Affinity

Chapter 24: He's My Brother Too

Christmas Eve

"Hold ya head still."

" Mean ass."

" Both of ya'll are mean asses." Jaelyn threw his two cents in as he sat on Jaz's couch taking the whole scene in. He'd been on my ass since the whole Pap store thing about a week and a half ago, staying true to his word in every way, shape, and form. Which also meant him, Jaz, and I had been growing closer as each passing day found us in each other's company. Of course Jaz's reaction to the news of Jaelyn being our brother at first had been one of disbelief which soon morphed into anger, the same emotions I had faced, but hers were on a whole other level.

She had thrown chairs, plates, and most notably the television. We had to snatch her car keys and phone before she called our parents, or hopped on my type time and did a pop up on them. Although I didn't regret my outburst that day, I knew them having to suffer that diatribe more than once was cruel and unusual punishment. She'd simmered now to a low resentment, but I knew if anyone touched that trigger she'd flip the switch before the other party could retract.

" Are you listening? Stop moving Abbie!" Ok, now I could hear the impatience growing in my sister's voice as I swerved in and out of her grasp as she braided my hair. I was tender-headed and she was just plain rough, this was a struggle we'd had our entire lives.

" Ab, please just sit still man. I'm bout to catch a headache off ya'll, both of ya'll need to hush." Jaz and I both snapped our heads to attention at that statement, looking from Jaelyn, to each other, and back again.

" He didn't just tell me to police MY mouth in MY house did he sis?" Jaz playfully yanked my head to the side so that I was facing her.

" And say HIS headache was a byproduct of OUR conversation? Hmm the young man must be lost, he's not talking to us."

" Not at all sis. Mistaken motherfucking identity." Jaz concluded the banter as she resumed the braid she'd halted midway. Both of us sat silent for a couple seconds before not being able to control our laughter anymore and lifting our eyes to our brother.

" Ya'll really love ganging up on me, a brother can't say nothing!" He rose from the couch and stalked into the kitchen in a huff, our laughter trailing behind him.

" I'm really mad I didn't know his ass sooner Ab. He's funny as hell, I could've used this laughter when Hakim was constantly fucking shit up." Here she go mentioning his name like I wasn't trying my hardest to forget this man existed. I absentmindedly grabbed Travis' chain around my neck and inhaled deeply, Jaz caught on to the movement and spoke on it.

" It's gonna be ok Abbie, I promise." She kissed my cheek and resumed braiding, but I was lost in thought.

Travis was on my mind heavy now. Every time my thoughts turned to him my whole mood would change, I'd be stuck in his likeness. Meaning his voice and words would swim through my head in melancholy tones that drew both comfort and sadness within me. As if on cue Jaelyn's feet appeared in my line of vision as I cleared my hands from my face.

" Is that a tear I see?" He was now bent down to my level as he laid his head on my lap, wrapping his arms around my legs like a little kid as he looked up at me.

" No." I whined on cue and leaned down to hug him.

" You lucky I'm finished." Jaz mumbled under her breath as I heard her get out the chair behind me.

Jaelyn took that as his cue to raise to a standing position, pulling me to him into a hug. I sighed a deep breath and relaxed into his frame, it was starting to become harder and harder to remember a time without him.

" I got you Ab."

" I know."

" Can I have one?"

" Huh?" I was rummaging through Jaz's fridge looking for something to drink when she walked in.

" You want a water, or juice?"

" I want a fucking brother!" Here she go with this shit again. I drug my head above the fridge door and met her angry stare.

" Are you pregnant again?" I rubbed my temples trying to account for her mood swings towards me as of late, when she was pregnant with Trey she'd declared war on everyone so... that could be the culprit once again right?

" No, smart ass." She paused to roll her eyes at me and I stood up fully shutting the refrigerator door so that we could continue this argument without any obstacles. " We now have two brothers. One who is calm, sweet, and kind, and one who's fucked up our lives, our ENTIRE lives. What I don't get about us now having two of them is how they both find the need to have this strong ass attachment to you. How they both seem to love YOU more!"

Jaz was now angry crying, which caused a pang of guilt to sweep over me.

" Jazmine, they do not love me more than you. You are the stronger of the two of us, so when they see me breaking down over every little thing they coddle me, yes. They treat me like a baby and I'm sorry that that has made you feel any type of way, but what your thinking is not the case."

" It is. Hakim left you every fucking thing, motherfucker hasn't seen you in years but had been quietly building an empire for ya ass. And Jaelyn..that man is gone off you a whole new kind of special." She crossed her arms over her chest and stared me down, I had no energy for this.

On some shit, I'm tired Jaz coming at me sideways about our brothers. I didn't ask them to act how they did towards me and I sure as hell didn't condone or encourage Hakim's behavior towards me especially.

" I'm not arguing about this anymore yo, bye." I attempted to walk by Jaz and she grabbed my arm. I thought about snatching it away but that would only escalate the fight further and I really didn't wanna fight with Jaz when we'd just gotten back on good terms.

" Well, I'm not the fuck done little girl! Let me have some time with Jay ard, I want him to love me how he loves you." The words cut deep, maybe I was selfish with Jaelyn, but it wasn't on purpose. We just had that bond; it was effortless and we fell into step with each other's vibes from jump. Because of this Jaz and Jaelyn had only spent time together when I was around, they hadn't had time to properly get to know each other again.

" He loves you just the same Jaz, I promise. But your right, spend some time with him, I'll see you later sis. I love you." I kissed Jaz's cheek and walked out the kitchen, she threw an I love you my way, and I sensed her anger softening towards me.

" Hol up, you ready to leave already?" Jaelyn came from the bathroom and peeped my movements, he started to gather his things in response.

" Nah bro, you staying." I stayed my hand over his as he grabbed his keys.

" What you mean?" He furrowed his eyebrows and tried to look me over to figure out what was wrong.

" I've been selfish with you alright, Jay. You and Jaz need to spend some alone time together, we got our bond, we good, but ya'll need a minute to build ya'll relationship up."

I was sad leaving him here. We'd been inseparable since I'd discovered we were siblings, leaving him felt like leaving my comfort blanket behind, I was lowkey ready to bust out crying.

" Ab, I hear you and all but you can't leave by yaself. Plus, I wanna go with you, you my lil roadie." He broke a smile and ran his hand along the side of my face.

" Ima take a uber ard, you got my location so we good. I'm going straight home I promise." I pleaded and his resolve waned, he was about to give in to me.

" Fine Ab, damn man, straight the fuck in the house. Text me the whole time, and if anything feel fishy you call me, no hesitation." I loved his overprotectiveness of me, it rivaled Rah's and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world because of it.

" Thanks, love you." I jumped in his arms and kissed his cheek.

" I love you too lil girl, be safe."

Sibling relationships are complicated, are Jaz's feelings valid?

Abla's leaving alone, how's that gonna go?