Second Choice

Chapter 1

Third person pov.

        Max has always been different than most. When everyone was out partying he was in his room reading or being dragged around by his twin brother, Miles. He didn't really mind, he loves his brother and will do anything for him. Since their parents are always away in business he takes it as a responsibility, to protect his brother even if they are the same age. Even so, Miles takes it upon himself to take advantage of his brother, knowing really well that his brother will do as he asked. That is how he is. A pushover, and he doesn't care either way. How can he say no? He has to do everything so that his brother can be happy.

Why is that? Why does he have to be like that? It's his parent's fault for leaving everything to him, he takes it upon himself to be an adult and make the decisions. 

        Marta and Roy Wheeler, a power couple that are most of the time out of the country on business trips, are the twins' parents. Marta is the owner of a company that manufactures makeup and Roy has a multi-billion company that specializes in electronics. She is 48 years old and Roy is 50 years old, they love their children but they have it in their heads that they are doing this for them. Missing out on important moments of their life, including Miles' rebellion and the way he treats his brother. They are both alphas, it was really hard for Marta to get pregnant with the boys but the fact that both were mates helped. 

The marriage was a business proposal by the parents but when they realized they were mates they accepted rapidly. Which was a surprise because Marta had a boyfriend at the time and Roy was about to propose to his girlfriend, Jenny, of 3 years. What was more funny was that Jenny ended up breaking up with him before he even had a word out, she realized she liked women. Meanwhile, with Daniel, Marta's boyfriend, was more difficult, he was in love with her and didn't care at all that she found her soulmate. He was a lone wolf, he gets to choose his mate but can't get someone that already has one, a fact that should have been a sign because he couldn't get a connection with her.

        He ended up accepting it but still bitter about it, they stayed friends, imagine the irony when he ended up with her younger brother, Mark. They now owned a little cafe and have two sons, a 17 year old, John and a 16 year old, Dave. Mark is an omega, so he gave birth to the boys. Both boys go to the same school as their cousins. Much to Miles' misfortune, he doesn't like them. Max in exchange loves expending time with them, more with Dave than John but still loves both equally. John is more the athletic type, he plays baseball and Dave is more artistic, he plays the guitar and is in the school's music club. 

Dave, even if he is the youngest, tells Miles every time he gets to be less selfish with his brother and let him have his own life. That is one of the reasons for Miles' dislike for his cousin. Max always tells them he is okay, that they shouldn't worry but they can't help it, they know Miles is bad news. If only they knew how right they were at the moment.

        Not taking in consideration that by always being at work they forget to pay attention to them, one of the main reasons for Miles disrespect for feelings and his brothers choices. If only everything could be different, maybe Miles wouldn't be as selfish as he is. It's so exhausting to keep going on with the same scenario over and over again, whatever Miles wants, he gets. Max is tired of everything but he doesn't show it. For years it has always been the same and it hasn't changed, Miles this, Miles that. He is always optimistic but sometimes he gets this feeling of self doubt and fear. Fear of being forgotten and only being remembered as Miles' brother and nothing more. The one who gave up everything for him without anything in return. How can he look at himself in the mirror if he doesn't even remember who he is or what he is supposed to be.

The only times that he can be himself, as much as he can guess, is when he is reading a book. Getting immersed in the adventure that he himself can never have. A future dream. To be his own person, just Max. The other escape will be painting, but each painting only shows what he himself doesn't know. Love, longing and freedom. Will he ever get to experience that? He knows his parents love him but, can you feel the love of someone you barely see? His brother is another story, he can't even guess what goes around in his head. He only knows what he feels for him, never to ask what his twin brother thinks. Max feels so weird sometimes, he is someone that you will take a look at and say "How lucky he must be?". But, is he really lucky? 

        For him it doesn't feel that way, just fake it till you make it. That way you can at least feel some kind of relief. Like you can really start thinking like and start feeling like it. Tricking the mind into thinking that that is how he feels, giving him a sense of belonging. How pathetic, right? That is how he feels every time, even if his best friend says otherwise. That is Jonah, Max's best friend. They don't see each other much because everyday is Miles day. Jonah has always been there for him, even if it's not always face to face. He is lucky to have him, making him one of the reasons to be happy even when everything feels like it is falling apart. Jonah is 18 years old, the same age as the twins. The only downside is that he doesn't go to the same school. Cutting their time together by more than half.

It's another loss that he has, not being able to have more time with his best friend. The one that is always there for him, more than even his parents and brother. It feels really wrong to say but he just needs Jonah and his cousins in his life to be happy, and his brother; when he is not in one of his moods. Just how can something good be something bad at the same time. Parents are supposed to be there for you, not going around, his uncles are more parents than his own. Then, if you knew you didn't have the time to be a parent, why did you have them?

It's so frustrating, he asked himself the same question over and over again, why have us when you don't have time? Just why? 

         A kid the age he first was when he had to stay with a nanny just wasn't something that did any good. To be 2 years old and ask yourself, are you my mommy? To a stranger that you barely knew. It wasn't as daily as today but it was better.

When he was younger it was more easy being himself, how amazing those years were till they were over. His brother started changing when his parents started being at home less and less each passing week. Even he understood the hurt his brother was feeling but, why can't I hurt too? Does he have to always hide what he feels to make others feel better. Is this what his life is going to be. Always others first then him, always last.

Max pov.

        Positive, only positive thoughts, that is what he always tells himself. You won't want someone unhappy taking everything head on. I always have to wake up, look at the mirror and repeat to myself to be strong if not for me, for my brother. He needs me, even more than me. He hides it well but deep inside he is really insecure, that is why he acts like that. He is more delicate than me, that is why I let him order me around. He really needs me.

Coming to think of it, my parents told me before that Miles is someone that likes to attract attention and that he hates to be second. They sent him to a psychologist before because he at first was mean to me, he wanted to be the oldest sibling. Which baffles me, for one, he is immature and likes to be the center of attention. He will be a disaster as an older brother. He walks all over me either way, so it's like that anyway.

        I think that is one of the reasons my parents didn't have more kids. They wanted a big family but with a brother like mine that won't be possible. I may love my brother and do anything he asked but even I know that my brother takes advantage of this. I just let him because it hasn't become a problem, at least not yet. His requests are most about going to a party with him, helping him with his room, his homework and cooking for him. A freaking nanny, housekeeper, tutor and cook. That is what I am to him.

I just hope he changes for the better one day, I know it won't happen anytime soon. Knowing him, maybe when he has kids and understands the pain in the butt that he is. Funny, huh? How I think that only by having to care for a little one will he understand that the world doesn't revolve around him. But even then, can he really change for the better?

        That will keep clogging my mind, the thought of knowing if he will ever be a better person and a better version of himself. How will he survive with his way of thinking? I don't know what to think of this. But the bigger thing to know is, will I be able to move on? Even if he doesn't need me anymore. That will be the most difficult thing in my entire life, how will I ever know how to be there just for me, not him, or anyone else, just me.

Sometimes I think about running away from here, how freeing it must feel. Being away from everything you once knew, others may think twice but I wouldn't. I want to get away for a little while, not long because I will miss my family. I just want a break from everything. My family, responsibilities and more importantly, my brother.

        Then everything comes crashing down, my whole life has always been him and me against the world, how can I change that out of a sudden. I can't do that to him or to myself. We are all we got. When no one was around it was him and me, when my parents thought to leave us, and even when they were with us, it's just us. I don't know how to feel about it, I don't know what I really need anymore.

For thoughts like that is why I stay cooped out in my room. It has become a normal thing to me. It helps me get everything in order. Moreover, my brother still finds time to mess that up to.

I fell asleep without knowing, It felt freeing, to just give my thoughts a rest. But that didn't last long, nothing new there.

I hear my phone ringing, I don't feel surprised when I see Miles. He was out in a movie theater with some friends watching some movie. Didn't care to ask what movie.

            "Hello"  My voice sounded sleepy, he is going to freak. I just know it.

            "Don't hello me, you are supposed to pick me up from the movies, move it. I'm waiting inside, call me when you arrive"  When he said that he just hung up. Not surprised there, he only cares about getting his point across. 

What did I do in my past life to have him as a brother, I keep reminding myself that love him, but man is he ever going to stop being a pain in my back.

I got there in 10 minutes, lucky for me knowing his temper. That is one of the things he loves about me, or so he says. He doesn't like waiting, not that he cares to make others wait for him. Hypocrite if you ask me.

When he got in the car, he just stayed silent. Seems he doesn't want to talk now. Too bad for him, I will anyway.

            "Did you have fun?."  It's just so funny to mess with him, I know he hates it. That is why I do it, it's more of a little payback for being such a pain. He only talks to me when he wants something from me. Stupid, I know, but what can I do. That is what he is like.

I can't change him, he will still be himself even if the way he portraits will get him in trouble one day.