Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 34

(Angel's POV)

I had been trying to talk to Thomas for days.

Every time I got close, he brushed me off or changed the subject like he was avoiding something. It started to feel strange.

I found him in the common room, and he sat alone with his eyes glued to the TV, but I knew he wasn't really watching.

"Thomas," I started, but he barely glanced my way.

"Not now, Angel," he muttered without looking up. His fingers tapped anxiously on the armrest of the couch.

"Then when?" I pressed and stepped closer, refusing to let him slip away this time. "This is important."

He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "Look, I don't have time for this."

But I felt it in my gut that he was hiding something, something that could help us. "We need your help," I insisted and lowered my voice so no one else could hear. "You've been here longer than anyone. You know more about this place than we do."

For a second, his expression shifted and something dark crossed his face. Then it was gone, replaced by that same lazy mask.

"Look, Angel, you don't know what you're asking." His voice was low like he was warning me.

"Why won't you help us?" I asked, frustrated. "We're trying to figure out what's happening here. Don't you care about getting out of this place?"

"I do." His voice was cold now. "But you don't know what you're messing with."

The others shuffled into the room-Hendrix, Eddie, Bundah-and Thomas stood up and shoved his hands into his pockets. The casual and lazy way he moved couldn't hide the tension in him.

Then, out of nowhere, he said, "Alright, fine. I'll help you." The words spilled out like they didn't belong to him.

My eyebrows shot up. "What?"

"I'll help you gather proof. About Dr. Joe. About all of this." He waved his hand and gestured to the room, the building, the mess we were all stuck in. "But only if you're serious."

I blinked and felt surprised by the sudden shift. Just moments ago, he was avoiding me. Now he was offering to help?

I nodded slowly. "Of course, I'm serious."

"Good," he said flatly. "We'll talk later."

...

Later after everyone drifted off, I cornered Thomas in the hallway.

"I want to know why," I said and stared him down. "Why now? Why the change of heart?"

Thomas leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. "Let's just say I don't want to see anyone else get hurt."

I wasn't buying it. There was more he wasn't saying and I needed to know what it was. "You're being weird, Thomas. What's really going on?"

His eyes flickered toward me and for the first time I saw something uneasy.

Hendrix,"

a beat.

stepped closer and his voice dropped. "You're not fooling anyone. The way you look at him...it's more than just being

ran down my spine.

it is, you'd better

in his tone, something bitter and jealous, and I couldn't shake the discomfort that settled in my

eyes that stayed dark and unblinking. "Do you really think he's the best for you? After everything

my fists at my sides to keep my voice steady. "Hendrix is my stepbrother. I care

believe a word I was saying. "If

...

(Hendrix's POV)

shouldn't have

shouldn't have

too close, talking in hushed voices. His eyes were on her

Something he shouldn't.

for but I couldn't stay. I couldn't watch them. Not

raced. I needed to clear my head. I needed to stop thinking

felt even though it

my arms. It wasn't enough. I needed more. I needed to

...

light but I

Like it

pulled the weight

she continued softly. "But something about him feels off. I don't know if we can trust

and focused on

little more insistent. "Hendrix, are you even listening

place with a loud clang. Angel jumped and her eyes went wide as she

are you always acting like my

stared at me in

pounded. "You're always telling me what to do and

face mixed with confusion and hurt. "Because you're my brother, Hendrix. Isn't that enough of

and the air between us crackled with something I

silence that

step back, her eyes wide. "What... what are you

us and my voice grew

her hands up and pressed against

couldn't. I wouldn't. "You've been on me about everything since we got here and even before. I know you feel it

caught and her eyes darted between mine, searching for something.

bitter and sharp. "Are

and her resolve

and my voice turned low and dangerous. "Because it sure as hell doesn't feel that

need to focus on the plan and get you treated, getting out of here.

Angel. Always focused on everything except what's right in

"Oh, you mean like how you can't stay focused for more than five minutes? One second you're all about the plan and the next,

I laughed. "Does it bother you that much,

lips into a thin line.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled