Crossing the line

13: The Tension Of Brotherhood

LIAM

Liam sat in the living room, the evening light filtering through the curtains, casting shadows on the walls. The house was quieter than usual-too quiet, really. He glanced at the clock, noting that it was getting late, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settling in his stomach.

Jake was in the kitchen, cleaning up after dinner, while Ava had just gotten back from the fair. She seemed lighthearted, almost glowing, but Liam could sense an underlying tension that had been building for days. The weight of it hung in the air like a storm cloud.

He turned his gaze toward the kitchen, where Jake was rinsing off a plate, his jaw set in concentration. Liam could see the way Jake's shoulders tensed, a subtle but undeniable indication that something was off. He knew Jake well enough to recognize when he was battling his thoughts, and right now, it felt like he was wrestling with something significant-something that could change everything.

Ava entered the kitchen, the sound of her laughter breaking the heavy silence. She shared a story about her time at the fair, and for a moment, Jake looked genuinely happy, his face lighting up in a way Liam hadn't seen in a while. But then the smile faded, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty that didn't go unnoticed by Liam.

The sight of them together stirred a mix of emotions within him-protectiveness, concern, and a hint of jealousy. He had always been fiercely protective of Ava, and the thought of her being with Jake made his heart race with anxiety. It wasn't that he didn't like Jake; they had been best friends for years. But the dynamic of their friendship was about to change in ways Liam wasn't ready for.

"What's going on with you two?" Liam asked, trying to keep his tone casual as he leaned against the counter.

"Nothing," Jake replied too quickly, the defensiveness in his voice not escaping Liam's notice.

"Come on, you're acting weird," Ava chimed in, a teasing smile on her lips.

Liam felt the urge to intervene, to voice the concerns swirling in his mind, but fear held him back. What if he overstepped? What if he drove a wedge between them? The last thing he wanted was to ruin their friendship or put a strain on the bond they shared as siblings.

"Just thinking about the game tomorrow," Jake said, shrugging it off. "Nothing to worry about."

But Liam wasn't convinced. The weight of his unspoken concerns hung heavy in the air, creating a chasm between the three of them that felt insurmountable. How could he bring up the topic of their feelings without sounding like the overprotective brother or the jealous friend?

"Right," he said, forcing a lighthearted tone. "We need to get our heads in the game if we want to win."

Ava smiled, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, but Liam noticed the slight tension in Jake's shoulders as he nodded in agreement. It was a small gesture, but to Liam, it felt like a signal-a sign that Jake was trying to distance himself from the situation, and Ava remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface.

As the conversation continued, Liam couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking a tightrope. He loved both of them and wanted to protect them, but the truth was that he was scared. Scared of losing his sister to the complications of romance, scared of how a relationship between them might change the dynamics of their friendship.

With a deep breath, he decided to change the subject. "So, who's bringing the snacks for the game tomorrow?" he asked, forcing a grin.

Ava's laughter filled the room again, and Liam felt a twinge of relief as she dove into a discussion about their game day plans. But deep down, he knew this wasn't over. The undercurrents of tension still existed, and he would need to find a way to address them before it was too late.

As he watched Jake and Ava interact, he couldn't help but wonder how long he could keep this facade up. It felt like a ticking clock, and he hoped that when it finally chimed, he would be able to protect both his sister and his best friend from the chaos that was sure to follow.

YUP...
<3