you're cute ➳ brent rivera + brad simpson

CHAPTER 38

"Well last time I checked I wasn't a ghost." Jake said as he dropped his bag and stepped into my home.

"You could've phoned Jake. Mum and I were worried sick." I explained as I frowned. Brent wrapped his arm around my waist and drew me closer to him.

"Why didn't you tell me about him?" Brent whispered in my ear and I looked at him before shaking my head.

"JAKE ANSWER ME!" I screamed and he dropped a vase. He bent down trying to pick up the broken pieces but quickly moved his hand away. Jake bit his lip and I knelt beside him to find he cut himself. I guided him towards the kitchen and disinfected his cut.

"I guess Dad leaving took a toll on me." Jake said as he winced.

"Sorry." I said as I continued putting disinfectant.

"Ow," Jake shouted and I furrowed my eyebrows, "Shit Tallulah what is this?" I ignored his question and placed a plaster on his palm.

"Let's walk." I suggested as I used the chair to help me up. Jake held his hand out and I used it to stand up.

"Brent knock you up?" Jake joked. I gasped and hit him, "I'm kidding sheesh." He said as he rubbed his arm. I walked to Brent and tiptoed to kiss him on the cheek.

"Be careful yeah." He told me and I nodded.

"Brent I trust him with all my life. He's my baby brother and I haven't seen him in 10 years." I sighed and Brent held my hands.

"That's the problem though." He said as he pressed his lips on my forehead. I could feel his hot breath and it made me tingle.

"I'll be okay." My face snuggled into the crook of his neck and I placed the palm of my hand against his.

"Are you sure?" Brent sounded worried as he looked at my bump.

"Yeah. Aww Brent, the baby's hand will barely reach here." I said as I traced Brent's palm. He smiled and kissed my forehead. This boy is my baby's daddy.

I inhaled the cold air and wrapped my arms around my body. I turned to Jake who had his head down then looked back at the path.

"I told everyone you were dead." I said to my baby brother.

"Good, it was better that way anyway." He shrugged and we walked in awkward silence.

"So how have you been?" I asked trying to bring up conversation.

"Homeless. Pretty much except for when I stay in shelters." He shrugged again and I frowned. I noticed a Starbucks cafe ahead and Jake and I headed towards it.

"Wow." Jake gaped as he stared at the little cafe.

"What?" I asked, perplexed.

"Just this. I could never afford anything like this." Jake explained and I ordered my usual.

"What do you want?" I turned to Jake who was playing with a sugar packet.

"Anything really, I don't know what to choose from." Jake didn't even look at me, he just continued exploring the store.

"2 caramel frapuccinos please," I smiled to the waitress, "Oh and can you write Jake on one of the cups. It's my brother's first time here and he would love it." The waitress nodded and I walked towards Jake.

"How long til the baby's due?" Jake asked as he sat the wrong way round on the chair.

"Sit properly!" I ordered and Jake obeyed. I had always been the bossy one but Jake always listened. We were so close as kids and did everything together. We always stuck up for one another and made sure we were both okay. Jake never put up with anyone bullying me but because he was younger, he was pretty much powerless. He tried so hard to make a stop to 'Tallulah the loser' and I loved him for that but he was too weak. He became weaker after our Dad left. Those two were inseparable.

"Sorry, erm in 2 months hopefully." I smiled and Jake nodded.

"Any names yet?" He asked as he stared at an old lady sipping from her coffee.

"Stop staring!," I whispered and Jake looked at me again, "Either Gracie or Max."

"Why not both? Sorry Tallulah but you are looking really big." He chuckled and I glared at him angrily.

I was about to answer when the waitress came with our drinks. Jake grinned at the sweet substance and his eyes widened when he saw his name on the cup.

"My name's on here." Jake smiled and I giggled. He slurped the drink quickly and closed his eyes as he groaned.

"Brain freeze?" I asked and he nodded. I smiled at my brother's reaction and slowly sipped from my drink.

"You didn't answer my question." Jake said and I looked up from my drink.

"Oh yeah. I was supposed to have twins but one of them died in a crash." I explained with a sigh.

"And you're not bothered? Tallulah what the hell," He shouted and I continued sipping. Jake stared at me but I didn't dare look at him. He got angry so easily and it irritated me a lot.

"TALLULAH ANSWER ME! WHY AREN'T YOU BOTHERED!" He shouted again hoping I would answer. I mouthed the word 'sorry' to the other customers in the shop and looked Jake in the eye.

"I don't wear my heart on my sleeve Jake. If I need to, I will hide my feelings. No one needs to know about my petty life." I spat and a tear fell from his eye. Jake never liked being shouted at and he would always start crying if someone did.

I sighed and hugged Jake. I kissed his head and rubbed his back.

"I missed you. More than Mum." Jake admitted and I drew him closer.

"I missed you too." We separated and I smiled at him.

"I brought a suit," Jake smirked, "For the wedding tomorrow." I squealed and kissed my brother's forehead multiple times.

"You need a shower though." I moved away whilst scrunching up my nose. Jake sniffed his jumper and coughed at the smell.

"Yeah I do." He agreed and I told him he could shower at my house.

"I'm on the run." Jake said looking at me. His smile disappeared and he was biting his nails. A trait he had when he was about to say something important.

"From what, in fact who?" I asked as I raised my eyebrow.

"The girl who used to bully you, Chelsea, she just got on my last nerve. I was going to prank her, try to scare her off."

"Yes...continue."

"I didn't mean to kill her Tallulah but it got out of hand." Jake blurted out and I stared into space. My little brother...a murderer.

"You killed her. H-h-how. " I stuttered monotonously as I got up.

"Tallulah I'm sorry." He apologised and I shook my head.

"Jake no. You killed an innocent girl. I don't care if she bullied me but you didn't have to kill her." I explained and Jake tried to speak. I pushed him away from me and headed out of the cafe. I couldn't absorb those last few minutes. How can my brother be a murderer?

"Tallulah!" Jake cried. I walked more quickly but Jake caught up with me.

"Go away!" I shouted but Jake ignored me.

"You're the fucking one who told me you wanted her to die." Jake argued.

"Yes but I didn't mean it literally." I said out of breath. I stopped walking and tried to catch my breath back.

"Tallulah are you alright?" Jake asked and I nodded. I continued walking but my vision became blurred.

"Jake I-I-" And I blacked out.

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