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?"

here to help.

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

colder and more threatening. "I hope not, Angel. Because if you were to overstep, there could be consequences. Dire

The threat, hidden behind his professional tone. He was warning me to stop. But I wouldn't.

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

moment longer before he finally nodded and his smile never quite

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

Every time I saw Hendrix and every time our

what was happening between us. But every time I tried, something

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

...

finished talking to one of the doctors, and I saw the strain on his face and the way his body tensed as he stood by

up and his eyes flickered with something I couldn't place. Was

was it?" I asked and kept

his usual bravado slipped for a moment. "Same

and swallowed the pills with a grimace. I watched him as my heart pounded in my chest. Now. I had to

for a moment, neither of us said

it?" His voice was low

to talk

wasn't a happy sound. "Clear things out? Angel, there's nothing

that simple, is it? We can't just pretend it

do you want me to say, huh? That it

the tension between us build. "I don't know.

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

words hit me like a punch to

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