Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 103

(Angel's POV)

The room was heavy with tension. The kind that pressed against your chest and made it hard to breathe. Hande, Charlotte, Cylan, Bundah, and Eddie were all watching silently, and darting their gazes between Hendrix and me like they were waiting for a bomb to go off. Thomas stood near the corner; his jaw was tight, his arms were crossed, and his eyes fixed on Hendrix like a hawk.

Hendrix ignored them all and focused solely on me. Without another word, he grabbed my arm not roughly, but firmly enough to let me know he wasn't going to let me go until he said his piece.

"We need to talk," he said urgently.

I hesitated, my heart pounding. "Hendrix, now's not "

"Now," he cut in, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Thomas took a step forward. "If you have something to say to Angel, you can say it in front of all of us." Hendrix turned his head slowly and locked his gaze with Thomas's. "This isn't for you. Stay out of it."

Before Thomas could respond, I put a hand up. "It's fine," I said, glancing at Thomas. "I'll hear him out."

Thomas's jaw tightened further, but he gave a small nod and stepped back. Hendrix didn't wait for my approval; he led me out of the room and down the hall, stopping only when we were far enough away that no one could hear us. "Okay, what is it?" I asked as I pulled my arm free and crossed my arms over my chest. "What's so important that you had to drag me out here?"

Hendrix ran a hand through his hair. His eyes were darting around like he was searching for the right words. "I overheard something," he started. "Dennis and Dr. Joe. They were talking about... about us. About you and me. And about Dad." My stomach tightened. "What do you mean?"

"They called me a liability," he said bitterly. "Said I was jeopardizing their plans because I've been skipping treatments. And Dennis... she didn't argue. She was in on it, Angel. She's working with Dr. Joe."

I took a step back as I processed the gravity of his words. "Mom?" I whispered, shaking my head. "No, she wouldn't-"

"She would," Hendrix interrupted, his voice rising. "And she has. Don't you see? This whole thing-us being here it's not just about me getting better. There's something else going on, something bigger. And Dennis and Dad... they're part of it."

even. But working with someone like Dr. Joe? It didn't make sense. Or maybe it made too much

something I needed to be ready for. But he

nodded. "It has to

might give out. "This doesn't change anything," I said finally. "We still have to stick to the plan. We still have to

guilt twisting in my stomach. "I... I don't know if

then he took a step back and slumped his shoulders. "Fine," he said. "But when this all blows up in your face, don't say I didn't warn you." He was

left him out, right? We started this together; it won't be fair if I just secluded him from it

Right?

let out a

reluctant shuffle and the way his jaw tightened. His resistance was obvious, but so was my determination. The group quieted as we entered, and all eyes flickered between me

this together. And no matter how strained things are right now,

shifted uncomfortably but nodded. "Not that I have an issue, but, uh, is

suddenly, gruffly. His gaze didn't meet anyone's directly.

before Bundah sighed.

hammered as I turned to Thomas. I needed to be sure. "Can we talk?" I whispered and

as we were alone, I reached for his arm. "Are you okay with this? I mean, really? I don't want this to cause

his tone softer than she expected. He brushed a strand of hair from my face and lingered for a moment. "He's your brother, Angel. And you've been planning this together from the start. I won't get in the way." My throat tightened. I didn't know whether to feel guilty or grateful.

turned back toward the room, I saw the tension in his shoulders. The guilt

Hendrix and the ever growing feelings I had for Thomas, I felt like I was sitting on a knife's

...

(Cylan's POV)

of notes and photographs spread out in front of me.

blurry shot of a patient being escorted into the West Wing by two staff members. Their face was hidden, but the fear in their body

of her made my chest ache, but it also gave me more reasons to fight. I couldn't sit around and wait for Angel or Hendrix to figure things out.