Page 147 of All This Time

“What the fuck is this?” My brother waves his hand between us. “You and my sister?”

Elliot’s eyes are bloodshot, his fists clenched at his sides. “You broke the pact, man.”

“Listen, it’s not what it looks like…” Fletcher takes a step toward Rhonan.

“Jesus Christ,” Henley mutters behind my brother, shutting the door. “I guess we’re doing this now, too.”

“Then what is it?” my brother asks. “Because to me it looks like you were about to fuck my sister in our winery.” His eyes move around the room as anger wafts off him. “God, I fucking knew it. That night with the popcorn cart…” He turns to me. “I asked you if something was going on, and you lied to me.”

“I know—” I’m cut off before I can attempt to explain.

“You fucking violated bro code, Fletch.” Elliot’s voice is low, almost void of any emotion, but the intensity of his body is saying otherwise.

“This isn’t just some fling, okay?” Fletcher explains. “I’m in love with her…”

My heart stops. But before I can process his declaration, Henley takes a step forward, holding my brother back.

Rhonan shoves him off. “Love? You don’t know the first thing about love!”

“You’re right. I don’t, but—”

Elliot’s laugh is maniacal. “Love? Love is a fucking joke!” He points a finger at Fletcher. “You lied to Rhonan! And you knew Tori was gone and didn’t fucking tell me!”

“That’s my fuckingsister, asshole!” Rhonan shouts, stepping toward Fletcher. I move to stand in front of him, but I’m too slow. Rhonan cocks his fist back and swings at Fletcher’s face, forcing me and Fletcher to both stumble back. The sound of Rhonan’s fist connecting with Fletcher’s nose is enough to make my stomach turn.

“Rhonan!” I scream, but Elliot rushes him next.

“You motherfucker!” Elliot’s fist collides with Fletcher’s ribs, causing him to fold in two.

“Easy there, buddy.” Henley pulls my brother back before he can get another swing in.

I rush over to Fletcher, checking his face. Blood drips from his nose, staining his white shirt. When our eyes meet, I see the apology in his.

This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.

I twist to face my brother. “Rhonan! Are you out of your mind?”

“Yeah, I fucking am!” he yells, his voice echoing in the small space.

“Rhonan…” Fletcher starts, but my brother spins on him and moves to punch him again. Henley steps in front of him this time to stop him.

“Rhonan, that’s enough!”

“You’d better go, angel,” Fletcher says to me, ushering me toward the door.

“No. I’m not leaving you.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You both need to fucking leave,” Henley barks out as Elliot grabs Tori’s makeup bag and throws it at the wall, glass and plastic shattering and spraying everywhere.

“Fucking bitch!”

Henley motions for us to move. “Let him have his moment, and Rhonan needs time to calm down too.”

Rhonan glares at us as we leave. “You’re supposed to be one of my best friends…” my brother grates out as we move toward the door.

Fletcher pushes me through the door, following closely behind. “Jesus Christ,” he mutters as he rests his back against the wood. The sound of Elliot taking his anger out on the bridal suite continues as we stand there, and Rhonan’s voice is booming as he yells at Henley for not telling him about us.