Paint Strokes

Chapter 14: I call Shotgun

Lack of editing will be prevalent 

Chapter 14: I call Shotgun

Before she could answer Jake steps up from behind her and rests his hands on her waist.

"Hey sis." He is all smiles and bright eyes so obviously he didn't hear me swear at what I am guessing is his current girlfriend.

He gently nudges the brunette to one side and wraps me in a massive hug.

Though I am confused and annoyed that someone else is in my jumper- well Jakes jumper- I hug him back tightly.

"What are you doing here?" I ask and step back accidently stepping on Leo's feet.

I shoot him an apologetic smile, which he grins at then turn back to face my big brother.

Our interaction didn't go unnoticed and I saw Jake's blue eyes size up the boy behind me.

I uncomfortably tugged at Leo's jumper still on my person and laughed awkwardly.

"Jake this is Leo, Leo my brother Jake."

I have to force myself not to coo when Leo sticks his hand out towards Jake. The guys on the Rugby team would give him so much shit for his old fashioned manners. It's sad to think that men shaking hands is old fashioned but I supposed that is the way of the times.

Though obviously not for my Spanish Hunk.

Jake looks mildly surprised as well and he hesitiately shakes my boyfri-, Leo's hand.

Too comsumed by my internal almost mistake I look up to see my brothers expectant face.

"Huh?' I said with all the grace one can present.

Jake looks annoyed with me already and we have only seen eachother for about 10 minutes.

Sighing, he gestures to the person by his side.

"This is my girlfriend Gemma."

I don't offer my hand; instead I smile awkwardly and shuffle on the spot with a small 'hey'.

She grins and offers me one back.

Just as things were getting steadily more uncomfortable, mum calls from inside the house.

"Summer! Is that you?"

"Yep, coming." As I respond I grab Leo's hand and pull him through the threshold, past the brother and girlfriend duo.

"Babe, I need to leave." Leo whispers in my ear.

I stop and turn to face him, narrowing my eyes, "Why"

He shuffles on the spot for a moment, obviously trying to think of an excuse.

I wait patiently before spinning around.

"Stay or leave, it's really up to you."

Not wanting to waste anymore time, I make my way to the lounge room where my mother is sitting on one end of the three sitter with a cup of tea in her hands.

"Hey ma." I bent and kissed her on the cheek.

"Why didn't you tell me they were going to be here?"

Mum shrugs, "I didn't know until the second he pulled up."

I frown, confused at the unexpected visit. My brother loves us, I'm sure he does but he isn't one to pop around for a random visit.

Either something bad has happened, or something really good.

I'm hypothesizing something bad.

My heart hurts a little when Leo doesn't enter the room with Jake and Gemma but push that into the back of my head for later and when I am alone in my small room.