Author Note: Before getting down and purposing my fiancé who is quite shy got up on open night mic this Wednesday and sang "Let It Be Me" by Ray LaMontagne (he can sing very well). Beautiful song and of course he knows I love that song. It took awhile; I didn't really know how I wanted it to end.

Many thanks to everyone for the warm reviews; I'm glad the story is being well received. If you like the character Lonnie, she's in my other fic titled "In The Woods" Enjoy. ;-)

Let It Be Me

Laroy smiled to himself as he walked across the large garage. The rest of the boys of his garage were already gone. He was feeling in a good spirit today. The beats of De La Soul were blaring out of the speakers that lined the garage as his sister worked; Leona had her back to him. She was in her usual attire when she worked; white wife beater, baggy Dickie black pants and Timberlands.

It had been a year since she'd been back and he had to admit, it was good having her home. When she got out of juvie the look in her eyes spoke volumes. Leona was done banging. Instead of getting a verbal blessing to leave the family from Laroy... He didn't like to think about it. Leona had taken the beating from the girls of the crew like a champ.

It was as if she had changed overnight. When the SATs results came back Laroy couldn't hide his joy. They're mother would be proud that at least one of them wasn't a complete fuck up. She got a full ride to a good school that was 3 hours away. Something Laroy didn't like, too many enemies and many knew his sister's face. For the first year he tried to keep at least two of his boys tailing her. Of course she got hip to it and firmly cursed him the hell out.

As his sister continued to bang away at the motor; Laroy looked at the schematics that she had drawn up for that piece of shit a rapper from the neighborhood prayed and begged to Laroy to fix up to its former glory. Damn she was brilliant, how did she come up with this? He thought to himself. Laroy took the car because the rapper was willing to pay a lot of money for it. All his other mechanics had bowed out of the challenge that Leona was damn near giddy to take.

Laroy preferred his sister to be working in the office but after a month of paperwork she got bored. He couldn't stand the looks she got from the guys. Being her big brother it pissed him off on a daily basis. They weren't stupid enough to hit on her but there was flirtation. Leona got along with everyone but she snipped the flirtation in the ass before it got out of hand. She just wanted to be like one of the fellas again.

Anytime Laroy got custom jobs or something that needed some brain power he tried to give to her. He knew she didn't want to work here. Having sent her resume to a couple of hospitals to break into the Medical biotechnology field; it was always the same thing. She didn't have any experience. The recession had fucked up her prospects. So he watched his sister split her days between the shop and working at the free clinic, learning how to make prosthetics and working with the heart monitors; that sort of thing.

His baby sister worked so hard. He tapped her on the back getting her attention. Lonnie put down the wretch giving him a curt nod. "Need something, big bro?" she asked wiping her greasy hands on her pants.

He folded his arms "I need you to get the hell outta of here. It's your birthday; you shouldn't be in here working on cars."

Lonnie rolled her eyes "I don't have anything planned. You didn't throw me a party; all my supposed girlfriends are doing other things. Instead of getting mad, I'll just work." She reasoned.

Laroy could see that she was hurt. Birthdays were always a big deal for them. Leona's face had been priceless this morning when Laroy hadn't cooked her favorite breakfast and wasn't there. After getting to work Laroy gave her a curt "Happy Birthday, here's the list of cars on the docket." She had snatched the clipboard out of his hand before walking out. Everyone was playing along with it. All day she's been pissed off in a way only Leona could. She worked and didn't talk to anyone. Bitching wasn't his little sister's style, silent treatment was.

"Tell ya what." Laroy slapped his hands together "We go home so you can change. Grab an early dinner, do a little shopping and then hit the club. Sounds like a plan?"

He braced himself as she barreled into him "You know you're aight for a big brother." He kissed her forehead "Psst, I'm best big brother. Come one, girl. Pack you shit up so we can eat."

Lonnie did what she was told and Laroy couldn't hold back his own smile. She was his baby girl and he was so proud that she was his little sister.

"Yo, L." The girl sitting next to Lonnie whispered as the teacher wrote on the board. Lonnie looked at her, waiting for what she wanted. The girl's eyes showed her fear. Of course she knew Lonnie banged and was terrified of her. "You're brother is out in the hall." Leona frowned Laroy wouldn't be here to the school for anything unless. She got pushed herself out of her seat and went straight for the door. The teacher turned around. "Lonnie where do you think you're going?" Lonnie paid her no attention as she opened the door for the hallway. Laroy was leaning against the wall head hung low. "Laroy?" "She's dead Leona." Lonnie felt a wave a nausea coming up as she blinked back the tears. "But they said…" she chocked "The white doctors lied Leona!" Laroy snapped instantly regretting it. Lonnie dropped to her knees her mouth hung open as the tears flowed like a river. "We were suppose to cook tonight, mommy said we were going to cook. Our first meal since she's been home…" Laroy dropped to his knees pulling her into his arms as she sobbed gripping his shirt. "Don't worry L, I'm not going anywhere. I'll take care of you." Her cries carried throughout the hallway as her brother tried to soothe her.

"What's up with you?" Vince asked Juice handing him the pole stick.

"Yeah, you haven't been talkin' all day. Is it that time of the month?" Chibs poked at him.

The guys started laughing.

"Or your invisible girlfriend didn't call you?" Jax offered with a half smile sliding into the seat across from Juice.

Juice was not in the mood for this. Okay, he knew that she didn't want her brother to find out about them. That was smart, Laroy was a fucking psycho everyone knew that. A year had past quick and he was still hooked on Lonnie. Today he was pissed off. It was her birthday and he had it all mapped out of what he wanted to do for her. Last night Lonnie had shut down any plans that Juice had on deck. The way her voice went high he knew she thought he was crazy to even suggest she would be with him for her birthday. Well she had said it a lot nicer; Juice didn't think Lonnie knew how to be mean. It wasn't in her bones but still it pissed him off. He should be at her side for the most important day of the year as far as he was concerned. He hated to admit it but it hurt him not be able to walk up to her house and take her out properly.

He ignored the taunts his brothers were dishing out. His eyes narrowed onto the light skinned, "pretty eyes" Vince as the girls called him. "I need you to do me a favor." He said.

Juice was the one who sponsored Vince into the club. Showed him how things were done when he was a Prospect.

Vince looked at him "what?"

"I need you to go to Oakland." Juice said, his face was serious and the smile had left Vince face. Juice knew Vince wasn't a fool. The reason he was asking Vince to go to Oakland was to spy on Lonnie.

"Bro—come one." Vince pleaded throwing his head up looking at the ceiling.

"I would go but let's be real. I won't make it pass the security." Juice said looking at his palms...

"So you send the black guy out to spy on you lady. You got class Juice, real class." Vince said getting up. Juice slapped hands with him "thanks, I'll owe you."

Vince laughed "oh yea you do." He said with an eyebrow raised.

Bobby put down his paper looking over his reading glasses. "You don't trust your invisible girlfriend?"

"I trust her." Juice defended himself. When the guys started laughing at him again he smiled "and she aint invisible!"

* * *

"Surprise!" the entire room yelled as Laroy and Lonnie walked into the club.

Lonnie laughed "I hate all of you!"

Laroy pulled her into a hug "did you really think I forgot about your birthday?" he said in her ear over the loud music.

They never had a chance to hang out. He was always busy with his business and she was always off doing something. Like most siblings their signals seemed to always be getting crossed. Hanging out had been more fun than he had expected. Lonnie's dry humor had gotten much better and they played off each other. Lonnie milked it of course, making him go into a fancy restaurant were the maître de looked like he was worried Laroy was going to rob him. They ordered different things and switched plates after preferring the other sibling's choice on the menu. Then the shopping…four hours…10 stores…3 G's later, as long as Lonnie was happy. It made Laroy think everything he does day in and day out was worth it.

The DJ started spinning records as Lonnie worked the room. Kissing and hugging old friends, new friends and acquaintances.

"She's just having fun, man."

"Vince, what the hell does that mean? What is she doing?" Juice asked walking quickly to his room.

"You know, she's dancing with her girlfriends—uh wait…now she's dancing with this guy."

Juice could barely hear Vince with the subwoofer in the background but the word 'guy' was loud and clear. "What guy?!"

He heard Vince sigh "man, you aint got nothin' to worry bout. That dude is gay."

"How she look?" Juice asked as he paced the confines of his room.

"She's wearing tight black dress, mid thigh, lot of leg man. Sliver heels, hair down, nice little jewelry game not that gaudy shit. The bitch--"

"Vince!" Juice snapped.

Vince cleared his throat "my bad, your girl is fine. Oh shit man, they got cake. I'll call you back."

"Vince? Vince!" Juice snapped as the phone went dead. He collapsed on his bed muttering curses.

Lonnie looked at her cell phone time, 10:20. The cake had been cut a couple of minutes ago now it was just a full swing party. People she didn't know and most she did were on the crowded dance floor. Laroy was entertaining his latest squeeze; the quality time was way over. Lonnie smiled taking the opportunity to cut a piece of cake and leaving the club.

"How you gonna leave you own party, bia?" Sid's slurred voice beckoned at her.

Lonnie stopped in her tracks turning around to face her drunken friend who was smoking a cigarette. "No of your business, bia." Lonnie mimicked Sid's voice.

Sidney smirked "it's that dude, the secret guy."

"It isn't a secret. I got nothing to hide. Now I gotta go, play nice with my brother." Lonnie pointed at her before leaving.

"When he stops being such an asshole!" Sid called.

Bobby eyes did a double take at the dark skinned woman that walked in. That dress made him stand up. She smiled sheepishly at all the barley men in the room.

"Hi, I'm looking for Juice?" she said to anyone who would answer the question. All the men gawked at her.

Chibs stood up "Follow me, lass."

Lonnie followed Chibs down the familiar hallway. Last time she had been here she left before the sunlight hit the window panel much to Jean's annoyance. He fussed at her about the old screw and dash which it wasn't.

Chibs banged on the door as they waited Lonnie decided to introduce herself.

"I'm Lonnie, Juice's friend." She said holding out her hand.

Chibs shook it "I'm Chibs." He said. Lonnie liked his accent.

Juice opened the door in his jeans. "What is it?" he asked annoyed until he looked at Lonnie leaning on the door frame.

"You got a guest." Chibs informed him before walking away.

Vince's description of Lonnie did no justice for Juice. She looked amazing. He could feel his lips pulling into a goofy smile.

"Can I come in?" Lonnie asked. Juice pulled her in, Lonnie quickly put the cake on the closet flat surface as his lips crushed hers.

Juice was guiding her to his bed but she pulled away. "No! It's--" she moved from his embrace fully taking looking at the clock. "11:50 and I would like to have my birthday cake with you."

Juice sat down on the bed as he watched Lonnie kick off her shoes retrieving the cake and taking two forks out of her purse. "Why would you wanna do that?" Juice inquired.

Lonnie looked at him with a confused look on her face as she took a seat on the bed. She sat the red velvet cake between them passing him the fork.

"Tonight was a lot of fun. My brother, my friends." She closed her eyes thinking back on the day, opening her eyes slowly she took a forkful of the cake feeding it to him. "All I wanted to do was be with you."

"I don't believe you." He chuckled calling her bluff.

She wasn't bluffing. Lonnie gripped his hand "no, I'm serious. I wanted to spend my birthday with you."

"Why do you have to say shit like that? It makes me mad at myself that I was upset at you." He slid the cake to the side wrapping his arm around her waist pulling her on top of him.

"1 minute left, how about a birthday kiss?" Lonnie suggested.

"You're the birthday girl. I have to oblige." He leaned up and kissed her softly. "You look beautiful but--" he looked at the clock before looking back up at her. "It's not your birthday anymore. You should take off the dress."

Lonnie got up and unzipped the sides of the dress as Juice watched. "I hope you got some rest. Take off your jeans."

* * *

Tig knocked on Juice's door twice before opening it. His eyes widened at the naked brown skin woman tangled in the sheets. "Damn" he muttered in awe.

Juice opened his eyes pulling the cover over sleeping Lonnie blocking Tig's line of sight before wrapping the other cover around his waist going to the door.

"Give me 5 minutes, I'll be right there." He voice still groggy from sleep. He had to practically push Tig out the door closing it on his face.