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Jesse would shove Jacob into the corner and lie over him so that if their father did come into the room, he couldn’t get to Jacob. He was the older brother. It might have been by just a few minutes, but he was meant to protect Jacob.

His brother often teased him that Jesse’s over protectiveness stemmed from trying to save him. Since Jacob was the smartest person that Jesse knew, Jesse was okay with the teasing. Because he was overprotective. Jesse knew that about himself. It could be a problem in the future since Lake was such an independent person.

If Jesse had his choice, Lake would never have to see or talk to his family again.

Jesse knew the pain and trauma of letting family go. He was also an expert on what happened when someone allowed their family to control them.

“Why are you thinking so hard?”

Jesse jerked as the soft voice surprised him. “What?”

Lake’s cheerful giggle raised the hairs on Jesse’s arms.

“Why are you awake?” Jesse asked as he hugged Lake tight from behind.

“You were thinking so loudly that it woke me up,” Jesse responded.

“I was not!” Little sassy boy. Jesse smiled.

Lake gripped the hand that Jesse had laid on his stomach. “What were you thinking about?”

Jesse sighed. It already felt like he’d split his wrist and bled all over the place to share his story.

“You don’t have to,” Lake said quietly.

And now he did. “I was lying here thinking that the only other person that I’ve shared a bed with is Jacob.”

“Your brother?” Lake asked. “I’m not trying to be a brat but I know you’ve had sex with other men.”

Jesse snorted. “Of course I have. That doesn’t mean that I’ve slept with them after. I’ve never held anyone like this.”

“You’re trying to tell me that I’m special,” Lake commented.

“No, I was just answering your question. About what I was thinking about.”

“I never had to share a bed with my brothers, but I shared a room growing up with Jack and Brex. Justice and Lenon shared. After Justice left Jack moved in with Lenon leaving me with Brex,” Lake shared.

“You lived in the apartment with Jack and Brex?” Jesse knew that Lake hadn’t enjoyed his time with his brothers.

“After I got back from the service,” Lake replied. “It was either them or my parents.”

“You were old enough to live alone,” Jesse pointed out. He didn’t mean to push but getting Lake to talk about his family was like pulling teeth.

“In this economy?” Lake asked. “I could live alone but I don’t know that I could afford it.”

“There’s more,” Jesse said. He kissed the back of Lake’s neck in encouragement.

“I don’t like being by myself,” Lake said. “Living alone.”

Jesse could understand that. It was a whole different world with Jacob several hours away.

“There’s something about the noise and chaos that I find comforting.” Lake snorted. “That sounds so stupid.”

“It doesn’t,” Jesse assured his boy.

“Yes, it does.” Lake rolled so they were facing each other.

“My brothers are complete assholes. Living with them was terrible. I still stayed because it was better than being alone,” Lake told him.