Chapter 58: Brother and friends offer comfort 002

“Hey sis, I was wondering what time you’d get home.”

He saw the bag I was carrying. He took it from me, put it on the floor and gave me a big hug. It felt good to be wrapped in the arms of someone who I knew loved me. I just leaned against him.

“Is there more stuff in the car?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Cool, let me help,” he said.

As he headed out the door, his friend Jim stood up and said, “I’ll help too.”

I’d always liked Jim. He was Barry’s best friend. In reality I liked all my brothers friends. Barry was a great guy and hung around with nice people. The two of them helped me bring all my stuff in.

It wasn’t till we were done that Barry noticed my face.

“Have you been crying?” he asked with concern in his voice. Jim looked on with the same look of concern.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “Does it show?”

“What happened?” Barry asked.

“It’s stupid,” I replied.

“If it made you cry, it’s not stupid,” he answered.

I took a deep breath. “I saw Roy kissing another girl,” I said, and then burst into tears again.

Barry had never met Roy. He scooped me in his arms and hugged me. “I’m sorry sis,” he said. “What an ass.”

I leaned my head against his chest and cried. As I did he stroked my hair and told me the guy was crazy and that he didn’t deserve me. I was comforted by his strong arms. Barry was 6’ about 180. He hit the gym 2-3 times a week. He wasn’t crazy but he had strong arms and a muscled chest. I felt protected.

Jim, for his part, also tried to comfort me with words.

“Geese, what a jerk. He has the perfect girl and he wants someone else? What kind of moron is he? It’s like having the Mona Lisa and trading it in for dogs playing poker.”

That made me laugh. I snuffled a bit more and said I was going upstairs to clean up and change. Barry kissed the top of my head and said, “Okay, we’ll be here.”

He walked me to the stairs. “Jim was going to spend the weekend, but if you’d rather he didn’t we’d understand,” he said quietly.

That was sweet, but I liked Jim. Jim and Barry had been friends forever and he was like another brother to me. Once, I was on a date and the guy was pushing too hard. I called Barry to come get me but Barry was too far away. Instead, Jim showed up in minutes. When I was younger Jim would help me with my homework. He was a great guy. Besides, I really didn’t want to be alone so having company would be nice. I told my brother it was fine and headed up the stairs.

As I headed up the stairs Barry asked if I’d eaten. I told him I hadn’t.

“Would you like anything?” he asked.

“Ice cream,” I quipped, followed by “Whatever is okay with me.” I continued upstairs.

I got to my room and sat on my bed. I wasn’t really sad about losing Roy, I was more mad at myself for being fooled. I also again started worrying about if I was pretty. I started to cry again.

I started to undress. I pulled my top off and then my jeans. I stood in front of the mirror. I wasn’t a skinny flat bellied, rib cage showing, girl. I was a 34C and size 5. I had curves, but I still doubted myself, I knew plenty of size 0s and 2s. I resolved to lose weight and run more than my current 2-3 times a week. I pulled off my bra and panties and now, mad at my body, climbed in the shower.

After my shower I pulled on a pair of yoga pants and a long loose tank top. I didn’t bother with underwear. I finally headed downstairs. When I got there the boys were in the kitchen sitting at the table. They had chocolate ice cream, pizza, and diet soda. All my resolve from ten minutes ago flew out the window. I kissed Barry on the head and said thank you.

“Hey,” said Jim.

I laughed and walked over to him and kissed him on the head. “Better,” I laughed.

“Well of course,” he said. “A kiss from a pretty girl makes everything better.”

That deserved another kiss. I placed one on his head and sat down to eat.

I took a slice of pizza. The great thing about Barry and Jim is there was no forced conversation. Everything flowed smoothly. We talked about Roy, about school, about my summer plans. The guys made me the center of attention and soon I’d forgotten all my troubles and was just happy to be home.

After we ate the guys cleaned up and asked me if I wanted to watch tv with them. I didn’t want to interrupt their video game and told them so.

“We were almost done anyway,” Jim said.

“Just cause I was kicking your ass,” quipped Barry.

“Well, we’ll never know now,” laughed Jim.

We sat on the couch with me between them and snuggled into Barry. We picked a movie and settled in. Barry put his arm around my shoulder. I leaned my head on his shoulder. I felt safe and loved. We watched the movie.

After the movie I was exhausted and decided to head to bed. I thanked the guys for being so sweet and told them I’d see them in the morning.

They both responded with how nice it was to see me and that they were sorry I was going through what I was and said if I needed them to wake them.

I thanked them and headed to bed. I stripped off my yoga pants and climbed into bed. After 2 semesters of school there’s always something comforting about being in your own bed. I thought a bit more about Roy. This time I was more angry than sad. As I started drifting off, my mind shifted to the pleasant thought of being cuddled and comforted in my brother’s strong arms. I fell asleep.

I woke up about 2 am and decided to go to the kitchen for some water. I headed down the stairs to the kitchen and got a glass out of the upper cabinet. I’m 5′2″ so I had to stretch to reach them. I started pouring myself some water when I heard Jim.

“Everything Okay?” he asked.

He startled me and I gave a small yelp. I’d forgotten he’d be sleeping on the couch.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just needed a drink,” I responded.

I could now see his face. He was smiling at me. All of a sudden I realized that his head was low to the ground, I’d stretched to reach the glasses, and I wasn’t wearing underwear.

I started to blush. I turned my head, looked at the cabinet, the. Looked back at him. I realized he must have seen my entire ass as I reached for a glass.

“Oh my god,” I said, tugging down on the hem of my tank top. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you were there.

“Why are you sorry? It didn’t bother me. Of course at first I thought I was having an amazing dream. Then, when I realized I was awake, well, it was even more amazing.” He laughed.

“Pig,” I said jokingly. “Why didn’t you warn me?”

“By the time I realized what was happening it was already over. So I thought why embarrass you,” he replied.

Well, that made sense. I relaxed. We chatted a bit while I drank my water.

“Well, back to bed,” I said.

“Goodnight,” he replied. Then he added, “By the way, you’ve got a great ass.”

I blushed again and said, “Pig,” but I wasn’t mad. Actually there was a part of me that liked the compliment and felt a little naughty that he’d seen my ass. I walked up the stairs wondering if, from his position, he could see up my tank top.

I woke up in the morning, threw on some shorts, and headed downstairs for something to eat. The boys were awake and making pancakes. Barry knew I loved pancakes. I sat down to eat.