I not be cool with something that I know my son is going to flip his shit about? I just wish it was something I could do for him. He's going to be so grateful to you that I won't get any attention from him." Joe glanced up at me.

"First of all, you will get plenty of attention, because he idolizes you. And second, I'm really sorry. I was just trying to do what I could to make it a great birthday. He's such an amazing kid, he deserves the best. He already has the best dad." I smirked at my brother who grinned at me, while rolling his eyes. "I can't compete with you on that level, so I have to do stuff like unforgettable birthday parties."

"He's going to love it. No doubt he will never forget it. Thanks, man. I shouldn't be so mopey about it."

"You're always moping about something. It's what you do." I chuckled & Joe punched me in the arm. "Ouch." I rubbed my arm like it really hurt & he stood up straight, laughing.

"Anyway, I gotta go. I got a date night with the wife. Her mom took the twins tonight." He stuck his tongue out in an 'oh baby' fashion & it was my turn to roll my eyes.

"Have fun. Tell Chloe I said hi." I gave him a one armed hug, then headed into the house.

Demi was giving Damon a bath when I went inside. Well, he pretty much gave himself a bath these days, but she still had to help him with his hair because he was notorious for not getting all the soap out. I stood in the doorway of the bathroom as Demi picked up Damon's clothes & put them down the laundry shoot. She saw me & smiled. "Did you talk to Joe?" She asked, quietly, walking past me, out of the bathroom. I followed her into the hall. "Is he mad about something?"

"He was just feeling like an inadequate father since it was me who was renting out the stadium." I spoke in a low voice, since Damon had no idea where we were going for his party.

Demi nodded her head, her eyebrows knitting together. "I mean you are friends with the manager of the team. You know him from the gym, right?" Demi asked & I nodded. "Then he should be grateful, not bitter." Demi clicked her tongue & immediately I felt the urge to defend my brother.

"He is grateful. He's just a little upset that he can't give Damon something like that. It's gotta be hard seeing your own son be in awe of another man, while all you can do is just sit back & watch." I shrugged my shoulders & sighed. "I know how he feels, to be honest. That's why I don't like to step on Joe's toes. I don't want him to feel like he's playing second fiddle to me. Joe is his dad. He's the one who should be his hero, the one who goes all out for him."