Sitting on His Lap

I'm sorry, Sis

Eve

"Good morning." were the first words I'd heard after wakinng up in Ryder's arms.

After the fight between my brother and I, I'd gone into my room and burreid myself into my pillows and blankets I creid my eyes out. The thought of my brother disrespecting his twin, after I'd gone and taken them out of an abusive home just for one of them to be back in that painful situation hurt. I didn't take them from that damn house just to throw them back to an abusive home made by each other. The anger I'd felt in the moment had washed away,only to have sorrow and regret. I was so upset that he would say such things to me about my friends and his own brother. I can't say I regret beating the hell out of him and I don't regret telling him  to find some place else to stay.

"Good morning." I say looking up at him through the glaze of the morning. I didn't want to wake up. I was so happy and warm here. I coulld escape the world here. Yet I knew I couldn't stay here in his arms,  I had a brother to protect,  another brother to slap, and another brother to raise.

"The boys stayed at mine with Maddox last night, breakfast is on the table, and I got your assignments from your professors."

I just nod.

"Summer break is beginning in a week. "

Again I  nod.

"Baby? "

I look at him.  He looks tired and worried.  Not like himself. He was worried about me, and suddenly I didn't doubt his words from last night. The self assurance only lasted a few seconds.

"And Jace? "

"Outside.  He wants to talk to you. "

Again I nod.  Getting out of the bed,  I  pull on the shirt Ryder wore yesterday. He smiled when he sees that.  I walk out holding his hand and come face to face with my three younger brothers. I look for Jett playing in the corner, Jake sitting on the couch looking at his hands and his twin copying the action. When they hear me cone in,  Jett  jumps up with a wide smile attacking me in a hug.

"Sis-sis!" He screamed.

"Hi buddy. "

He giggled and ran back to his toys. Jake stood and pulled me into a hug.  I felt his salty tears hit my shoulder as he cried.

"I was so worried.  You can't do that,  Evie."

I don't say anything, just let him cry his worries on my shoulder. Jace stood too, apologizing profoundly for my forgiveness for his homophobic behavior.  That he loved me and his brothers and didn't want to lose his family he asked me to let him change and get used to it.

"Please sis. I'm sorry. I was scared that because of him being gay mom and dad would have more fire to take us away from you, and there are so many people that get beat up or raped and I was scared that would happen to Jake. I was afraid and it came out as anger. I promise to show me being okay and accept my brother."

I nodded.

"It's not me you have to show, it's Jake. If you do anything like yesterday's display you will be out on your ass. I love you guys, you are my family. I didn't fight for so long to get you out that house for you to abuse each other."

The boys nodded. The clear air quickly became awkward as we waited for someone to say something. Ryder broke first.

"Well breakfast is on the table and Maddox will be over in a few minutes."

"Why is he coming over."

The guilty look passed through the boys faces, but my question remained unanswered. Quickly chowing down the eggs, bacon, and ab-ed pancakes (waffles), the silent meal was interrupted by a knock. Ryder rose and answered the door, letting Maddox enter. He looked at me with a sad and guilty look, unknowingly answering my question about what was going on. My senses were telling me there was a secret that all the men in the room knew as I sat there looking like a jackass in the dark. There was a heated look passed between Jake and Maddox, and a silent discussion between Jace and Ryder, Jett sat there with his black curly hair without a care in the world as he ate his breakfast.

"Sis, can we go in the living room and talk?"

Though Jake asked it as a question I knew it was more of a demand.  Waltzing over to the couch, Ryder came and sat next to me, wrapping me in his arms as Jace, Jake, and Maddox filed into he room finding their seats. It was a Sunday morning I realize and I try to recall how the hell Ryder got my homework for me so early on the laziest day of the week. Jett calls to me to tell me he's be in his bedroom playing. The men were nervous as the air shook in fear. After about ten minutes of staring at one another, I got fed up.

"So when is someone going to tell me when Maddox and Jake started sleeping together?"

Maddox kept his head down in shame, Jake looked at me in mortification, and Jace and Ryder laughed.

"I told you she would know." Ryder gloated.

"How did you find out?"

"It's simple body language. Do you even realize how you look at each other. Such love and admiration it's almost blinding. you don't think I notice how much happier you've been when you come home from your 'study sessions'. Your grades have always been immaculate so I knew you were lying but I figured you were smart enough and would tell me if it went bad or whenever you were ready you would tell me on your own time. I'd say you started dating what three four months ago, no one knows because it's a high school student and a college student so you go places no one would recognize you but also because you're gay and hadn't told me yet. I hope now you can go on normal dates where you're not lying and not lying to yourselves. You're gay and there's a little age gap but not too bad so I hope that you find  yourselves on amazing dates, but Maddox if you hurt my boy I will end your life. I used to be abused so I know how to hit you and make it look like an accident."