Page 46 of My Brother’s Best Friends Entanglement

That gets an actual laugh out of her, short and surprised, like she wasn't expecting to laugh around me today.

I know I should leave it there, but when has my judgment ever been good when it comes to Alexia Riley?

Instead I hear myself say, "Busy morning?"

She goes still. "Sorry?"

“It seemed like you had a lot going on this morning. In the bathroom.” I keep my eyes on the folder, like I haven't been turning over the image of the two of them coming out of that bathroom together since I saw it. "Sounded like quite the commotion in there."

Her face colours. For a second I think she'll laugh it off, the way she's brushed off most things lately. Instead, something tightens around her mouth.

"It was a hot water argument. That's all."

"Didn't say it was anything else."

"You didn't have to. I saw your face this morning." She folds her arms, closing herself off, the laugh long forgotten. "You looked at the two of us like we'd committed a crime."

"I was simply observing the two of you coming out of the bathroom looking like that."

"Looking like what?"

“Like something happened."

"No. Stop." She's standing now, folder abandoned on the desk between us. "You don't get to do that. You don't get to look at me like I’m doing something wrong every time I'm in a room with one of them. You did it with Zachary and you're doing it now with Marcus."

“Fine. I believe you that nothing's going on with them. Unless you're trying to tell me there is." Suddenly it's hard to swallow. And breathe. "Or is that what you're trying to tell me?"

“Why would I tell you?” Her eyes narrow. “And while we’re at it, why should it matter if there is something going on with one of them?”

I need to stop talking. Right Now. But I don’t. “Because...I'm looking out for you, Alexi.”

She splutters and smacks her hand on the desk. "I don't need you to do that. I've had one brother my entire life, Rhys, and I certainly didn't move into the house to collect another one."

"Then why are you there?"

"Because you—" she reaches over, the soft scent of floral washing over me, and jabs me in the chest "—told me it was okay if I did." She stands up, and it takes everything in me not to wrench her back. "You said...it was what you wanted." She takes a long breath. "Were you lying?"

"No. I want you there.”

Her whole body stiffens and then she empties her lungs, deflating.

“But, why? So you could keep an eye on me? To play big brother?"

"No, Alexi,” I say again. My voice comes out rougher than I mean it to. "Trust me. Whatever I am to you, whatever I’m feeling, I promise you it’s not brotherly." I let out a shaky breath. "In fact, if your actual brother knew what is going through my mind about you, I can guarantee you that I would not be alive right now."

She doesn't say anything. Doesn't move, doesn't breathe, her face frozen in shocked by the implication of my words. Then she grabs her things and storms out.

I probably shouldn't have said it but I can't take it back.

And I don't know if I would if I could.

Rhys:

Hey, FYI, I'm swapping rooms with Alexia. I'm going to stay in Leon's room and let her have mine.

Marcus:

Why?