What was he saying? Of course, anyone was better than Shane. Except that creepy guy at Storm Chargers, who always leered at Blake. If he -
"Hunter, you're not really helping." Blake tried to keep his voice cool, despite his growing agitation.
"What?"
"You're ranting, again."
"I don't rant." In retrospect, maybe he should have set some ground rules. Then maybe-
"I can hear you, Hunter. And Michael does not leer at me."
"Who leers at you?"
"Michael? From the shop?" Sometimes, Hunter had a one-track mind. And to Blake, it felt like he was dealing with a child…a really irritating child.
"I told him to back off and-"
Blake finally gave in to his frustration, raising his voice in an effort to stop his brother's ranting. "And to what, Hunter? This is why I didn't tell you." So caught up in his own tirade, Blake failed to notice the wounded look that passed upon Hunter's face. "He wanted me to tell you, but I told him that you always get like this."
Shane had to persuade Blake? Why would -
"Of course, did he believe me?"
Blake stood abruptly and clutched the back of the chair – intentionally interrupting Hunter's increasing curiosity.
He couldn't let this go on or Hunter would get him to end his relationship with Shane. He couldn't deal with that, now. He needed a friend, not an older brother.
"Blake, I-"
"Save it, Hunter." It had been like this for as long as Blake could remember. True, he's never dated before, but even with a new friend, Hunter would eventually push him or her away.
Until it was just the two of them.
Again.
"If Shane hadn't convinced me, I wouldn't have said anything." It was true. Shane even wanted to come, but Blake knew it would be too much for his brother to grasp at one time.
"Do you know how he convinced me, Hunter?" Hunter, understanding his brother's need to vent, wisely remained quiet.
"It's because I like him, you know. I really do." Blake looked down at Hunter with pleading eyes, begging for his brother to understand. He wasn't that chubby little seven year-old that cried over a runny nose, anymore. He was an adult now, seventeen. And it was time Hunter treated him like one.
If Hunter needed to sleep on it, that would be fine. But he wouldn't let his brother come between something like this. "He makes me happy, and I don't want you to mess it up."
Now it was Hunter's turn to look down, wincing at the shrill sound of the chair being pushed against the floor.
Because Blake left him.
This wasn't like one of their little fights they had on occasion. It was something more; that he either couldn't or wasn't willing to understand.
He knew Blake was only going to bed. He hadn't literally left Hunter. At least, that's what the reasonable part of his mind said.
But it hurt just the same.
For the first time in his life, Blake didn't need his older brother.
Didn't need the piggyback ride that would turn heartbreaking sobs into warm giggles.
Or the ice-cream cone that took care of a scraped knee.
Even those shared nights when Hunter could scare all the monsters away.
But most of all…
Blake didn't want him.
Hunter was simply in the way.
"I just want what's best for you, bro." And despite his whispered words, he truly could want nothing more.
"Remember? I'm 'The Best Big Brother' in the world." Hunter tried to laugh, but it was only a strained attempt to remove the emptiness he felt inside.
This has more angst than I originally intended (and a bit more dramatic), but there is a story behind this. I wanted to build something, even take a non-linear approach. Peel off the layers of their relationship, if you will.
I tried to imagine what it would feel like to have your world revolve around your younger sibling. You took care of and raised this person. And all of a sudden, they don't need you anymore. Again, I know it's dramatic, but it won't stay like this forever.