Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 37

(Angel's POV)

It was the way he looked at me. Dr. Joe.

I felt his eyes every time I walked down the hall. Every time I sat in the cafeteria or passed by his office, it was like his gaze burned through my skin. It had been days now and I couldn't shake it off. The tension was thick like fog and it was suffocating me.

I knew he was onto me. Onto us.

Hendrix didn't seem to notice as much because he'd been distracted and honestly a little more careless than I liked. But I saw it. Every glance and every smirk Dr. Joe threw my way. He knew we were snooping around and I got the feeling he was waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.

But I wouldn't let him intimidate me.

Not today.

I rounded the corner and my stomach twisted into knots as I saw Dr. Joe standing near the entrance to the common room. He was chatting with one of the nurses, and his smile looked too wide and too perfect. He saw me coming and something shifted in his gaze. His eyes darkened and for a moment I thought about turning around.

But I didn't. I kept walking. Straight toward him.

"Angel," he greeted me with a chilling smile and his voice sounded smooth and calm. "How are you doing today?"

My heart thudded against my chest but I forced myself to smile back. "I'm fine, Dr. Joe. Just keeping busy."

"Busy, hmm?” His eyes flickered with something I couldn't figure out. Amusement? Suspicion? I couldn't tell. "I've noticed you've been quite active lately. You and Hendrix both."

I stiffened. "We're just trying to adjust to the routine here. It's been an experience."

He chuckled softly. "I imagine it has been. This place can be overwhelming for new patients."

The way he said "overwhelming" sent a shiver down my spine. It was like he was toying with me, seeing how much I knew and how far I'd gone. But I didn't back down. I couldn't. "It's a wellness center," I replied and kept my voice steady. "I suppose that's part of the experience, right? Helping us get better?"

slightly and his eyes narrowed a bit. "Of course. We're here to help.

swallowed and felt the weight of his words.

more threatening. "I hope not, Angel. Because if you were

was. The threat, hidden behind his professional tone. He was warning me

my voice turned cold. "But I think I'll be

he finally nodded and his smile never quite

walked away before I said something I'd regret. My heart raced as I put as much distance between us as possible. His words echoed in my mind but I pushed them aside. I couldn't let him scare me.

stolen glances. Every time I saw Hendrix and every time our eyes

at me. I needed to talk to him. I needed to clear the air and figure out what was happening between us. But every time I tried, something held me

more time together. Late-night talks and casual conversations, the pressure of hiding our plans-it was all pushing us closer. Closer to something I wasn't sure I

that night, it all came crashing

...

just finished talking to one of the doctors, and I saw the strain on his

and stepped inside. He looked up and his eyes flickered with something I couldn't

it?" I asked and kept my

slipped for a moment. "Same

handing them to him. He took them without a word and swallowed the pills with a grimace. I watched him as my heart pounded in my chest. Now. I had

eyes snapped to mine, and for

voice was

"We need to talk about it. We need to... clear things

out? Angel, there's nothing to clear out. It happened. End

that simple, is it?

eyes darkened. "What do you want me to say, huh?

and felt the tension between us

voice rose. "You want to keep pretending like nothing's changed? Like we're just siblings? Because I'm telling you right now, Angel, that's not

words hit me like a punch to the gut.

neat and tidy. But this? Us? It's not something you can fix." I shook my head as my heart pounded in