Brothers

Chapter 5

Hardin's POV

Buzz Buzz Buzz my phone rings for the hundredth time but I don't know the number so Im not picking it up. If they want to talk they can leave a message. Who the hell keeps calling me anyways? I'm preoccupied anyways.

Tessa talked me into having dinner at my fathers house. Some big celebration apparently. I don't want to go but I know that it will make her happy, and I'll do anything to make sure my girl is happy.

"Ready to go?" Tessa comes out of the bathroom and looks in the mirror in the hallways one last time before looking at me. She stares at me with a smile.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing. Just can't stop thinking about how much I love you." She smiles, walking towards me.

I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close to my chest.

"Must be why you stayed with me so long." I smile, planting a kiss on her lips.

"Nah that's not it." She laughs.

"Ooh then it must be just for the sex then. I mean I don't blame you. It's really good fucking sex." I laugh.

She swats at my arm. "Oh my god shut up." She rolls her eyes.

"We better be going. You know Karen likes everyone to be on time." She says. I roll my eyes back at her.

She grabs her purse and takes my hand leading the way out of the apartment.

The fray plays quietly through the speakers. Tessas favorite. She insist on playing it when she's in the car, and honestly I don't mind. The way she hums the song is adorable.

I look over at her, she's looking out the window with a smile on her face. I reach my hand over and grab her leg. She places her hand over mine and looks over at me and smiles. God I love it when she smiles.

"I can't wait to get you home and fuck you." I say. She lets go of my hand and swats me on the arm.

"Language Hardin Scott." She laughs.

"Fine." I say giving in. I lean over and whisper in her ear.

"I can't wait to get you home tonight and make love to you. Better?" I smile sitting back up and focusing on the road.

"Shut up and focus on the road." She says, giving out a tiny laugh.

Buzz Buzz Buzz my phone starts ringing again, same number.

"Aren't you gonna get that?" Tessa looks at the phone and then at me waiting for my answer.

"If it's important they'll leave a message. They've been calling all day but haven't left a voicemail at all." I say silencing the phone.

"Well if they're calling you over so many times it must be important." She says. She looks back down at the phone.

"There, see they left a voicemail."

"Okay I'll look at it later." I say.

—

"Thank you for having us Karen. Dinner was amazing as always." Tessa smiles at my step mother, Karen.

I roll my eyes and continue to look down at my plate. It's been a few months since we've been visiting my fathers house frequently, but I'm still not too comfortable. He was a shit dad and I didn't plan on fixing our relationship or ever seeing my father again but Tessa insisted.

Plus her best friend just so happens to be my step brother.

"It's really no big deal. Just something I whipped up really quick. I'm just glad you and Hardin could make it."

Karen and Tessa exchange hugs, followed by a hug from my father.

I shake hands with my dad and give smile before heading out the door.

I check the time on my phone before getting into the car. It's already well past eleven pm.

There's a voicemail notification on my phone. I touch the notification and raise the phone to my ear, looking to Tessa to give me a second. She smiles and gets into the car.
   
Hey uhhh hey little brother this is — this is Christian. Hey look I know it's been awhile but I was hoping we could meet? Mum told me you're staying in Washington over by Washington university. There's a long pause followed by a couple seconds of silence. Listen I know I fucked up big time in the past, but I want to talk to you and reconnect. A lots changed over the years and I'm just hoping you'll give me a chance. Call me? Talk soon hardin. The phone goes silent.

I'm left standing there. I don't know what to say. All the memories of — him and what happened come rushing back. I can feel my chest rising higher and higher, my breathing intensifying.

I run my hands through my hair and take a deep breath, opening the driver side door and getting into the seat. I sit there for a moment, feeling Tessas gaze on me.

"Who was that?"

"No one." I snap. I punch the steering wheel and start the car.

"Hardin what's wrong." Tessa touches my arm but I push her arm away.

"Tessa please don't. Not right now." I snap.

She moves her hand back and sighs.

"Okay?" She says turning her head to look out the window.

fuck. I didn't mean to snap at her.