“This is so cool!” Daren exclaims after he buckles up. “It’s this cool Devon?!”
“Actually, uh, Devon,” Jack starts.
“Yeah?”
“What I was going to tell you is that you can’t tell anyone about me liking guys. I’m not ready for everyone to know that I’m bi. I didn’t even know myself until not that long ago. I want to be the one to tell everyone, and I don’t know what I’d do if this got out.”
“I won’t tell anyone. I may not be the nicest guy, but I know where you’re coming from.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, Devon,” Daren smiles, “can we take Jack home?”
“What? He’s not a pet.”
“I know, but I want him to hang with us. It would be so cool. Please. Please. Please.”
Devon made the fatal mistake at looking at his brother with the mirror. There is no way that he could turn down those eyes. Sometimes he really thinks that his little brother has some kind of superpower that makes it so he can get everyone to do anything he wants.
The older brother sighs. “Fine. I can’t say no to those eyes. He can come over if he wants to.”
“You mean it?” Jack questions.
He thought that he would never see him again. Even if Devon did want him to stay, he was going to get away, but now he can’t. He looked at Daren’s face when Devon did. There is no way that you can say no to those eyes.
Devon nods which causes the corner of Jack’s mouth to rise. For some reason, he doesn’t want to go just yet. It’s not like he’s going on tour for a while. They’re on a small vacation to unwind. Jack actually wants to get to know the two brothers. There is just something about them that is so mysterious. He can’t put his finger on it, but he knows that there are secrets in their lives. Secrets that have made them the way that they are.
One of them is the reason why Devon is the one that takes care of his younger brother. The lanky man knows that this boy actually lives with Devon full time. He could tell by all of the stuff at his place. Besides, if the kind really did just stay with him, why was he getting picked at a place that isn’t his parents. The only other thing that could be going on is that they are on vacation and didn’t take him. That could be true, but it seems like Devon is under a lot of stress. If it was only temporary, he might not be so stressed and be more happy around his brother. He knows that he doesn’t hate him. He can just feel the brotherly bond the two of them share. Jack decides that he’ll ask them when they go back to Devon’s.
“Jack,” Daren says, “can you give me your number?”
“What?”
“I actually have a cell phone, mostly for safety. I want you to be able to hang with me when I’m free. I want to be friends will you. Will you be my friend?”
Damn that kids eyes. Jack can’t say no to them. “Sure as long as it’s ok with your brother.”
“Go ahead.”
With that, Jack takes Daren’s phone and puts his number in it before handing it back. Daren isn’t going to become a problem now that he has his number. He seems like a smart enough kid to not give it out, and it’s not like he’s some kind of stalker. He’s a kid for crying out loud.
When the trio are finally back at Devon’s place, they make their way up and go inside. Devon automatically sits down and turns on the TV. Daren rushes to his room. This leaves Jack standing by the door by himself. He ends up making his way over to the couch and sitting down, making sure that he’s on the other side and not close to Devon. He can tell that Devon really isn’t that happy about it. Devon gives him an evil glare but stops when his brother comes rushing back into the room with a handful of video games.
“Jack, do you want to play a game?”
“Uh, sure.”
“Cool, but I get to choose the first one. I like fighting games, so I want to play some Soul Calibur. Devon isn’t very good, and I always beat him when I play as Maxi. Devon, can we use the TV?”
The older brother sighs. “There isn’t anything good on, so go ahead.”
“Thanks,” Daren smiles at his brother as he gets the game setup. He hands the lanky man a remote and takes the other one for himself before sitting down on the floor in front of the other two. “I call Maxi, so you have to pick a different character.”
“Hey Jack,” Devon whispers. “Choose Kilik. He’s the guy with the staff. His staff gives him the advantage because Maxi has to be close up to attack. Attack him before he gets up to you and keep him away from you.” Jack chuckles. “Why are you laughing at me? I’m telling you how to beat him.”
“That’s why. You seem to hate me, and you love your brother. Plus, he said that he always beats you.”
“That’s why. He always beats me at this game. I always kick his butt at Mortal Kombat, but I never stand chance at this one. I may know how to beat him, but Daren is like a master at this game. He always ends up getting me and then keeps attacking because Maxi’s attack’s can never end if you press the right buttons. Oh, and for the record, I hate you. I just don’t like you. Hate is a strong word, and I don’t like using it.”
“I see.”
Devon and Jack start to fight each other. The first round, Devon whips Jack, but in the second round, he makes a comeback and wins. In the final round, it comes down to who can get the last hit in. Devon fake coughs which gets his brother’s attention. This gives Jack the change to finish him off.
“That’s not far!” Daren exclaims. He turns to his brother. “Why Devon? Why?”
“You’ve won way too many times at this game. Someone had to beat you, and I knew that it would never be me. Now, that you’ve lost, you have to change character. Jack, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. That’s just how we play our fighting games. The loser has to change his character no matter what.”
“Ok. I’m going to stick with Kilik though. He’s a pretty cool character.”
“He’s also one of the strongest too.”
“Hey, Devon?”
“Yeah?”
“How come you take care of your brother?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Why not?”
“I just don’t want to talk about it.”
“Daren, will you tell me?”
“Don’t ask my brother a question that I didn’t want answered! It’s none of your business. I don’t even actually know you. You don’t have a right to know about our past.”
“But-”
“Just get out.”
“What?”
“Just get out!”
Jack can’t believe that his question resulted in him being kicked out of the apartment. He knew he couldn’t argue with him, so he got up and made his way to the door. Before he leaves he says, “I’m sorry for asking.”

Notes

Poor Jack. He's not going to know until later. Hope you like it so far! :)