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.

and Hendrix," he said

beat. "What

closer and his voice dropped. "You're not fooling anyone. The

chill ran down my spine. "Thomas, you're

me off, "whatever it is, you'd better be careful. Relationships like

jealous, and I couldn't shake the discomfort that settled in my

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

my sides to keep my voice steady.

didn't believe a word I was saying.

...

(Hendrix's POV)

shouldn't have

shouldn't have seen

talking in hushed voices. His eyes were on her like he

Something he shouldn't.

grabbed the bottle of water I came for but I couldn't stay. I couldn't

my

felt

threw myself into the weights and pulled hard against the resistance machine, feeling the burn in my arms. It wasn't enough. I needed more.

...

were light but I heard her. I always

Like it didn't twist something inside me to hear his name from her

grunted and pulled

"But something about him feels off. I don't know

on the machine.

was a little more insistent. "Hendrix, are you even listening

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

"Why are you always acting

me

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

confusion and hurt. "Because you're

between us crackled with something I couldn't control. "I don't want you to just be

silence that

took a step back, her eyes wide. "What... what are

grew low and rough. "You

her hands up and pressed against my chest, trying to push me away. "Hendrix,

me about everything since we got here and even before. I know you feel

mine, searching for something. "We... we

laughed, bitter and sharp. "Are

and

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

"We need to focus on the plan and get

humorous. "You're always so serious, Angel. Always focused on everything except what's right in

you can't stay focused for more than five minutes? One second you're all about the plan

"Does it bother you that much, Angel? Ava being

lips

wrist and pulled