Fall for the one I called brother

as she stared passionately at her brother, Justin

s quiet strength and his way of making her feel safe, she knew it was not mere

tracted while on duty. The sun casted a warm orange glow across the sky illuminating the De Luca

istracted from

s beautiful as your mom's smile", sh

to that time. Justin was just 10 when death stole her away, it was sudden and no on

ing chaos into order. She got promoted to be th

til they gleamed, her apron stained with soap bubbles, and she woul

e was a family. I miss her, I miss her so

the warm orange light faded

e, the memory of Justin's mom w

t hesitated. Lora's parents sat Justin down in thei

not alone

d, her voice trembl

d had

ca in every way

lared

where no one outside of their family could tell that he wasn't born into the family. Lora's parents loved Jus

aid as he pulled his phone fro

d directions, as he listed the things he needed to put in check. His heart was fil

d on him. The eldest who held the position while Lorenzo and

shed the door open. The table was set for three; him, Lora and her brother, Smith. He adjusted

mom's voice echoed in his mind, as i

ning room as Lora's mom taught him table manners. He

would show off his luxury w

things too, Justin,"

ent. Lora and her brother giggling as they flick peas at

ateful, he was proud. The De Lucas had given him a life he had never

He had made a silent vow years ago, that he will make her proud, and he 'll be good to them, And he fulfilled

a clipboard in his hands, the smell

is served!" he called, vo

smiles that only came when the memories crept in

s was home no

me a life I never

were the family that had filled a space le

s ago, to Make her proud and t

out, entirely rumpled. His shirt was inside out, an

hopping down the stairs

n called back, e

o wear that insi

ed down an

ro. You woul

ipe from Lora as he re

ll messy as ever," she

as ever," he sho

siblings bickered lightly around him. The

d, pancakes, scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. Justin sat at the head

ustin. What's your secret?"

little sis." Smith

the younger version of yo

warmth, the bond betw

, the teasing. It was his proof that he

's meticulous movements, she gently bit the tip of h

not by blood though... but he's family " she

leaving some strands to dangle aimlessly across his f

a sudden rush between her legs. "What will it fee

as she gazed a

jolting her out of he

tin was unshakable. They ate, the clink of forks and the hum

he gardener to start his work o

a.m. already", he

he delivery guy shows up. Are yo

He met her gaze, a slow, deliberate exploration, his eyes mirrored the longing he saw in

hen they got interrupted, pulling him back t

fine, bo

he house down withou

g Smith's hair to distract him. His eyes drifted back t

, his mind ticking through the week's needs. But then he paused, he couldn't comprehend. The sister he grew up with was no

this cra

." he said, his

th a long sigh. Her phone was in her h

wipe.

at last summer's beach trip. Sunburnt, goofy grins, arms tangl

mb hovering ove

to me?" she muttered to her

n in her mind's eye. Their bodies glued to each other, the intimacy transcende

thumped a l

..." she said, bringing

through his closet, tossing clothes a

grinned, text

o practice. Don't

his eye. Him and Justin at

s," he mumbled. "But

ear into his bag

got my bac

e balcony. The sun was climbing now, c

reath, letting i

be full, " he though

y the window, eyes quietly d

m. A quiet kin

ome back? her thoughts whispered.