Hello brother
- Damon Salvatore

      What makes a beautiful morning? Waking up to the smell of burning pancakes or soothing music or even the gentle nudge of your loyal dog. That's what we see in movies, that is what we crave.

Waking to the harsh glare of the summer sun, a stream of sweat, steady snores and the feeling of a heavy leg across my thighs, it was something I craved for more than the cheap thrills of any fun drug.

This wasn't ecstasy or euphoria, lying there on my sleazy bed, next to an unreal man was unadulterated joy.

I lay there for a long while, letting Jake fill my ears with the sound of his snoring until my phone dinged on the nightstand. I stealthily grabbed it, trying not to wake up my sleeping beast.

It was a short text but it stunned me because I never expected him to try to reach out

I always knew wer u was n I let u be because it was best for u, not because I wanted u gone. U can always come back home, every room here is empty.

The number was unknown but I knew it was from my eldest brother. I never tried to see things from Trevor's side but realising that he was left alone in a home he built for all of us, a home he sacrificed everything for, I could only imagine how lonely he felt.

"What are you smiling about?" Jake wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close.

"You are awake".

"Mmhmm". He drawled as he kissed me lazily, slowly deepening it until he pulled away and traced his lips along my jaw, dragging them down my neck to that spot that always had me making embarrassing noises.

"Are we still taking it slow?" He let his fingers trace the waistband of my boxers and I shivered despite the heat.

"I think spending the night together defeats that purpose". He smiled up at me.

"Does that mean I can stay tonight as well?"
I caressed his scruffy face.

"So clingy". He bit down on my bare abdomen and I groaned.

"Like Monique?" He traced his tongue over the area he had bitten.

"You know I fucked her on this bed right?" He sighed and sat up, massaging his temple.

"Really? Travis. Buzz kill". I chuckled at his annoyance.

"Sorry big guy". I pecked his lips before getting out of bed.
"We are taking things slow".

"Then you might want to reconsider prancing round the apartment in that tiny thing".
I turned around to see him lying there with his hands crossed behind his head, shamelessly checking me out.

"Am I getting you all hot and bothered?"
His eyes were still swollen from his sleep and he looked gorgeous with the sun directly on his tanned taut abs.

"I am hot, but it's all the weather". He looked out the window with a playful smirk on his lips and I pounced on him.

"Really? It has nothing to do with my tiny boxers? My great ass? Not even my abs for days?"

"Get off me you muscular skeleton!" He rolled off the bed and I just landed on him.

"Admit that I'm buff as hell and turn you on to no end". He laughed, then groaned when I added pressure to his chest.

"Okay fine. You are the embodiment of drop dead gorgeous and you leave me as flustered as a butterfly".

"Good boy. Now call me daddy and let's wrap it up".
He pushed himself up, causing me to straddle him.

"You should get your fine ass off my crotch but I'd prefer it if you didn't. Daddy". He whispered into my ear, sending tremors down my spine and I immediately got off him, putting a fair distance between us.

"So, what's for breakfast?" He got up and shot me his shitty grin like he did not just do that.

"Maybe you should go back to your motel". I hadn't meant for it to sound like I was tired of him but I was beginning to think we were moving too fast.

"What? Did I do something? If it's about food... "

"Jesus, Jake. Can you stop thinking about food for a minute? It's not that".

"Then what is it?" He took a step forward and I inched away, causing him to frown.
"Travis".

"What if it doesn't work out between us? What if I can't get my shit together?"

"Travis".

"I don't want you to have any regrets. I don't want you in too deep in case I mess up again".
He looked at me for a while before laughing.

"When did you get so whiny?" I just stared at him because I didn't get the joke in the situation.
He covered the space between us and grabbed my shoulder.

"Look. I appreciate the concern, it's really sweet but don't you get it? I'm already in so deep I've met your kidney".
I punched him on the shoulder but he just laughed.

"Travis, I love you. I almost lost you, I'm not giving you a chance to slip away again. I'm not letting go even if you make me take an oath of celibacy. So, take things as slow as you want, just know that I'll be here, dreaming about your body parts that we are not going to mention for obvious reasons".

I chuckled as I wrapped my arms around him, engulfing him in a tight hug.
"You don't know the mess you are getting yourself into".

"You are not scaring me away, Harden".

"I don't deserve you".
He pushed me to arms length.

"I don't think I measure up to what you deserve Travis but I'll try".

**********************************

   I walked into the garage on Monday morning with a sunny smile that Janice duplicated, regardless of the obvious bags beneath her eyes.

"I'd trade away Kazeem to have you as a brother". She said cheerily.

"I don't think my sister would agree to that trade but she believes in sharing. Sometimes".

"Oh don't worry. We already talked about it". I quirked a brow.

"You talk to Pokello?"

"She a bad bitch, she gat culture and a closet full of jordans? Nigga, I can't pass up on that vibe".

I stared I awe. My worse nightmare was happening.
"Right. Just don't fall in love".

"Too late. She already invited me on a night out when I leave for school. Even promised to decorate my room for me".

I had never seen her smile so wide.
"When did all these happen?"

"About the time you were busy getting dicked".
She rolled her eyes at my mortified expression.

"I really don't give a fuck man. I would have if I wasn't leaving in the fall because you'd probably be getting all the boys".

"Since when do you care about them other boys?"

"Since you gave Tommy a concussion. I can't believe I wasted two years of my limited youth being an airhead for that dipstick".

"Is he okay?" I suddenly felt bad for letting my anger and insecurities out on him.

"Unfortunately. Probably looking for another dumb girl to imprison".

For as long as I knew Janice, she had been with Tommy. If they really did break up, then I knew she had to be hurting a lot more than she let on.

"Well, I'm glad you are out". I told her because I was, whether I was the reason for their split or not.

"I'm glad you are out too". She leaned through the counter and pecked my cheek before sending me off.

      The work area was uncharacteristically quiet as we worked and I did my best to not let it affect me. We were only thirty minutes in when Kazeem blocked my path with some of the guys hanging around.

"What?" I sighed.

"You really ain't gonna apologize?"

"Apologize?" I took a step back. "For what?"

"For desecrating our work space". Luke spoke and I laughed in his face.

"Alright, listen up y'all. None of you is paying my bills so I owe nobody shit. You can either choose to grow up or get lost coz I ain't quitting for none of you".

They all turned to Kazeem.
"Your pops is disappointed". He said with a frown.

"I don't have a father but if you mean your super hero then I'm glad I don't give a fuck. So unless he asked you to fire me, I'd really like to get back to work".

Hero was the only one smiling as I moved past them and got the tools I needed. Eventually they returned to their usual chatter that I was glad to be left out off.

I was getting into my regular clothes at the end of the shift when Janice stuck her head into the changing room.

"This place smells like stale vaginal discharge and soured shrimp". She scrunched her face in disgust and I just stared in amusement.

"Special delivery out front for you". She said before running out.

I gathered my stuff and headed out but paused when I got to the counter. They both stopped talking and laughed at the shocked look I knew I had.

"Hey bro. I know I got hotter but that expression is just an exaggeration". Pokello hit me with sass that I didn't mind for once.

I rushed to her and crushed her against myself.
"God, I missed you". I mumbled against her braids.

"Tell me something I haven't figured out". I squeezed her harder.

"Stop squishing my boobs, nigga". She said loud enough for Janice to hear and I let her go.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I asked.

"It's called a surprise Trav. Besides, did you really think I was gonna know your location and not come see you?"

"Yeah. It's a waste of money".

"No, it's not". She smiled. "Janice is worth every cent and more".
I rolled my eyes.

"And I thought you came to see me". She laughed and grabbed me by the elbow.

"Don't kid yourself but we need to talk. Let's go to the beach? I heard Casville guys ain't hard on the eyes".

"Ehm, what about Newt?"

"Newt who?" She feigned cluelessness and I shook my head because I knew that regardless of how wild she was, she'd never cheat on him.

      Janice let us take her car and we had to stop at least five times for Pokello to take photos in locations that she found aesthetic.

We sat at the mountain top and just talked, about the man that fathered us, about her school and the life she was building for herself and I was so proud of her.

"You know she would have loved you right?" She said after a short stretch of comfortable silence.
I looked to her and arched a brow.

"Ma". She explained. "Jake said it's one of the reasons you struggled with it, because you felt she would have been against it".

"You guys talk a lot. You and Jake". I joked but she didn't laugh.

"We do. When you left and shut me out, he was my only chance at figuring out what went wrong. I'd call him whenever I missed you and we'd just talk, mostly about you and bro the way he talks about you, like he was put on earth to truly see you, only you". She smiled calmly.

"That boy is precious, Travis. Plus I already love him so please don't mess it up again".
I laughed.
"I'll do my best".

"Good. I don't remember enough about mom but I know that the person who raised us would damn culture and religion a thousand times over for your sake. She loved us, there is nothing that can change that so you don't have to worry about it".

"How do you know?"

"Because I'm my mama's daughter". She stated proudly. "And I love you, that should be more than enough".

I stretched my arm and pulled her into my side, placing a kiss on her head.
"It's all I need".

"And Jake". She added and I chuckled.

"Definitely".

"Can we go see him now? I've missed that giant dork".

"Don't get cute with my boyfriend". I said as we got up, just before her phone rang.

"It's Meghan". She stated before taking it, leaving me to struggle not to get drowned by guilt.

They talked for a while as we descended the hill, mostly about her trip and the town but I knew when I became the topic because Pokello's voice diminished. She handed me the phone and I stared at it like it was the devil's finger.

"Take it. She wants to talk to you".

"Really?" She rolled her eyes.

"For fuck sake, Travis". She opened my palm and placed the phone in it.

I put it against my ear but couldn't find the right words to say.
"Hey asshat". Her voice was tired but still domineering as usual.

"Tiger".

"Are you done being a baby? Eloping? Come on, that's something I  should do, not you".

"Meghan, I.. "

"You are sorry, I know. I've had enough time to pout so I'm not going to kill you at first sight, just get your ass down here".

"What?"

"It doesn't have to be permanently, just for the rest of the summer. My baby bump is going to start showing soon and I'll need an honest opinion on how it looks on me, I know everyone here is going to be biased".

I smiled at the thought. She would be one scary, cranky pregnant woman.

"Don't be a selfish ram, you owe me for the mark you left on my hot bod". She said when I didn't give a reply.

I knew she meant it as a joke but I couldn't help taking it seriously.

I didn't deserve her forgiveness or Pokello's understanding and definitely not Jake's love but they were readily giving it all to me.

They were sticking their heads out for me and it was up to me to decide if I wanted to remain in Casville, dreading each day, going to places where I wasn't welcomed.

I knew I owed it to them to do better, I owed it to myself.

"Okay, I'll see you soon".

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This is where part 1 ends.
Part 2 will be ready soonest and it will be in Jake's pov so, watch this space🖤

It doesn't get flowery, no part of this book is but I hope it is satisfactory