Jake was twelve when he learned he had an older brother.
And you would think that news would be the greatest thing ever; the thought of having someone to play catch with, show him how to talk to girls, defend him in school when bullies tried to shove him around. But Jake was the very definition of an only child, and learning he had a sibling just felt a lot like...competition.
And besides, he didn't need anyone to show him any of that crap. He knew how to catch a ball, and he was cute; his mom told him so. He could play guitar and stand up for himself and fend for himself. He didn't need some big brother protecter breathing down his neck. He figured he probably wouldn't like this 'Noah' kid anyway, considering he was the one his dad decided to stick around for.
Okay, so even at twelve, Jake was pissed at everything. He didn't understand why he and his mom we're good enough for his dad; why it took 10 calls straight to voicemail for him to even send a letter back (A letter which usually would contain a measley $20 bill). He didn't understand why he had to watch his mom work insane hours at a sleasy and smoky restaurant when 'Noah' was probably at a freaking baseball game eating Cracker Jack with 'dad'. He didn't understand why he had to raise himself while some other kid actually got parents.
So when he got to McKinley, a fifteen year old already done with school and life and everything, he wasn't too thrilled to find that 'Noah Puckerman' (Who went by Puck?) was one of the most well known seniors in the school. Jake had never wanted to lay eyes on his brother, never wanted to see what he could've been if only he'd had a proper father figure around. He spent most of his freshman year avoiding anyone who would recognize his last name.
And now, standing in the choir room, a sixteen year old being forced from all sides to join some singing club, he was pissed. And standing across from 'Puck' wasn't helping, because he wanted nothing more than to punch him in the face for even existing.
But then Jake listened to what his brother was telling him. And he realized he had been all wrong.
Noah hadn't had a dad either. Noah had had to fend for himself. And Noah, when he was his age, was apparently just like him (But maybe a little worse. Did he just say he beat up a police horse?)
And apparently this stupid little club was what helped him shape up and get his act together.
The man standing across from Jake wasn't the spoiled Noah he had imagined. The man standing across from Jake was his brother, and no matter how harsh he was being, he was looking out for his family.
And Jake was grateful.