Older Brothers

40

I woke up the next day and got dressed. I went downstairs to find the rest of my brothers already in the kitchen.

Charlie was stood by the counter pouring cornflakes into two bowls. He flashed me a smile as I walked over to him.

"I made us cereal." He told me.

I scowled. "You didn't make it, you poured it into a bowl."

He shrugged. "As good as made it."

He handed me one of the bowls and took the other for himself.  Before walking over to the table and I followed behind him.

Charlie sat down between Chase and Dean whilst I sat down between Tommy and Jake. Part of me felt like Charlie picked that spot on purpose.

"Hey guys." Elliott said, getting our attention. "I spoke to Dad this morning." He said.

I dropped my spoon in the bowl, instantly nervous from hearing his name. Would Elliott tell our Dad? Would he keep it a secret?  Was I going to be in trouble?

"Is he okay?" Tommy asked.

Elliott nodded. "Yeah, he's fine. He said he's going to come back on Sunday."

I dug my nails into my palm.

I wanted him back, but not right now. I don't think I could even look him in the eye.

"Does that mean we're having a party Saturday night?" Tommy said, all merry.

Elliott frowned slightly and glanced in my direction and then to Dean and Chase. I felt my stomach squirm.

Did I want them to have a party?

Chase and Dean seemed to shake their heads at Elliott , but I was out of the loop with their mind conversation so I had no idea what that was about.

"Yeah." Elliott nodded. "We'll have a party Saturday night. Dad won't be back till Sunday evening so that gives us plenty of time to clear up."

Dean and Chase looked at each other and then at Elliott before their eyes finally landed on me. I felt their eyes narrow at me.

"We've been through this before, it's not a good idea." Dean said, shaking his head, his eyes going from me to Elliott and then back to me.

"Dean's right, now is not the right time." Chase said.

Tommy's jaw dropped. "Are you seriously trying to talk our brother out of letting us have a party?!"

Dean's eyes stormed with anger. "There are more important things, Tommy. Grow up."

I stared stirring my cereal around in my bowl.

"Dean's right, the last time Khloe went to a party, she was fucked." Jake said, shaking his head.

I cringed as all eyes fell on me. I glanced at Elliott, but judging by the lack of shock in his eyes he already knew this. It wasn't a new piece of information. 

"At this one, there's no way in hell I'm letting you drink that much." Elliott said, looking at me sternly.

I looked down, ashamed for what had happened at Austin's party.

"There should be no way you'd let her go to another party. It's a bad idea." Chase said.

"But you've said she could go to the bonfire. Isn't that just the same?" Tommy said, surprisingly speaking in my corner (ish).

Elliott shrugged, unsure. I could tell he didn't really know what the best thing was, but he thought this was the only way forward. When they say no, it makes me want to do it more and I'd probably do it behind their backs anyway. From their perspective, this way they can keep an eye on me.