Brother

Chapter Nine

"Ah, it's so nice to be home." I sighed, collapsing into the couch.
"It's not even your house." Ronnie replied.
"You wouldn't let me go home without checking in with you."
"Damn straight! You're doing okay?"
"I'm fine."
He handed me a glass of water. "Drink."
I rolled my eyes and sipped the water. "Ronnie, you're lame."
"I'm your older brother, that's my job."
"Sure."
"Nah, I'm your cool older brother."
"I think Anthony's cooler." I replied.
"He hasn't done anything cool in two years."
"Hm, I wonder why?"
"Touché. When's Jacky gonna be down? I gotta talk to him."
"About?"
"Nothing."
"Bullshit." I laughed. "It's about me and him, isn't it?"
"Maybe."
"Ugh, I know what I'm doing, Ronnie."
"No."
"Yes."
"Ugh." I sighed again. "You're stupid."
"You're the one dating my lead guitarist, Elizabeth."
"Hey, he hit on me first. Remember when you were recording the album and I came?"
"How could I forget? You jokingly flirted with Ryan, but I saw how Jacky looked up and down your body."
"Ah, yeah. Also, on one of the tour days, the night Jacky and I became a couple, the guys were hanging in the bathroom."
"When you had to find them?"
"Yeah."
"Weird."
"They weren't doing anything gross. Anyways, Jacky comes over and just starts braiding my hair, and the guys make fun of him. And then there's a full on discussion about what would happen if I dated one of the band."
"And?"
"Verdict was that you would try and kill the guy. You hit Jacky a few times. Seems reasonable."
"Ugh, yeah. I wanna talk about that. Seriously? My band member?"
"Yes."
"I should've realized. When Ryan said tattooed guitarist and hit Jacky."
"Yeah, you should've."
"But he's my best friend, you're my sister. I guess I'll support it."
"Good."
"I have one question. Have you guys slept together?"
"No." I replied.
Ronnie sighed in relief. "Thank God."
"Yeah, yeah."
Jacky came down the stairs. "Hey."
"Hi." I called from the couch.
He came and sat next to me. "Hi, babe."
"I told you to stop calling her babe." Ronnie groaned.
"Suck it, Ronnie." He kissed my cheek.
"I should call Dad." I said, standing up and dialing my father. "Hi, Dad."
"Hi, honey. How're you feeling?"
"I'm good. Just got home. Well, not home, I'm at Ronnie's. He insisted that's where we came first."
"We? Oh, right, you're with Jacky. How's that going?"
"It's good."
"He's a good guy, right?"
"I wouldn't tolerate a bad guy, and we both know Ronnie would beat the shit out of a guy that he didn't approve of."
"Did he hit Jacky?"
"Only a few times. Mainly because it's his band member and best friend and I'm his sister, but oh well. He can't do anything about it."
"Not really. Well, I'm glad you checked in. I should let you go."
"Yeah. Bye, Dad."
"Bye, Liz." He said, and ended the call.
Ronnie looked at the time. "Oh, I've got Willow coming in half an hour. You guys should probably go. She's at the stage where all she says is 'no' and it kinda makes me sad. I just... I just wanna teach her our songs."
I laughed. "Have fun with that, Ronnie."
"I'll tell her Aunt Elizabeth is back in town?"
"Yeah. Bye, dude."
"Bye, Elizabeth. Bye, Jacky."
"Bye, Ronnie, see you later."