Page 4 of Balance

“Why would you think there’s something wrong?” he asked, peering into the nurse’s station as we passed by.

I wasn’t sure, but between the conversation I’d just heard, and the fact that Julian appeared to be convinced that we’d be jumped at any moment, it was obvious that something was going on.

“I know there is.” A sense of foreboding filled me—Julian was generally laid back about most things, but he did seem to have a bit of temper regarding me. Perhaps I shouldn’t have tried to get him involved with the conflict between me and his mother. I didn’t want to ruin any family bonds. “Is it my fault? I’m sorry, I know I’m messed up. I was just defensive.”

“What?” Julian faltered slightly as he angled himself to look at me. We were moving toward the glass-walled lobby now, almost to the outside. “You’re not messed up.”

I shook my head. “I am, but I’m getting better!” I reassured him. “Don’t yell at her about it. I didn’t mean it. Sometimes I say mean things when I’m hungry.”

“Youaregetting better.” Julian slowed down, placing his hands on my shoulders. The lobby was empty minus one bored-looking receptionist playing on her phone. Still, even though she was across the room, I wondered if our voices would carry.

It didn’t matter, I had to make sure nothing was wrong. Otherwise, it’d eat at me.

“It’s not your fault at all.” Julian spoke with such calm assurance that my nerves began to settle. “She’s mad at me, and I’m not so happy with her right now either.”

“Why?”

He pursed his lips, his expression torn between the obvious desire to explain, versus the drive to leave this place.

Was he running from someone?

“Julian!” A male’s voice shouted through the room, startling the receptionist into dropping her phone and pressing her hand to her heart. With the echo, it was impossible to tell which direction the sound came from, but then Anthony rounded the corner from where we’d just come. He spotted Julian, and his gait slowed. “There you are.”

Like Julian, Anthony also wore scrubs, although his were black and he wore no shirt under them. While Julian had styled his curly hair neatly, Anthony had covered his entirely with a red bandana.

“Oh. Hi, Bianca,” he added awkwardly, his posture deflating slightly as he spotted me. “How are you?”

Julian’s hand fell from mine, and I twisted my fingers behind my back nervously. Besides him lurking in the background a bit and the confrontation with Finn, I hadn’t much time to get to know the man. “Fine…”

A pregnant pause followed my statement, which was broken only by the sound of Julian clearing his throat as he pulled me back to his side once again. Immediately, my breath evened out, and I couldn’t fathom why I’d been nervous to begin with.

“What is it?” Julian asked his brother, redirecting Anthony’s attention from Julian’s hand at my waist.

My heart thundered in alarm, but for an entirely different reason this time.

‘Fine’?

That was my best response? This was probably our firstrealconversation, and now I was freezing up instead of saying anything profound. I didn’t even bother to ask about his well-being! He must think I was the rudest personever.

Weren’t we supposed to bond? It would probably make Julian happy. Why did I always think of a responseafterit was too late?

Anthony had already moved on, addressing Julian. “Thank you for your help.” He shifted nervously, pulling at the purple band at his wrist. “She’s doing much better now,” he added, voice lower than before.

Julian nodded, his lips thin. “Good, then spend time with her tonight and tomorrow. You’ll have some time. I’ve just been given the early shift.”

The shyness faded from Anthony’s expression, and he straightened. “You actually got into trouble?”

Julian shrugged. “She’ll get over it. She doesn’t stay angry for very long.”

“Yeah.” Anthony frowned. “Foryoumaybe, but we all know why.”

“That’s not why.” Julian’s posture stiffened and his hold around me grew tighter. “If you would just talk to her, then maybe—”

“No,” Anthony interrupted, crossing his arms. “It’s not her business.”

I glanced between the two of them, putting the pieces together. “Is that why you’re fighting with your mom?” I asked Julian. “Because Anthony was supposed to be working instead of you?”

I’d always heard that siblings were supposed to cover each other’s backs. What a kind, brotherly thing for Julian to do.