Why Not Live?

Chapter Seven - The Older Brother's Slightly Awkward Ground Rules

Nathan's POV

Nathan smiled to himself as he walked down the street outside of his apartment. He had been doing that a lot lately since they day before last when he spent the whole day with Charly. Smiling. Even his sister noticed when he'd spent the day at her house the day before.

He'd thought about heading back over to Charly's in the morning, but had decided against it. His thoughts were still far too jumbled. Plus, he didn't want to be that guy and show up the next day, following her around like a lost puppy.

What was happening to him?

Just then a tall, blond guy bumped into him. Nathan quickly apologized and began to walk away when the stranger grabbed the sleeve of his jacket to hold him back.

Nathan jerked his sleeve out of the guys hand and turned to look at him. The guy was tall, with short blond hair that was carefully spiked up in the front. His bright blue eyes were narrowed as he stared at Nathan.

"Um, can I help you?" Nathan asked, starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. He stared at the guy, coming to the conclusion that he really had never seen him before.

"Nathan Blake." Was all he said. Um, okay.

"Yeah?"

The guy crossed his arms, tilting back his head as he continued to study Nathan. "I'm Joey. Joey Reed."

"Okay?" Should that mean something?

The guy- Joey, began to look a little irritated. "Charly's brother. Charly's older brother."

Ohhhhhh. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't know Charly had a brother." Nathan mumbled.

"Well, she does, and I'm him." Joey stated.

Nathan nodded, "It's nice to meet you then, Joey. I'm Nathan Blake, but you already know that, apparently."

"Yep. And I also know that you have taken an interest in my sister."

Nathan reached up and unconsciously ran a hand through his hair. "Um, yeah. She told you about me then?"

Joey snorted, "she didn't have to, I'm her brother, I know things." He paused, "but yeah, she told me a few things. So, what are your intentions with my sister?"

Nathan stuttered a bit, he didn't really know himself. He really liked her, he knew that. But they weren't together or anything, were they? He hadn't asked her, so he guessed not. Did he want to ask her? He guessed maybe he did, but he had really only just met the girl, so wouldn't that be a little soon? He had never actually considered all the complications of a relationship. Wasn't this shit supposed to be easy? Apparently, not.

Joey just watched him, obviously still expecting an answer.

Nathan finally shrugged. "I really like her."

His response to Nathan's answer was to continue to stare at him for a while. Before nodding his head in the direction Nathan had been headed. "Come with me."

Nathan wasn't sure if he should protest or not, but he eventually just followed Joey. If worse came to worst, he was pretty sure he could win in a fight.

They made their way down the street, finally stopping in front of Charly's apartment. Nathan stopped, not really sure what Joey was planning. Joey just continued up the steps, looking back when he realized Nathan wasn't following him. "Let's go, Blake. You just gonna stand there all day?" Joey sarcastically asked before pushing his way through the front door of the building.

Nathan glared at his back and jogged after him.

When they made up to apartment 212, Charly's apartment, Joey let them in.