Page 74 of Fragile Lives

Someone else.

My blood turns hot when I imagine her with someone else, and a shudder rocks my body.But that’s what you wanted,my fucker of a consciousness helps out,for you to have her for a few days while you were both far from reality, and then you both move on.

“Are you coming?” Kenneth yells, standing by the door.

I stare longingly ahead, imagining myself driving away and avoiding all that is about to come, but I man the fuck up and climb out of the Rover to follow Kenneth. He waits for me, a shocked look on his face as if impressed to see me actually coming in. I’m not sure why he isn’t smashing his fist in my face, since he clearly knows something happened. And he knows me—no brother would want me for his sister. Not one.

He opens the door and gestures for me to go in first. As I’m walking past him, he smacks my back—a little harder than necessary—and says, “Good luck. You’ll need it.”

When we enter, everyone cheers up. By everyone, I mean the company I know. Kayla squeaks something. Freya feverishly waves her hand, holding her other to her still tiny belly, and Justin lifts his head and gives me a small wave. I nod to them with a tight smile—I can’t muster anything more.

Alex rises from his chair and walks to me, his hand outstretched. “I didn’t know you were coming to town.”

“It was spontaneous,” I answer, shrugging.

As we talk, I glance at Leila, finding her watching me, her eyes wide.

“Hi,” I mouth.

“Hey,” she replies.

Alex catches on because he looks between the two of us with a heavy silence. I let it slide for now—I’m not here to cause problems, but I won’t run away if they arise.

“Archie!” Kayla calls out. “Do you want the black death thing you call coffee?”

“Sure. Thanks.” I force a smile on my face as I keep glancing at Leila.

“Coming right up!” she chirps and begins fixing me a cup of strong, black coffee. “I don’t know how you can drink this crap. It tastes like garbage.”

“Tastes fine to me.” I smile again, but it must look too forced, because she pauses and gives me a good, thorough look.

“What are you doing here?” Alex’s voice turns cold.

I turn back to face him, knowing where all this is going.

“I was driving by.”

“Driving by,” he parrots. “Driving by in the middle of nowhere and decided to stop.”

“Yep.” I nod, straightening my body and prepping for what’s to come.

In my peripheral I see Justin lean back in his chair and cross his arms over his chest. “This should be interesting”

Freya punches his shoulder, and he laughs. “What? Something’s happening and I’m not involved for a change. Let me enjoy it.”

“Idiot.” She rolls her eyes, and I agree with her.

No matter what other people are doing around me, my eyes always seekher. So naturally I glance at Leila—again—which doesn’t escape Alex’s attention. He looks between us and noticesher cheeks turning that pretty shade of pink that looks so good with her ginger freckles. He can’t not notice; it’s like a flame on her pale skin. The same one she has when I’m fucking her senseless.

“You fucker,” he growls. “You fucked my sister?”

And then, without warning—who even gives those during a fight—he punches me straight in the nose. Blood splatters everywhere, and I feel the bone crack. I’ve forgotten how it feels to have a broken nose, and with all my love for pain, it doesn’t feel fuckin’ good.

Freya yells. Kayla yells. Some other people start yelling as Alex lands another punch to my face. And then another.

I stumble back but straighten again to meet his next blow.

“Alex!” Leila’s voice cuts through the chaos.