Her Brother, Her Mate

“Mornin’ sis. What’s up?”

“I thought you would be sleeping longer?”

“I was planning to, but Court called. Calum was at swimming practice and she wanted to show me he could finally do it without the floaties.”

“Aww, my nephew is the smartest little 2-year-old in the world. Of course, he doesn’t need no floaties,” I boasted smugly.

“Damn straight. Gets it from his daddy,” Casey smirks.

“You mean his auntie?” I quirked up my eyebrow.

Casey laughs loudly, “Sure. Tell yourself that.”

“I will,” I smirked at him, “So, can I talk to you for a bit?” I asked him, shifting from our playful banter to a more serious tone.

Casey looks at me, studying my shift in mood. “If this is about your fang boy, don’t worry. No, I didn’t like him. Not sure if I still fully approve, but we talked and I’ll play nice. He doesn’t seem like a bad guy. We just won’t be braiding each other’s hair anytime soon.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, “This wasn’t about Vincent, but while we are on that top, let’s discuss you not being so hostile towards him. He’s my mate, Case. I don’t know why you don’t approve, but he is an amazing man and you shouldn’t judge him without getting to know him.”

“I just don’t like my sister being mated to a guy who has probably seduced and slept with half of Miami. You deserve better than that,” he huffs, crossing his arms over his bare chest.

I scoffed, not liking the judgment in his tone. In mine and Vincent’s relationship, I’m the one that fits that description better than he does. Vincent is a saint compared to my experience, and I feel like Casey judging Vincent like that is like he’s judging me.

“I am the second girl Vincent has even slept with and the first woman he has dated to any degree. You shouldn’t judge people without getting to know them, you a*s. By your definition, I’m the one that doesn’t deserve him. I’ve slept with way more people. Hell, you’re here because of my last f**k buddy getting too attached. Don’t you dare think I’m going to tolerate you talking s**t on my mate just because you’re my brother. He is nothing like what you are accusing him of and you owe him an apology.”

I turn my nose up and cross my arms across my chest, completely pissed at this point. How dare he accuse my mate of that kind of crap. Casey was more of a man w***e than Vin, though I know he didn’t sleep around as much as the other guys, he still had his occasional hook-ups.

“What about him and Carli, then?” Casey asks, stubbornly trying to hold his argument, though I know he isn’t as sure of himself anymore. “He was after her, wasn’t he?”

“And so were you!” I almost screamed at him. “Does Courtney hold that against you?! You tried for years to get with Carli. You’re mated to her cousin now. If Courtney isn’t holding that against you, why the hell do you think you have the right to hold that against him?”

Casey sighs heavily, dropping his arms from his chest before pulling me into a hug. I fought against his hold, still having my arms crossed and pushing against his bulky frame with my elbow.

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Sims. You’re my sister. I’m allowed to have double standards with you, but you’re right. I didn’t want to argue with you. I’ll try to get along with him. I promise.”

“You better, because he’s going to be your damn brother-in-law,” I glared at him, raising my left hand to show him my ring. He leans back and grabs my hand to examine the ring closer, whistling softly.

“Guy must be loaded,” he smirks, “That’s good, cuz you’re kinda high maintenance.”

“Screw you,” I scoffed, pulling my hand from his and hitting his chest, making him laugh.

“Congrats, sis. I’m happy for you.”

“Better be,” I tried to maintain my glare, but a small smile lifted the corners of my mouth.

“I am. I feel sorry for him, though. He hasn’t seen your shoe closet yet, has he?” he laughs, then huffs as I punch him in the stomach. “I’m just kidding! Quit your violence,” he laughs, “So if Vincent isn’t the reason you wanted to talk, what is?”

My arrogance and defiance dropped and my face turned solemn thinking about Carli upstairs with Parker, and the brokenness I had just witnessed from her. Casey, alarmed by my change in mood, instantly tenses up.

“What is it? Is it that fairy fucker? Did he do something else?”

I shook my head quickly to reassure him, “No, no. It’s not that. It’s Carli.”

“Carli? What happened to Carli? Is she okay?”

I offered him a sad smile, “Not really. She’s been suffering from depression, I guess, and her b***h of a mother triggered another episode last night. She’s….not okay, Casey. I’ve never seen her so broken.”

Casey growls softly in his chest. He knows, probably better than even me, how much Mary has abused Carli over the years. He hates her. Loathes her. “What did she do?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but Parker said something along the lines of accusing her of being a bad parent.”

Casey scoffs, “She is the last person who should accuse anyone of that.”

“I know. Everyone knows that. Carli, it seems, took it to heart, though, and is….she’s not good, Case. It’s scary how not okay she is. It’s scaring me, and it is scaring the hell out of Parker. He has so much to deal with already, but you know he is going to put her before anything else.”

Casey nods, “As he should. I’ll talk with Trevor and Matt and see if I can step in and relieve some of his burden with pack s**t. I’ll take over working with Cathal and the fairy knights too.”

I nodded, “Thank you. I’m sure he would appreciate that. I’m going to be sticking around Carli more and helping with Rosie. And….there is one more thing that would be a huge relief and help for Parker and me.”

“What’s that? Anything.”

I bit my l*p, “Can you borrow Carli’s bike? Parker said that the last time she was like this he was scared for her when she would leave to ride alone for hours. You know how she is. She’s reckless on a good day. He is scared something might happen to her, and he has no way of tracking her now. If you could borrow the bike, making it seem like it’s your idea and not Parker trying to take her freedom away, then it would relieve a lot of his stress.”

“No problem,” he smiled sadly, “Poor guy. Yeah, I’ll ask her today if I can take it. I’ll tell her it’s easier to maneuver the city in.”

“Thanks.”

Casey pulls me in for another hug, “She’s like my sister too. Don’t thank me. I get a crotch rocket to play on during my stay, so no problem at all.”

I laugh softly, letting Casey’s soothing and familiar scent and strong arms comfort me. I was shaken after seeing Carli broken and crying, but Casey is again being my rock and anchor, steadying me through rough waters.