Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 17

Angel's POV

"Is that all you think about when you look at me?" he asked again.

I didn't get what he was implying. Or I pretended not to understand.

I felt a flutter in my chest, and my mind went blank. I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. I cleared my throat, trying to compose myself. "I... uh..."

I couldn't think of a response, and my eyes dropped to his hand, still holding mine.

But before I could continue, Hendrix smiled, seeming to enjoy my flustered state. "Seriously, Angel," he repeated, his voice a little softer now. "Do you only see me as your stepbrother?" Finally I got myself.

Why was I feeling flustered by him?

I glared at him and snatched my hand away. "Maybe I spoke too soon," I said, trying to regain my composure. "You're still a kid, and you still act like one. The only thing you know how to do is charm girls."

Hendrix's eyebrows shot up, and he let out a low chuckle. "Woah, so you think I'm charming?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I stammered, feeling my face heat up. "I-I didn't mean it like that."

Hendrix chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. I punched his arm, trying to play it cool. "Shut up."

We both laughed together, the tension between us dissipating. For a moment, it felt like old times, like we were just two friends joking around. But as we sat there, catching our breath, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between us.

I began to notice things I hadn't thought much about before. The way Hendrix's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. Or the way his long hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. I felt a flutter in my chest, and I quickly looked away, trying to shake whatever feeling that was.

What were you apologizing for?" I

looked away for a moment before answering. "I lied to you, Angel. I wasn't with a

felt surprised and hurt. "What do you mean? Why did

his temples. "I don't know, okay? I just didn't want to deal with your worry and concern.

"But why did you feel like you had to lie to me? What were you really doing all this

low

back straightened immediately and my eyes narrowed. "What kind of

of LiveLaughLong Wellness Center online. No website, no social media, no reviews.

have mistook it for disbelief because he

found, Angel. Or rather, what I didn't find. And

under

looked at me concerned, "Are

my own research before agreeing to come here. I just

eyes locked onto mine.

was legit because Mom said so.

in

eyes locked on Hendrix's. "And

mention of Dr. Nixon's name, Hendrix stiffened, and I noticed a flicker of something in his eyes. But he

asked, his voice a little

nerves. And let me tell you,

serious. "Angel, you shouldn't go around

a little incredulously. "That's my line, Hendrix.

You

Dr. Nixon, maybe all the doctors and medics, Hendrix. I mean...this whole place! You said it yourself, they don't exist. What instifution doesn't exist online in the twenty-first century? When I confronted