He looks ridiculous with one fully formed, beautiful black eyebrow on the left and absolutely nothing on the right.
Oh shit.
Biting my lips together, I look at the floor as my stomach trembles with amusement.
“She needs to stay the fuck away from me,” he growls. “Your psycho little friend better not talk to me again. She better not even fuckinglookat me!”
His voice rises so loud and thunderous, I’m sure Nix can hear every word from where she is.
I cross my arms, staying quiet and letting him get it out.
Having grown up with the guy, I know when to keep my mouth shut.
He doesn’t get mad very often, but when he does, it’s like a firestorm, and you just have to hold your breath through it.
And that’s what I’m doing right now.
Holding my breath.
“I mean, what the actual fuck!” He slaps his hands on the vanity, then slumps his shoulders with a heavy sigh. “I thought she was into me.” His whisper is soft and suddenly broken.
I wait a beat, seeing if there’s any more to come before cautiously opening my mouth. “You guys did seem to be getting on. Until you… well, you really embarrassed her last night.”
“I didn’t mean to.” He winces. “Shit, I don’t even remember what I did.” Closing his eyes, he groans, rubbing his aching head.
I know he threw up a lot last night, but he obviously didn’t drink enough water.
I downed so much before I went to bed, I ended up getting up twice to pee, but it was worth it. I’m not feeling too bad this morning. And Nix was a box of birds when I first woke up. She flitted out of the room with a cheerful “Good morning,” and I had no idea it was because she’d come up with an evil plan to get my brother back.
I can’t admit that it was actually kind of genius. Hitting Darian where it hurts the most—his looks. He really does care about that, and Nix must have known this.
And now she’s gone and?—
Shit, Nix. Why’d you have to take it this far?
My stomach dips as the consequences really start to sink in.
There’s no way she can move into our house now. These guys can’t be under the same roof. She’s crossed a line, and Darian won’t be able to let it go.
“I’m really sorry,” I murmur. “She shouldn’t have done that.”
“You think?” Thekcomes out all harsh and punchy.
I sigh and take a seat on the edge of the bathtub. “Please don’t retaliate.”
“I won’t,” he snaps. “I’m not going anywhere near that girl ever again. I’ll see if someone else can drive her home today.”
“Really?” I wince.
“Yes, really!” He spins with a pointed look. “You can’t expect me to hang out with her anymore. She’s a danger to society!”
I snort and start to laugh but quickly swallow the sound when he narrows his eyes at me.
“Okay, okay.” I raise my hands. “I get that you’re raging right now, but?—”
“There is no ‘but.’ How am I ever supposed to trust her if I know she’s capable of pulling this kind of shit? There’s no way I can live with her now, Charli. Her name is off the list.” He leans forward, making himself emphatically clear. “Permanently.”
My shoulders slump. I knew he was going to say that. The second I saw his missing eyebrow, I knew it was going to be like this, but I’m still gutted.
