So Close, and still so far

Chapter 15: Iain

The boy is a perfect carbon copy of our father, I note even by the derisive way he's looking at me. It strikes me odd that I should still be surprised. I already know what Neil looks like from his records given by the hired private investigator and I know that he's a spitting image of my dad, but seeing him in the flesh with his hazel eyes glinting with mischief and his crooked smile unnerves me to the core.

"I've always imagined our meeting would have been profound or at least poignant to some degree," Neil's gritty voice is tinged with part amusement and sarcasm. "But never in my life had I imagined it would involve having to fight for the attention of a beautiful blonde. I've always thought redheads and brunettes were more of your type."

I ignore the obnoxious jibe coming from the rough young arrogant pup. I turn my attention instead at Quinn who is staring at both of us wordlessly.

"How do you two know each other?"

Quinn for the first time is nonplussed. "I—we—"

Neil, though he may be a dickhead, takes mercy on her. "We met at Bible Study." He explains smoothly.

Now this is shocking news. I turn my head and look again incredulously at my brother. I still haven't removed my arm from Quinn's side. She's moved closer and is now leaning against me as if hoping to gain some inner strength. My dour mood improves slightly but I don't feel like analyzing why I feel the way I do. I don't even want to consider why I'm holding her close and unconsciously rubbing her shoulder back and forth with my thumb like I'm comforting her.

Hell, I'm the one who's supposed to be fucking nervous.

Neil rolls his eyes. "Please try not to act so surprised. I maybe poor, proud and a whole bunch of other things, big brother, but our mother didn't raise me to be an atheist."

"I'll let you catch up," Quinn murmured as she uselessly pushes and tries to pry herself out of my arm.

"Yeah, big brother. Quit holding on to that pretty girl like you'll never let her go." Neil chides, but I can see that he enjoys rattling the hell out of me.

I won't allow him to get the best of me, because I know that he's been hurt from the after effects of our parents' divorce, lonely, and he's taking it out on me because I'm the only target of Hargreave heritage in proximity. His method to shock and annoy all screams teenage angst.

I reluctantly let my arm go and stand so Quinn can move out of her chair. I give her the keys and tell her to stay in the car.

"We'll talk later," I promise giving her a stern look that I was serious and meant it. She nods mutely and scurries away.

I watch as Quinn makes a beeline for the bathroom. Then I turn my attention to my kid brother who's watching the scene with amusement.

At this point, I've given up having to sugarcoat anything. He's old enough to understand how life works and how to make decisions for himself so giving any nonsense voluntary conversation was moot at this point. It was also worthless to let an awkward silence pass by between two people who want to move forward but aren't quite sure how to proceed.

Besides, I couldn't keep Quinn waiting too long for me.

So instead, I try honesty for a change and ask him the first thing I think of.

"How did you know?"

Neil shrugs his massive shoulders nonchalantly. "Five years ago, I did a school project about central heterochromia. Turns out that I have a rare case and it only runs in a certain genetic line. You're not the only computer hacking genius in the family, so I did my research. I went through several records and, boom. I found Dad who has eyes exactly like mine. Since I look a lot like him, it was easy to put two and two together."