Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 69

(Hendrix's POV)

I've tried to be patient and understanding but Thomas made it impossible. During that stupid pool exercise, I told myself to stay calm. I watched as he hovered around Angel like she was his personal oxygen supply and I kept my cool. But now, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was losing her, that every second Thomas spent with her was another second she slipped further away from me. Today, it ends.

I found him alone by the side of the basketball court as he leaned against the fence and stared at the sky like he didn't have a care in the world. He didn't even flinch when I approached him and acted like he knew I was there all along. It pissed me off even more.

"Thomas," I called out firmly.

He glanced over and barely acknowledged me. "Hendrix. What's up?"

"I'm going to make this clear," I said and stepped closer. "Stay away from Angel."

A flicker of amusement crossed his eyes. "You know you've been saying that for a while now. I'm starting to think you don't mean it."

I clenched my fists and resisted the urge to swing. "I mean it."

Thomas sighed and scratched the back of his head. "You don't get it, do you? Angel's not your property. She's her own person and she can choose who she wants to spend her time with."

"Is that so?" I took another step forward and closed the gap between us. "And you think she wants to spend it with you?"

His jaw twitched but he kept that damn nonchalant look. "Maybe. Maybe not. But that's for her to decide, not you." "Back off," I warned, "Or I'll make you."

Thomas's eyes darkened as he leaned in closer. "You know what's funny, Hendrix? You talk a big game about protecting her but all you're doing is trapping her. Maybe she deserves better than a sick freak who can't keep his hands off his own sister."

That was it.

I shoved him hard and he stumbled back and caught himself against the fence. "What the fuck did you just say?"

Thomas straightened and brushed off his shirt. "You heard me. Maybe you should ask Angel what she really thinks about me. About us. How many times we've done more than kiss."

My vision went red. Before I knew it, I threw a punch at his jaw and he staggered back with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. But he didn't back down. Instead, he smirked and spat out the blood onto the ground. "Is that all you got?"

didn't care. I couldn't care. All I could see was his smug face taunting me and reminding me

until our bodies gave out, both of us collapsing to the ground bruised, bleeding, and exhausted. But I

•

(Angel's POV)

commotion reached my ears and I turned to Cylan who stood beside me in the lounge. "Do you hear

pulled out her earbuds. "Yeah, sounds like a

sank. "Oh no... please, no." I bolted towards the noise and didn't care if anyone was watching or if I'd get in trouble for running. I just knew I had to get there before

I saw them. Thomas and Hendrix lay on the ground bloodied and beaten, with a small crowd gathered around them. My stomach twisted and

each other with

and just stared at me with those stormy eyes, the ones that always made me feel like I was

he just looked away and

the crowd, his face set in pure annoyance. "Alright, break

behind them as they left. I stayed behind, still kneeling between Thomas and Hendrix and trying to figure out what had just happened. The staff member gave me

"Can't we just-”

and I knew arguing would get me nowhere. I gave one last glance at Thomas and

I whispered, though I wasn't sure who I was saying it to. Maybe both of them. Maybe

turned and walked away, knowing fully well the fight happened because of

•

<<

(Hendrix's POV)

Dr. Joe's voice cut through the silence like a knife. He stood at the entrance of the study hall and his gaze stayed fixed on us. "I have a special project for you

exchanged a quick glance as the tension from yesterday's fight still hung between us. She turned away first and refused to

of this center for our next charity event. It's an important task and I expect

in unison and didn't dare protest. Dr. Joe's tone left no room

one more thing," he added and his eyes narrowed. "You'll be working from the old library. The doors lock at

Trapped with her in a dusty old library for hours. I clenched my jaw and forced a

way to the library without a word. It wasn't until we were deep in the dimly lit stacks and surrounded by rows of old books and forgotten memories that the silence

pretended I

froze and her eyes snapped up to meet

said and crossed my