Blackmail

Chapter 4

I sit there quietly. They boys don't move to break the silence. I can hear the leaves moving in the wind. Then a chuckle breaks out. I knew it. They wont accept me.
" Mia. We don't care if you like girls or not, " Mike states. My eyes widen.
"I don't like girls..." I sigh. Mike and Dan give me confused faces. Antonio thinks for a minute and then his face lights up in realisation.
"So why would we care if you like boys or not, brother?" Antonio says. Mike and Dan take in what Antonio just said.
" Brother? " Mike asks.
"Brother." Antonio replies. 
Dan nods at me. Mike still looks confused. I stand up. I put my hand out to them.
"Hello. I am your brother Max. It's nice to meet you," I say. I stick my hand out. It shakes slightly as nobody gets up to shake it. A moment later Antonio shakes it.
" It's nice to meet you too, " he says. Mike and Dan stand up and shake my hand. I smile. We sit back down.
"So what are we going to do about this Ashley girl?" Dan asks. I sigh.
" I don't know. She said not to tell anyone or she'd tell everyone that I'm a guy, " I reply. They think about it.
"What if you tell who really matters and then it wont matter when everybody else finds out. And if they don't accept you for who you are, they aren't really a friend," Antonio says. I look at him in awe.
"Did I say something wrong? " he asks. I smile.
"That's the best idea ever!" I yell hugging him. But then my smile turns into a frown.
"What about Mom and the evil fake dad? " I ask. Mike sighs.
"We cant do anything about them. If you don't want them to find out, then you're going to have to do what they say until we can find a better alternative," Dan states. I groan. I think about the guy they want me to date. Alex Birmingham.
I get up silently and walk over to the swings. I sit on one and swing higher and higher and higher. My brothers walk over and watch me.
I look out at the small town. All the lights are off and the stars shine really bright. I smile at the world and stop swinging. I jump off and land in the sandbox in front of the swings.
I remember when we were little and our dad would always take us down here. We'd play for hours, until our mother called us hone for dinner. I sigh as my brothers sit near me.
I look over at them. They're talking about some video game they played before bed. I smile at them. I look back up at the sky. I smile softly to myself. I'm glad I have them.
I feel arms wrap around me. I look back and see Dan sitting behind me. I smile at him and turn back around. Im glad I told them.
Dan unwraps his arms from around me and stands up. He puts out his hand and I take it, pulling myself up. Me and my brothers walk over to a 24/7 cafe.
We walk into the homey cafe and sit down at our favorite booth. It overlooks the lush green forest near the school.
A waiter walks up to our table and gives a confused look. I smile at him. He shakes his head for a moment and then smiles back at me.
"What would you like to have this fine evening?" The waiter asks. Dan and Mike order black coffees and Antonio orders a ice coffee. I get a mocha cappuccino.
The waiter jots down our order and walks away. I look out the window, watching a small barn owl perched on the branch of a pine tree.
Mike taps my shoulder and  I turn to him. My cappuccino sits in front of me and I grab it. I wrap my hands around the warm mug.
"That video game is trash!" Antonio states. I look over at him confused.
" War of Legends is the best! " Dan replies glaring at Antonio. I chuckle.
"It is pretty bad Dan," Mike states calmly. I put my hands over my mouth to refrain from laughing. They look over at me.
"Well Max likes it! Don't you Max?" Dan asks. I place my hands on my mug.
" I agree with Antonio and Mike, " I state. I bring my mug up and take a slow sip of it. I put my mug down and smile smugly at Dan.
The waiter comes over with the bill in his hand. He lays it on the table.
"Just come up to the register when you are ready to pay," he says. I smile at him. I go to take my wallet out, but Mike stops me.
" I got this one, " he states. I try to protest but he just shakes his head and refuses me. He walks up to the register with the money as me and my other brothers sit at the booth.
We stand up and walk to the door, waiting for Mike. He joins us soon after and we walk out into the night.
We trek back the small distance to our house. The moon shines over everything, illuminating the streets in light.
Antonio walks on my right and Dan and Mike walk behind us. They talk about some high school classes and I smile.
"I think everything will turn out fine," Antonio blurts out of the blue. I look over at him curiously as he continues.
"I mean, we've met Cody, Milly, Julie, and Anna. I think that they will accept you. There really isn't a reason that they wouldn't They are really good friends and-" I put a hand over his mouth, stopping his rambling.
"Thanks bro," I say as I remove my hand from his mouth. He smiles awkwardly at me. I look up to see the house.
We sneak into the backyard and climb up the tree to their bedroom window. We climb in and lay on the floor.
We stand up and I'm engulfed in a hug from my brothers. I smile at them.
"I love you guys," I state.
" we love you too, " they reply. I walk out waving to them. I change back into my pajamas and climb into my bed. I fall asleep to the sound of Dan's music.