Alex watched the girls as Marina threw her arms around their younger sister. He didn’t know too much about either of them, but he could see how close they were and how excited they seemed to be with each other, and there was always a tinge of jealousy and sadness that followed him when he was with them. He could’ve had the life they had. The three of them could’ve grown up together and been close, and he could’ve known his little brother, (whom he hadn’t even asked about yet). Life could’ve been just as easy for him as it was for them. But Alex quickly shoved those feelings aside reminding himself that if he hadn’t lived the life he did, he wouldn’t have met Charlie.
And speaking of Charlie, at least he and Nora were already tormenting each other like real siblings. “Wha- no. I mean… yes, she’s my girlfriend and she is gorgeous and mean but you’re just redirecting.” Alex looked to Marina before he continued, “she’s been hanging out some asshole of a shifter.” His tone was playful, but he was genuinely a bit concerned. He never thought he’d feel so protective of his siblings, especially with something like this, and if he were honest, he almost felt it was none of his business- that he shouldn’t get so worked up over it because it felt strange to take on the big brother role now at twenty-four rather than having that role his whole life.
Marina glanced between the two of them, left speechless for a moment. What on earth had she missed? “Oh- Okay- uh.” She laughed, turning to Alex, “I definitely want to hear more about this gorgeous and mean woman. Wait-” She remembered back to her encounter at the library with a tiny, blonde, gorgeous, mean woman. “I think I might know who it is. But we’ll revisit. And don’t think I’ll forget.” She gave Alex a playful, pointed look before turning to their little sister. “But first, asshole of a shifter? What is this? You haven’t told me about anyone, Nor. Who is it?” She looked from Nora to Alex, silently pleading to be caught up.
“Why are you knowingly dating someone who’s mean!” Nora turned, eyes wide and only growing wider when she listened to her brother completely narc her out. Though, Asshole? That didn’t seem to fit her own description of the sweet, kind, southern gentleman she had met. The one she went on a date with.
“Doyle is not an asshole, so I’m convinced you have the wrong guy.” Nora turned. “And it’s nothing really yet. I just met him this week. We went to the carnival together-he won me a goldfish- his name is donut and he’s in my room at home.” Were her cheeks on fire? It surely felt like it.
“Your turn, big brother. Tell us about the pretty, mean fire witch.”