Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 111

(Hendrix's

POV)

I agreed to this, didn't I? To sit here, in this pseudo meeting room with the same person I'd sworn to stay away from. Thomas leaned over the table, pointing at the map of the center as he laid out the escape plan. Every word out of his mouth

grated against my nerves.

"Everyone clear on this?" he asked and looked up. His gaze landed on me, and I could see he was a bit uncertain. Good.

I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair. "Crystal," I muttered.

Angel shot me a warning glance, but I ignored it. She might be able to compartmentalize her feelings for him, but I couldn't. Not when the sight of them together still burned. "Look," Thomas sharpened his tone. "I don't need your approval, Hendrix. Just your cooperation."

"And you think you'll get that by barking orders?" I shot back. "You really think I'd blindly trust you, after everything?"

Thomas's jaw tightened, and I could see the effort it took for him to keep his temper in check. "You don't have to trust me. You just have to trust that I want us all to make it out alive."

I scoffed. "Trust isn't your strong suit, is it?"

"Hendrix," Angel's voice broke through; she sounded exhausted "Enough."

When I glanced at her, my chest tightened at the way she looked at me like I was the problem. Like I was the one making things difficult. Maybe I was.

"Fine," I said and stood abruptly. "Just tell me what needs to be done."

Thomas nodded and kept his expression neutral, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. Good. Let him feel the weight of this too.

of what was said as my focus drifted to Angel. She sat close to Thomas with her hand

and glanced back at me. Her eyes held a question, but she didn't ask it. She left

just about escaping anymore. It was about protecting her, even if she didn't want me

.

(Angel's POV)

of everything felt like it was pressing down on my chest as I sat on the edge of my bed. The others were busy, finalizing details, checking supplies, or going over the plan for the hundredth time. I should've been

hear Hendrix until he was standing

asked with a softer voice than I'd

shook my

stepped inside and closed the door behind him. For a moment, neither of us said anything.

here," he said finally,

you?" I shot back, more harshly

gaze dropped to the floor. "Because I need to know... that you'll be

off guard. "Why

laughed bitterly and shook his head. "Do you even hear yourself? You're throwing yourself into this plan, trusting people you shouldn't, taking risks..." "I'm doing what I have to," I interrupted.

this is?" he asked and stepped closer.

"And what about you, Hendrix? You've been shutting

that way," he choked out. "It's easier

crossed the small space between us. "This isn't about

back as his eyes burned into mine. "You've moved on, Angel. You've made your

but I forced myself to stay strong. "We don't have time for this. We

he said

us felt like a whole gulf, but neither of us moved. Finally, he stepped back and ran a hand through

nodded, unable to

slip down my cheek. We weren't okay, but at least

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