Brotherly Love

[GAVIN BROOKS]

Gavin was sitting on the couch flipping through the TV channels. Why was there nothing good ever on? He looked down at the blue dog on the floor who peaked one silver eye up at him. Funny, he didn't remember having a blue dog. He shrugged it off and kept flipping when he heard a bird chirping. He frowned. Where the hell was that chirping coming from? He looked around, since it was clearly coming from in the house, but saw nothing. Annoyed he turned back to the TV, but the sound of the bird kept getting louder and louder. Gavin huffed and flung the remote down on the couch and stood to get up, the blue dog now growling over at Gavin. He stared nervously at the animal as the chirping grew louder and louder. It was there, the sound, right next to his ear. He turned his head only to come face to face with an enormous bluebird who tweeted loudly in his face.

Gavin startled himself awake, his chocolate eyes popping open as a sharp breath was sucked deep into his lungs. He turned his head at the sound of his phone chirping and sighed. What a weird dream! He picked it up and saw the name Owen flash across the screen. The guy probably needed his address again. Gavin grabbed the phone and slid his finger over the surface, turning it on and pressing it to his ear as he kicked the covers off and got out of bed. "What." He grumbled into the phone, catching a glimpse of Gina still passed out, her bare back showing to him, her blond hair tousled from sex the night before. He could even see some side boob pressed into the mattress which made him smile slightly as he headed out of the bedroom. "Is that any way to greet your big brother? Who, might I add, is driving a ridiculously far distance to see your bratty ass." Gavin rolled his eyes and grinned a little, wiping the sleep from his eyes as he tread threw his messy apartment in his underwear. He should probably pick up a bit since Owen was coming. "It is when he wakes me up." "You were still sleeping? Dude, it's noon!" Gavin yawned and scratched his chest. "I was up late. I bartend, remember?" Owen snorted and Gavin could practically see his brothers eyes rolling. "Ah, yes. You gave up the hard life for the easy life. How's that working out for yah?" "Did mom tell you to harass me or you giving me a hard time because you feel like it." "Whoa, I'm not giving you a hard time. You want to be a bachelor fuck-up? Be my guest. You'll always be my brother." There was mock sentiment in his voice and again Gavin found himself rolling his eyes, opening the fridge and pulling out the orange juice. He twisted the cap off and brought it up towards his mouth. "Anyway, when are you going to be here? Did you leave yet?" Gavin asked before taking a sip. "Leave? Dude, I'm standing outside your door." Gavin nearly spit out his juice, choking on it as he put the container down on the counter. "You're what?" There was a knock on the door and Gavin turned his head in the general direction of it. "Yeah, that would be me. You going to let me in, because I seriously need to piss."

Gavin felt his head spinning. His brother wasn't supposed to be there until at least dinner time! He moved through the apartment, tripping over a sweatshirt, which could have belonged to either he or Gina, and stumbling his way towards the door. He pulled the chain lock off and twisted the door lock before finally getting the door open. Sure enough there stood Owen all well groomed and dressed and weary from traveling. "What're you doing here so early?" Gavin asked, lips pulled into a wide smile. Owen peeked over his brothers shoulder into the messy apartment and wrinkled his nose before looking back to his kid brother. "I thought I'd surprised you, but maybe I shouldn't have." Gavin looked over his shoulder at the mess and then stepped aside. "Yeah, uhh.. we were going to clean a bit later." He offered sheepishly. "Here, come on in, where's your stuff?" "In the car. Like I said. Gotta piss. You wanna show me where the toilets hidden?" Gavin pointed down the hall, realizing the bedroom door was open and Gina was asleep inside. "Hey, uhh, just be quiet. Gina's still asleep, okay?" He reached over and threw an arm around his brother, giving him a hug which was returned. "Got it, sleeping girlfriend." Owen smirked. "I still can't believe you have a girlfriend. Loser." It was a playful taunt and both boys smiled. "Hey, you're the single one. Doesn't that make you the loser?" Owen snorted, "When you hit my age, most chicks want babies instead of rings. And having a girlfriend doesn't make you a loser. Being you makes you a loser." He threw a smile over his shoulder as he made his way to the bathroom. "Good to see you too, bro." Gavin called back.

He took the opportunity to tidy up as best he could while Owen relieved himself, finding a dirty t-shirt on the ground and pulling it on before throwing the rest of the laundry into a corner. He was just bringing some dirty dishes to the kitchen when his brother came back into the room and slumped onto the couch. "You want some breakfast or something?" He asked as he walked into the kitchen. "Lunch would be nicer, what do you have? Stale pizza or chinese?" Gavin made a mock laughing noise from the kitchen. "Neither. We cook sometimes, yah know. I can make something. I think we have frozen burritos?" He offered, coming back towards the living room and standing in the doorway. "You know, microwaving a burrito doesn't count as cooking." Owen sighed and pulled out his phone. "Let's order something. Got any good Indian places here? Or Thai?" Gavin was the one to wrinkle his nose now. "Since when do you eat Thai and Indian?" "Since I lied to a girl about how they were my favorites and actually started liking them when we ordered in." Owen browsed through an app on his phone as Gavin came over to sit. "And I'm the loser?" "Always have and always will be. Ooh.. this place got 5 stars on yelp. You like spicy, right? What about the girlfr.." Owen looked up and caught a glimpse of a messy haired blond in the doorway, a sheet wrapped loosely around her body. "..iend." He finished eyeing her up. Gina looked between the two and turned around. Owen smiled over at his brother. "Hey.. she's cute." He said softly letting out a chuckle. Gavin palmed his forehead and got up. "Find something, we'll order in a minute." He said before chasing Gina to the bedroom. He hoped she wouldn't be too pissed..

[GINA FAYE]

It was so warm and soft in this bed. Gina vaguely noticed Gavin’s weight disappear from beside her, some kind of beeping waking her up for a moment. Rolling onto her stomach, she curled her arms beneath her pillow and started floating back to sleep. She was surrounded by foxes, all bounding playfully through the woods. Her own tail swished happily behind her, her black paws leaping off the ground gracefully. It was so pleasant except for the two similar voices chattering in the background. The voices just kept getting louder and she was getting more irritated. They were going to scare away the game! She would smell the squirrels nearby and was ready to make a meal of them for her grumbling stomach, but she wasn’t going to catch anything like this! It was the sound of her own growl that coaxed her out of sleep, but only enough so that she could move. Her eyes were still closed and her head was still in the woods with the other foxes. Absentmindedly, Gina wrapped the sheet around her naked body, tearing it out from its tucked place beneath the mattress. One leg still poked out at the side, but she didn’t care. Why was Gavin talking to himself so loudly? And why did the sun have to be so bright?

Shuffling to the door, she pulled it opened and stepped out into the living room. “Baby, I ain’t awake enough fo’ you tuh—” Her eyes finally focused on who exactly was sitting on the couch. It was Gavin and a stranger bearing a resemblance to him. Both were gaping at her in the doorway. A pall rushed over her already pale skin as she remembered what today was—it was the day Gavin’s brother Owen was supposed to show up. And she was standing there in nothing but a white sheet. Immediately, she rushed back into the bedroom and slammed the door. Where all of the color had drained from her just a minute before, it was now returning with a vengeance. Her face, neck and ears were burning bright pink, her heart pounding in sheer embarrassment. That wasn’t how she was supposed to greet her boyfriend’s brother! She was supposed to greet him with dazzling Southern charm so he could send a good report back to the rest of Gavin’s family! This was the first time she actually cared about impressing her boyfriend’s family and she totally blew it!

Suddenly the door started to open and she immediately slammed her body against it, shutting whoever it was out. She could hear unfamiliar laughter that must have been coming from Owen and then the sound of Gavin trying to coax her to let him in. After a brief pause, she got off the door and hid behind it as Gavin crept into the room. When he was safely in, she closed it behind him and grabbed his arm firmly. “I thought ya’ll said he wa’n’t comin’ till ‘round dinnah time!” she hissed, her accent more pronounced when she was upset. She was still pink all down her neck and to the tips of her ears, flustered and panicking. “He practic’ly saw me nekkid! What’s he gonna tell ya’ll’s mama ‘bout me now? This is not the first impression I was goin’ fuh!” To emphasis the word “not,” Gina stomped her foot gently, her bottom lip pouting out a little as she felt near tears from embarrassment. Nobody ever saw her this embarrassed and it was a testament to how close Gavin was to her that she would let him see her like this. Now standing naked with the sheets pooled on the floor, she hid her face behind her hands. “I’m so embarraaaassed!” she whined softly behind her hands, wondering how she was going to redeem herself. She could remember a little boy who had peed his pants at the front of the classroom in second grade because he was so nervous to do show and tell. She had a feeling this was how he felt as they all laughed at him. It didn’t occur to her that Gavin might actually find this side of her pretty adorable.

[GAVIN BROOKS]

Gavin moved down the hallway and opened the door to his room, where Gina was safely hiding, only to have it slammed shut in his face the second he got it opened a crack. The man sighed and rested his forehead against the door. "Someone's in trouble." Came Owen's taunting from the other room with an obnoxious laugh. "No thanks to you." He shot back, though a small grin appeared on his face. "Come on, baby.. let me in. I didn't know he was coming this early. Please? Just open the door." His voice was soft, hoping that Owen wouldn't overhear, but he knew the apartment and its acoustics well enough to know his brother heard his weak pleas. He heard her body moving away from the door and he opened it, slipping inside. Gina grabbed him immediately and the door shut once more. “I thought ya’ll said he wa’n’t comin’ till ‘round dinnah time!” she hissed, her accent as thick as her annoyance. He knew it was probably a bad time to tell her his brother probably saw her sleeping on the bed during his trip to the bathroom. “He practic’ly saw me nekkid! What’s he gonna tell ya’ll’s mama ‘bout me now?" What did his mother have to do with any of this? "This is not the first impression I was goin’ fuh!” Her little foot stomped the floor and it was hard for him not to laugh out loud. Fortunately she buried her pretty little face in her hands and he was saved from her seeing the smile that spread over his lips. It was really hard not to like Gina. “I’m so embarraaaassed!”

Gavin had no idea her meeting Owen was such a big deal. He'd foolishly assumed that she wouldn't put so much emphasis on meeting his brother, because Gavin had never made it seem like it was a big deal. He wished he'd known so he could have taken more precaution when Owen showed up so early. "Come on, baby, it's not a big deal." He assured, reaching out and taking her shoulders gently, rubbing the smooth skin with the half amused look still on his face. "Look, it's just Owen. This only shows your charm!" If looks could kill, Gavin was sure he'd be six feet under with the one she shot at him. "I promise, he won't be judging you on this. If anything it will make him like you more, break down some walls. I promise, he won't tell mom what happened. I'll personally make sure of it, alright?" He pulled her closer and pressed his mouth to hers before she could protest. "We're going to order in some food. Why don't you shower and make a second first impression, okay? This is fine, he barely saw you anyway." She wasn't thrilled, and she made it known that he was not only in trouble, but also had to pay for this, but begrudgingly headed to the bathroom through the second door in their bedroom. Gavin sighed and wiped a hand down over his mouth, shaking his head before heading back to the living room to be with his brother.

"Well that didn't go over so well. Hey, next time you want to surprise me, can you maybe warn me first? Like, gimme ten minutes or something?" Owen snorted, the left side of his mouth quirked up. "Now that just defeats the whole purpose of it being a surprise, doesn't it?" He teased. "You got any qualms about this Indian food or what? Cause I'm hungry and want to order." Gavin sighed and shook his head. "No, go ahead. Just.. get stuff we'll like. I've never had it. Don't know if Gina has.."

Owen did the honors of ordering food in. The doorbell rang just as the bedroom door opened and Gavin looked down the hall as he accepted the food to see a much fresher, cleaner Gina. He smiled at her as he handed the delivery guy a tip. "Hey, baby." His tone was cheerful having spent the last thirty minutes bullshitting with his brother and making him swear not to tell their mom how he first met Gina. In fact Owen promised he would pretend the whole thing never happened, though by the shit-eating-grin on his face Gavin wasn't convinced. "Food just got here. Come meet Owen for real this time." He nodded towards the living room and set the curry smelling paper bag on the table. "Owen? This is Gina. Gina, Owen, my punctual big brother." Owen stood up and extended his hand to the girl. "Pleasure to meet you for the first time." There was an edge of teasing in his voice, but his smile was genuinely kind, if not a little playful. "Sorry I didn't give you guys a heads up. I thought I'd mess with Gavin a bit. Big brother thing, yah know." He shrugged, "Didn't realize I'd be messing with you too. That was my bad."

[GINA FAYE]

"Come on, baby, it's not a big deal." Gina felt Gavin’s hands on her shoulders and tried to let it calm her down. She could still feel her face, ears and neck burning, though. "Look, it's just Owen. This only shows your charm!" Her hands fell away from her eyes enough to give Gavin her meanest glare. That wasn’t the charm she was going for when greeting her boyfriend’s brother. "I promise he won't be judging you on this. If anything it will make him like you more, break down some walls. I promise, he won't tell mom what happened. I'll personally make sure of it, alright?" But that didn’t change the fact that it had happened! Every time Owen looked at her now, he could easily picture her naked! Usually she liked to make it a little more challenging! “But—!” Before she could finish her protest, her hands falling away from her mouth, Gavin’s lips caught hers in a brief, stifling kiss. "We're going to order in some food. Why don't you shower and make a second first impression, okay? This is fine, he barely saw you anyway." At least he knew how to perk her up again. Food was definitely the way to weasel back into her good graces. She still pouted, though, turning her naked body away from him. “Fine. But you’re paying for your brother’s coming too early. I don’t know how yet, but I’ll be thinking about it.” Slinking off to the second bathroom door in their apartment, she made sure the other door was closed and locked tight before she started the shower.

Gina took her time, trying to wash away the embarrassment of her first impression. When she was out, she took the time to blow dry her hair and put on a little makeup so she could at least show that she cleaned up well. The clothes she picked were simple—a heather gray fitted t-shirt with a modest v-neck and boot cut dark-washed blue jeans that hugged her hips like they were made for her. Fluffing her blonde waves one more time, she took a deep breath and then made her way for the door. When she stepped out, she noticed Gavin grabbing a bag from a delivery man. It smelled like Indian and her tummy rumbled happily. “Hey, baby.” She smiled for him, a little hesitant because of her reaction before. Gavin seemed in a good mood, though, and she started to allow herself to cheer up. Food just got here. Come meet Owen for real this time." Her stomach twisted a little as she followed her boyfriend into the living room to really introduce herself to his brother. "Owen? This is Gina. Gina, Owen, my punctual big brother." She gave Gavin an amused little smirk before watching as Owen stood and walked toward her to greet her. He was a devilishly handsome man, perhaps slightly more attractive than his brother, though her irritation with him made her reluctant to admit that. It was obvious he was buff and from his neat clothes, hairdo, and closely trimmed beard, she could guess he was probably a little vain. He extended his hand to her and Gina took it with a friendly grip.

“Pleasure to meet you for the first time.”[/i] Her face fell a little in annoyance. So he was going to tease her about it, huh? The smile he gave her was nice enough, though, and she settled for giving him a playful glare and then a friendly smile. "Sorry I didn't give you guys a heads up. I thought I'd mess with Gavin a bit. Big brother thing, yah know. Didn’t realize I'd be messing with you too. That was my bad."[/i] Damn straight it was! She screwed her mouth up to the side cutely, cocking her head to the side like she was considering her forgiveness. She resolved to punch Owen in the arm with playful force, knowing she probably wouldn’t hurt him. “Well, don’t do it again, got it? If ya’ll do, it might come t’ blows. An’ country girls don’t play.” She smiled wide and then moved towards the kitchen to grab some utensils and plates for them to eat with. “Sorry the place is such a mess. Obviously we wasn’t expectin’ ya’ll till latah.” Her voice was raised as she collected everything in the kitchen. As she walked back out, her smile was friendly, turning over her bitter leaf for her usual cheerful demeanor. “I didn’t even think t’ ask Gavin: where’d ya’ll fly in from? Was the flight okay?”

[GAVIN BROOKS]

Gavin pinched the sides of his bottom lip, making it almost pucker as he looked between his brother and girlfriend. Would she accept his apology? After a moment she punched Owen in the arm and Gavin let out a snort, burying his face briefly in the hand that had been pinching his lip before letting it slide to cover his mouth in a pathetic attempt to hide the huge smile. Owen deserved that, and Gavin couldn't help but feel pride and adoration towards his little southern bell for her reaction. Owen put his hand on his arm and sucked in a sharp breath through gritted teeth, frowning at the girl as she marveled at her own attack. He wasn't really hurting, but he was phoning it in a bit to make her feel good about the punch. Gavin knew he was putting on a show. Owen had never been convincing at this sort of thing. “Well, don’t do it again, got it? If ya’ll do, it might come t’ blows. An’ country girls don’t play.” She smiled and made her way to the kitchen, the boys watching her as she went, both looking down at her ass. "Well, I can see that." He chided after her. Owen turned to his brother and smirked. "Not bad, little bro. Not bad." He said under his voice and Gavin Punched him in the same spot as Gina did. "Aw, come on! I'm gonna have a bruise." "That was for messing with us." He shot back, grinning as Owen pounced and grabbed Gavin in a headlock. “Sorry the place is such a mess. Obviously we wasn’t expectin’ ya’ll till latah.” Gavin growled and tried to free himself as his brothers fist came down, rubbing vigorously against his scalp in a noogie. "Oh, messes don't bother me. I lived with Gavin for a looong time." Owen let go and Gavin pulled away just as Gina came back into the room, Owen composing himself as though nothing had just happened, Gavin glowering at his brother before slumping down onto the couch.

“I didn’t even think t’ ask Gavin: where’d ya’ll fly in from? Was the flight okay?” Gina asked as she came back into the room, setting plates and utensils down. Owen sat on the edge of the couch and opened the paper bag, pulling out the containers within. "I drove, actually, from Fresno. Took about thirteen hours total, but nothings too much for my little brother." He beamed mockingly at Gavin who returned the fake look. "I spent the night at a hotel, though. Driving through would've been stupid. Stopped up at the state line, took a breather, then headed up. Truth be told it didn't take as long as I expected. I mean, I knew what I was getting into, but normally I like to stop and stretch more. It felt good to drive, though. Plus my boss called me at like six this morning and woke me up to do a little work for him, so I was up. No sense wasting time." He shrugged and poured some tamarind sauce onto his samosa. "By the way, mom wants us all to skype later. We can use my laptop since my camera is actually working." "Ugh, why? Mom sucks at technology." "Because she wants to meet the girlfriend," Owen's eyes met Gina's, "And she's actually doing better with the computer lately. I taught her how to skype, anyway. I mean, it's really not that hard." He shrugged again and dug into some tikka masala. "Oh, and so you know she's going to offer to pay for you two to come on down for the holidays." Gavin looked at Gina. The holidays? They hadn't really discussed what they were doing for Christmas yet. It was soon, though. Gavin just assumed she would spend it with her grandmother and maybe he would tag along if she invited him, which he'd assumed she would. He turned back to Owen and frowned. "Why would she wait until last minute to ask?" Owen looked between the two of them and then down at his food. "Honestly? I think she's surprised you lasted this long with a girl and thinks it's a sign you're getting serious again. Probably hopes Gina here will get you back on the right path."

Gavin loved his mother dearly. She was a good mom, and a great woman, but he didn't like how she tried to dictate what was right and wrong for him. The path he'd chosen wasn't one he was ready for, and though she was proud of him, and claimed to still be, she never really adjusted to his change. She made it abundantly clear every time they spoke and she asked how work was going. He could hear the drop in her tone when he mentioned he was still over at the Jack Kit. "I wish she'd back off a bit." "Hey, you're not the one who has to hear about it all the time. Who do you think she bitches to? Dad? Dad doesn't want to hear about it. Neither do I but I don't tell her to shut up." Gavin sighed and leaned back, suddenly not as hungry. He eyed Gina, knowing he should have his mother meet her, knowing she would like her, but not sure if he approved of these circumstances. "What do you think, baby? Want to go to Fresno for Christmas?" He asked in a voice that wasn't as excited seeming as it should be. "You guys can crash with me one of the nights if you want." Owen offered as way of incentive, as if this would somehow soften the blow. "We'll get shitfaced."

[GINA FAYE]

Gina’s stomach rumbled as Owen set to opening the bag of food. The smell was incredible! “I drove, actually, from Fresno. Took about thirteen hours total, but nothing’s too much for my little brother.”[/b] Gina giggled as the boys grinned between each other. She wished she had a sibling to tease! Owen went on to explain his trip, telling how he stopped at the state line before driving the rest of the way to Scriptor Bay. He’d enjoyed the drive even though his boss called him early that morning to do work. Gina inwardly cringed, knowing exactly what it was like to be wakened by a demanding boss—she dealt with it regularly as a cop. Hagan had an especially annoying ringtone on her phone so she would be sure to get up immediately if he was calling. What did Owen do, she wondered? “By the way, mom wants us all to Skype later. We can use my laptop since my camera is actually working.” “Ugh, why? Mom sucks at technology.” “Because she wants to meet the girlfriend.” Owen’s eyes met Gina’s and she swallowed hard, freezing in the middle of spooning more butter chicken onto her plate. Say what? “And she’s actually doing better with the computer lately. I taught her how to Skype, anyway. I mean, it’s really not that hard. Oh, and so you know she’s going to offer to pay for you two to come on down for the holidays.”[/i] Gina felt her stomach twisting now, no longer focused on the delicious food in front of her. The Brooks family home for the holidays? Already? There was no warning! The holidays were only a couple weeks away! What if they didn’t like her? Then she would ruin the whole Christmas celebration! She was chewing on her bottom lip when Gavin’s eyes met hers. Did he even want his mother to meet her? “Why would she wait until the last minute to ask?” “Honestly? I think she’s surprised you lasted this long with a girl and thinks it’s a sign you’re getting serious again. Probably hopes Gina here will get you back on the right path.”

Gina forced herself to keep piling food onto her plate, but she was lost in her own mind for the moment. Put him on the right path? What path was that? She thought the path that Gavin had chosen for himself was the right path. It’s what made him happy. She knew that he was engaged once with some cushy job in corporate America, but he left that life for a reason. It stifled him, which Gina couldn’t blame him for, and she wasn’t about to push him back to it. Would that make his mom dislike her? If his mom disliked her, would he end up disliking her too? Just the thought of not being with Gavin anymore made her heart sink in a way she hadn’t felt in a very, very long time. It was like she would be devastated if she lost him. When did that happen…? “I wish she’d back off a bit.” Gavin’s voice broke through her silent reverie and she looked up at him with mild surprise. She didn’t realize things were so tense with his mom. “Hey, you’re not the one who has to hear about it all the time. Who do you think she bitches to? Dad? Dad doesn’t want to hear about it. Neither do I but I don’t tell her to shut up.”[/i] Gina’s eyebrows rose as she looked between the two men. Their dad talked to their mom like that? If a man ever talked to her mama like that when she was younger, he’d pay for it with a black eye either from Mama herself or from Gina. As Gavin sighed and leaned back, Gina looked at him with curiosity, wondering what he’d do about this request. She just gave him a questioning smile, popping some naan loaded with butter chicken and rice into her mouth. It tasted great and reawakened her hunger even though the lump in her throat was still there.

“What do you think, baby? Want to go to Fresno for Christmas?” She bit her lip, her nervous smile stretching hesitantly across her mouth. Her eyes darted to Owen when he spoke: “You guys can crash with me one of the nights if you want. We’ll get shitfaced.”[/i] She smiled more, amused but still nervous at the prospect. At least they wouldn’t have to stay with his parents the whole time, which would give her a break in trying not to make any mistakes around Gavin’s folks. “You tryin’ to bribe me, Owen?” she teased, lightening the air a bit. Her eyes went back to Gavin and she gave a genuinely warm smile. “Yeah, let’s go t’ Fresno. Nana will undahstand. But when I tell her, you know she’s gonna insist on you comin’ along fo’ a visit ‘fore the new year.” Her smile grew a little mischievously. If she was going to meet his family, then he was going to return the favor whether he wanted to or not. At least she knew there was nothing to worry about with Nana meeting him. The old lady would just be thrilled her granddaughter was introducing a man to her! “But b’fore I agree t' this Skype meetin’, I need some inside info. Subjects t' avoid? Things I shouldn’t say? I don’t want t’ be uninvited from Christmas ‘fore your mama even asks us t’ come.” She gave an amused smile between the brothers, trying to hide how very nervous she was about all of this. It wasn’t often that she got to the “meet the family” step of a relationship and she didn’t want to screw it up!

[GAVIN BROOKS]

Gavin watched Gina as she contemplated her answer. He knew she spent the holidays with her grandmother, but this could be fun and exciting, too. “You tryin’ to bribe me, Owen?” Owen gave a wicked sort of grin and shrugged his shoulders. "It would be nice to have someone new to take the spotlight off of us." He teased back and Gavin had to smile and nod. It was true; Gina would help shoulder some of those obnoxious questions his parents and the family liked to ask. Plus she was cute and southern, which would help draw more attention to her. “Yeah, let’s go t’ Fresno. Nana will undahstand. But when I tell her, you know she’s gonna insist on you comin’ along fo’ a visit ‘fore the new year.” His nose wrinkled at her mischievous grin. "Alright, alright, fair trade." He took a bite of his palak paneer and grinned at his brother as if to show they had somehow won some sort of unspoken contest. “But b’fore I agree t' this Skype meetin’, I need some inside info. Subjects t' avoid? Things I shouldn’t say? I don’t want t’ be uninvited from Christmas ‘fore your mama even asks us t’ come.” Owen shook his head. "But watching you flounders half the fun!" He insisted and Gavin jabbed him with his elbow. "Deal. Can you pass another samosa?"

While they ate, Gavin and Owen talked a bit about their family and what Gina could expect from the skype conversation and the family she would meet during Christmas. Only a few people lived close enough to come from the holidays, so there wouldn't be a lot of folks for her to meet. They told her how their dad was basically a nice guy, quiet and reserved unless they were talking sports in which case he perked right up. He didn't like being bothered with nonsense and if you whined to him you would be told immediately that he didn't care. He was a decent guy, and both Owen and Gavin agreed he would probably like Gina since she wasn't overly girly, unlike Gavin's ex-fiance who their father didn't care all that much for, though their mother adored. Of course neither Gavin or Owen spoke openly about this, but a private look told the other they were both thinking it. The guys told Gina how mom was basically easy going and loved everyone. She was a sweet woman who aimed to please, was firm when she needed to be, but in the end would support either boy in their decisions, even if she didn't necessarily agree with them. There weren't really any topics to avoid with her.

After they finished eating and cleaning up, Owen gave their mom a call to see when they were ready to skype. "You'll be fine. Trust me, my mom's the least of your worries, she'll love you." Gavin offered rubbing his thumb over her cheek as Owen gabbed in the kitchen. "Now?" Owen called out, popping back into the living room from the kitchen, his eyes on his brother. "Uhh.. sure, we just finished eating, but if.. no, now should be okay I think. Is now okay?" Owen asked raising a brow and looking towards Gavin. Gavin looked at Gina, who still seemed unsure and then to his brother. "I guess nows as good a time as any. Get it done and over with.." Owen turned back towards the kitchen, giving his attention to the phone. "Yeah, now's good. Gav just wants to get it done and over with." Gavin could hear the amusement in his brothers tone. Owen gave a soft laugh and uttered his farewells before hanging up. "Alright, we're all set. Need me to get my laptop or do you have a computer floating around here somewhere?" Gavin glowered playfully at his brother. "Do you always need to be such an ass?" Owen looked as though he were really considering his answer. "Yeah. I think so.. Laptop?" "Yes, I have one." Gavin grumbled as he went to the bedroom to pull out his laptop. Five minutes later they were logging into skype and adding his mothers name to their friends list. No sooner had they added her and gotten settled on the couch, all huddled close together, their mom was calling them. "You ready?" Gavin asked, looking to Gina who seemed hesitant. "Oh, she's fine." Owen insisted, reaching over his brother and answering the call. "Heeey mooom." Owen called out before the video started even working. "Boys?" A fuzzy image of a middle aged woman with brown eyes and short blondish hair appeared. "Oh! I did it! There you are." Gavin smiled and nodded. "Good job, mom." Gavin laughed, sliding his arm around Gina and pulling her closer. "Mom, this is Gina. Gina, my mom, Beverly." Mrs. Brooks smiled at the girl and gave a friendly sort of wave. "Hi, honey! It's nice to finally put a face to the name." Gavin squeezed Gina's arm gently. "You'll like this one, mom. She punched me for being me." Owen teased and Gavin had to laugh. "Oh, any girl who can put my boys in their place must be someone special." She teased in her gentle voice. "How was your ride, Owen?" "It was fine. Got here a bit ahead of schedule." "I can see that. Did you at least warn your brother?" "No. No he did not." Gavin added looking to Gina, hoping she could get a word in edgewise. With most families you had to push them guys to talk, but with Owen and Gavin, when together, it was hard to get a word in edgewise since they had a tendency to bounce off each other a bit. "That's how he got punched by Gina here." Gavin offered and Owen laughed and nodded with a shrug. "Worth it. She's even cuter when she wakes up, ma."

[GINA FAYE]

“But watching you flounder’s half the fun!”[/b] Gina smiled but before she could punish Owen, Gavin did it for her. She giggled triumphantly. They really were pretty fun together. “Deal. Can you pass another samosa?” The boys went on to describe their parents to her. They sounded like nice people, ones she could really enjoy herself around. Both men agreed that their parents would in all likelihood like her. It was a relief for Gina to hear that. She wasn’t used to meeting parents, but it was always easier to handle them when she had an idea of what they were like. If Gavin’s parents were anything like him and his brother, she was sure it would be a good time meeting them. As Gavin talked, she found herself smiling warmly at him and feeling somehow ten times closer to him. She would be meeting the people that raised him into the good man that he was. It was a big deal, whether he realized that or not, and she adored him for trusting that she wouldn’t be an embarrassment. In fact, he seemed excited to introduce them. That meant so much to her and she couldn’t even put it into words. When they were alone, she would give him a big kiss to show her appreciation. When they finished eating, Owen went into the kitchen while Gavin and Gina cleaned up to confirm when their mom wanted ready to Skype. She felt her nerves jumping with anxiety, something Gavin must have seen. He raised his hand to her cheek and ran his thumb over it gently. “You’ll be fine. Trust me, my mom’s the least of your worries, she’ll love you.” She smiled gratefully up at him, about to thank him for being so sweet, when she heard Owen in the kitchen. “Now?”[/i] Gina looked back just in time to see Owen’s handsome face pop around the corner and look out to the two of them questioningly. “Uhh…sure, we just finished eating, but if…no, now should be okay I think. Is now okay?”[/i] Her eyes turned back to Gavin’s warm chocolate brown ones just as he looked down at her. He didn’t have to ask the question, she saw it on his face. He really was so good to her…She was nervous, but a small smile came to her mouth as she nodded. Gavin looked back to his brother. “I guess now’s as good a time as any. Get it done and over with…” Owen turned away to go back to his conversation with his mom. “Yeah, now’s good. Gav just wants to get it done and over with.”[/b] Gina giggled, looking up at Gavin to see the amusement on his face too. Owen loved to give Gavin a hard time.

When Owen had hung up and turned back to Gavin and Gina, he looked resolute. “Alright, we’re all set. Need me to get my laptop or do you have a computer floating around here somewhere?”[/b] Gina didn’t see the look Gavin shot his brother, but she lowered her chin slightly and looked up at Owen over her raised eyebrows and a small smirk that said, “Really?” “Do you always need to be such an ass?” Gina grinned and glanced at Gavin before her eyes settled on Owen, who seemed to be considering the question. “Yeah. I think so…Laptop?”[/b] Gina giggled again, watching as Gavin begrudgingly left to retrieve his laptop from their bedroom. Their mom must have had their hands full with both of them. When Gavin returned with the laptop, they set it up on the coffee table and Gina took a seat close to Gavin. Owen plopped down on the other side of her, placing her right in the middle of the screen. No sooner had they gotten comfortable when the Skype phone began to ring. Gina swallowed hard, hoping she wouldn’t fuck this up. “You ready?” Gina looked into Gavin’s concerned face, giving him a touched smile. Before she could answer, however, Owen was answering for her. “Oh, she’s fine.”[/i] Gina turned to Owen and gave him a glare but wiped it off as soon as she saw he was answering the call. Immediately, she took Gavin’s hand in hers, squeezing tightly to calm her nerves, and put on her best smile.

The woman that popped up on the screen was middle-aged with short, dark blonde hair and soft brown eyes. She could see the resemblance between her and both men on either side of her. “Heeey mooom.”[/i] Gina smiled a little more, though she still felt somewhat nervous. “Boys? Oh! I did it! There you are.” Gina grinned wider, finding her enthusiasm adorable. It reminded her of her own mom, who had also been terrible with computers. “Good job, mom.” She felt Gavin’s arm slide around her shoulders and she looked up at him briefly to give an approving smile before looking back at the woman on the computer screen. “Mom, this is Gina. Gina, my mom, Beverly.” Gina gave a little wave at the same time as Beverly did, making her give a short, amused laugh. “Hi, honey! It’s nice to finally put a face to the name!” The instant pet name from Gavin’s mom made her grin wider. “Same here!” she assured in a bubbly drawl. Gavin squeezed her arm and she gave him an excited smile. So far so good! “You’ll like this one, mom. She punched me for being me.”[/b] Gina gave a soft laugh, rolling her eyes and shaking her head gently, looking from Owen to the screen. Beverly was smiling back at her. “Oh, any girl who can put my boys in their place must be someone special.” Gina laughed and felt her pale cheeks flushing. Was she someone special? Gavin wanted her to meet his family—she must have been special and a warm fuzzy feeling started in her stomach as she snuggled closer to her boyfriend. “How was your ride, Owen?” “It was fine. Got here a bit ahead of schedule.” “I can see that. Did you at least warn your brother?” At that question, Gina gave Owen a pointed look, cocking her head to the side playfully as she looked at him. “No. No he did not.” Gavin’s answer made her giggle again, looking back at the computer screen. “Didn’t give us any kind o’ heads up,” she added with an amused smile. “That’s how he got punched by Gina here.” “Worth it. She’s even cuter when she wakes up, ma.” She flushed, remembering being almost naked when she shuffled out into the living room to scold Gavin for being so loud. Immediately she turned and gave Owen a playful push that made all of the Brookses laugh. “I wasn’ that cute. I was comin’ out t’ tell Gavin t’ stop talkin’ t’ himself so loud. In my half awake mind, someone wasn’ s’posed t’ be here till latah t’day.” Again, she gave Owen a pointed look and played it off with an insistence of his innocence. She giggled again, noting that Beverly was laughing too. “But then he bought me lunch, so I forgave him. They say th’ easiest way t’ a man’s heart is through his stomach, but that applies t’ me too.” She grinned and the Brookses laughed. “Where are you from, Gina?” “I was born an’ raised in Savannah, Georgia. My mama left Scriptah Bay t’ go t’ college an’ fell in love with th’ city. I lived in New York befoah I moved out here though. They tried, but they couldn’ take th’ country outta me. They still can’t.” She giggled and Beverly did the same. She was definitely a sweet woman. “Do you still have family in Savannah?” Gina gave a slightly shrunken smile while she shook her head. “No ma’am. Never knew my daddy’s family and my nana moved back out here with me when I came.” She didn’t think she had to mention that she’d lost her mom and hoped she wouldn’t have to. The last thing she wanted to do was depress everybody. Overall, this was a good first meeting, though! She felt kind of silly for being so nervous, but then again, it wasn’t over yet.

[GAVIN BROOKS]

“Worth it. She’s even cuter when she wakes up, ma.” Gavin's head snapped to the side and he glared at his brother, seeing the slight flush of Gina's cheeks out of the corner of his eye. He promised! Now his mom knew that Gina was spending the night, which meant she knew they were fooling around, which would probably embarrass Gina as much as him. He was going to punch Owen when they hung up! Gina pushed Owen and the older boy and their mother laughed, but Gavin wasn't nearly as amused. “I wasn’ that cute. I was comin’ out t’ tell Gavin t’ stop talkin’ t’ himself so loud. In my half awake mind, someone wasn’ s’posed t’ be here till latah t’day. But then he bought me lunch, so I forgave him. They say th’ easiest way t’ a man’s heart is through his stomach, but that applies t’ me.” Gavin was glad that she recovered easily enough, but Owen wasn't off the hook just yet. “Where are you from, Gina?” “I was born an’ raised in Savannah, Georgia. My mama left Scriptah Bay t’ go t’ college an’ fell in love with th’ city. I lived in New York befoah I moved out here though. They tried, but they couldn’ take th’ country outta me. They still can’t.” Gavin relaxed a bit as his mom and Gina talked. Mom seemed to like Gina, which was good. He could tell in her mannerisms that she was comfortable talking to his new girlfriend. He remembered how nervous she had been about Lindsay at first. Maybe because Gina represented hope that he would get on the "right track" again. “Do you still have family in Savannah?” Knowing Gina's past Gavin shook his head a little at his mom and slid a finger from his free hand across his throat as if to tell his mom not to go there. Her brows rose a little in curiosity, but Gavin stopped his gestures before either Gina or Owen could see. “No ma’am. Never knew my daddy’s family and my nana moved back out here with me when I came.” Beverly smiled again and nodded. "Shame, Georgia's a beautiful state. We lived out there briefly when I was pregnant with Owen, actually. Their father was stationed over at Fort McPherson, which wasn't too far from Atlanta. We used to visit the Chattahoochee River." Gavin actually didn't know that but smiled at the common ground she was able to find with Gina, who seemed pleased with his mom's familiarity with the state she called home.

Gavin let them talk a bit, chiming in from time to time. Owen decided after his last comment to lay low a bit, at least for a few minutes. "Alright, enough about Georgia. Gavs and I haven't been there, so lets talk about the places Gina hasn't been yet." The boy encouraged and Gavin grinned, rolling his eyes, his mother playfully pursing her lips. "You asked them, didn't you!" "I don't know what you're talking about." "Oh, bull. You've never been a good liar." "Yeah, like when you wrote my name on the wall when you were three and said I did." "Hey! You could've done that!" "I was a baby!" "Baby's have been known to do lesser things. That aside, don't you, uhh.. yah know.. wanna ask something?" Beverly rolled her eyes and looked between Gavin and Gina. "What do you two think? I'd love to have you.. I'll even pay for your tickets. Both of them.." Gavin smiled and nodded. "We already talked about it. That would be really nice, mom. We can get them later today if you want." He squeezed Gina's shoulder again as his mom clasped her hands together. "Wonderful! It'll be nice having my boys home together on Christmas again!" Gavin rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Mom, I've only missed one Christmas.." She waved her hand at him, dismissing his words. "You would've missed this one too! Holidays are important, and your grammy isn't going to be around forever." He nodded and sighed. "I know, I know.. but we'll be there. We'll look at flights tonight and let you know, okay?" "Great! Your father will be so excited." Gavin laughed knowing his dad wouldn't be excited per se. He and his dad got along great and all, but John Brooks wasn't an excitable man. "I'm sure dad will jump with joy." He teased and the Brooks got a small chuckle out of it.

They wrapped up the conversation, deciding to talk details later on. Beverly said a warm farewell to the trio and then struggled to end the skype call. The second the call was over Gavin threw a punch over Gina and into Owen's arm. "Ow! What was that for?" "For telling mom Gina's cute when she wakes up. I didn't want her to know she's sleeping over!" Owen rolled his eyes. "Please, she knows you can't keep it in your pants." Gavin blushed and threw another punch Owen's way, but the older boy was faster and dodged it, getting off the couch. Gavin jumped up too, the laptop falling square onto Gina's lap. Owen held his hands up defensively. "Come on, you think she doesn't know?" "That's not the point!" "Yeah it is! I didn't say anything she didn't already know!" "But it's not your business to say anything!" Gavin lunged forward in a football type tackle, his head low making him look like a bull. Owen caught him around the head and wrestled him to the floor, laughing as he got Gavin in a tight head lock. "Who cares! Calm down, little man!" Owen rolled Gavin onto his back. Gavin growled angrily and then laid limp. "You're such a dick, you know that?" "Yes. And you're a loser. Especially now that I beat you in front of your girlfriend." He teased with a wide grin. Gavin threw a punch up and got Owen in the neck, who let go and put a hand to his now bruised neck. "Jesus, chill out, man!" The fight was becoming more serious and Gavin sat up and sighed angrily. Looking warily at Gina. "If you wanted to cuff him to the toilet or something for the rest of his visit, I'd be okay with that." Owen raised a brow. "Cuffs, huh? Didn't know you guys were into kinky stuff.." He teased with a mischievous grin.

[GINA FAYE]

Gina never knew Gavin’s family had lived in Georgia before! And not so far away from where she and her mama and nana had vacationed every summer! She and Beverly just bounced off each other, talking about Georgian eccentricities that made her miss home. "Alright, enough about Georgia. Gavs and I haven't been there, so lets talk about the places Gina hasn't been yet." Of course Owen had to go and interrupt them! Gina rolled her eyes at him, giving him a curious look when he’d finished. There were a lot of places Gina hadn’t been yet…Beverly suddenly looked affronted. "You asked them, didn't you!" "I don't know what you're talking about." "Oh, bull. You've never been a good liar." "Yeah, like when you wrote my name on the wall when you were three and said I did." "Hey! You could've done that!" "I was a baby!" "Babies have been known to do lesser things. That aside, don't you, uhh…yah know…wanna ask something?"[/i] It occurred to Gina right after Owen claimed he didn’t know what his mother was talking about that he was alluding to ruining Beverly’s surprise by asking Gina and Gavin to Christmas in Fresno. She laughed at the idea of Owen writing Gavin’s name on the wall and accusing his baby brother of doing it and again when she saw Beverly rolled her big brown eyes. "What do you two think? I'd love to have you…I'll even pay for your tickets. Both of them…" Gina gave a big smile, wanting to insist that she didn’t have to pay for their tickets, but Gavin talked first. "We already talked about it. That would be really nice, mom. We can get them later today if you want." Gina grinned wider as Beverly clasped her hands together excitedly and gushed over the idea of having her baby and his girlfriend over for Christmas and finally having both of her boys home for the holidays. Gavin insisted he’d only missed one Christmas, but Beverly was persistent. "You would've missed this one too! Holidays are important, and your grammy isn't going to be around forever." Gina bit her bottom lip to avoid giggling. Grammy? She didn’t know Gavin had such a cute name for his grandma. "I know, I know.. but we'll be there. We'll look at flights tonight and let you know, okay?" "Great! Your father will be so excited." "I'm sure dad will jump with joy." From the sarcastic way he said it and the previous description the boys had given her earlier, it was clear Mr. Brooks probably wouldn’t show any outward signs of his excitement. Gina giggled at the vision she had in her head of her boyfriend’s dad.

The face time with Beverly came to a close, Gina promising that she and Gavin would look up flights to Fresno as soon as possible. She was actually starting to look forward to the idea of meeting Gavin’s parents now. Yes, she was still nervous, but his mom liked her at least! That was the way to do it—be friends with the mom and then the rest of the family would follow after. Before she could express this to Gavin, however, he was reaching across her and slugging his brother in the arm. Gina jumped back a little, her wide eyes looking from Gavin’s fist to his face. Owen was just as shocked as she was! "Ow! What was that for?" "For telling mom Gina's cute when she wakes up. I didn't want her to know she's sleeping over!"[/b] Oh yeah! He ‘d totally embarrassed them! Gina turned to him with a pouty glare too, adding her own silent accusations to Gavin’s violent ones. Owen just rolled his eyes. "Please, she knows you can't keep it in your pants."[/b] Now Gina got indignant, letting out a, “Hey!” before Gavin reached across her to punch his brother again. This time, however, Owen dodged by getting off the couch. Gavin followed soon after, and Gina let out a yelp as she watched the laptop falling. Thankfully it tumbled into her lap and she caught it before it could slip off. Her eyes looked frantically to the two men now towering over her. "Come on, you think she doesn't know?" "That's not the point!" "Yeah it is! I didn't say anything she didn't already know!" "But it's not your business to say anything!" Gavin tackled his brother and Gina let out a gasp as they tumbled to the ground. They were rolling around like little boys fighting out their problems! Gina jumped to her feet and padded over to them, not sure how to break this up. Owen got Gavin in a headlock, rolling him to the ground and Gina almost jumped on him. Gavin was fighting out of his brother’s grasp, though, so Gina just hovered back and let him take care of it. They exchanged a few more insults, Gavin taking this more seriously than Owen, and Gina almost smacked Owen upside the head for calling her man a loser because he was bested in front of her. When Owen finally released Gavin, Gina watched as her man landed a punch on his brother’s neck, wincing at the smacking sound it made. Owen immediately grabbed the sure to be bruised spot and cried out, “Jesus, chill out, man!”[/b] This was Gina’s opportunity to sweep in and go to Gavin’s side. “Alright, Gavin, tha’s enough now,” she said in a firm but soft tone. He gave her a wary look and she frowned in return. "If you wanted to cuff him to the toilet or something for the rest of his visit, I'd be okay with that." A big smile burst on her face as she looked down at him, brushing his short hair back into place. "Cuffs, huh? Didn't know you guys were into kinky stuff…”[/i] Gina rolled her eyes as she looked at Owen. “He ain’t talkin’ ‘bout fuzzy ones. These are standard issue cuffs from th’ SBPD. I’m a cop.” Owen made some flirtatious retort and Gina grinned but shook her head at it.

She helped Gavin onto his feet and let Owen take care of himself, Gavin going to the couch once more with a huffy face. Gina took a seat next to him, taking his hand in hers and then leaning against his arm affectionately. She looked between the brothers like a stern babysitter, exaggerating her serious face. “Now I don’t wanna, but I will put ya’ll in separate corners if I have to.” Her promise was accentuated by pointing her finger between both men. Both boys responded with playful respect and she grinned in return. Her eyes fell on Owen, looking at him with amusement. “Ya’ll did ask for that, though. Serves ya’ll right for pickin’ fights. I’m assumin’ ya’ll been doin’ this song an’ dance since you was kids, hm?” Now she looked to Gavin, a curious and amused little smile on her mouth. If she’d had a sibling, would they have fought like this? If she had a brother, she was sure of it. She’d always been a tomboy. Which is why she felt so calm now even though two men had just been wrestling on the floor right in front of her.

[GAVIN BROOKS]

“He ain’t talkin’ ‘bout fuzzy ones. These are standard issue cuffs from th’ SBPD. I’m a cop.” Owen only grinned more at his kid brother. "Well I guess I know who wears the pants in this relationship." He teased forcing Gavin to roll his eyes. "Shut up." He growled at his brother, huffing a little. Did it have to be like they were in middle school all the time? Then again, would their relationship be as much fun if it weren't? Gavin actually considered it as Gina helped him up. “Now I don’t wanna, but I will put ya’ll in separate corners if I have to.” Gina pointed between them as Gavin got to his feet, chuckling as he smoothed his clothes out. He was dressed too nice to be scuffling on the floor with his kid brother. “Ya’ll did ask for that, though. Serves ya’ll right for pickin’ fights. I’m assumin’ ya’ll been doin’ this song an’ dance since you was kids, hm?” Both boys exchanged looks and like that the anger ebbed away from them both as they grinned knowingly at each other. How many times had their mother gotten between them and scolded them for such behavior? More times than either man could count. Hell, by the time they were in high school she just yelled at them to take it outside before they broke something, not bothering to get riled up over it anymore. Her answer was always "Boys will be boys." when she inevitably brought one of them to the doctor for a sprained this or bruised that.

"Since before little man could walk." Owen grinned and Gavin narrowed his eyes in return. "Not so little anymore." "I can see that." His eyes wandered to Gavin's soft stomach. "Working at a bar and dating a cops made you soft." Gavin looked down at his body and knew his brother had a point. He wasn't close to fat, but he was a lot softer than he should be. He'd all but stopped working out and they did order in quite a bit.. "It's not that bad.." Gavin said bashfully now, his brows furrowing. Owen gave a laugh and plopped onto the couch. "Tell that to dad." "Dad can't say anything, he's bigger than me!" "But he wasn't at your age and he'll make sure you remember it." His nose wrinkled and he looked at Gina. "Dad's sort of a stickler for physical fitness." Owen laughed and nodded. "You should have seen poor Gavin when dad came home from Korea. He was what, eight? Nine?" "I think I was ten!" Owen laughed again a little harder. "He was going through this awkward growth spurt. Got all chubby but couldn't grow an inch vertically! Dad came home, took one look at him and made him take a run around the block. He put him on this strict exercise regimen and by the time Gavin started growing he looked like he belonged in a hunger ad for Africa, nothing but skin and bones." Gavin shook his head at the comparison. "I had crazy abs, though. For a ten year old. Mom ended up having to take me to the doctor because she was afraid dad had malnourished me I was so thin." He shrugged it off as Owen shook his head. "You know.. that's really a fucked up story when you think about it." Gavin threw a pillow at his brother. "Doesn't stop you from laughing about it though!" Owen grinned, catching the pillow. "Nope, sure doesn't."

The afternoon was spent with Owen telling more embarrassing stories about Gavin, who managed to throw a couple good ones in about Owen. No more physical fights broke out and before long they were all talking food again. They decided on cornbread and chili, but they were missing half the ingredients, so Gavin volunteered to run to the store while Gina made the cornbread and Owen finished unpacking his car. He borrowed Gina's hair dryer and set to work filling the air mattress he'd borrowed from his parents. When he was done, Gina was just putting the home made cornbread into the oven. "So, can you actually cook or is this, like, your specialty. I need to know my kids brothers taken care of, yah know.. he's sort of hopeless. Obviously, considering what he keeps in his freezer." He smiled, leaning in the door frame of the kitchen. Owen wondered how good a girl his brother had actually found..

[GINA FAYE]

Gina looked between the brothers as they grinned at each other, sensing there was a joke there that she would never be inside on. She’d seen it between siblings before and while it was sweet, it always made her feel lonely somehow. This time was an exception—she felt that seeing that look between Owen and Gavin brought her closer to knowing Gavin. Who knew she’d ever be so eager to know everything about a man? "Since before little man could walk." "Not so little anymore." That was certainly true, but Gina bit her lip as she smiled, keeping her comments to herself. Owen apparently had his own comments as he looked Gavin over. "I can see that. Working at a bar and dating a cops made you soft."[/i] Soft? Gina gave Owen an incredulous look before turning her gaze to Gavin. He also was looking down at his stomach and it made Gina indignant. Her boyfriend wasn’t flabby! Maybe he had a little fluff on his stomach, but she liked that. She’d never preferred men who were too buff—it was unnatural in her opinion. Gavin was perfect the way he was. "It's not that bad…” No it wasn’t! Gina opened her mouth to interject her feelings on this subject, but Owen laughed, interrupting her. "Tell that to dad." "Dad can't say anything, he's bigger than me!" "But he wasn't at your age and he'll make sure you remember it." Gina looked to Gavin curiously as he wrinkled his nose at her. Weren’t dads supposed to be supportive, not taunting? "Dad's sort of a stickler for physical fitness." She rose her eyebrows sardonically. “Sounds like it,” she said softly, looking to Owen as he began telling how Gavin went through an awkward growth spurt. He was chubby when his dad came home from Korea, growing horizontally but not vertically. Gina gave an amused but frowning smile, indicating her pity for her boyfriend’s ten year old self. "Dad came home, took one look at him and made him take a run around the block. He put him on this strict exercise regimen and by the time Gavin started growing he looked like he belonged in a hunger ad for Africa, nothing but skin and bones."[/b] "I had crazy abs, though. For a ten year old. Mom ended up having to take me to the doctor because she was afraid dad had malnourished me I was so thin." Gina laughed at Gavin being compared to a starving African child but then her brows furrowed even as she smiled at the image of Beverly taking Gavin to the doctor. It didn’t seem to affect Gavin, but that must have been hard on him! "You know.. that's really a fucked up story when you think about it." "Doesn't stop you from laughing about it though!" Gavin chucked a pillow at his brother and Gina had to laugh herself.

The rest of the afternoon was spent listening to more stories about the Brooks Brothers’ formative years, a smattering of embarrassment for both of them being thrown into the mix. She laughed plenty and saved every story in her mind. She’d never known so much about Gavin! Owen himself was actually pretty entertaining though a little mean to his brother at times, at least in Gina’s opinion. But overall he seemed like a good guy, one she definitely wouldn’t mind hanging around more often. He brought to light more facets to Gavin’s personality than she’d known existed and it made her care about him all the more. Eventually it was time to talk about food again and all decided chili and cornbread sounded like a good meal. They were missing most of the ingredients, however, so Gavin went out to pick them up. While Gina put together the cornbread, Owen used her hair dryer to inflate his mattress. Just as the noise was dying down, Gina was sliding the pan into the oven, setting the timer before turning towards the doorway of the kitchen, occupied by Owen. "So, can you actually cook or is this, like, your specialty? I need to know my kid brother’s taken care of, yah know…he's sort of hopeless. Obviously, considering what he keeps in his freezer."[/i] Gina giggled, setting her oven mitts on the counter. “I can cook, it’s jus’ that we’re both busy and it gets tuh be a hassle sometimes. So we end up eatin’ out more than we should or cookin’ frozen meals. But you’re right, he is a little hopeless in the kitchen.” She grinned, leaning a hip against the counter as her arms crossed over her chest. “Ya’ll don’ need tuh worry ‘bout Gavin while I’m ‘round. I take good care o’ him. An’ he takes good care o’ me.” Her own words surprised her a little, realizing that he did take good care of her. Being held captive in a concentration camp made her think about her own life and how shaky it had been for years. But since finding Gavin, she seemed to have found her balance. For once she was happy and content to stand still and be stable with one guy. Perhaps the camps had affected her more than she’d ever considered…

She gave Owen a curious stare, tilting her head back and studying him over the cute tip of her nose. “What about you, Owen? Ya’ll got a girl back home takin’ care o’ you?” So far there had only been mention of girls he dated, but no girlfriends. It made Gina curious as to what kind of guy Owen Brooks really was. The fox in her thought she smelled one of her own, a romantic nomad, but she couldn’t be sure. He told her he didn’t have a girlfriend, he was seeing a few women and she smiled. She used to be that way…but she didn’t think she qualified as a nomad anymore. It was strange to be faced with how much she changed. “Sad. Ya’ll don’ even have nobody tuh make yah cornbread.” She grinned, indicating she was teasing. “Unless ya’ll like tuh cook. Then I guess ya’ll are okay on your own.” Her crystalline eyes gazed up into his brown ones as she cocked her head gently to the side, clearly interested in knowing more about her boyfriend’s big brother.

[GAVIN BROOKS]

“I can cook, it’s jus’ that we’re both busy and it gets tuh be a hassle sometimes. So we end up eatin’ out more than we should or cookin’ frozen meals." Owen definitely saw her appeal and grinned at the girl as she spoke. "But you’re right, he is a little hopeless in the kitchen. Ya’ll don’ need tuh worry ‘bout Gavin while I’m ‘round. I take good care o’ him. An’ he takes good care o’ me.” His eyes narrowed playfully at her comment, her arms folding over her chest in a carefree manner. So Gavin took good care of her, huh? “What about you, Owen? Ya’ll got a girl back home takin’ care o’ you?” Owen snorted and waved his hand. "I don't need anyone to take care of me, I'm a big boy." He teased, folding his own arms over his chest. "I got a few girls back home who I like to hang around with now and then, though. They're all the takin' care of I need." It was obvious what he meant so he didn't bother going into more detail than that. “Sad. Ya’ll don’ even have nobody tuh make yah cornbread.” Gina gave him a sweet grin and he couldn't help but let out a little laugh. He supposed that was true, except for maybe his mom but surely she didn't count in this scenario.

“Unless ya’ll like tuh cook. Then I guess ya’ll are okay on your own.” He pulled a hand away from his chest and held out a finger, offering an ah hah! look. "Like to cook and being able to cook aren't always the same thing, sweetheart. Now I can cook, but I don't really enjoy it so when I do cook it's usually a huge batch of something I can eat until I'm sick of it and then I can't eat it again for months, which causes a whole new predicament." He smiled at her reaction to his comment and then moved into the kitchen. "Can't lie, though.. would be nice having someone to cook me cornbread other than my mother, especially since her cornbread is nothing to brag about. Ask Gavin if you don't believe me." Owen leaned on the counter next to the little southerner. "Maybe Gavin would be kind enough to let me borrow you from time to time to cook for me." There was a flirtatious edge to his voice now. He was only partially hitting on the girl, trying not to make it so obvious that she could accuse him of it, but enough that she might be curious and take the bait. Owen was an asshole, and he was the first to admit it, but despite the relationship he seemed to have with his brother, he was very protective of him. He never liked his fiance, thinking the girl was too stuck up, especially for Gavin, but Gavin had seemed genuinely happy with her. She had changed him. Once he broke free he turned back into the Gavin he knew way back in the day. The Gavin who could take it better than he could give it, being a good sport no matter how far Owen went. Gina seemed more up his brother's alley, which meant he needed to really poke and see her weaknesses. Would she let Owen come on to her?

"Think you can stomach hanging around just me? I'd make it worth your while. Anything you wanted in return for some cornbread!" His smile was sweet, wondering how she would react.

[GINA FAYE]

Gina smiled as Owen pointed at her playfully. "Like to cook and being able to cook aren't always the same thing, sweetheart. Now I can cook, but I don't really enjoy it so when I do cook it's usually a huge batch of something I can eat until I'm sick of it and then I can't eat it again for months, which causes a whole new predicament."[/i] Her eyes followed him as he moved into the kitchen, grinning wider. “I did that with ice cream once when I had my tonsils out.” Owen smiled and Gina had to admire how handsome he was—Gavin was her man, but that didn’t mean she was blind. "Can't lie, though…would be nice having someone to cook me cornbread other than my mother, especially since her cornbread is nothing to brag about. Ask Gavin if you don't believe me."[/i] Gina’s mouth fell open as Owen leaned against the counter beside her, giving him a playfully shocked look. “Don’chu make fun o’ yo’ mama! I’m sure her cornbread’s fine…” she drawled in a scandalized voice, tapping his arm with the back of her hand. "Maybe Gavin would be kind enough to let me borrow you from time to time to cook for me."[/b] Gina laughed up at her boyfriend’s brother, though she couldn’t help wondering if he meant that statement to be a double entendre. The flirtatious air to his suggestion said he did, but it was pretty subtle. “I dunno, he’s pretty possessive o’ me.” She too had an edge of flirtation in her voice, but it wasn’t serious. It was more to toy with Owen than anything else.

"Think you can stomach hanging around just me? I'd make it worth your while. Anything you wanted in return for some cornbread!" [/b] Gina laughed again. “That there is a dangerous offuh. I’ve learned not t’ trust a price that low. There’s always a catch. ‘Sides, ya’ll ain’t even tried it yet! It might not be worth what you’re offerin’ for it.” She grinned up at her guest playfully. “I nevuh would’ve guessed ya’ll was so cheap from the way ya’ll are dressed. What would the interest be on an offuh like that?” Owen’s answer made her laugh and she shook her head. “Sorry, I’m afraid I can’t accept that. An’ I know Gavin wouldn’t approve. But if ya’ll wanted to come up here an’ visit anytime ya’ll are cravin’ some cornbread, you’re welcome to. I jus’ can’t guarantee your baby brothuh would let ya’ll crash on the couch.” Again she grinned, knowing Gavin would probably scold her for giving such an offer. Owen made the flirty suggestion of her couch and she laughed with sarcastic fervor. “What couch? I can barely find the floor in my apartment! An’ ya’ll ain’t gettin’ in my bed.” She gave a playful smirk, exaggerating the state of her apartment, but only slightly. Gina was far from a good housekeeper or organizer. The only reason she tried to keep up with it now was because she had a boyfriend who came over at least once a week and she didn’t want him to think she was a hoarder.

Gina moved to the refrigerator and pulled out a hard cider, handing one to Owen as well. She twisted the top off and set it on the counter, now leaning on the counter across from Owen so she could see him better. “So what do ya’ll do for a livin’, Owen? I didn’t even think t’ ask until now.” He told her he was an architect and it made her eyebrows rise high on her forehead. “Wow! That’s impressive! What kind o’ buildings do ya’ll design? Homes, office buildings, museums…trailers?” A big smile spread across her face with her teasing comment, but she was genuinely interested in hearing about his line of work. She’d never met an architect before!

[GAVIN BROOKS]

She was laughing which made him smile more, and though he wasn't really hitting on his brother's girlfriend, he couldn't help but feel a twang of jealousy. How the hell did his brother catch a girl like this? He was definitely the less suave of the two and always had been. “That there is a dangerous offuh. I’ve learned not t’ trust a price that low. There’s always a catch. ‘Sides, ya’ll ain’t even tried it yet! It might not be worth what you’re offerin’ for it.” He smirked and wrinkled his nose, raising his shoulders in a shrug. “I nevuh would’ve guessed ya’ll was so cheap from the way ya’ll are dressed. What would the interest be on an offuh like that?” He snorted. "Offering anything isn't cheap. Besides, Gavin seems to like it and I've learned that if Gavin likes something, it's probably pretty good. He's not sophisticated in anyway, but he's got a decent pallet. Beside's, my offer was meant more like anything within reason. Like.. a foot massage or back rub or something." She laughed again and shook her head. “Sorry, I’m afraid I can’t accept that. An’ I know Gavin wouldn’t approve. But if ya’ll wanted to come up here an’ visit anytime ya’ll are cravin’ some cornbread, you’re welcome to. I jus’ can’t guarantee your baby brothuh would let ya’ll crash on the couch.” She was passing his test so far and he thought maybe he should back off a bit. Or.. maybe not. "I bet your couch is much more comfortable than Gavin's." He teased which got another laugh from her. She laughed easily.. “What couch? I can barely find the floor in my apartment! An’ ya’ll ain’t gettin’ in my bed.” And there was her flaw. She was as messy as his brother. Owen never cared for Gavin's ex, but their house was always immaculate, like walking into a magazine ad.

Gina opened the fridge and reached in for something, Owen taking the opportunity to get a quick glimpse of her ass. She pulled back and handed him a hard cider, which he took and twisted the cap off gratefully. “So what do ya’ll do for a livin’, Owen? I didn’t even think t’ ask until now.” He swallowed the sip in his mouth and leaned on the other side of the counter, mimicking her stance. "I'm an architect." He explained and her brows rose. “Wow! That’s impressive! What kind o’ buildings do ya’ll design? Homes, office buildings, museums…trailers?” He chuckled. "No, legos. I build lego towers for a living." He said as seriously as he could muster, but the look on her face was too much and he had to grin, shaking his head. "I'm kidding. No, I've done homes in the past, that's where I got my start, but I currently do work with office buildings. I play with legos too, though. So you know." He took a sip and placed the bottle on the counter, spinning it with his finger and deciding he didn't feel much like holding up the heavy flirting anymore. At some point it was going to get weird, and if she wanted to take the bait she would have already, to some degree. "I wouldn't mind getting back into housing, though. I'd like to do work with apartment buildings, because after living in several over the last decade I've got some pretty good ideas. Whoever designed the one's around Fresno was clearly stoned at the time."

Owen looked over at the clock on the wall, wondering how long Gavin would be. "So, you're a cop, huh?" She confirmed and his smile became playful once more. "How'd you and my brother meet? He's a little vague on the details. I remember he left me a voice mail about how madly in love he was with this girl, and somehow, I don't know how, you two are actually still together. Not as lovey dovey as I'd expected you to be, but still together." His grin became devious. "Did you arrest him? I need dirt. I'm running out of ammunition."