•Damien POV•

''No.'' I said. The dead-ass serious tone hung in my voice. Any normal person would sense that to be the end of the conversation. But with Cody, if it didn't end in his favor, there was no end to the conversation.

''But Damien, please. C'mon. You're acting like I'm irresponsible, I'm nearly eighteen.'' He begged. I rolled my eyes, then proceeded to ignore him.

He crossed the line when he came and stood in front the TV. The football game was on, and ice cold beer was in my hand. He crossed the fucking line.

''Oh Dios mio, hijo! Get the fuck out the way it's the third quarter!'' Javier yelled before I could, quickly standing up so he could see the flat screen TV that was pinned to the wall.

''Javier help me out. Tell him he's being unfair.'' Cody pleaded. I growled, leaning to the side so I could see the TV past Cody's big ass head. God, the kid was tall.

''Yeah, yeah Damien give your brother a puppy. You're being unfair and--Yes!! Hell yeah! Black and Gold baby, c'mon!'' Javier yelled at the scream.

''Woo!'' I screamed, holding my beer up in the air. Our team just made a touchdown. We're in the lead, just one more quarter to go.

''Damien,'' Cody groaned. ''You act like I'm going to kill the thing. I just want a puppy. I'll take care of it I swear.''

The football players ran off the field. Apparently the band was doing something that I didn't care to watch. I turned my attention to Cody.

''No,'' I repeated for about the millionth time. ''No puppy. It's my final decision, and just so we're clear let me explain why. If I were to buy you a puppy you would take care of it, I'll give you that, but you'd only do it for like a month tops. And as soon as you see something else you want your interest is going to move on, except this isn't a game system or a car Cody it's a living thing and a serious commitment. If I didn't travel so much and could stay here to watch the little thing when you start to ignore it then maybe I'd consider it. But for now it's no.'' I explained.

He folded his arms across his chest. He was getting frustrated. Honestly, he can get as frustrated as he wants. I said no and I mean it.

''It's still not fair.'' He mumbled.

''And you're still seventeen. My house, my rules bro.'' I said. I stood up, patting his shoulder as I walked past him and into the kitchen. Javier was digging into the refrigerator. He came out with two beers and tossed me one.

''I swear to god if you buy him a puppy behind my back I'm going to kill you Javie.'' I warned.

I really love Javier and how he is a father figure to Cody and I, but sometimes it's annoying when I as the big brother say no, but then Javie as the father says yes.

''Just buy the kid a puppy Damien. I'll make him keep it at my house.'' He said. I shook my head.

''You travel just as much as I do, even more sometimes.'' I reminded him. He literally just got back from New York yesterday. I'm in California for weeks at a time whereas Javier is here every few days or so. He's a very busy man.

''It's fine, I'll hire a dog sitter.'' He tried, but I wasn't having it.

''Then what responsibility will he get out of it? None. Look I bet you a hundred bucks he'll have completely forgotten about the puppy next week. I guarantee he'll be begging for something new.'' I said, offering my hand out to him for a shake.

He took my hand, shaking it firmly.

''You might as well pay up,'' He said grinning, his deep laugh lines showing. Javier was twenty-nine pushing thirty but he definitely didn't look it. He had dark brown hair, nearly black, with deep as fuck blue eyes. He had a nice Latin tan to perfect his appearance.

His appearance was attractive yet intimidating, which made him perfect for his line of work.

''Oh and I need you to look at something for the perfume release.'' He said, reaching into his bag, which sat conveniently next to him on the contour. He totally set me up. I groaned, popping the cap on my beer and taking a swallow.

''Javie no, why do you always insist on bringing work home with you? Do you even know how to relax? It's game day.'' I reminded him.

I feel like this man would work from his grave if he could. Nothing but workaholic cells pump through his blood. I seriously need to force him to take a vacation.

''It'll be quick, I just need a yes and a no,'' He pulled two pictures from his bag. It was of the photo shoot me and this other model -I don't remember her name- did for the perfume collection billboard. These photos looked like the final cut with the words and perfume bottles and shit.

''Which one should I choose for the billboard?'' He asked, showing me both pictures. I looked at them. They both looked the same to me honestly. But I could see the difference in theme.

I pointed to the one in his right hand.

''I like this one.'' I said. He turned the picture around and looked at it. One of his brows raised and he shrugged.

''That's exactly what the designer picked.'' He voiced.

''What? You like the other one or something? They both look great.'' I said nonchalantly. I knew the collection was going to sell either way. Javier is a great businessman and his products are always top notch.

''No you just usually pick opposite of the preference.'' He said. I gave him a bored look.

''So pick the other one. Dude, I don't know they're both cool I guess.'' I said.

He laughed, putting the folders back into his bag.

''Okay so I'll give the designer a call and if he accepts the job I'll see you in New York on Friday to--''

''What, why do I have to come to New York? It's too cold up there man, like seriously. It's not even December yet and the air is pushing up there.'' I complained. It's a great state and all but it's not for me.

''Don't you want to meet the person that's going to touch up all of your photos?'' He asked in his 'really Damien' voice. I made a face.

''Not really. I meet too many people on a regular bases. I think I'm going to pass.'' I said, fiddling with the beer bottle.

''I see where Cody gets his laziness from. It's just a little weather, I'll buy you a coat.'' He teased. I gave him a fake smile, flicking him off. Then I remembered something that made me smile for real. Teeth and all.

''I'm busy Friday.'' I said happily. Got my one way ticket out of the human body cooler.

''With what?" He asked seriously, clearly not amused.

''La RaNare asked me to do that photo shoot with his first line for his memory book on Friday. The shoot is in warm, sunny California by the way. I mean you're the one that booked that, how'd you forget?'' I asked curiously. I was laughing on the inside.

''The better question is how'd you so conveniently remember?'' He muttered. He pulled his phone from his pocket and his fingers went to work, typing dangerously fast on the screen of his phone.

Fuck me.

He's working his magic 'Man in charge' powers again. He placed his phone to his ear and eyed me as he began to speak fluent French. I rolled my eyes at him, walking out of the kitchen.

I walked up the stairs. I was headed towards my bedroom until I heard a definite un-Cody like voice coming from his room. I stopped in front his door.

I knocked twice before twisting the knob and opening the door. The blonde that was once on top of Cody quickly got to her feet. Cody sat up straight on his bed, running a hand through his hair.

''Hey Scarlet.'' I said, greeting his girlfriend of two years now. She was blushing profusely. She let her brown eyes refrain from looking into mine as she tucked a few strands of her hair back, exposing her reddened ears. She gave a small wave in my direction.

''Hi Mr. Vitale.'' She said quietly.

I looked at Cody and gestured towards the hall way with a nod of my head. He rolled his eyes but walked into the hall nonetheless. I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms as I stared at him. His green eyes stared right back into my blue ones.

He cracked first, of course.

''She was just cheering me up about the puppy situa--''

''I don't care,'' I said cutting him off. ''I'm like the coolest big brother in the world. And Cody you know I'm not mad because you and Scarlet were about to have sex in my house, it wouldn't be the first time. I'm pissed because I only have two rules and I really hate how you always manage to break one. Your girlfriend can come over whenever she wants, you can close your door, lock it or whatever I really don't give a fuck, all I'm asking you to do is tell me when she's here and use protection when you guys ar--''

''Okay-okay, just stop talking I get it.'' He said, quickly cutting me off. I laughed at the uncomfortable demeanor he had took on. But seriously I only have two rules when it comes to him having company over and it fucks with me when he breaks those rules because I try to be as understanding as I can.

I mean I was a teenager once too and I know how it feels to want that privacy and free will so I give it to him without argument, but with trust and minimal boundaries.

I feel like we're close enough to have honesty without all the annoying ass teenager rebellions.

Except for when he fucks with my rules.

''I was going to tell you but when I walked into the kitchen you and Javie were talking business and I didn't want to interrupt. You can even ask Javie, he saw me. I swear.'' He said. I looked at him. He has a tell when he's lying. His nose starts to twitch a bit. Luckily for him he was telling the truth.

''Okay,'' I said, punching his shoulder. I got off the wall, and was about to walk away but he reached forward and grabbed my arm. I stopped and looked at him.

''I really never try to purposely disrespect you Damien. I appreciate you, you know that right?'' He asked seriously.

''Yeah baby bro, I know.'' I said ruffling his hair up before walking in the direction of my room.

∆∆∆∆∆

''Is she your girlfriend or something?'' Cody asked me. We were watching an E! News special that just so happened to be about me.

''No.'' I answered honestly.

''Then why do you attend everything together? You're even kissing her in a few pictures Damien. You know you don't have to lie to me, right?'' He asked. He looked at me from the other end of the couch. I picked up the pillow and threw it at him.

''She's just some arm candy. She's not my girlfriend. As dirty as it may sound, her agent paid Javier so that I'd stage a relationship with her so that she'd get more job offers. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't believe in her. She's a very good actress, and a nice person so I'm fine with it.'' I explained to him.

''You never bring anyone home.'' He said suddenly. ''Ever.''

''Cody shut up.'' I said. He laughed, chucking the pillow back at my head.

''No I mean seriously, you never bring anyone home. Are you and your hand secret lovers?'' He teased, still laughing. Ignored him.

But it's true. I never ever bring anyone to my house. Whenever I have flings it's either at their house or hotels, anywhere but my house. I just don't want Cody to see me hoping from person to person.

I mean I don't sleep with people as often as I used to. I've calmed down a bit more now. But I still never invite them to my house.

Everyone that I've slept with in the last five years have been women.

I can't find myself able to get intimate with a man anymore. I'm still very attracted to men, even more so than women. But if I were to have sex with them it would only be sex and I wouldn't get any pleasure from it. I wouldn't want any pleasure from it anyway.

I don't want to ever sleep with any man besides the one that I've already slept with.

He's the only one that can--could, that could make me feel that way.

But that's in my past. That's seven years in my past and I need to get off this train of thought before I start reminiscing.

''Do you want me to date someone? Like bring them home and introduce them to you, ya know the whole nine yards and that shit?'' I asked him forreal. I put the TV on mute. He shrugged.

''I don't know, maybe. I just never see you with anyone and it makes me feel like you're lonely.'' He said.

''I'm not lonely. I'm never alone enough to get the chance to be lonely.'' I joked, laughing. Yet Cody's face remained void of any humor. I stopped laughing and gave a him a small smile.

''That doesn't mean anything. You can feel lonely no matter how many people you're around.'' He spoke seriously. I sighed, running a hand over my face.

Damn, the kid is growing up.

''So what you're saying is you want me to go find myself a love life?'' I asked, wanting to laugh but staying serious for conversations sake. He nodded.

''Yeah, but not with a women. I'll know you're faking it if it's with a women. I really just want you to be happy.'' He said.

''Okay,'' I opened my arms out to him and he scooted over so I could wrap him in a hug. ''I'm going to bed Coden Kristen Vitale, world renowned relationship therapist.'' I teased, using his full name.

I got up off the couch and headed for the stairs.

∆A/N∆

If Damien were my parent/guardian my life would be lit AF.

I like puppies, so I'm on Cody's side here, anyone else?

Please comment and tell me what you think of this story!

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Posted: December 27, 2016.