Siblings with Benefits Ch. 29

"Put your shirt on Mark." I told him. "I left some marks."

"Good call." Mark said as he picked hi t-shirt up off the bureau and slid it on.

After taking a minute to slip his cast back on, and wrap it up, Mark picked up my night shirt and held it up for me. I obediently raised my arms over my head as he slid it over me. I let out a surprised squeal as while the shirt was over my head I felt my brothers tongue flick across my left nipple. Mark pulled the shirt down and after kissing me, gently pushed me back onto the pillows and pulled the covers up, tucking me in as if I were a little kid. I smiled happily at him. Mark spoiled me like no other and I knew he enjoyed it as much as I did.

"I wish you could stay little brother." I said.

"Me too." Mark said, then glancing at the clock which read 5:15 sat on the edge of the bed and took my hand.

"Listen sis when this is over I want us to spend some time together."

I smiled sadly and shrugged.

"That would be great Mark but where? Your place is trashed and we sure as hell can't stay here I've gotten us in enough trouble."

I frowned, as I realized that at this point, I didn't know where I was going. I had been staying with Mark when I took off for New York, and we been staying with Alex the last two weeks. Tommy would take me back if I asked. Not that he should with the way I treated him, but I had learned that he could not say no to me. Sadly I had taken advantage of that fact many times. Even if he did, Mark couldn't stay there Tommy hated him, and of course would expect me to be in his bed, certainly not my brothers. Mark squeezed my hand and with a smile said;

"We're going to stay with the folks of course."

I shook my head.

"I don't know Mark, I..." I sighed. "I wasn't welcome there before and after all this shit Dad..."

"Doesn't have fucking choice." Mark laughed.

"What are you talking about Mark?"

"When Denise came over yesterday, you were napping, and I didn't want to get you up right away, and we talked for awhile." He shrugged. "You're right about Doug Meg; he's still spouting that tough love shit about you and as for me..." Mark paused and grunted;

"Well let's just say that it would be an understatement to say he's said 'I told you so' two hundred times since he found out what I did."

"Max deserved everything he got Mark." I told him sitting up and putting my hand on his shoulder.

I glanced nervously at the clock, knowing Alex would be up soon, and the last thing we would need was to get caught with Mark leaving my room. On the other hand, if Mark wanted to talk, then I sure as hell wasn't going to tell him to leave.

"I didn't say I felt bad about it." Mark said with a nasty smirk. "But it made good old Doug feel vindicated for all those 'there's just something I don't trust about Mark cracks."

"So you think were staying there why?" I asked as a wave of sadness went through me. My father, who for years had referred to me as his little girl didn't even want me in his house anymore, well not to live anyway.

"Because Denise told him that you were doing better, and that I had been through a lot and we both needed a place to stay and..." Mark smiled broadly "She told him that if he didn't like it he could leave because her kids needed her and the choice was his."

"Wow." I said simply.

Mom had always seemed so meek, then again I remembered back when dad had thought Mark and I were fucking in the hotel, how hard she had fought for us and would have never let him throw Mark out. Of course dad had been right all along, just as, sad to say, he had been right about Mark. Dad had predicted Mark would lose it someday and he had in spades. Yet once again, Mark and I were playing injured parties and everyone around us was trying to help. With a sinking feeling in my stomach I wondered how dad would respond if Alex said anything about Mark and I, and he found out he had been right four years ago at that hotel.

"Hey sis you in there?" Mark asked as his hand caressed my cheek.

I nodded and leaned my face into his hand. Mark slid over and kissed my other cheek then started speaking softly in my ear;

"Listen Meg, the practice polygraph is tonight, the real one tomorrow, and the hearing Friday morning."

I started to speak but Mark put his finger to my lips. He looked as if he were going to keep talking, then stopped, and appeared to be listening to something. Mark looked over at the clock, and then standing up, walked over to the bedroom door. I started to ask him if he were leaving just like that, when he reached down and hit the button on the door unlocking it. Mark then came back to the bed and sat down on the edge next to me.

"Are you crazy Mark?" I asked him. "What if Alex..."

"Catches us?" Mark shrugged. "We're just talking."

"Mark..."

"Megan listen to me." Mark said taking my hands in his and looking me in the eye. "Forget about Alex for right now and think about what I said." He smiled, and pulling me towards him gave me a long kiss that made me want to get up and lock the door again. Goddamn my brother could kiss! Mark slipped his arms around my waist, and breaking the kiss hugged me to him. I rested my head on his shoulder and as I did he started talking softly;

"This is all going to be over in a couple of days, and I know you're scared and don't think it will be okay, but I promise that it will be."

"The test Mark," I whispered. "You..."

"I can pass the test Megan," Mark said quietly. "And this is where you just need to trust me Meg, no matter what happens at the run through tonight you just have to know that it will all be okay. Do you believe me?"

"I want to." I answered.

"Then do." Mark kissed the top of my head and continued, "And when it's over we are going to go stay at the folks and you and I are going to spend a lot of time together sis."

Mark hugged me closer to him.

"Just like the old days Meg, play every night and wake up together every morning. We both need it sis. We can stay there as long as we like no?" He grunted.

"Hell I've already been suspended from PC this semester even if I get away with self defense. And I'm pretty sure Mitch isn't going to want me back so I got plenty of time to spend with my beautiful big sister."

I let myself melt completely into my brother's arms. Oh how good that sounded! Over the last few years, whenever I had been really screwed up, I would always lie there and think back to those amazing weekend mornings at the folks waking up in Mark's embrace. Not that we hadn't had a lot of those in his apartment, but things were different there. I was different. Back then I had as bright a future as Mark, and the two of us were enjoying our forbidden passion. Now I was a mess, half the time staying with Mark because I had nowhere else to go. Staying with him because the alternative would be staying with guys to just get what I needed and of course giving them whatever they wanted for it. I could hear Alex's voice in my head clear as day;

"Drugged out whore."

I took a deep breath and held back more tears of frustration. My brother seemed back to himself; strong and confident. Mark seemed convinced he would be okay and I needed to be strong as well so that he could do whatever he needed to. However, as I thought about how fucked up my life had become, I remembered why it was that Mark and I weren't together all the time in the first place. My brother may need me now, but sooner or later he would be fine and back on the right track meaning the last thing he would need was me weighing him down again. All that raced through my mind as Mark held me. I leaned my head up and kissing his neck sat back so I could look at him;

"I'd love that little brother, I really would but..." I hesitated not sure how to say it. "Well it can't be for too long Mark people..."

"Won't think anything sis we'll be back living with the folks it's not like my place where it might look weird."

I shrugged, wondering how to tell him I just didn't want him to get too close to his needy anchor of a sister. I would also be lying to myself if I didn't admit I was afraid of getting too attached to Mark.

"I know Mark, but still, I mean Cynthia has called you here a few times and I had lunch with Tommy while you Alex and Murdock went down to the Green bar"

At the mention of Tommy's name Mark's eyes narrowed, and I felt bad for bringing him up. Not just because Mark mistakenly blamed Tommy for my drug habit, but because he knows Tommy loves me, and that during the times I am straight I have gotten close to him as well. I would never say love as I really didn't think I was capable of it, but Tommy was good to me when I let him be. I also understood Mark's feeling because I had been very jealous of Krissy, and even now it bothered me Cynthia was calling. Cyn as he called her, had been Mark's little plaything for over a year while he fucked whoever he wanted. Lately however, Mark had been talking about her differently, and for her to still want to be around him after Max told me that Cynthia had more than a passing interest in my brother. In an effort to get off the subject of Mark and I's twisted relationships I continued;

"Point is little brother there are people who will wonder why we have no one. I mean it's like I said before...."

"We're not for all the time." Mark said, and I could hear some bitterness creeping into his voice. "I understand that sis, I'm not saying to run to fucking Kentucky and get married like the rest of the inbreds up there. All I'm saying is I want some time with my sister after all this."

I could feel Mark tensing up, and felt even worse than before, but I had to make the point.

"Okay Mark," I said soothingly. "I want that too. I'm just saying we need to be careful and..."

"I need you Meg," Mark cut in. "I know you think I don't but I do sis, so just a few weeks okay?"

"I'd love that." I said feeling a sense of relief flow through me, not just that Mark seemed to understand, but hearing him say he needed me.

"Listen Megan one more thing about after this is finished."

"What is it?" I asked concerned again as Mark had gotten a very intense look on his face.

"I..."

Mark stopped and got that faraway look in his eyes. I hadn't seen that look since the night I had snuck into his room and not only fucked him but convinced him to fight. As I watched, Mark seemed to drift away even further, and even turned his head as if he were listening to something. I saw with a start it was almost six. Was Alex walking around out there? I cocked my own head; because we had both been attacked at night as children, both Mark and I had very acute hearing. I didn't hear anything, and by then Mark seemed to have come back to himself.

"I want us to go away for a few days, be completely alone. Maybe New Hampshire."

"Ummm okay I guess," I said frowning. Mark had blurted that out quickly, as if he were trying to get it out before he stopped. "Any special reason?"

"I..." Once again Mark seemed as if he were struggling, and I found myself wondering if he really were a little unbalanced. "I need to talk to you about something sis."

"And we have to go away for that?" I asked. "Are you okay little brother?"

I asked because Mark had winced and put his hand up to his temple. As I watched he began to rub the spot where the steel plate had been inserted when he was fourteen. I frowned in concern wondering if Max had hit Mark there. Mark had received a concussion from the fight and being right handed most of Max's punches had landed on that side of Mark's face.

"I'm fine." Mark said, but I swear I saw his hand shaking before he put it back down

"So talk to me now Mark," I told him.

Mark shook his head

"I can't right now sis." He winced again but kept his hands in his lap.

"Why not Mark?" I slid over until I was close enough to put my arm around his shoulders. "We can..."

"Look Megan I need to tell you something but it can't be now." Before I could ask why again Mark continued once again looking as if he were struggling to get the words out. "I...I can't tell you until this is all over."

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. I didn't like the look on Mark's face, not at all.

"You can't do that to me Mark." I told him. "Just tell me now." I forced a laugh, and trying to turn it into a joke, pouted and using the little girl voice said;

"Please little brother? If you tell me your big sister will be ohhh so grateful."

Mark shook his head.

"I'm telling you now so that you won't let me off the hook later." He put his head down and whispered; "There's something wrong with me sis and I've never told anyone, not even you. So when this is done and we get some time to rest I want to tell you."

"Mark you..." I swallowed hard. "You're not sick are you?"

The thought of something being seriously wrong with my brother was beyond devastating.

"No," Mark said quickly. "That's not it sis, I promise." Mark kissed my cheek. "Its... look Megan it just has to wait. Like I said I want you to make me tell you. I'll tell you what, we'll go next weekend. I have some money put away."

"Mark what do you mean make you?"

"If I tell you next weekend I don't want to talk, make me." Seeing my concern Mark added; "Right now I can't have you knowing because you'll worry more and..."

Mark sighed,

"I need you to promise me something Meg."

"Anything Mark." I squeezed his hand tightly.

"I was trying to downplay it, but I think your right Alex knows, or thinks he does, and he's playing games."

"I told you Mark!" I said "And now you're in here and I know he's up by now he's going to catch you in here and..."

"Let me finish sis." Mark looked me in the eye and he had that intense look in them. "He is going after you Meg, he's almost positive and probably could have caught us since, but he's playing. He knows that you think he knows, he also knows you're a nervous wreck. He's goading you Meg, wants you to admit it. You haven't, so trust me he is up to something, and it will be during that test."

"I thought you said he wouldn't!"

"I was trying to keep you calm so you would sleep." Mark sighed. "The only way out Meg is to outplay him. I can do it Meg, but you need to promise me that no matter what happens at that test you don't say anything, just sit and let me handle it."

"How are you going to..."

We both jumped as there was a knock on the door.

"Hey Megan is Mark in there?"

I groaned at the sound of Alex's voice. He knew damn well Mark was in here with me. Mark slid further onto the edge of the bed and pushed against my hip with his hand. Taking his cue I slid back to the middle of the bed, and leaned back so I was sitting propped up on the pillows, the sheet up over my legs.

"C'mon in." Mark called out. "It's unlocked."

Just as Alex opened the door it hit me, that Mark's unlocking the door had been smart, if Mark had to unlock the door to let Alex in it would have looked bad. Not for the first time I was amazed by Mark's uncanny self preservation instincts. Still could he get us past Alex when it came down to it? I looked up as Alex entered the room. Alex was dressed in a pair of shorts and a tank top that exposed his powerful shoulders and arms. As he looked at me I recalled the dream I had and looked away.

"Awfully early to be banging on doors isn't Alex?" Mark asked quietly.

"Well it's not like you two weren't up in here." Alex paused and smirked. "Am I interrupting something?"

Alex had looked at me when he said it. Remembering what Mark had said about him taking advantage of my nervousness, I made sure I returned his stare.

"We were just talking." I said quietly.

Alex's smirk grew broader.

"Of course you were," He laughed enjoying himself. "What else would you be doing?" he shook his head. "Think we had this conversation last week."

"Alex?" Mark asked.

"Yeah Mark?"

"It's six am what the fuck do you want?"

Alex turned away for me to look at my brother.

"What's your problem Mark?" Another smile. "Did I disturb you? Would you like me to leave so you can finish..." He glanced back at me as he finished. "Talking?"

"My problem is you looking for me like I'm a friggin kid. What did you want? Or do just like busting my sister's balls?"

As he spoke, Mark stood up and walked over towards where Alex was standing.

"Actually I was going to see if you wanted to go for a run. It's nice and cool out right now." Alex shrugged. "I heard you guys talking so I knocked."

"So you were lurking." Mark stated simply.

He had reached Alex and was staring into his eyes. Alex returned the gaze calmly.

"I listened for a minute, if I didn't hear any," he coughed. "Talking, I wouldn't have knocked."

"So what did you have, your goddamn ear to the door?" Mark asked.

"Nah," Alex said glancing over at me. "I wouldn't need to; Megan over there is pretty loud. Can hear her talking right through the door."

This time I didn't look at Alex, I simply stared past him and out of the bedroom door. From where I was sitting I could see the bar across the living room. There was a bottle of Captain Morgan on top of it. Damn I could use one, settle my nerves down so I could deal with this asshole. Alex saw me staring and turned to look over his shoulder out into the parlor. I dropped my gaze down into my lap hoping it didn't occur to him what I was looking at. Alex turned back and looked like he was going to say something when Mark said;

"Alex, if you've got something to say just fucking say it."

"What do you mean?" Alex asked, his gorgeous blue eyes narrowing as if he didn't know what Mark was talking about. "I was saying that your sister talks really loud."

"No Alex," Mark replied with that all too familiar edge in his voice, "You're busting our fucking balls. If you...."

"Hey Mark chill out," Alex said putting his hands up. "I know you like to stick up for you big sister over there, but all I said was that she was loud." He grinned. "Hell, loud isn't always a bad thing is it?"

"No Alex, you know exactly what you're doing."

Mark stepped right up to Alex and I started to get nervous. My brother's body language was aggressive; he was trying to use that air of indignation the two of us had always gotten if we thought anyone was suggesting that we were closer than we should be. Warner did not step back ,instead he spread his hands out as if he still didn't I know why Mark was upset.

"Damn Mark, I just wanted to see if you wanted to go jogging, figured it would be good for you. As for knocking," he laughed. "I knew you were in here because you weren't anywhere else and figured if you were in here you guys were up." The smirk made another appearance. "I mean it's not like you guys would be doing anything except T..."

"Stop with the bullshit Alex" Mark snapped. "You know damn well the game your fucking playing." He raised his left arm pointing his injured hand in Alex's face. "You've been busting Megan's balls ever since last week."

"Calm down Mark," Alex said. "I don't know what the hell she was all upset about last week and I don't know why you're all jerked off now."

"Oh please Alex, I'm not one of those stupid rich assholes you hang around with I..."

"Enough Mark." Alex said.

He had said it quietly, but there was now a tone in his voice as well. Reaching up he put his hand on the cast on Mark's arm and pushed it away.

"Am I playing around? Yeah maybe a little but know what? If sis over there wasn't acting like the cat that ate the canary I wouldn't have even asked her what was going on. Then she gets all flustered and starts flipping out." Alex shrugged. "Hell she said you were talking last week too, so okay the two of you talk a lot."

Alex had once again emphasized the word talk. My stomach was now in knots. Mark was not handling this right; it was if he was trying to get Alex to accuse us on the spot. In the past we had fooled others but Alex was far too shrewd for this. Mark was extremely smart, already demonstrating a lawyer's ability to get people to admit to things without even knowing they were, but Alex was older than my brother, and had been running a multimillion dollar business since he had been my age. With a sinking feeling I realized my brother was out of his league.