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?"

narrowed a bit. "Of course. We're here to help. But sometimes patients get curious. They start digging into things

the weight of his words. "I wouldn't know anything about

and more threatening. "I hope not, Angel.

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

my voice turned cold. "But I

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.

and stolen glances. Every time I saw Hendrix and every time our eyes met, I was reminded of that kiss. Of the way my body reacted

us. But every time I tried, something held me back. Was it fear or shame? I wasn't sure. Maybe it was

Despite everything-despite the lies and the danger and the fear-we were spending more time together. Late-night talks and casual conversations, the pressure of hiding our plans-it was all pushing us closer. Closer to

that night, it all

...

one of the doctors, and I saw the strain on his face and the way his body tensed as

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

I asked and kept

shrugged, and his usual bravado slipped for a moment. "Same

word and swallowed the pills with a grimace. I watched him as my

to mine, and for a moment, neither

it?" His voice was

need to talk about it. We need to...

sound. "Clear things out? Angel, there's nothing to clear out. It

simple, is it? We

closer and his eyes darkened. "What do you want me to say, huh? That it was a mistake? That

between

just what?" he snapped and his voice rose. "You want to keep pretending like nothing's changed? Like we're just siblings? Because I'm

like a punch

the anger in his eyes and the frustration. "You're always trying to control everything. Always trying to fix things and make them neat and tidy. But this? Us?