Tension

**Brian's POV**

Jimmy is waiting for me to tell him that I promise to keep my distance from Lexi..the issue is, I have always found her to be easy to get along with and besides the age difference and her relation to Jimmy....I don't see what the problem is!

Jimmy doesn't think that I know about all the hardships and bullying that went on in her past, but I do. I saw her get to the point where she would hurt herself or wish to die, but I let Jimmy handle it because she never really seemed super comfortable around people outside of her family.

I look up into Jimmy's icy stare and muster the courage to say what I am going to next, "I'm not promising to stay away from her" I mumble out and see him clench his jaw. "Wait Jimmy.." I say and place my hands over my already sore stomach preparing for another painful blow, "I understand that you think this is wrong but please give me a chance to prove that I'm not out to hurt her!" I beg.

Jimmy knits his eyebrows together and scowls at me, "I can't do that...you don't understand! I love that girl too much for me to allow her any more pain....let alone pain that might be caused by someone I love like a brother." he huffs sadly.

I sigh and place my hand on his shoulder, "Jimbo, I have known about all the stuff that she went through for years, but it wasn't my place to try and butt into your family's business. I need you to take all that brotherly love and trust that you have in me, and know that I swear with every fiber of my being, that I would never intentionally hurt her or cause her more pain." I plead and he finally relaxes his tensed jaw.

"I don't like this.." he grumbles out, "but I love you both...please don't make me kill you later" he says and turns back around and heads towards the house.

I release a shaky breath, that I didn't realize that I was holding, slide down the speaker and sink my head in my hands and wonder...

..Did Jimmy just give me his permission to date Lexi?


**Alexis's POV**

I have never seen Jimmy act that way towards me and honestly, I've never been more hurt in my life....it was even more painful than the bullying because it came from someone I love.

I sob into my pillow and wish that this whole day would just end already, when there is a small knock at my door. I assume that it's probably my mom who gave me a bewildered look as I blew into the house like a hysterical mess about 10 minutes ago. I drag myself out of bed and unlock it but leave it closed and plop face first back down onto my bed.

I hear the door open and a pair of strong tattooed arms wrap around me...fuck, it's Jimmy. "I'm so sorry...it's hard for me not so still see you as my baby cousin... even now that you're all grown up" he mumbles out into my hair. "Please don't hate me" he begs and his tone is breaking my heart.

I sniffle back the tears and look over my shoulder at him, "I could never hate you Jimmy.....but you hurt me" I sob out, "I never thought that you would treat me like that" I say and bury my face back into my pillow.

Jimmy picks me up and turns me on his lap to face him, "Oh shit Alexis...I'm so incredibly sorry! I love you and I swear that I didn't mean any of that stuff I said out there!" he says passionately and kisses my left temple.

I pull back from him and stare at him with tear filled eyes, "Prove it! Prove to me that you don't see me as some little kid who incapable of making logical decisions" I say with the hurt evident in my voice.

He takes a deep breath and I start to drop my head down but he grabs my chin and tilts me back to face him. "I just asked your parents if you could come on the second half of our tour with us, since you aren't starting college right away and we leave a week after you graduate" he says and I'm completely blown away.

I'm almost afraid to ask but I do anyhow, "So, what did they say?!" I squeak because this is way better than just being allowed to go to one of their shows!!

His expression changes to something unreadable so I begin to panic. "They said ok" he says and I squeal in excitement and do a happy dance on his lap before he grabs my shoulders and stops me, "...but, they made me promise to keep you safe and I swore that I would at any cost. So, if whatever you and Brian have going on threatens to become a problem....I'm warning you now that I will send you packing back home. Do you understand?" he says and I nod my head and give him a peck on the cheek.

"Jim Jam, don't worry....Brian doesn't see me like that, and I have had a crush on him since I was 14 and tried to keep my emotions in check...I'm sure I can do it for a few more months" I laugh out and he looks like he wants to say something but decides against it.

"Want a piggy back ride downstairs for your own private concert?" he jokes and I shake my head no.

"You know I hate heights and I'm 18 not 8, remember?" I say and follow him out of my bedroom.

"Yeah, that's going to take some getting used to" he says and turns to tickles my sides. I smack his hands away and he pouts, "I do remember you used to be fun though!" he jokes and takes off down the stairs as I chase after him.

The next two week can't fly by quick enough!!!

Notes

So Jimmy didn't tell Alexis of Brian's feelings for her...do you think that will backfire later.

Do you think he was actually giving Brian permission to date her or just warning him not to hurt her?

comment and let me know your feedback ;)