Older Brothers

46

• Charlie •

When we pulled up at the house, Khloe got out of the car without a word. I let her go, figuring there was nothing to say to her at the moment. I didn't know what to say to her at the moment.

I got it, I did. But then I didn't aswell. Khloe's the most readable and unreadable person I've ever known and I should be the one person that could read her all the time. I guess that's why I can't stand Addison.

Addison's always been skilled in reading people, like she was always looking for something in someone when there appeared to be nothing to see. It's a special talent of hers, but it's something I despise. Especially when she uses it on my sister and sees something that should be right in front of me.

I wasn't like my other brothers. Khloe knew that. I never ignored her before, I was always there for her. I didn't shut myself off from them the same way she did, though. The older she got, the less time she seemed to want to spend with them. She'd rather be on the phone to Maddie all night than hang out with us in the living room.

At the time, I sort of got it. When Khloe was with us, she would always get teased. When she was younger, she'd just get upset until one of our brothers told her they were only playing around. But soon enough she didn't get upset anymore, sometimes she'd just take the teasing and not say anymore. I thought she had just risen above it, but now I think different.

"You all right, Charlie?" Jake asked me as we walked into the kitchen and Khloe had already disappeared upstairs, in the same way that she used to.

"She's shutting herself off." I said, sitting down at the island.

Jake nodded, seemingly agreeing. "I don't know what more we can do."

Tommy looked unsure, looking at our brothers and then Chase, who was leaning against the counter. "If she doesn't start talking to us maybe it is a good idea we tell Dad. He'll know what to do." Tommy said.

I didn't say anything, I didn't know what was good for her at the moment.

"We should give it a bit more time. It's early days. There's no need to make any decisions now." Chase said, folding his arms over his chest.

"I feel like we should do something. I feel powerless." I said.

Jake looked at me sympathetically and placed his hand on my shoulder. "I know, char. We all do and we know it's worse for you, but we've got to remember it's that much worse for Khloe." He said.

I nodded. "I know, that's just what makes it so hard." I said, I looked over at Chase. "What do you think Dad will do if he finds out?"

I already knew he was considering sending her away, but I wasn't asking that. I didn't want to even think about that right now.

Chase looked unsure slightly. "It's hard to tell. I think he'll insist on therapy." He said.

I nodded. "Not sending her away?"

Chase drew his eyebrows together slightly. "I don't know, Charlie."

I sighed. "That can't happen. I won't let him do that." I said. "If she goes away who has she got? She's only got us right now and she seems to be pushing all her friends away. I can't bare the thought of her having no one."