Taming the Rocker Chick

CHAPTER Vi - Where My Big Mouth Got Me

JO'S POV

Nate stormed out of the bar, leaving me alone with his brother whom I just met.

What is it with people these days to just disappear without my knowing? I was shocked, to say the least.

Oooh Nate's gonna get a major pounding for this. He is so gonna get it! I controlled the anger building up inside me and instead focused on the golden boy sitting opposite me at the bar. He was as shocked as I was, and although his face remained impassive, his eyes showed a flicker of sadness and guilt. I restrained myself from bombarding him with questions and kept my mouth shut.

I am not going to interfere with their problem. I am a perfectly patient person and snooping in other people's lives is none of my concern. Patience is my best trait. Patience is my best trait. Repeat until convinced.

...

...

"So, Nate's disowned brother. Spill."

Damn.

Okay. So patience wasn't my strongest suit. Nobody's perfect.

Kaleb smiled ruefully, and I noticed how deep his dimples were. Damn, this guy is gorgeous.

"What do you want me to say? I basically gave you the summary of events. I acted stupid and now my one and only brother treat me like I have some viral disease." He flashed another million dollar smile.

I marveled at how composed he was despite the fact that Nate practically told him to fuck off.

"Nuh-uh. Not good enough. Start from the beginning."

"Geez, woman. Ever heard of invasion of privacy?" He asked, shaking his head.

"Hey, do you want me to help you reconcile with your brother or not?" I was totally bluffing, I don't really know how to help him win back Nate's attention but I was not going to say that.

He heaved a desolated sigh and looked at me straight in the eyes, which made my stomach churn with yearn. Oh, hot damn. I think I'm going to pass out.

Wait, what?? What the fuckety fuck is wrong with me?

"I was an incoming junior high student. Nate was three grades below me. We had always been close since our parents were always busy with running the hotels, and it was at that time that Nate and I swore we'd never be separated from each other. Nate has always been the shy type, you see."

Is he talking about Nathaniel McCoy, the infamous party animal of East California Senior High? Unfuckingbelievable.

Kaleb continued talking, unaware of my thought about his brother. "...but my parents wanted me to get the best education out there and without my knowing, they signed my name to take one of those elusive Ivy League acceleration exam. I had no choice but to follow their orders. It was either that or boarding school. They were my parents, after all and they just want what's best for me, even though they tricked me into getting what they want. I had to choose between my parents' dream for me or Nate." Kaleb suppressed a sigh and looked at me dead in the eyes. "I left him hanging in mid-air... I wasn't there to step-up to him, to encourage him, to do everything an older brother is supposed to do. I was the only one he had and even I had to leave him... That's why I can't blame him for closing his door on me. He rejected all my calls, refused to see me on holidays; he did everything possible to avoid me. It hurt an awful lot but what can I do? I deserved to be ignored by him. Now that I have graduated, I want to make it up to him. I have fulfilled my parents' dreams, now it's time for me to chase mine... To be close with my brother again. Such a shallow dream, yeah Jo?"

His question barely registered in my mind. All I could think of was how both of them suffered, both of them hurting each other unintentionally. It was heartbreaking to watch two people fall apart, let alone two people whose same blood coursed through their veins. I thought about my own brother, Josh and promised myself to go easy on him.

"Hey, you okay?" He tapped my shoulders lightly, sending electric currents throughout my body, jolting me from my train of thoughts.

It's the effect of alcohol. I thought unconvincingly.

"Sorry for that. I guess I got carried away." He said shyly.

"N-no. It's okay. Thank you for sharing. I can't imagine how hard these past few years have been to you."

He smiled again and the butterflies in my stomach flapped their wings eagerly. "So, are you gonna help me reach out to him?"

"Huh? H-him?" I asked, bewilderment clearly registered in my face.

"Uhh... You said you'd help me reconnect with my Nate... Nate, my brother?"

Realization dawned on me and I cursed the delicious margarita for making me blab things I don't mean. "Of course I would, silly! I said I'd help, right? So I guess I would... Yeah... Of course... Sweet."

"Great!" He said warmly, and I was lost in a whirlpool of emotions I cannot fathom.

Damn alcohol.