Every Part Of Us

36. Your brother

Reid pov:

My stomach was in knots. I hadn't seen my brother in two weeks and now as I drove home I could feel the nerves. The last time I was in that house it hadn't been good. I couldn't help but replay his words and my own in my head over and over again.

He may have kicked me out but I hadn't been perfect either. I'd said things I wished I could take back. I made my own mistakes that day.

I wasn't sure I was ready to face all that. But Tiffany was back and if anyone could help keep the peace with Ronan and I, it was Tiff.

Even with the promises of this being different I walked through the front door already bracing for impact. I was ready for the usual fights and frustration. I was ready for that hollow look in my brother's eyes and his sharp words firing my way.

Our house had been filled with landmines my whole life and somehow I'd only just realized it. My brother had been shielding me from all those bombs even as it slowly destroyed the both of us.

I needed him to let me in. I needed him to finally drop the walls down. I just didn't know if I really trusted him to finally do it.

"Reid." Tiffany's whole face shifted into what I could only describe as relief when she saw me. "I missed you."

She wrapped herself around me in a hug and I didn't hesitate to return it. I needed this form of comfort, to feel grounded for just a second before facing my brother.

"I missed you too Tiff." I let her squeeze me as tightly as she needed to.

She hadn't just been Ronan's rock, his other half, she was also the person that raised me, the one that shaped me into who I was. Tiffany had been my rock too, she was the closest thing I ever had to a mom.

"I'm making lunch if you want to put your stuff away and join us." She smiled at me.

"Yeah, okay." I nodded and took that as my chance to retreat and take a minute to pull myself together.

I needed to calm myself and shake all the nerves before talking to Ronan. If I went in firing he'd fire right back. I didn't want another fight, I couldn't deal with that.

I dropped my bag onto my bed and took a few deep breathes before making my way into the kitchen. Tiffany had her back to me as she messed with the pot on the stove.

My brother sat at the table his head tipped down as he stared at the mug he had both hands wrapped around in a tight grip. I had calmed myself, I had told myself I'd wave my white flag and make things right.

I'd do my part and just hoped Ro would at least meet me halfway.

I took the seat across from him and it wasn't until I fully sat down that Ronan moved at all. He tilted his head up just slightly as his eyes seemed to scan me.

"I see you didn't throw all my stuff away. I was slightly worried I wouldn't have a room when I came back." I tried to make it sound teasing but I couldn't hide that hint of anger still there.

"Tiffany wouldn't let me." Ronan shrugged but I could see that slight tilt of a smile on his face.

This was good, this was what I had wanted. I'd been missing that easy back and forth, those moments of fun I'd had with my brother growing up. Our relationship had never been perfect but the good moments disappeared until it seemed that all that was left was arguing.

I wanted to change that. I wanted to put the work into fixing whatever had broken between us.

"I want to apologize, I said some things I didn't mean and I'm sorry for leaving the way I did." I apologized.