The Soldier's Roommate

Chapter 30: He is...

Alice

Oh.

My.

God.

"Liss! Fuck!" Jake yells, instantly throwing a blanket over himself while I slam the door shut behind me, rubbing my eyes in the hopes that it might erase the sight I just had to endure.

I just saw my baby brother have sex. Oh my god.

I mean, I shouldn't be so surprised. I knew he was sexually active; I was the one who told him about the birds and the bees after all...

Jake's voice resonates through the door as he speaks to the other person in the room, and I still just stand there, my hands covering my eyes as I take deep breaths, trying to calm myself for when he gets out there.

"Shit, Liss, I'm so sorry..." he mutters as he gets out of the room, dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt, running a hand through his disheveled hair when he explains, "I thought you'd only be here in an hour or so..."

"Yeah," I chuckle, "Traffic was light. Sorry..." And I am. I really am sorry. It's embarrassing enough for me to see my brother's naked butt first thing I get here, but for him, considering the circumstances... He must feel awful.

He runs a nervous hand over his neck, his eyes flicking from the dorm room and back to me as if he doesn't know what to do.

"So, are you going to introduce me?" I ask with a smile, trying to lighten the mood somehow. But Jake just stares at me, his wide eyes blinking a few times as he registers my question.

"Are you, uh... I mean... Are you sure? You're not mad or anything?"

"What? Why would I be mad?"

He sighs, obviously not knowing how to answer that, but I can't deny that I'm kind of hurt by the fact that he thinks I would be mad at him for that. It's irrational. Then again... I kind of understand him, I think. "It would've been nice to know," I finally say. "I'm only mad you didn't tell me. I understand why you didn't, though..."

And with the way he looks at me right now, his eyes glassy and everything about him suddenly so vulnerable, I can't help but throw my arms around him. He gives in immediately, his own arms wrapping around me as he squeezes me tightly, holding on longer than usual. "Thank you..." he whispers, and I only nod my head in response, tightening the hug once more.

"You're good, baby bro. Just lock the door next time..."

He laughs as we pull apart, and I'm glad to see that he's back to his normal, playful and a little awkward self when he runs another hand through his hair. "Yeah, will do. Let me just, like, check if the coast is clear..." he shoots me a wink, turning around slowly opening the door, glancing inside before nodding his head.

"Alright, seems like we're all decent now." He opens the door wide enough for me to step inside after him, throwing my backpack in a corner and closing the door behind me.

I look around, my gaze suddenly settling on a very handsome looking young man with chocolate brown hair and green eyes. The stark contrast is mesmerizing, really.

"Okay, uh, this is my sister Liss, or Alice, and this is um... I guess, my boyfriend, Finn." Jake stammers, waving his hand between me and the handsome man.

"Good to meet you, Miss Epione. I'm Finn Holton," the guy says, stretching out his hand which I immediately shake, immediately feeling a warm smile on my face from the way he greets me. His shake is soft but firm, and he's very polite. I can't deny I already like him.