SEAN

"Miguel, what the fuck?" I gritted, pulling him by his hair and slapping him on the cheek. He was passed on the couch, probably coming down from his high. It was clear that he spent the night playing in the snow - two and a half lines of cocaine cut on the coffee table, "I specifically told you not to bring this shit into the apartment."

He groaned, tousling his raven black hair as he attempted to sit up straight, "Cristo," his hiss filled the silence of the room as I stood over him with a fucking deadly glare.

I didn't expect to come home this morning to this shit so I expected him to have a good fucking explanation before I ended up beating his ass. We had an agreement set into place. If he chose to be a runner, that was on him but by no means was this shit allowed in my apartment. He may have been like a brother to me but this was a one-way ticket to get kicked out. Tough love, everyone needed some tough fucking love.

"Clean this shit up and if I find anymore lying around the house I'm flushing it down the God damn toilet," I called, making my way down the hall to my room, "and once that shit's left your system, you're going to tell me why you thought it would be a fucking excellent idea to bring it in here."

I was about to turn the doorknob leading into my room when I heard a female groan coming from the room opposite — Miguel's room. The voice sounded too familiar for me to ignore it so, against my better judgment, I decided to check it out. I nudged Miguel's room door open with the tip of my boot and snarled at the sight of Amira sprawled on his bed. She had a tiny dress on which barely covered anything. By the look of it, she was coming down from her high as well.

I didn't want to tell Rose the truth. She had asked why I had somehow started paying attention to Amira again and I had lied to her, telling her that I thought we could be friends. That wasn't the reason. I stuck to her side to prevent something like this from happening. Miguel was heading down a damned path and I didn't want him to take Amira down with him. I may not have liked the girl but she deserved better than to get addicted to drugs like cocaine because when she couldn't afford to keep the habit, she would search for something cheaper to suffice. Heroin was cheaper on the streets and more addictive. I didn't want to see Amira, or anyone I knew for that matter, heading down that fucked up road.

There was nothing I could do now though. I had to wait until the two sobered up so I could knock fucking sense into their thick skulls. Closing the door, I made my way into my room. It was the only place in the entire apartment that was both clean and untouched. Miguel had probably thrown another one of his parties last night, this time having the sense to kick everyone out before I arrived home.

My phone's ringtone blaring through the silence was what startled me out of my thoughts. I fished my phone out, scoffing at the name that flashed on the screen. My brother only phoned when he wanted something or, like now, he wanted to bitch about something. I had purposely uploaded a video of Rose playing the piano to my Instagram feed this morning. She was so engrossed in the music that she hadn't noticed me watching her. Talk about being fucking creepy but she was excellent. The caption of the post read 'She left playing with the piano to play with me. I knew that would start some shit but I didn't think he would be so quick to call me.

Swiping my thumb across the screen to answer, I placed the phone to my ear and said, "Dickhead, what can I do for you?"

"I thought I told you to say away from her," he gritted in what I assumed was a fit of jealousy. It probably was jealousy speaking because I had never heard my brother sound as deadly as this before. I knew he would kill for the girl, didn't think the rule applied to me too.

"Relax, it's just a video of her playing the piano. What the big fucking deal?" I defended, walking over to the window and opening it, "and then maybe we spent part of the night together, talking." I emphasized the last word so he wouldn't jump to any conclusions.

"And what about that stupid caption?" He quizzed in seething anger. Shit, if I knew chilling with Rose would evoke this response from him, I would have done it much sooner.

Stepping onto the fire escape and pulling out my pack of smokes, I snorted, "It's just a caption, try not to get your brief in a knot over it. Look, I've respected that you've liked her since we were kids. I'm not going to be an asshole and fuck things up for you now but you're not dating her just yet. You can stake your fucking claim all you want but it's completely up to her and if I want to shoot my shot..." I let my sentence trail off as I lit my cigarette.

"You're not going to use her the way you used Amira," his voice was low, a very serious warning laced within the words.

I chuckled, the sound coming out with no humor, "She feels something for me, Dean. Who am I to deprive her of what she clearly wants?" It was what I wanted to but I wasn't prepared to disclose that information just yet. I still needed to figure out what the actual fuck I was feeling.

I did something for her last night that I wouldn't have done for anyone. It was fucking spontaneous for an asshole like me and dare I say it, bordering romantic. I brought her the fucking rain. The mere thought of it had a smile splitting my lips. She looked so happy dancing in my arms.

My fucking arms!

"She's not like every other girl, Sean. If you hurt her..."

"You'll do what?" I growled, feeling agitated that he thought I'd hurt her. Yes, I said some pretty messed up things to her in the past but I always did my best to apologize to her. My problem was that I spoke without thinking, but I would never intentionally hurt her, "Let's get one thing straight, brother. I respect that you like her but it's her decision what she wants. I'm not going to fuck things up for you but if she prefers me over you then too bad. It was a dick move professing your feelings for her just to get her to stay away from me."

"Dick move or not, Rose shouldn't be anywhere near you or Miguel," Dean snapped and I couldn't say I didn't agree with him.

Drawing in a lung full of nicotine, I drawled, "I won't bring her around Miguel. Not until he gets his shit together so you dont have to stress about that and she will be just fine as long as I'm with her."

"This isn't a competition, Sean, so don't make it one!"

"The way I see it, it's always been a competition between us and I always chose not to fucking play. But times change and maybe I found a prize worth playing for. So, dear brother, may the best man win," with those words, I ended the call and pocketed my phone.

Finishing the last of my cigarette, I made my way inside through the window again. I gathered that Rose hated the idea of me smoking and hated the smell of it altogether. It was a difficult habit to kick especially since I had been smoking for such a long time. I'd like to blame peer pressure but that would be a load of horse shit.

Tossing the keys to my motorcycle onto the nightstand, I made my way out of my room. Amira was still asleep but Miguel was awake, lugging himself all over the place with a frown etched onto his face. The lines of cocaine weren't on the table anymore, matter of fact, he had cleaned the sitting room spotless but by the look on his face, I could tell he wasn't enjoying a second of it. Fucker deserved it. He should have thought twice before doing something as stupid as this. What would it be next? Me bailing him out because of possession chargers?

"Lo Siento, Hermano," Miguel rasped, awkwardly shifting from one foot to another. He stood at the opposite end of the room, a good distance away from me.

"Send Amira home and stay the fuck away from her," I snarled lowly, making sure my voice wouldn't wake her up, "dont get her involved in your shit, Miguel. I'm warning you."

He nodded his head feverishly, "I'll get an Uber for her once she's awake. I-I..."

I held a hand up to stop his stammering, "Did you steal it from them?"

"No!" His eyes widened in surprise, "I know better. I'd be dead already if I did. I bought it for the party last night, to take the edge of you know," scratching the back of his neck, he murmured, "I didn't think you'd find out."

"Try this shit one more time, Miguel," I took a threatening step forward to which he gulped in fear, "I dare you. Because if I find this crap lying around my fucking apartment again, I won't think twice about kicking your ass back to your Abuelita's. Let's see how Maria handles you." Making my way to the door, I said, "I can only help you so much, Miguel. You have to want to help yourself or you're going to turn into the person Maria didn't want you to become in the first place."

I left him with those words, hoping they would have some impact on him. He didn't seem to care about his life and until this moment, he didn't seem to care about the sacrifices Maria had made for him. No matter how much I wanted to stay out of it, I couldn't. I cared too much for the fucker. However, how could I help him when he seemed pretty fucking content with fucking his life up. Throwing everything he had ever worked for to the dogs.

His response 'I didn't think you'd find out' pissed me off. As if me not finding out made what he did right. As if it didn't go against the fucking rules of the apartment building and the rules I had originally set into place when he moved in. Miguel's situation stressed me the fuck out and now I had to deal with Rose and Dean as well. It wasn't my plan to step on my brother's toes but shit happened and all I wanted to do was figure out what shifted in me. What drew me to her the way I had never been drawn to anyone?

I took the elevator down to the garage level where my matte black Audi was parked. The car was a graduation gift to me from my father. He had bought the same car for my brother except his was in matte white. I barely used the car, opting for my motorcycle instead since it was something I bought with my money but I preferred the safety of a car if Rose was going to spend more time with me. It just made more sense and it was probably more comfortable for her. 

Entering the car, I was hit with Rose's sweet fragrance. I had dropped her off at home this morning since she fell asleep at my parents' house last night. After getting into some dry clothes — she decided to wear my brother's clothes instead of mine even though I offered — we ate pizza and spent the rest of the night in the music room. By the time we actually decided to sleep, it was too late and I refused to send her out alone so she slept in my brother's room and I slept in mine. With my parents' gone for a business meeting all week, that meant there was no possible way of me bumping into them.

I started the engine and it roared to life. Just like my motorcycle, I had modified the engine. I already had my destination in mind as I drove. Rose was probably on her way to the coffee shop to do a shift. Lacy had mentioned not being able to take her today because the triplets had a check-up to get to early in the morning. I wanted to take her but thanks to my brother's patronizing phone call paired with Miguel's stupidity, I was late.

Parking outside the shop, I made a beeline for the entrance. The first thing I took notice too was the scowl painting Rose's face as she glared down at one of the male customers that couldn't be much older than nineteen. She looked as if she were contemplating dumping the coffee he ordered over his head but I knew she wouldn't do it. It wasn't in her character.

Coming to her side, I snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her into me, "Princess, what seems to be the problem?"

Her skin flushed, turning a bright pink as she cast her eyes downward, "Nothing," she lied, gritting her teeth.

I turned to the boy, practically giving him a glare that could send him to fucking Hell. Fisting the collar of his t-shirt, I picked him up from his seat, "Tell me what the fuck you did and maybe I won't beat your ass up." Maybe the God's wanted me to use someone as a punching bag today since everyone seemed to be pissing me off.

"Fuck, I just told her she has a nice ass. I don't see what the problem is," the boy grumbled, trying to pull himself out of my hold.

By now, we had gathered everyone's attention, "The problem is you have no respect for women and don't know how to speak to one. Not every girl is thirsty for the tiny dick in your pants so if you try and catcall one and they get offended, don't fucking tell me you don't know what you did wrong." I let him go and watched as he dropped into his chair. Then, I took the mug of coffee on the table and dumped the contents over his head.

"Sean!" Rose exclaimed, jumping back so she could avoid any coffee falling onto her, "you shouldn't have done that. Stupid jerk!"

"Rose," I rolled her name out and watched as she instantly sealed her lips, "you're coming with me," I left her no room to argue, grabbing the tray from her hand and slamming it onto the table before pulling her out of the shop.

"Sean stop," she hissed but I paid no heed, "Sean, you're hurting me. Please, stop."

I was hurting her.

I instantly halted at my car, realizing what a strong grip I had on her hand. In a matter of seconds, I pulled away from her, almost as if I had gotten burned. There was already a reddish bruise forming and a feeling of guilt overtook me like nothing I had ever felt before.

Her eyes turned glassy which only amplified my guilt. Unlocking the car, I opened the door and watched as she quietly got into the passenger seat. She rubbed her wrist, hissing under her breath. With a sigh, I shut the door and made my way to the driver's side. There was tension in the car; tension I caused because it wasn't there before.

She placed her forehead on the cool window and my heart did this weird thing in my chest when she cradled her bruised arm. I didn't understand why it almost hurt me to see her like that. It was a God-honest mistake. There were times I had hurt her with the words I said. The only reason I said those words was to make sure she stayed away from me. A part of me didn't like her but a more prominent part knew my brother always had feelings for her so I stayed out of his way.

Clearing my throat, I began, "Princess, I—"

She cut me off with a glare, "I know, Sean, you apologize. It's fine. I'm fine."

"No," I growled in irritation, swifting in my seat so I could face her completely, "let me say this."

In her blue orbs, I could see the surprise lurking. She hadn't expected me to take off with her like that and I didn't feel bad for doing it. Rose needed to hear what I had to say, she needed to fucking listening because it was something I had never said since childhood. Why? I didn't know. All I knew was that I developed a hard skin because children could be real dicks in school and building up walls protected me from dealing with that bullshit.

I let out a jagged breath and ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the locks in frustration, "I'm sorry..." I whispered, "I'm fucking sorry that I keep hurting you, with my words and especially with my actions. I'm trying to be more gentle but I'm so fucking sorry that I'm not."

She stared at me, eyes wide and mouth agape like a fucking fish out of the water, "Sean..." She breathed after a few beats. Gnawing at her bottom lip, she took my hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze, "you did nothing wrong. There's nothing you need to be sorry for." Her lips twitched into a smile but it didn't light up her face the way it usually would and her dimples barely showed.

"Then why do you look like you're about to cry a flood of tears?" I grumbled, gesturing to her glassy eyes. The way she looked away made me realize how insensitive my comment was, "Princess, I'm not moving this car until you fucking talk to me so you better start speaking."

"You can't just demand shit, Sean. Just because you want to know something or because you feel guilty that doesn't mean I have to tell you things. I told you this before. I don't have to open up to you if I don't want to," she broke out into a sob as she finished her rant.

"Rose," I gently pulled her into my embrace but she fought me, tears soaking into my shirt as her sobs raked her body.

"Don't touch me. Let me go!" She yelled but I didn't let her go because I couldn't, "please don't hurt me. Please. Let me go." Her voice cracked and she sounded so weak as she fell slack in my arms.

"I'm not going to hurt you," pulling away, I cupped her dainty face in my massive palms. She had a faraway look in her eyes as if she were somewhere else completely and only a shell of her body sat in my car, "Rose, I promise, I'm not going to hurt you.

Her blue eyes searched my dark brown ones and I held my breath as they did so, "I-I..."

"I'm not going to hurt you."

She gulped, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands, "You're not him," she murmured almost to herself.

"I'm not who?" I pressed with furrowed brows. Something was wrong and I needed to know what.

"You're not him," she repeated a bit louder, gripping my hands that were cradling her face in hers. Closing her eyes, she huffed, "you remind me of him and sometimes you don't. The smoking, the tattoos, and the jerk behavior."

"Who the hell do I remind you of?" I grimaced.

She flinched at the tone of my voice, "You want to know so badly, fine. Let me take you somewhere, let me tell you something I've never told anyone, and let me see how you handle it."

I'm sooooooo tired... But I managed to give you guys a chappie!!!! So please hit that star at the bottom of your screen to vote and show me the love❤