Brothers & Best Friends

by Rose, Ashley

  "Ew," she mumbled, making a face. "Okay, I'm hanging up now so I can go vomit."

  He chuckled. "Have fun."

  "I would say that back, but I'm afraid you'd take me literally. Good night, promiscuous brother of mine."

  "Good night, prudish sister of mine."

  She shook her head and hung up the phone, making a face. "Ew, ew, ew," she muttered, getting to her feet and walking back to the bedroom.

  She paused in the doorway and looked in on Jess, beautiful in the moonlight. She smiled softly, thinking she should have called her brother sooner. Talking to John always made her think about how glad she was to have Jess. Suddenly their argument seemed silly and petty, and she wondered why on earth she was letting something so stupid become such a problem. He didn't introduce her as his girlfriend, so what? It didn't make her happy, but she could have just as easily butted in and said it herself.

  Janine climbed on the bed and she crawled over to Jess. She smiled down at his sleeping face and then she leaned in to give him a kiss. Janine curled up against him and continued to leave soft kisses along his jawline, down his neck, on his bare chest, on his stomach. She nibbled lightly on his ears and ran her fingers through his hair and before she knew it, his arms were locked around her and he was kissing her back.

  She pulled back after a minute and smiled at him. "Hi."

  "Hi," he replied, smiling oddly.

  "We haven't been doing enough of that," she informed him, giving him another quick kiss.

  "Agreed," he said.

  She sighed and rolled to her side, propping herself up. "We need to talk."

  He sighed. "Can't we do more of this first?"

  She ignored his request and started talking. "I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of sleeping on opposite sides of the bed. I'm tired of all the awkward silence in this apartment. I want my Jess back, I want our relationship back. I'm sorry that I made such a big deal out of the Rachel thing. I was just insecure, and I'm probably going to get insecure from time to time. I have to get used to the fact that there have been many before me. I'm sorry if it seems like I don't trust you. I want to trust you, and I'm going to trust you, but I can't help if it isn't easy," she said.

  He nodded sympathetically, sighing. "I know."

  "But I don't mean to not trust you. I didn't think you went home with anyone else, Jess, I swear I didn't. I did lie to you, because the thought did cross my mind, but I banished it the minute it came. I know you're not like that. I know that you wouldn't do that to me. I also know that if you ever did I could have my brother murder you, so I wouldn't have to worry about it," she said lightly.

  He smiled at her. "I think you're right. Karen would probably help him."

  She smiled. "She probably would. But I'm sorry. I want to trust you more than anything in the world, it's just so scary for me to trust other people. The only person in the world that I trust is John. I always trusted you, too, because you were John's best friend, and you were nice to me and you were great. Then you didn't introduce me to Rachel as your girlfriend, so I started freaking. The night you stayed out all night—"

  "I wasn't gone all night," he interrupted. "I was home by two."

  "Well, that night I remember when the thought of another girl crossed my mind and more than that, I remember my first reaction. Do you know why I didn't ask you about it? Why I didn't push the subject when you changed it the next day?"

  He shook his head.

  She gave a smile that looked more like a sad grimace. "Because I didn't want to know."

  He reached over and touched her face, gently rubbing his thumb along her jawline. "You shouldn't just give your trust Janie. I'll earn it. I'm not entirely sure how, but I will. I'll prove you that you never have to worry about me doing anything like that to you."

  She sighed and rested her head on his chest. "I love you, Jess. I'm sorry I'm so high maintenance."

  "Don't be silly," he said, brushing her hair behind her ear. "You're worth every gray hair I'm sure you'll give me."

  She grinned up at him. "I already got a gray hair, so by the time I'm thirty I can't promise what my head will look like."

  He raised an eyebrow. "You're eighteen."

  She nodded. "I know, but I'm serious. A couple months ago, I was sitting on the couch next to my mom, and she found a gray hair in my head. She yanked it out. That means I probably have three more in its place."

  He shook his head. "I feel bad for your head. My mother claimed I gave her a whole head full of gray hair, although with all the hair dye she uses to cover it up I can't tell." He patted her stomach. "So prepare for more."

  She grinned. "He'll be worth it. He's not even here yet and I already love him to pieces."

  "That's because you're his mother."

  "You know, the other night I was wallowing in loneliness and you had your back to me and I was feeling miserable, and guess what the baby did?"

  "What did he do?"

  "He kicked me."

  Jess smirked. "Kicking you when you're down, huh?"

  "Yes, but it cheered me up. He's already with me and he isn't even here yet."

  "A very nice kid."

  She nodded. "Of course. I'm his mother."

  He smiled. "How could I forget? I'm going to have to offset some of the niceness you instill in the poor kid or he'll be a doormat and he'll always be picked last at sports."

  "I take it you weren't?"

  He shook his head. "And my son won't be either. It would be very embarrassing for him."

  She grinned. "I like when you refer to him as your son."

  "He is my son."

  "I know, it just makes me happy to hear you say it."

  "My son, my son, my son."

  She grinned and leaned up to kiss him. "My son, too, stingy man."

  Jess yawned and pulled her against his side. "Do you think you could possibly let this stingy man go to sleep and we can talk more tomorrow?"

  She nodded. "Absolutely. But if you remove your arms from around me I very well may kick you."

  "Noted," he said, kissing her on the forehead.

  "I love you, Jess," she whispered.

  "I love you, too, Janie," he said quietly.

  Janine turned on her side and nuzzled Jess's neck. In an effort to get comfortable, she threw one leg over his.

  "Jeez, Janie. Make yourself comfortable, why don't ya?" Jess said, his eyes twinkling.

  Janine flashed him a big grin. "I will," she said between giggles. She began tracing her fingers over his chest. "I'm glad we made up, Jess," she said.

  "Me too," he replied. Then, "Of course, we didn't really make up until we have makeup sex…"

  Janine laughed. "Oh, really?"

  "Mm-hmm," Jess answered. Shifting, he turned toward her and gave her a long, deep kiss.

  "Are you trying to seduce me?" Janine asked when they had broken the kiss.

  "Depends. Are you seduceable ?" Jess countered.

  Janine put a finger to her chin, pretending to think. "I suppose," she said, "if you think you've got what it takes."

  "Oh, I've got what it takes," Jess responded. To prove it, he slipped a finger inside her panties and lightly stroked her.

  Electricity automatically shot through Janine's body, but she pretended he wasn't affecting her. "Jeez, Jess. Don't even try to get a girl warmed up anymore?" she asked, pretending to be upset.

  Jess removed his hand, only to slip his palm between her legs. "Feels pretty warmed up to me, even through your panties," he commented.

  Janine spread her legs a bit. She knew there was no point in arguing. Suddenly, Jess was kissing her again. Though not necessarily aggressive, it was definitely a firmer kiss than she was used to. She was surprised to find it turned her on. Janine moaned, and Jess moved down, trailing kisses across her collarbone. Pulling her shirt over her head, he flicked his tongue over one breast, then the other. Trailing kisses down her body, Jess stopped to survey her underwear.

  "You know, Janie, these little
black panties are so sexy on you. I think we'll just leave them on," he said.

  "Um…okay, but how are you going to—"

  "Oh, I'm sure I can find a way," Jess interrupted.

  Before she could say anything else, she felt his lips against the silk fabric. Janine's eyes widened. She'd never had anyone perform oral sex on her before. She wasn't even sure if she would like it. Just then, Jess pulled her panties to the side and took her sensitive spot between his lips. It didn't take more than a second for Janine to realize she definitely liked it.

  Jess pulled away, kissing each of her thighs as he slipped two fingers inside her. "Jess…" Janie moaned, "Jess, do it again. Please do it again."

  Smiling to himself, Jess went back to her spot, licking slow circles around it, then flicking his tongue over it in a quick motion. Soon, Janine was squirming, the pressure building. Before she knew it, she had closed her thighs around Jess, moaning loudly as she moved against his tongue. She didn't take time to rest afterward. She needed him.

  Sitting up, she pulled him up to her and quickly started pulling off his boxers. He sprang up and she wrapped her hand around him. Stroking up and down a couple times, she looked into his eyes. "I need you, Jess," she said.

  Wrapping his arm around her, he laid her back down on the bed and positioned himself between her legs. He slipped inside her warm wetness with ease and Janine let out a long, low moan. She spread her legs wider. Realizing she wanted him to go deeper, Jess put his hands under her and lifted her off the bed. He started into a rhythm, going slowly at first, wanting to feel every sensation.

  Janine couldn't take it anymore. He needed to go faster. She started her own rhythm, bucking her hips to meet his, speeding up every few thrusts. Soon, Jess was matching pace, sliding into her quickly. Deciding he needed her closer, he put his hands behind her upper back and lifted her up, leaning back slightly to support her weight. Janine wrapped her legs around Jess's waist, continuing to match his rhythm as she rested her forehead against his shoulder. She could feel heat spreading out to her thighs, felt it building, and soon she was moaning into Jess's ear. Her hot breath urged him on and his own release came moments after hers. Exhausted and sweating, Jess laid her back down, nearly collapsing on top of her before catching his weight on his hands. He gave her a long, slow kiss before rolling to his side of the bed.

  She smiled and closed her eyes, snuggling into his side and giving him a brief kiss on the neck before finding a comfortable position and drifting to a peaceful sleep.

  ***

  The next morning Jess came in to wake Janine up.

  "Hey," he said, lightly shaking her shoulder.

  "Sleep," she murmured.

  "I already did," he said with a smile. "Get up."

  "Thank you for the offer, but no," she said, rolling over.

  He leaned over her and started nibbling on her ear. "I made you breakfast."

  She smiled and rolled over to face him. "You did?"

  He nodded, kissing her. "Just eggs and bacon, so probably nothing compared to what you'd make, but my usual breakfast is cold cereal, so..."

  "You're the greatest," she told him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him.

  "So you keep telling me," he said with a purposely cocky smile.

  "You are going to have such a big head by the time I'm done with you," she said, letting him go and sitting up.

  "Come on," he said, standing up and offering her his hand.

  "I can't believe you made me breakfast. That was very nice of you."

  "Gotta feed my son," he said.

  "And his mommy?" she asked with a smile.

  "That's a given," he agreed with a nod.

  "I appreciate that very much."

  He nodded. "John called."

  She grimaced. "He did?" she asked innocently.

  "Yep. Wanted to know if we straightened things out, told me to get off my lazy ass and fix it if we didn't."

  She sighed, rolling her eyes. "He's such a nerd. See if I ever call and confide in him anymore, man-whore."

  "Hey, my man-whoring days are over, and I would appreciate a new nickname."

  She grinned. "Not you, my brother. I heard some chick say something to him when I called. She was obviously in bed with him. It's awkward when I call to talk to my brother and find out he's in bed with a girl."

  "But not as awkward as if you found out he was in bed with a guy," he pointed out.

  She chuckled. "Now that would be funny."

  He nodded. "Wouldn't it? I should have done that at some point or another. You've always called John when I'm around, I should have gone over and started giving him throaty whispers."

  "You would have crushed my heart if you were gay. At least when you're dating other girls I have a chance, but if you fell in love with my brother I would be quite outdone."

  "He does have pretty eyes," he murmured thoughtfully, smirking at her.

  She shook her head and elbowed him. "I'm so telling him you said that."

  "Go ahead, I'll tell him you're speculating about his sexual orientation."

  "He'd never believe it. He's too much of a ladies' man. Sometimes I worry about how promiscuous he can be. It's nothing short of a miracle that he hasn't joined you and Chad in fatherhood."

  Jess nodded his agreement. "He also sticks to girls who use birth control and condoms," he pointed out.

  "Okay, we're talking about my brother's sex life, and it's starting to weird me out."

  He smiled and led her to the table where he pointed, silently telling her to sit. She took her seat and Jess brought in two plates, putting one down in front of her and sitting across from her.

  "Where's Todd?" she asked.

  "Church," Jess said dryly.

  "Yes, and I'm considering going to a strip club this evening. Where is he really?"

  Jess shrugged. "No idea. I'm surprised he's out of bed before three."

  "Must have found a willing woman," she said, shaking her head.

  Jess looked up and smirked. "You're turning into me."

  She smiled proudly. "Thank you."

  He shook his head and started eating.

  Later that evening, Janine lazed against Jess as he watched TV. He had just settled on a show when she opened her eyes and said, "What did John say?"

  He raised an eyebrow and looked over at her. "I thought you were napping."

  "I just realized you never told me if John said anything else or not. What did you talk about?"

  "Stuff," he said.

  "What stuff?"

  "Dumb stuff."

  She smiled. "What kind of dumb stuff?"

  "You're turning into Karen," he muttered. "Just stuff. Guy stuff. You wouldn't be interested."

  "But I am interested." She smiled. "Did you tell him something you don't want me to know about?"

  "Why would you even think that?"

  "Because you don't usually get annoyed and mutter at me when I ask a question."

  He scowled at her. "Fine, I did talk to him about something else, but I'm not telling you what it is, so don't bother."

  She smiled. "What did you talk to him about? Tell me or I'll drive you crazy."

  "Nope," he said, shaking his head.

  "Jess," she said in a singsong voice. "You know you want to tell me."

  "No, I don't," he said with a smile.

  "Yes you do. Tell me. Was it about Christmas?" she asked with a smile.

  He shook his head and gently pushed her head down on his shoulder. "Go to sleep, granny."

  She sighed. "Jess, tell me what you talked about."

  "Maddie."

  She frowned. "Who?"

  "Maddie. He was telling me what they did after you hung up. Care to hear about it?"

  She rolled her eyes. "Spoilsport. You did not talk about Maddie."

  "Well, if you ask again I'm going to make up something so perverted that you'll still be blushing when you go into labor."

  She sighed. "Fine, don't tell me."
>
  "I won't."

  "I'm going to sleep," she said haughtily.

  "You do that."

  "Meanie," she murmured, yawning again and closing her eyes.

  Jess wrapped an arm around her and gave her a kiss her on the forehead, refusing to say another word.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Janine waited until she knew John was out of classes before she texted him on Monday.

  Janine: What did you and Jess talk about yesterday?

  John: Nothing.

  Janine: I'm serious. He wouldn't tell me.

  John: Then he doesn't want you to know.

  Janine: But I need to know. Was it about Xmas?

  John: You mean the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

  Janine: Cut it out! Look, I'm not trying to snoop. I've just never bought a guy a Xmas present before, and I don't want to get him something stupid.

  John: You think too much.

  Janine: I just want our first Xmas to be good.

  John: Guys don't talk about Xmas.

  Janine: Well WHAT then?

  John: MYOB.

  Janine: TELL ME!

  John: Nope.

  Janine: Was he saying I'm a psychotic jealous woman?

  John: No. Nothing bad. Promise.

  Janine: Swear?

  John: Yes. GTG.

  Janine: K. Bye.

  ***

  Janine was actually humming as she got home. She had had a good day at work, she and Jess weren't fighting, and all seemed to be right with the world.

  She was truly enjoying being in the city, too, and she found that New Yorkers amused her to no end. No matter how much you smiled or how many doors you opened, she found they always pretended you simply weren't there. When she was in a bad mood, this irritated her a little, but when she was in a good mood, she found it funny.

  She made herself stop humming as she unlocked the door. She knew if Jess heard her humming to an Imagine Dragons song, he would mutter at her about her music taste. Even that made her smile.