James made sure Cora was inside her building before heading home. His phone dinged as he was pulling in the driveway.

Wes: She do all right?

A wave of guilt rolled through him. He wasn’t supposed to have taken her home.

James: Yeah.

Wes: She looked good? Didn’t go after the wrong person?

James wasn’t sure how to answer that one. On one hand, yeah she looked good. On the other… James probably wasn’t the right person for her to go with.

James: Yeah, she looked really good. Never would have known if you hadn’t told me.

Hopefully Wes would just let the second question drop. There was no response. James made his way inside. His thoughts were still rolling through his mind and not letting him drop it.

James: Take her to the campus bars next time. She’ll have better luck finding someone her age.

Wes: Already tried, bro.

James: Try again. My place isn’t targeted to the younger crowd. She’s only going to end up going home with some creep.

Some creep. Like himself.

Wes: That’s why I had you there to keep an eye on her.

James: I can’t be there every time.

Wes: I’ll go with her next time. She was just nervous being seen by someone she knows this time around.

James threw his phone down next to him on the couch and leaned forward to drop his head into his hands. A college kid. A college kid that his brother trusted him to keep an eye on and he went and brought her home. God, he was disgusting.

Still, though, he couldn’t bring himself to regret his actions completely. She was so excited, yet all that happened was that he got a blowjob. A really, really good blowjob, if due to her enthusiasm rather than any skill. He didn’t even get to jerk her off. He left her thinking she was there to get him off and then go home and he was at least fifteen years her senior. What were the selfish college boys going to show her in regards to sex? Probably a hell of lot better shit than he did.

He forced himself to push the thoughts aside again. Maybe he’d see about hanging out with Wes soon. Yeah.

James: I’m taking you for lunch tomorrow. Thai?

Wes: Sounds good. See you then.

*~*~*

James waited for Wes outside of the Chem building. A large horde of students swarmed past him, all young and fresh faced. He received more than a few appreciative glances, but James had no interest in them. Another ten minutes and a slightly older crowd came out.

Wes waved at him as he parted ways with the group. James wrapped an arm around his shoulder and made to lead him away, but froze when he made eye contact with a masculine appearing Cora.

Cora was scowling at him. Her lips were turned down and angry. The timidness was gone. The coyness replaced with anger. Her entire posture was different, shoulders shoved back and visible in a cut off t-shirt. Baggy sweatpants covered her shaven legs. A five o’clock shadow was darkening her face. If it weren’t for the dark curly hair, James wouldn’t have ever picked her out of the crowd.

Wes glanced over to see what James was staring at. “Oh, yeah. Corey, this is my brother James. James, Corey.”

Corey gave a short nod of acknowledgement and turned away. Wes glanced between the two of them again and a slow look of realization dawned. It was a short look though, as it was quickly replaced with anger.

“Come on. Lunch,” James said and finally steered him away. Wes stayed quiet until they were situated at a table with food in front of them.

“I told you to watch out for him, not sleep with him,” Wes hissed at him.

James refused to let the internal cringe show on his face. “I know. I didn’t mean to. He came onto me though.” James followed Wes’ example with pronouns. “Not that that makes it any better! I’m the adult, I should’ve said no.”

“He’s an adult too. You’re just the… more adult adult.” Wes shoved a piece of broccoli through some of the sauce on his plate. “I just don’t want to see him getting hurt.”

“And I would hurt him?”

“No. Yes. I don’t know, James. I haven’t seen you in a serious relationship, ever.”

Which, ouch. “That’s because I’ve been busy with running a business and raising your ungrateful ass.”

Wes snorted. “Sure. So you’ve been too busy with me, your 22 year old brother, to be in a relationship. I see you like twice a month, if.”

James let it go. “Where’s your significant other then? Last I heard you were busying yourself sleeping around. I don’t think you’ve ever said the same name twice to me when it comes to someone you’ve been with.”

“I am busy trying to get into graduate school. And once I’m in graduate school, I’ll be busy trying to get through that before worrying about adding someone else to my life.”

James chuckled. “Good plan.”

“Seriously though, I don’t want things to be weird between Corey and me. So can you just… not. Don’t sleep with my friends.”

Again, he kept his cringe internal. His little brother shouldn’t have to ask that of him. “Of course. No sleeping with your friends. How’d you even know?”

“I’ve known Corey for two years now and have never seen him angry. Sad, disappointed, upset, sure. Angry? The guy’s never so much as scowled at anyone in my presence before.” Wes shoved his plate away and leaned back. “It wasn’t too hard to connect some dots. Why would he be angry with you, when he’s supposedly never met you?”

Kind of a stretch and James probably could have denied it and convinced Wes he really hadn’t slept with Corey if he’d just played dumb from the get go. He preferred not lying to his little brother, but it wouldn’t’ve been the first lie and it definitely wouldn’t’ve been the last.

“Also, he said he gave a blowjob to some great guy named James. I assumed from that moment that it was you.”

Ah. Good thing he hadn’t denied it. “All right. Well, could you give me his number? I’d like to apologize to him for not letting him know I was your brother beforehand.”

Wes stared at him for a beat, then nodded. “Sure, I’ll see if he’s all right with it.”

“Thanks.”

Later that day, Wes texts him Corey’s number. James wastes no time texting him.

James: Hey, it’s James - Wes’ brother. Just wanted to apologize for last night. I should have told you that Wes is my brother and that I knew who you were. I’m sorry for that. I had a good time and hope you did too.

As soon as he hit send he regretted it. The last sentence was too much. Hoping he had a good time when they weren’t even on the same page… Ugh. Guilt returned in full force for his behavior and as the night grew later with no response, the guilt multiplied.