Page 76 of Fragile Lives

Good.He’s focused on me again. That’s what I wanted.

“I resp—”

“Don’t, Stephan.” A small hand lands on my back.

Alex’s eyes shoot to my face, and his lips part. After a moment, his eyes dart between Leila and me for what feels like hours until they eventually fixate on mine.

“What?”

Not many people know my real name, but Alex does. I’d never give it to someone I just slept with, no matter whose sister she is. I accepted a new life when I joined the Navy, and they conveniently gave me a call name right away, so I could forget about that part of my life and my mother along with it.

“I was leaving anyway,” she whispers to me, and I nod, my eyes still on Alex.

When her palm leaves my back, all the warmth evaporates from my body and follows her.

The ring on the door chimes, and I know she’s safe outside. I glance back just to ensure she’s out of sight before I move in one swift motion, landing my fist on Alex’s face. He stumbles back and looks at me, shocked. I take a step forward, getting into his face in order to make sure hehearswhat I’m about to say.

“That was for the way you talked to Leila,” I say evenly. “I let you land a few punches on me because I deserved it, but when it comes to her, all bets are off, and you’ll get what you deserve.”

He watches me, looking dumbfounded. “She’s your sister too. Why are you quiet?” he asks Kenneth.

Kenneth squares his shoulders, looking at us both. “One brother making an ass out of himself is more than enough for one family.” He shrugs and folds his arms over his chest.

“He slept with her.”

“And yet here you are, worried about yourself.” Kenneth sighs loudly and shakes his head. “I’m disappointed, brother.”

Alex rears back as if only now realizing what’s happening. When his eyes sober up, he looks around, and the good side of his face turns red. Yes, I’ve seen Alex go into a rage before, but it was never directed at those close to him. I’ve seen him be a vicious asshole, but this was next level.

Because he was never close to Leila, she always yearned for his approval and looked up to him, searching for ways to prove herself when she shouldn’t have had to do anything. She didn’t need to earn his love. She’s his sister. He used to tell me stories about how his little sister followed him everywhere, and he was annoyed with it. He wanted nothing to do with her, even though I saw his hidden affection in his complaints. To be frank, Alex never tried really hard to be a part of his family, and I was on his side because we were a team. But all that changed the second I saw that look of betrayal on her face.

“Where is Leila?” Alex looks around, lost, as if he just entered the room and this shitstorm happened without him.

“Alex,” comes Freya’s voice. “Let’s go home.”

He turns toward her, blinks the fog of madness away. Freya carefully walks toward him, clearly familiar with him in this state. I’m a little worried about her and glance at Kenneth, looking for any cues for what to do next.

He subtly shakes his head. “Let him go. He embarrassed himself enough,” he says quietly.

Freya takes Alex’s hand and leads him outside. His head whips around—most likely looking for Leila.

When he’s out, the whispers start. Every patron in the diner is whispering, firing up the rumor mill with a story that’ll feed the town for weeks, if not months.

“Well, I guess you really do have big balls.” Justin comes to stand beside me. “To sleep with your friend’s sister.”

I give him a death stare.

“What?” He shrugs. “There were a lot of broken noses when local guys tried to date her. Though,” he shifts his attention to Kenneth, “I wonder how you haven’t tasted the sheriff’s fist yet,” he wonders curiously.

“Justin,” Kayla ambles over to us and smacks him on the back of the head, “just stop already.”

They start bickering like an old, married couple, and I tune them out, not interested in hearing it.

“I didn’t know he was jealous of her,” I say quietly so only Kenneth can hear.

“He’s never been,” he replies while watching the door as if either of them would come back. “I don’t know what happened, to be honest.” Then he looks at me. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”