The next step

The Brother

James had always been an eye-catching lady killer.

She had been there when he was born.

She had fallen in love with him from the first time she held him. She had silently promised to be the best big sister ever.

As he became older, his features, as well as their physical differences, had become more prominent.

With his mocha complection, perfect skin with deep dimples, and ridiculously perfect white teeth, he was gorgeous. Almost the exact opposite of her lighter color and cheek freckles. The only physicality they shared were their eyes. They were her mothers.

Once, while out at dinner, a woman had actually been brazen enough to approach their table to vie for his attention.

She had thought that the way to his heart was to question him on his choice of women, pointing at her in disdain the entire time. She'd had the balls to advise him that he could do better. He smirked through the entire rant, knowing that this woman was about to receive a harsh verbal thrashing, and it amused him. His sisters head shaking, making eye contact with him the whole time. She only broke the stare with him to focus on the woman.

The chic was shut down instantly when an admittance of familial ties was explained. A horrified look crossing the woman's face as she realized she'd just insulted the big sister of the man whose favor she was attempting to gain. When the bomb drop was complete, she had no choice but to cower back to her friends, tail between her legs, bottom lip quivering.

He giggled after.

Such a smartass.

He was 4 years younger than her, but looked early 20's and had a tendency to speak that way as well. That is, until it came time for business conversations.

He held his weight well, both verbally and physically.

At 6 foot, he resembled more of a gym rat, rather than an Investment Banker. His physique was intimidating, but his IQ was what you had to watch out for. For a little brother, he was irritating at times, but still the best thing she could ever ask for.

She had been both mom and big sis as they were growing up, but over the last 10 years, had attempted to slowly transition into big sis only. He was an adult and she needed to treat him as such.

She had raised him to understand there were consequences for every action and she would treat him as an adult as long as he acted like one.

He had always acted like one.

She had no time in her life for a man-child.

"There's my amazing sister," he said as he stood to hug her. A pouty face immediately appeared as he noticed her empty hands. "No leftovers?"

She laughed out loud and shrugged.

He instantly sat back down, face still scrunched up.

"They're in the car," she smirked back and rolled her eyes.

His face immediately lit up as her rubbed his large hands together, causing her to laugh again.

"How are you?" He asked with a look of worry.

"Good. Better."

He squinted, trying to see any hidden meaning behind her answer.

She looked up from her drink, not realizing she'd answered while continuing to use her drink straw to swirl small circles in her mixer. She caught his gaze and instantly knew what he was asking.

"I'm keeping busy. Working to pass the time. Doing self care regularly. And taking my time to get back into dating." She stated all this while not breaking eye contact and giving an 'are you satisfied?' kind of look.

The answer seemed to give him some reprieve and he sat back in the booth and reached for her hand. Once he had it, he looked solemly into her eyes. "He was my friend too."

James was always considerate when it came to his big sisters feelings. After all, when dad went to jail and their mother fell into depression, it was his big sister who made sure he went to school, ate every day and stayed out of the streets. To him, she would always be mom. Not a second mom. Not a replacement mom. Just mom.

He would hear her arrive home in the middle of the night. Felt her kiss on his forehead as he lay there in bed.

He knew she only got 4 hours of sleep before she had to get him up, make his breakfast, and get him to the bus stop. He knew she had tested out of high-school and gotten her GED, so she could work to keep a roof over their head. He knew she somehow squeezed online college courses into her schedule to advance her education so as to not be labeled a hypocrite. She wanted him to go to college, so she, in turn, went first.

He knew she was proud, yet humble, and his achievements were her achievements, even if she never said so directly.

She was always in the front row. Whether it was his athletic championships or either of his graduations. There she was- front and center. He knew that he was lucky to have her. She held all of his respect.

When Kris had met Jack, he knew that had been nothing ordinary. Her whole demeanor had changed. She smiled. A deep smile that started from the inside and had no choice but to beam through her beautiful face.

As protective as he was with his sister, once he was introduced to Jack, he got it and silently, but willingly, relinquished the title of most important man in her life.