Jp didnât tend to head out for lunch when everyone else did, instead opting to bring something packed or bunker down and crank out another hour of work, yet today was a slow day. Nothing coming in, and everything they were tasked with doneâ for now. So with a bit of convincing he pulled his jacket on and dashed out with the rest of them.
It reminded him of being back at Yale. Walking to the dining hall with his roommate and friends, except minus the thought of making it to his next class. Miriam is trying to tell a story through her laughter as he and a few others wait at the corner.Â
Everyone goes silent for a moment and looks in his direction, before he can even process whatâs going on he feels a hand hit the back of his head. He quickly turns on his heels to see his brother. Itâs a surprise, and knowing whatâs to happen nextâ not a pleasant one. He stumbles back slightly as Mac goes at his torso. Rocky, not one of his favourites but quotes were repeated so often in his house, it be a miracle if he didnât recognize it.
âMac!â He huffs. His voice acerbic as he grabs his brotherâs fist. âWhat a pleasure it is to see you,â he says, sarcasm laid on thick. Although this attack may seem out of the ordinary to literally anyone else, heâs been on the receiving end of these for years.Â
He turns back to his friends. âGuys, this is my pain in the ass brother Maxwellâ or Mac. Mac, this is Miriam, Sienna, Jack and Ann-Marie.â He points to each of them as he lists of their names before turning back to his brother. âWhy are you here and how the fuck did you know it was me?â
At JPâs reaction, a smug smirk stretches along Macâs lips, bright blue eyes holding the same old mischievous glint indicating there is more to come. Evidently, showing off in front of a crowd was a genetic inheritance: look at the way the boy grabbed his fist! D.C. had toughened him up, or perhaps itâs one of his friends heâs trying to impress.Â
For any onlookers, Mac almost looks like a bully, so he swings his arm to rest on his brotherâs shoulder, flashing a smile at the interns -- heâd already forgotten their names, hadnât really paid attention when JP was introducing them, Mary and Sarah, was it? -- and offering a head of acknowledgement.Â
âThe bigger and better one; pleasure,â he quips, and before he can decide which one of them is the most attractive, heâs faced with JP.Â
âAlright, you little pit bull, calm down.â he says, chuckling lowly. âMum told me to take you out for lunch. Sheâs worried youâre not eating well,â he lies. He wanted to take his brother out for lunch. âThe boys in the office are going for steak; I turned that down for you,â he says, pointing at his brother. âSo, quit complaining, grab your shit, and letâs go.âÂ
He catches one of the interns looking, and he simply grins back with a small nod. âAnd, by the way, Iâll be able to recognise my half-pint sized brother from the moon, so start getting used to it,â he teases with a squeeze of the shoulder.Â