"Hey  Jake.  I..."

"Who the hell was that? " I heard his angry voice boom.

Oh shit!

I paled at his tone. I immediately knew what he meant. "Jake let me ..."

"No. Don't even start with the 'let me explain' shit. Whose the fuck is the dude? He clearly isn't a stranger since you were so cozy with him on national tv. On fucking national tv Aisha! Of all places you had to kiss him on national tv." He yelled so hard I cringed.

"Jake...."  my voice trembled.  I was about crying.

He sighed "... I'm sorry for yelling. It just took me by surprise. I'm sorry I'm coming over ok." He said, his tone softer.

"It's ok." I sniff wiping my eyes furiously. I hated when my brother got upset with me.

"I'm already round the corner just open the door." He replied.

"Huh?" I asked puzzled then I heard a knock on the door. I stood up from the stool and moved to open the door to find Jake there.

"Jake.." I was cut short by his tight hug. I nuzzled into his chest as tears slipped again.  "I'm sorry.  I wanted to tell you but I was scared you had be mad."I sob.

"It's ok. I know.  Stop crying ok. I'm sorry I got so upset that was out of place for me. Please stop crying." And just like that, my crying stopped. We always had that magic effect of suiting each other.

"It's hard to believe you two are siblings when you act like a couple" kim hoffed moving away as we both laughed at her expense.

"Who is he though?  Seriously. " he said pulling me to the couch.

I breath hesitantly as I fudled with my fingers. I looked away biting my lip nervously. "You won't get mad right?"

"I'll try." he replied.

"Jake." I whined

"I said I'll try now tell me." He said touching my hand reassuringly.  His palm grazed the ring on my finger and his eyes got wide as he looked at it. "Damn he quick!  And you just accepted without..."

"I promise you: it's not what you think." I said. He frowned

"Humour me... " he replied sarcastically with  his arms folded staring down at me. I hated when he puffed up like that to look impressive because it always made me feel like a cornered prey.

I breathe out heavily. "He's my... he's my boyfriend; Michael. And the ring is a promise ring. Nothing more." He let out a humorless chuckle. "I really like him Jake and he loves me too."

"So what you're saying is you love him?" He asked

Swallowing the lump in my throat replying confidently. "Yes."

He nodded a little shakened by the news. "Ok. When am I meeting him? Or was he to remain your little secret till national tv?" He asked folding his muscular arms against his chest. Clearly still pissed.

"I was thinking...." I started

"Tomorrow is a Sunday.  I'll be free so it would be perfect. " he interjected

"But.." I tried arguing but he cut me off.

"No argument." He said sternly.

"Sunday afternoon then."I replied folding my arms.

"Perfect.  I can't wait to see your pale skinned lover." He said sarcastically.

"Jake!! " I reprimanded

"Ok was just joking.  Jeez. Are you gonna be so testy about him." He scoffed

"Yes if I must." I returned. "I'll see you at 2pm tomorrow. " I said firmly

"Fine.  I see tomorrow then. And you both better be on your bast behavior. " he said sternly.

With a cheeky grin i said "Yes sir." With the salute sign.

"Aight, take care." He said, kissing my temple then left.

I plopped on the sofa sighing tired.

"If he reacted like that just about the kiss and the ring- what's he gonna do when he finds out you 2 spend your nights together? " kim asked eating ice cream as she sat crossed leg on the rug

"Tell me about it. I don't know how this is all gonna go. Jake can be a real macho sometimes." I said apprehensively.

"Well now you got to tell JD like it or not."

I sighed rubbing my face. "I'll tell him tonight.  There is no..." my phone buzzed on the coffee table displaying Michael's name. "Hey." Speak of the devil...

"Hey sweetheart. I'm down with Millie. She couldn't wait to see you. He said cheerfully. We had decided on naming our husky Millicent. Well i did after watching an episode of looney toons but he didn't object just laughed. "My place tonight?" He asked, his voice so chirpy.

"Ehm..." I was a horrible liar.

"You ok? We could cancel if you not up for it." He said worriedly.

"No I'm on my way down." I replied.

"Ok love. See you in a few." I could practically feel him smile when he said that before hanging up.

"You should go. You'll figure a way for them to talk civilly without your brother giving him a black eye for kissing his sister."she joked.

"I pray it doesn't have to go that far." I said leaving.

                         **************

I was completely out of it throughout the ride home.  I gave short or mono-syllabic responses each time we talked. I knew he felt something was up. I apprehended this discussion but I couldn't avoid it for ever.

"Baby you've been acting wierd." What's wrong he engulfed me in his bear hugs and kissed my forehead before lifting my face so I can look into his eyes.

"I'm ok. Do you want a massage?" I said pulling him over to the bed. "I crave yours though."

He chuckled replying ".. yes I love yours. But as much as I like doing that to you that's not the problem. C'mon. Talk to me." He linned in closer to my face giving me Eskimo kisses. He knew how weak in the knees he gets me when he becomes so affectionate. 

"My brother came earlier." I replied defeatedly. "He saw the kiss on tv. And he wants us to come meet him tomorrow." I said looking at him worriedly. But he seemed cool? Too calm if you had ask me..

"Ok." He replied.  "When do we meet?"

"You're not bother about it?" I asked not hidding my suprise at his poise demunour.

"Sweetheart we're dating.  Obviously we had get to the point of introducing ourselves to our families. "

"I guess so."

"It'll be fine.  We can do this." He said kissing my forehead. "How about that massage hmm?"

"You want me to relax or you're just looking for an excuse to have your hands all over me?" I asked playfully.

"To be honest... it's a little bit of both. Did i mention how sexy you look in my shirt?"he replied with a cheecky grin and I giggled. I love how playful we are when together, everything is so simple. Just us. Suddenly, he swipped me off my feets and i squeeled at the sudden action.  "Let's go." We heard Milli bark in the living room where she was to be asleep.

"That dog can be such a diva at times."he groaned quietly.

I chortled and whispered. "She loves her beauty sleep."

"At the expense of us being happy." He grumbled.

                  *******************

I was nervous as hell as we stood before Jacob's door.  I had no idea what to expect, while my dainty boyfriend stood by me looking like a snack in his denim pants and button down shirt which showcased his toned biceps as he rubbed my arm reassuringly.  My brother is musclely too plus our crazy genes of all men been huge didn't ease his impressive look. I rung the bell and waited. Tapping my foot nervously.

"It's ok." He said placing a gentle kiss to my temple as Jake opened his door. I immediately pulled away giving a smile.

"You must be the boyfriend." He stated with a mean face as he stared him down. They were about the same height and their huge stature dwafted me between them.

"Hey." I said giving him a peg on his cheek and he stepped aside for us to move in.

We took seats on the sofa and Jake's eyes immediately went to the ring and our intertwined fingers

"Jake this is Michael,  my boyfriend. JD this is Jacob my older brother." I introduced them.

Jake squinted his eyes at him- accessing him.

"What's JD for?" He asked.

"It's his initials." I replied - he looked at me to go on  with the explanation. "It's Michael Jonathan Donovan."

"Glad I can finally see you. It seem my sister was making you a big secret of hers till you got public."

I swallowed hard at his statement as I looked down.

"I'm sorry we came out to you that way." Michael replied squeezing my hand reassuringly. "And I love and respect your sister so much. So do I respect her family too."

"As she told me." He said glancing at me. "So the ring?"

"It's a promise ring: That I will remain engaged in this relationship as long as she wants me in her life."

Jake nodded. "Ok. I can live with that. You know you're gonna have to explain that to her parents too?"

I know you guys mite be a little confused here. Jacob and I are cousins that geew up together so he was pretty much the older brother we never had. We are so close we tend to get sick at the same time. Kim said we were soulmates because of how srong our bond is. And yes Michael knew about my family already.  He knows how important Jake is and that he's one of the people he had have to gwt through before getting me.

"Yes and I take full responsibility. "

Jake laughed. "You don't know her father. But if you're crazy enough to go this far with her-  I'm impressed. I just hope you make her happy.  Because I know she will cry and be heartbroken at some time but that's just how relationships are. What matters is how ready you're and how far you had go to make her happy."

"I'll do anything to keep her." Michael replied.  (Hmm...he's giving hero vibe...so sexy.)

"Good. " he replied.  I released the breath I was holding and moved to the kitchen.

"I'll get started on dinner you guys can chat away. " I disappeared into the kitchen and started working always glancing at them once in a while to make sure he doesn't try murdering Michael. Soon enough the left for the patio and just prayed nothing bad happens.

Dinner was done when they retuned and Michael was unharmed, gratefully. They made little talks over the table and I discovered they were pretty comfortable with each other. Thank God....

Once we were done, JD came to help me do the dishes I was a little cautious because of my brother being just in the next room but I gave in after his usual coaxing.  I just couldn't resist this man.

Michael left to pick a call when we were done and Jake stood at the counter,  looking at me.

"What?" I frowned

"Nothing.  You just seem happy - especially when you're with him. And it's strange to see your baby sis grow before your eyes." He said a little sad.

"Does that mean you're in support of our relationship? " I asked warily.

He closed his eyes breathing slowly.  "It kills me to say it but he mite be ok....."

I jumped on him, giving him a bone crushing hug the best i could before he could go any further .

"Thank you. It means so much to me."

"Yea you don't just like him but you love him and I can see that. So go for it. But you need to tell your parents." He said more seriously.

"I will. In due time." He groand at my response setting me on my feets again.

"Don't keep it till it blows up in your faces. That's what make people annoyed. You're too secretive. They need to know." When I didn't answer he sighed tiredly. "Your choice but do so before they come for your graduation. Ok?" He said looking at me in my eyes.

"Ok." I replied

"Good." He kissed my forehead and hugged me. "I feel bad for his pretty face when he breaks your heart."

"Jake." I groaned and he laughed

"I won't.  I promise that on my life." We heard Michael's voice interupt us.

"Way to go man can't you see we're bonding here?". Jake said annoyed.

"My bad." He raised his hands in surrender.

"And don't make no promise you can't keep. It's a mortal sin." Jake warned.

"Then I'll do my best to not sin then." Michael replied confidently as he looked at me and I smiled.

"Man... don't stare at my sister like that infront of me or I'll remove your eyes." Jake warned playfully as he pushed me behind him as though he was shielding me from danger.

"Point taken."he said with a slight smile.

"Man I'm serious."

"Oh Jake leave him alone." I huffed moving into JD's arms and kissed his cheek.

"You're not exempted from the rule either. I don't want that in my house." I rolled my eyes at his antics. "But I have respect for  you man... no-one has ever made my sister turn against me. You..." he said putting a heavy hand on Michael's shoulder. "..are a legend. "

I looked at my watch and saw it was over 11:00pm and I had an early class tomorrow.

"Sorry to cut your bromance short but we have to hit the road." I said pulling on JD's arm.

"Ok good night you both and straight to bed. No nasties." I was mortified as my brother goof at my expense.

"I wouldn't think of that." Michael replied.

"You tryna say my sister isn't sexy enough for you to bed?" He asked an arched brow

"Can we just go?" I said totally embarrassed by this discussion.

He laughed again as we stepped out. I kissed his cheek and bid him good night.

"Safe trip you folks." He said.

"Yea see you next time." I waved as I got into the car.

He started the engine and we zoomed out of the parking.

"You guys got close." I said.

"Yea he threw the usual slangs of breaking my neck if I hurt you. But we're good.  I think. " he said

"He'll warm to you eventually."I rassured him.

"Yea. I hope so. But I can tell he really loves you." He said glancing at me. "Im getting jealous though." I laughed at his statement. "One obstacle down atleast."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I got through your brother.  Now I'll have to face your parents then the rest of the family. "He said, a little worried.

"We can do this together.  Remember? If we got through this, we could do same for the others"I assured him.

"Yea but your brother is fucking scary." He said glancing at me..

I laughed loud at his remark"Yea no kidding." I replied