BEFORE

It had been a tough couple weeks recovering from the tornado.

Was I worried when the tornado hit? Of course I was. It was unexpected and that's the worst kind of mental torture to go through—all the questions racking up in your head. Did I do everything I wanted to? Would anyone remember me? Would I be missed? Did I tell the one person who needed to hear it how I really feel about them?

Was this really it?

All those questions raced through my mind that night as I stood there, defenseless, against the tornado. Put me up against a huge, built guy and I can defend the goal against them any day, no problem. But a natural disaster? I was useless.

It wasn't a good feeling, especially seeing how Lina was acting. She was not okay, even I could see that. I get it, she was in the middle of it. But I'm helpless even to make her feel better.

So I texted Avrey.

Me: Has Lina been acting weird with you, too?

Her response was immediate.

Avrey: Uh, yeah. I hate it :(
Me: She literally just stabbed her cheesecake. Barely touched her milkshake. You know when I surprise her with that, she goes crazy. That was hours ago.
Avrey: I'm worried, Brooks. Right after the tornado, she was basically saying that she wasn't sure why she was alive, in a nutshell. She didn't think she deserved it. I'm worried about her, Brooks.

I run a hand through my hair and tug on the roots of it. Lina was not okay, and she needed me. I lock my phone and walk out of my room. I can hear Roy and mom arguing as I pass by their room, but I just shrug it off. It's not unnatural to hear them bickering and yelling at each other anymore. It's almost a daily thing.

The door slam was unexpected, though. I entered the kitchen, wide-eyed as I found Lina, sandwich in front of her.

"What the hell was that?" I ask.

She shrugs a shoulder. "It's not the first fight they have. Won't be the last."

"True," I sigh. When I get a text with party details, I grin at Lina. "Since we've been training all week, and we have a game on Monday, the team is throwing a party. Something chill, so we can all just relax. Wanna come with?"

"You don't mind little Andrews cramping your style?"

Lina, for some reason, has always thought that stupid nickname labelled her in that school. That for some reason, my friends only tolerated her because of me. When in reality, that's not the case at all. And if it ever has been? I ended that friendship quicker than she could even have the chance to think about it.

"My legacy at that school is you, nerd," I smile. "I encourage you coming with me—responsibly, of course."

I didn't mean that, really. The point of this was to shake Lina out of this funk and get her back into her old self. If that meant her going crazy and me having to take care of her, then by all means, it'll happen.

"Responsibility is my middle name, big brother."

"And you're a liar, baby sister."

She smiles, the first cracked smile in a while, and shakes her head at me. "Yeah, sure, I could use a night out. When are we leaving?"

"Bout an hour."

She looks at her sandwich. "Want this, then? Kinda lost my appetite."

"Is that even a question?"

I round the counter and grab her sandwich as she chuckles, disappearing up the stairs. Once she's gone, I pull out my phone.

Me: Got her to agree to come to a party in a few, even cracked a smile.

I pause. Then I add:

Me: Wanna come with??

Seeing Avrey type instantly brought a smile to my face as I awaited her response. I took a bit of Lina's deserted sandwich as her text came through.

Avrey: Really?? That's great! She needs a night out.
I wish I could :( doing a family dinner tonight and I'm not allowed to bail. I'm sorry.

My smile fades as I read her answer.

Me: Yea ofc. No worries
Avrey: Keep me updated how it goes?
Me: Sure.

I don't even know why that upset me. And before I get ridiculed, I know how Lina feels about me not crossing a line with Avrey. I respect her, and her lines.

But it doesn't stop my mind from wandering.

It doesn't help that Avrey is fucking beautiful, and witty, smart, charismatic. She's funny as hell and has a confidence that'd have me on my knees in seconds. But I've also been around her long enough to see the sensitive part of her. How she cares for Lina and would do anything for her.

Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like if it were me she'd do anything for.

But then I realize that Avrey can have literally any man she wanted. What would she want with a guy like me?

Another message pulls me from my train of thought.

Avrey: Now I'm jealous I can't go
What if I ditch dinner anyway and sneak out of my bathroom window?

Lina waltz's into the kitchen. Finally.

"You take ten years to get ready."

"I take less time than you."

I grin, thumbs typing away to Avrey as she opens the fridge.

Me: Don't ask me, Av. I highly doubt I'm the best influence.
Avrey: And what if I'm already thinking about being naughty?
Me: Then you already know the answer to your question
Avrey: Touché, Brooks

"Alright," I say as I lock my phone. "Let's go."

Lina pops another cherry into her mouth before we head out of the house. Once settled into the car, I see Lina gaze out of the window as we drive in silence.

It was moments like these I wished I was better at words. Sure, I can tell stories of things that have already happened. Make it fun, enjoyable. But when it comes to serious shit? I'm terrible at it. And it makes me feel like a shitty brother at times like these, when I wish I knew what to say to make my sister feel better and I just can't.

So I drive, frustrated at myself. And she just stays lost in her train of thought.

When I get to Jed's house, I park away from everyone. I don't like parking near drunken idiots and them messing with my shit. So I avoid it altogether and park far away from the action.

I make sure Lina's following me before I lead us towards the door. I knock, waiting until Jed finally decided to answer the door.

When he does, he nods at me. "Hey man," we greet each other and he motions for us to come inside. "Lina, always a pleasure."

I glare at Jed as he gives his suggestive grin to my sister. Then I whack his head. Jed just laughs, closing the door. Jed is a dangerous flirt, but he knows better than crossing the line with my sister. I've had to ward him off.

As we walked into the house, I was very pleased to see how chill it was tonight compared to what we're used to. Lina needed a relaxed, safe environment to just let go for a bit.

Jed is telling us what drinks there are when Lina walks off towards the fireplace. She pulls out her phone, so I make my way towards the counter to grab a drink. I grabbed a Smirnoff from the fridge, catching Hayden leaning against the wall, staring off at something. 

I snapped my fingers in his face. "Hey man."

"Oh, hey." He nods.

"Drinking tonight?"

"You know I normally don't drink that shit, man." Hayden chuckles. "Plus I'm driving."

"Ah," I take a swig of my drink. "Ever the martyr."

"Shut up," Hayden laughs.

I just shrug, walking towards my team on the couch. They were in the midst of telling the story at how Jackson, unfortunately, had a humiliating experience while trying to impress a girl at one of our last parties.

Since I was a first-hand witness, I start telling the story, going into detail about how Jackson had slipped on beer that was spilled on the floor, while bringing drinks to this girl, and completely soaked her outfit, everyone was laughing.

I noticed Lina walking off towards the back door while I was telling the story. And my stomach sank, because it just goes to prove how much of a shitty brother I am.

I can go on, making stories a laugh. But I can't seem to have a serious conversation with my sister. Man, I'm the worst.

I grabbed some shots, trying to rid myself of my own guilt. One after another, trying to shut that voice off in my mind. But it was still there.

You're a bad brother.

After my fifth shot, I felt the buzz. So I took two more, trying to shut up that voice for the night. I lean against the countertop, grabbing my phone.

Me: Am I a bad brother?

"Hey, Brooks."

Natasha, a girl in my grade, casually came up to me. She was batting her lashes excessively and playing with the ends of her hair. But I wasn't interested in Natasha's short, blonde hair. I was waiting for a certain brunettes response.

Avrey: Are you drunk?
Me: Me? Drunk?? Neverrrrr
Avrey: 🙄

I smile.

Me: Maybe a tiny bit

I completely forgot Natasha until she started talking again. "Brooks," she said again. "Are you okay?"

I held up my thumb. "I'm just peachy, Natty. Thanks."

Natasha blinks several times, almost confused. Then she shakes her head and walks away.

Avrey: No, Brooks. You're not. Lina is really lucky to have you as a brother
Me: Then why can't I even make sure she's okay? I'm shit at making her feel better. 

I sigh. I look around for Lina, spotting her in the kitchen. Her cheeks look red as she grabs a water bottle and chugs half of it. My phone vibrates and I grab it quickly.

Avrey: Being around you makes anyone feel better. Stop being so hard on yourself, Brooks. Just give her a hug and remind her you love her. It's all we can really do right now, okay?

I know she's just giving me advice. But I have to know...

Me: Do I make you feel better?

"Brooks, are you ready to go?" Lina's voice pulls me from my phone.

I don't say anything at first. I just stand straight and walk around her. Then I dramatically throw my hands around her and wrap her small body in a hug.

She froze, at first. Then she patted my back softly.

"I love you, you know that right?" I didn't even recognize my whiny voice. "I may be a terrible brother and suck at being there for you. But I love you. And I'm not going anywhere."

"Oh, goodness. How drunk are you?" She mumbles against my shoulder.

"You're my baby sister." I say, pulling back. "I just want you happy."

She smiles at me. "I know, Brooks. It's okay, I know." She looks around, waving down someone. "I need help."

Soon, Hayden appears and shakes his head at me. "You're such a lightweight princess, Brooks, I swear."

"You're just jealous because I'm pretty." I mock as I smile at him.

"Dear God," Lina's eyes widen. "He's wasted."

Hayden laughs, shaking his head. "Want me to take him home?"

"Uh," Lina ponders the thought. "No. I can drive him. I just need help dragging all that to his car."

"Hey," I point my finger at her. "I'm a hundred and eighty-five pounds of pure muscle, baby."

"Yeah, you're half my size, Brooks. You'll squish me if I tried dragging you to your car."

Hayden grabs my arm and loops it around his neck. I snort. "He's not any better. He's scrawny."

"Brooks!" Lina exclaims.

"What? He is."

"I may be scrawny, but I'll still kick your ass, Brooks." Hayden says with a smile.

"Try me." We finally reach my car, and Hayden digs around my back pockets. "Hey. You can take me to dinner first, buddy."

Hayden laughs, unlocking the door. "You're extra annoying when you're drunk, you know that?"

I just smile at him as he opens the passenger door. So I flop inside, Lina closing the door behind me. She opens the drivers door, turning on the car, but I hear her voice, almost a whisper, talking to Hayden, I assume.

I tried to concentrate really hard to see if I could make out what they were saying, but I gave up, especially when I thought I'd heard something about Italy. I snorted and grabbed my phone, cause what would they be talking about Italy for?

I saw I had a new message from Avrey, but frowned when I read what she said.

Avrey: Goodnight, Brooks.
Me: Awww come onnnn, don't leave a guy hanging like that
Avreyyyyyyy
Come onnnnnnn
Pleaaaaaaasssseeeeee
Avrey: You're so annoying!!
Me: Does this mean you'll tell me?
Avrey: Sometimes. It depends. Now goodnight, Brooks.

I didn't even realize I had a smile on my face until Lina got back into the car. I locked my phone and looked at her. "Alright, let's get you home."

A/N

If you remember this chapter from what's mine, you'll remember all the cute little hints of Brooks texting and whatnot. Ah, i love intertwining these two books ✨

Thanks for reading, lovelies! Don't forget to vote, comment, etc!! <33