Bechloe - One For My Baby

Chapter XIX

When Stacie got home later that day, she was still unhappy about what happened between Aubrey and Ryan, so much so that the tall girl marched into her brother's room and confronted him.

"What the Hell was that about today?" Stacie probed.

"What?" Ryan said casually, not taking his eyes off his laptop that he was using on his bed.

"Stop looking at porn and answer me!" Stacie shut the boy's computer.

"Hey!" He frowned. "I wasn't looking at porn."

"I don't care. Just answer my question."

Ryan rolled his eyes and sighed. "Look, Stacie - you screwed up. Aubrey and I have been talking and she's really upset."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, back up. You've been talking to Aubrey?"

"Yes."

"For how long?" Stacie asked almost in the form of a shout.

"Since it happened."

"Why the Hell are you talking to my girlfriend about something that is NONE of your business?"

"She's upset, Stacie. She's been hanging out with me and we've been talking."

"You... You've been hanging out with her?"

"Yes."

Stacie had to take a calming breath before continuing. "I'm going to tell you this nicely, Ryan, okay? Stay away from Aubrey. The last thing I need is you getting in her ear and telling things about me that aren't true."

"Why would I do that?"

"Don't do that."

"Don't do what?"

"Acting like I'm stupid because I'm not. I know what you're doing, Ryan, and I can see right through your lies as if they were glass. Aubrey and I haven't broken up and you're not going to break us up just so YOU can have her. She doesn't like you in that way - she never has and she never will. She's told me multiple times that she doesn't find you attractive or has the desire to ever go out with you."

Ryan's eyes hardened at his sister's words. "You don't know that."

"I do, so I'm telling you again - stay away from my girlfriend. Just because we're fighting at the moment doesn't give you the green light to swoop in and try to steal her from me."

"Look, Stacie, Aubrey's mad at you so I'm just being there for her. She needs a shoulder to cry on and she needs help talking about what's on her mind."

"That's not your job."

"Oh, but it's yours?"

"Yes."

"You may be right for some of that but I don't think Aubrey will comfortably talk to you about how she's having second thoughts about your relationship."

Stacie's face fell but she didn't let it get the better of her.

"You're lying," she stated.

"I wish I was but it's true. Talk to Aubrey if you don't believe me but, oh, that's right. You can't," he snickered.

"Stay away from my girlfriend, Ryan," Stacie growled.

"How much longer do you think you'll be able to keep calling her that for?" Ryan stood and grinned cockily at his sister.

"Aubrey and I aren't going to break up over this. I'm giving Aubrey time and space until she comes around, which she WILL. You have no idea of the gravity that our relationship holds. Aubrey and I love each other and it's because I love her that I'm giving her the space she needs and it's because she loves me that she needs that space."