My Brothers Best Friend

Chapter 4: In the Shadows

NOAHS POV

My eyes fluttered open slowly. I checked my phone and saw that I had eight text messages. All of them from my drunk brother trying to explain that he wasn’t happy that I left without telling him. I chuckled and rubbed my hands over my face. It was 8:30 in the morning. I wanted to go the rugby pickup game at 10. I mapped the distance to campus and figured I could make it in under 40 minutes if I wanted to jog there. I really didn’t know the area too well yet but I consider myself a safe jogger. I never run with headphones and I keep mace tucked into my side the entire time. I got dressed into yoga pants and a sports bra with a loose fitting tank top over it. I threw my hair into a messy bun and look into the mirror. ‘Eh, this is as good as it gets. Who am I going to impress anyways, especially when I’ll be sweating like a pig once I get there’

I made coffee and had a bowl of oatmeal. My attention turned as I heard the front door open. Brie had waltzed in semi hung over from last night. I laughed. She glared in my direction, “girl don’t even get me started”. I put both my hands up and shook my head. “I have coffee if you want some” I tell her pouring her a cup. She gladly takes it and breathes a deep sigh, “gratzi, Bella” she says, her eyes look like they’re betraying her as she starts to fall asleep. I help her to bed and leave some medication and water on the nightstand for when she gets up. “..I’m going to the rugby game. See you when I get back” I whisper.

I did a few minor stretches before taking off in the direction of campus. Running has always been my thing. I don’t know why I like it so much. I think I just really enjoy seeing my body go past limits that my mind sets. Most mornings, my body feels like it wants to quit but when I keep pushing I get the runners high and it almost feels like my legs are no longer the ones doing the work. It’s like my mind is propelling my legs forward on their own. It’s also a huge stress reliever and gives me ample opportunity to think through things. I enter campus and near the field where I see a handful of people grouped. I start slowing down before I come to a complete halt at the edge of the field. Before I step any further I check my heart rate and the time. I punch the air in celebration as I realize I’m right on time and it look me a little over 45 minutes. I walk to the small set of bleachers that are set up and find a seat on the cold metal. I look around and see a few people from the party. When I look down the row I see Erica glaring at me. She must know that Brent walked me home last night. Whoops. I hope she’s not too angry with me. It was just a friend helping out a friend I think to myself. A few moments later my eyes catch sight of a beautiful set of muscles.

My eyes flicker up to see Brent jogging passed the bleachers, his shirt is off and I think I’m..oh shit..I truly am drooling. His eyes catch mine for a brief moment and I can’t help but smile. Watching the guys play rugby is always so exciting. It’s similar to football but the ball is bigger and ball gets lopped instead of thrown but the tackles are usually intense. No helmets, just mouth guards. I’ve seen my brother and his teammates plenty roughed up. I’m not sure whose winning but the amount of shirtless guys don’t exactly help my attention span. I get a text from Brie as the game is wrapping up. “Pool day” is all she put but I don’t complain. I’d love nothing more than to have a relaxing day at the pool working on my tan. I chuckle to myself. My idea of tanning is burning and waiting for it to turn golden for exactly one day only for it to go back to my nude complexion.

I slide off the bleachers when I feel arms wrap around across my stomach and lift me into the air. I let out a groan and don’t even have to see who it is to know. “Gggghhhh put me down, Hayes”. As my feet hit the ground I laugh and turn around surprised to even see my brother standing after the amount of alcohol he had last night. “Thanks for saying goodbye last night, sis!” He spouts wiping his sweat with a towel. “Hey, I told Brie to relay the message. You were a little preoccupied with sucking back some intoxicating liquid” I say shoving him. “Uhm her name is heather.” He laughs. He looks at my face filled with disgust before spouting, “I’m kidding but still you should’ve told me!” He argued. “It was fine Hayes, plus Brent walked me home” I tell him assuring him I was safe. Hayes narrows his eyes “he did?” I nod my head before changing the subject. “How are you even awake right now? You had way more alcohol than Brie and she came in looking like death this morning”. Hayes chuckled, “so that’s why gab isn’t here. Well I have a higher tolerance than her. She’s a light weight”. I laugh and see Brent approach us. “Hey Noah, what do you think? How’d we do?” Brent says, his shirt still absent. I have to keep reminding myself to keep my eyes upward and not that godlike chiseled body. “Looks like you guys are ready for the season” I tell him. He and Hayes both laugh “I don’t know about that but we appreciate it” Hayes says lifting his tank top over his head. Hayes lays a playful punch in Brent’s shoulder, “why didn’t you tell me you walked Noah home last night?” For the first time in my three years of knowing Brent, I saw him start to fidget. He seemed to stumble over his words, “come on, man. She’s your little sister. I’ve got to look after her” he says and instantly my heart shatters. It’s my own fault really. I read too much into his kindness last night but that didn’t seem to keep the anger from filling my body. I refused to look in his direction. “Wait, if Gab isn’t here. How’d you get here?” Hayes asked. I shuffled my feet knowing he wouldn’t like my answer. “I jogged here” I say biting my bottom lip. Hayes furrows his brow at me. “Noah, seriously?” Hayes says sounding way too much like my dad. “Hayes, I was fine. I didn’t wear my headphones and I keep mace on me. Plus, ask Brent I’ve got a pretty gnarly punch” the need to defend myself bubbling in my gut. Hayes looks at Brent confused. I chime in again, “it’s a long story but the point is that I’m 18 and I can take care of myself”. Hayes and Brent look at each other. “I’m driving you home” Hayes says going to get his stuff. I huff and cross my arms, looking down at my feet. I feel Brent step closer, “You really shouldn’t be jogging without someone with you” I swallow down the urge to laugh, anger still filling my body. “Don’t worry about me Brent, you don’t have to be ‘Hayes little sisters’ keeper” I snap before walking away from him. “Noah!” He calls after me but I ignore him and climb into Hayes truck. I don’t care if I’m acting like a child. I refuse to be babied by everyone.