Chapter 8

"You have a lot of explaining to do." My brother states as he leads me into the joined kitchen and dining room.

"So do you! You didn't tell me you were coming!" I say accusingly.

Surprise visits weren't Stefan's thing, he always planned a trip to see me so far in advance. So to find him in the hallway was a surprise, but a pleasant one at that. I take a seat next to him at the dining table, so that I can face him. The connection between my big brother and I was something you read about, a sibling love that would move mountains. He was my protector and my best friend and someone that I could never live without.

As we sit down we hear a knock at the door. My heart leaps into my throat, surely not. Stefan notices the colour drain from my face, the devilish grin I know so well spreading across his face. Before either of us can say anything abuela is making he way down the hallway.

"I've got it! I hope its Lakyn!" She yells loud enough for the whole street to hear almost.

Stefan and I both stand at the same time as we rush to get to the hallway first. My heels don't exactly allow for quick movements so Stefan beats me to it. We look down the hallways as abuela opens the door, greeting none other than Lakyn.

I'm not ready for this, this is too quick.

My anxiety is peaking at the concept of integrating Lakyn into my life, at introducing him to the most important person in that life, of making this connection real.

"Charlie left this in the car." Lakyn says as he holds out my jacket as evidence.

"Such a good boy!" Abuela responds as she begins to drag him into the house, "You must meet Stefan! Come in!"

And with that he's dragged through the door by the small, frail woman in front of him and marched down the hall, towards us! My heart is racing so much I think I'm going to pass out right here and now. Lakyn eyes me cautiously, noticing the lack of colour in my face, but continues to walk towards us. He releases me from his gaze as he looks over Stefan, uncertainty clear in his face. Before he can say anything, Stefan reaches out his hand and meets Lakyn half way.

"I'm Stefan, Charlies boyfriend." Stefan says, beaming at Lakyn.

I watch as anger, confusion and hurt crosses Lakyn's face. Hurt? We've only been on one proper date, why would he be hurt?

"Just kidding! I'm her big brother!" Stefan says before he can leave him hanging for too long, "Although you should have seen your face. You must really like my Charlie." Typical Stefan, always has to make it awkward.

Lakyn's face goes red, is he blushing?

He looks back at me, before taking Stefan's still outstretched hand "I'm Lakyn, and ah I'm a friend of Charlie's." he responds.

"Friend! I saw her riding you in your car you don't have to play this off." Stefan chides back. He always does this, I love that my brother is so open and progressive in terms of understanding I'm my own person, but he really could learn to calm it down at times.

"Stefan!" I choke out, finally entering the conversation "I am so sorry Lakyn, my brother struggles with boundaries." I walk over taking the jacket from his outstretched hand. "Thank you for bringing me this."

"I considered holding onto it so you would have to see me again, but it didn't feel necessary." Lakyn says, his usual cheeky self coming back.

I notice abuela watching this all unfold from behind Lakyn like some kind of referee between the two big males in the hallway. She slowly sneaks past him, looks at both of them and then doing the most typical abuela thing there is, she invites Lakyn in for tea. "Don't be silly! Have one tea and then go home and straight to bed!" She tells him.

"How could I possibly deny you, abuela." He smiles at her, earning himself a blushing Penelope.

I watch in horror as they all walk past me to go to the dining room. Lakyn is last in line as he makes his way over to me, grabbing my hand in his. He looks down at me, and I'm lost for words on this situation. His hand is making small circles in my palm as he leans down, kissing me on the cheek.

"Don't worry Charlie, one tea, I'll make nice with your brother and then I'll go. Don't read into this hun." He whispers in my ear.

Hun? God I loved that.

I let go of the breath I was holding. He had a way of calming me that I hadn't encountered before. Without letting go of my hand, he makes his way to everyone else, dragging me along with him. And so we all sat in the kitchen, with our teas, Stefan and Lakyn making most of the conversation. They seemed to get along well, which made my heart flutter a little. It was important to me that the men in my life got along with my brother. At the same time my head was telling me off for getting my hopes up with Lakyn, but it just seemed like right now, I had no control over my life, so I may as well enjoy it, right? Isn't that what my weekly therapy sessions are about?

After one tea and 45 minutes, Lakyn stands from the table, "I really have to get going, it's getting late and Charlie has work tomorrow."

I walk him out, earning one more soft kiss from him, and then he's gone, door shut again.

"Soooooo... I like him!" I hear from behind me.

"Stefan why do you always have to be hanging out watching this stuff?!" I screech at him.

"Hey! Gotta make sure you're safe right? But anyway, I approve." He smirks at me before walking off.

Before I could say anything else, my phone starts vibrating in my hand. I look down to see a text from Vanessa: "You said hunky guy had a bar right? So guess where we're going this weekend?!"

Why me?