Chapter 33

       They just couldn’t wait for this time to come. They made their way from Missoula to Purple Creak in record time. And when they arrived home, first soft snowflakes started to slowly fall down from low dark clouds. Jess was unhappy as Jay decided to travel with Mel and Bryan. She still didn’t want to talk to him. And she was doing everything to avoid him. He could feel that. Jay took care so for the last week he had no occasion to meet her and talk. The argument with his sister weighed him down. All that left him was hope that Christmas time spent together would allow them to bury the axe.

       The house smelled of cinnamon, ginger, oranges and vanilla. It was full of trinkets, and there was a spreading tree in the living room, waiting to be decorated. Maria greeted them with a cheerful smile and tears in her eyes. Sean gave them a brotherly hug, and younger brothers were eager to get involved in the scuffles. So nothing changed. Jess quietly hoped his relations with Jay wouldn’t change drastically. ‘What am I thinking about?!’ He chided himself. ‘Our quarrels never last for too long!’ That thought was comforting.

       When they felt like home again and started decorating the Christmas tree, the door opened and the house was filled with Jay’s joyful singing. They quickly picked up the rhythm and sang "Jingle bells" together with her. She hugged everyone warmly, but hesitated before Jason. It was only a moment, but the younger brothers didn’t miss it. They were about to pump the elder twins when Maria came into the living room with a tray full of mugs with hot chocolate. After her came Sean with a bowl filled with homemade gingerbreads.

-       I missed you so much, guys! – Jay hugged her friend tightly. Then she turned to Sean and just drowned in his broad shoulders.

-       We missed you too. – He said with a wide smile.

-       But we finally have you all under one roof! – Maria clapped her hands with delight. – You have to tell us everything!

-       We have enough time! – Carter chuckled.

       The rest of the evening they spent on decorating the tree, warming up by the fireplace and discussing most interesting events. Finally, they persuaded Maria and Sean to go to bed, but only after they promised to clean everything up.

-       What’s going on? – Mark spoke bluntly as soon as they were alone.

-       And what exactly do you mean? – Carter decided to tease his younger brother.

-       Don’t pretend to be an idiot! – Mark even didn’t try to hide his irritation. – Why Jay and Jess don’t talk to each other?

-       But we’re talking. – She said, though those few sentences that they had exchanged with each other tonight couldn’t be called a conversation. ‘Shit!’ She cursed in her mind.

-       Sure! – Daniel sneered. – And we’re blind! What did you go about? – He gave their sister a piercing look.

-       Let’s say we had a little misunderstanding. – Jay replied evasively. She stood up and started to clean up the table. – Nothing worth discussing. – She added quietly with a dose nonchalance.

-       Jay! – Desperation won and Jason resigned from waiting for the convenient moment to talk with his twin sister in private. – I’m sorry, okay! – He jumped up from the couch and stood in front of her. – I shouldn’t have opened my mouth. – He put his clenched fists in jeans’ pockets as he didn’t know what to do with his hands. –  And you’re right. – He admitted finally, still avoiding her gaze. – It’s not my business who you’re dating.

-       Wait! What?! – The younger brothers called out in unison.

-       I went too far. – He continued in low voice, ignoring their brothers. – I was surprised and lashed at you before I thought about it. – He summoned up his courage and looked her in the eye. – I’m really sorry. Can you forgive me? – With the last words his voice cracked a bit.

-       Fine. – Jay felt uncomfortable talking about it, but deep inside she waited for the moment, when the conflict will be resolved. – There’s nothing to talk about. Just forget about it. – She gave him a pale smile.

-       Thank you! – Jason locked her in an iron grip. ‘I’m so sorry, JJ.’ He mind-linked Jay. ‘It’s okay!’ He heard in his mind and felt relieved.

-       Will someone please tell us what the fuck is going on? – Daniel was full of curiosity.

-       Jay sleeps with Weakfield!  - Carter said dryly.

-       Dude! – Christian looked at his twin reproachfully.

-       Give it a rest, Christian. There’s no point in talking about it. – Jay stopped her brother from saying too much, but gave Carter a murderous look. He just shrugged.

-       Wow! Hold on! – It was as if Mark woke up of a dream. – Jay dates Bryan?! Like THIS Bryan? – He was still confused, even if Jason nodded. – But how? And when? I mean… - He lost the thread.

-       Simply. Since August. – She answered the questions calmly. – Just shut your mouth, Mark. You look awkward.

       They watched her in silence. Their eyes were full of different feelings. Surprise. Shock. Understanding. Rebuke. Guilt. ‘The whole fucking pallet of emotions! How nice!’ She thought sarcastically. She herself felt anger. Everything in her still rebelled against their attitude.

-       Is it a fucking crime?! – She asked furiously.

-       You know it’s not. – Christian’s quiet reply made everyone look at him.

-       It seems that it doesn’t bother you! – Carter noticed cynically.

-       And why should it?! – He looked at his twin brother reproachfully. – Because you obviously have some problem with that!

-       Did I say something? – Carter asked, looking innocent.

-       No you didn’t, but it’s all too clear! – Christian kept attacking. – What’s your fucking problem?!

-       That she kept it secret! – Carter finally lost his temper.

       Christian felt that he has to support his sister. They both hid the truth from their siblings and now they had to form a common, compact front that would help them push the attack back. Accusations and reproaches were something that could easily be dealt with. But together it will be even easier. So he decided to show his cards. He sighed heavily and combed his already messy hair.

-       I’m dating Mel. – He suddenly confessed.

       There was an embarrassing silence. Everyone was looking at him with their mouth agape. Jay couldn’t believe in what her brother just did. But she was really grateful for that. Now they could face this together and it should be much easier. Christian ignored questioning looks, walked over to Jay and helped her to clean up. They went to the kitchen leaving the rest of their siblings utterly stunned.

***

       In the kitchen Jay and Christian were doing the dishes. She hated it, but because she was really mad she decided to relieve all the stress by smashing plates and mugs. To say that she was pissed off would be a huge understatement.

-       Why is it so damn fucking hard?! – Jay was washing the dishes and then angrily putting them on the dryer. – Why is it bothering them so much? After all, it’s my fucking life, right?!

       Christian calmly reached for another cup and started to wipe it vigorously. For long he stayed quiet, letting his sister scream.

-       Just give them some time. – He said finally. – They have to get used to it.

-       Get used to what?! – She was mad. – I’m a vampire hunter and a witch, two in a fucking one, and my brothers have to get used to the fact that I have a boyfriend?! – She snorted in disgust.

-       You haven’t shown any special interest in the opposite sex, until now. – Jess noticed shyly, obviously embarrassed. He was standing in the kitchen doorway, while the rest came in and sat at the kitchen table.

       She had to tell herself off in mind, for losing her alertness and that she didn’t sensed the rest of her brothers when they’d entered the kitchen. Yes, her brothers were hunters too and they had been through the same training as she did, but it didn’t mean she should let them surprise her. She got even angrier. Mainly with herself, but she decided to work it off on her brothers.

-       Maybe I should remain a virgin till the end of my life?! – She asked angrily. – Or ask you for your gracious permission?! – She hissed through clenched teeth. – I’m sure each of you would give me a unique and exhaustive lecture about sex! – She scoffed at the end.

-       That’s not the point! – Jess tried to get some pints. – You just surprised us.

-       I guess none of us could see that coming. – Danny had to put in his two cents’ worth. – You always preferred to give a guy a knuckle sandwich than let him touch you. – He smiled wickedly.

-       Besides, - added Michael, - you always treated Bryan as another brother.

-       That might have caused a little shock. – Mark supported his brothers. – Don’t you think?

-       I just see it! – She turned off the water and wiped her hands on trousers. – You know what? I go to sleep. Maybe tomorrow you won’t be such assholes. 

-       Oh, come on! – Mark teased her. – Don’t be like that! We’re still in some kid of shock! – He gave her his famous mischievous smile

-       Yeah that’s true! I forgot to shout SURPRISE. – She mocked. – SURPRISE! – She yelled joyfully, but her wide fake smile didn’t reach her eyes.

       She knew it wasn’t fair. Even before she said those words, she already felt they didn’t deserve it. As always, guilt and the bond between her and brothers won over anger.

-       I’m sorry. – She whispered and left the kitchen.

       None of them tried to stop her. They sat in silence until they heard the door to Jay’s bedroom closed. Only then did they feel the atmosphere of awkwardness descending. Because when a brother finds a girl and starts to sleep with her, it’s the perfect occasion to talk, exchanged comments and information, tease. You can chew on him, and even say few lewd jokes.

       With sisters it’s different. Probably every guy has coded in his mind that his sister, whether younger or elder, is under his care. He should protect her, especially since in many cases their own experience shows what assholes guys are. Perhaps they had no reason to think badly of Bryan, but they had their sister’s good at hearts.

       Now, however, they could quietly take cross-examine their brother.

-       So you and Mel? – Carter even didn’t try to hide his cheeky smile.

-       Back off! – Christian immediately got what his brother meant. – I told you so you would leave Jay alone, that’s all.

-       She knew? – Jess didn’t hide indignation. But he remembered the last week and gave up the comment, though he was sure he wouldn’t quarrel with his brother as much.

-       She got to know a week ago. – Christian decided to stay cool.

-       How? – They all asked at the same time.

-       I guess Mel told her. – Suggested Daniel.

-       No. – Christian had to admit that this time Mel held her tongue. – They covered us with Bryan.

-       Oh man! – Mark laughed. – Weakfield caught you up at getting it on with his sister?!

-       Watch your mouth! – He warned his brother.

-       Tell us! – Carter encouraged him. It was clear that he enjoyed himself at his twin’s expense. – Tell us everything with every tiny detail! – He rubbed his hands in delight.

-       You’re real assholes! – Christian said, shaking his head, and he left.

-       Wait! – They called after him. – Give us some spicy details!

       He didn’t turn around. He promised himself that he wouldn’t let them provoke him. Their talks about girls always looked like that. Biting comments, bending the truth and boasting. But this time it was different. First of all, Mel was their sister’s best friend. Second, she was their friend’s sister. However, it was something more. Much more.

       In the depths of his heart, Christian felt that this was not a simple flirt that could be so easily retracted. Melanie was more than anything else. He realized it when he saw her throwing the vase into the wall. He always felt sorry for this lovely blonde with amazingly blue eyes when some dick broke her heart. He felt like her older brother and so he behaved. He wanted to listen to her and comfort her.

       And then there were other meetings. He was surprised to find that he felt very well in her company. Still, he kept repeating himself that it was only because they were raised together. But then, at the college, he saw as another asshole is making a pass at her. He struggled with himself not to interfere. In the end it was not his business with whom Mel is meeting. Now he was glad he reacted spontaneously when his sister's friend and handsome footballer didn’t appear in class.

       Something told him to go to girls’ home to check if that damn playboy hadn’t dragged her to bed. He stormed into her studio, ready to kick his ass. And when he saw Mel by the easels, her jeans and shirt splashed with paint, hair in a mess and eyes burning with inner light, he lost control over himself.

       He remembered the puzzled look on her face as he entered her room. Slowly emerging smile. Surprise in her eyes when he took her face in his hands. Daydream mixed up with excitement when he kissed her. If Jay discovered her feelings for Bryan in the same way, he couldn’t blame her for losing herself completely.

       On the way to his bedroom he peered into his sister's room, but she was already sleeping peacefully. He just walked over, covered her with a blanket and kissed her in the forehead. She muttered something in her sleep, but she didn’t move. He left closing the door behind him.