What just happened? Cal didn't know. He stood in silence trying to come to terms with what Ethan had just said. Did the words 'I'm not your brother anymore' come out of Ethan's mouth? He shook his head. Maybe he imagined it? Maybe he misheard of what Ethan had said? But, then he remembered the look on Ethan's face and the way he turned his back on him. No, Cal hadn't imagined it. No, Cal hadn't misheard Ethan. His brother had definitely said those words. Ethan was done with him. Cal was brought out of his shock when he felt his breath hitch and he collapsed to the floor tears rolling down his cheeks. This was the one thing he had been dreading, the one thing he didn't want to happen. He didn't want to lose his brother, his little brother to say the least. But, he had. There was no use denying it now. He had truly lost Ethan. Cal cried into his hands at the thought of what had just happened. What he had made happened. Charlie was right. He should have told Ethan as soon as he found out he was adopted. If he had, then he wouldn't be where he was now. He wouldn't have lost his brother. He wouldn't be blaming himself for messing up, again. He had no idea how long he'd been sitting there when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up teary eyed to see Charlie standing in front of him.
"I've lost him, Charlie." Cal whispered. "I've lost my brother."
"Cal, you haven't lost him." Charlie told him sympathetically. "He's in shock. He'll come around eventually."
"Will he, though, Charlie? You didn't hear him just now. He literally told me he wasn't my brother anymore." Cal explained.
"He doesn't mean it."
"Maybe you were right."
"How?"
"I should have told him the minute I found out I was adopted. Then we wouldn't be in this mess."
"What difference would it make? How do you know Ethan wouldn't have reacted the same way he did tonight?" Charlie asked him.
Cal shrugged. Charlie had a point. Then again Charlie did always have a point. Charlie held out a hand and helped Cal to stand up. Once standing Cal leaned against the lockers and sighed.
"I just don't know what to do." Cal admitted. "What am I supposed to do?"
Charlie looked at Cal. Cal knew what to do, he didn't need Charlie to tell him. He just needed Cal to realise that.
"When situations in life get tough, it's a lonely place. Sometimes we say words we don't really mean. We just need time to get our heads around. Ethan is going to need time to come to terms with what's happened in his life. But, he can't be expected to go through it alone."
"What are you saying?" Cal asked.
"I'm saying be his big brother."
Cal nodded. He would not let Ethan go through this on his own. This was his fault and Ethan shouldn't be dealing with it by himself. Cal was the reason why they were in the mess they were in now. It was Cal's responsibility to fix their relationship. It was Cal's job to salvage what was left of his relationship with his brother. The last thing Cal wanted was to let Ethan think he didn't love him. That was far from the truth. Everything he did up to this point was for Ethan. Like Ethan had said earlier on Cal only doing what he was doing so he could protect him. Why could Ethan see that? Why couldn't he understand Cal had changed in more ways than one? Cal knew growing up he wasn't exactly the perfect older brother but, he hoped since everything that had happened between them, car crash, Matilda, had brought them closer together. Had made up for the times when Cal was a useless brother.
Unlocking the front door to the flat he hoped he still shared with Ethan, he found the flat completely silent and surrounding in darkness. Maybe Ethan had gone to bed, Cal thought. It wouldn't surprise him that Ethan didn't want to be awake when he got home. Then again he didn't blame him. Cal switched on the light for the kitchen. As the light flickered on Cal noticed on the dining room table was a note. He recognised the handwriting immediately.
Cal,
You will not see me in the morning or when you arrive at the hospital. In fact you won't ever see me again. I meant what I said before I'm not your brother anymore. You hurt me, Cal. More than you could ever know. I don't ever want to see you again.
Ethan
Cal slumped on a chair. Was this it? Was this the end of their brotherly relationship? Cal didn't know. All Cal did know was he had to fix it before it was too late to save it. But, by the sound of Ethan's letter to him, it seemed they were done for good.