Darn Stupid Brother You Are

Angel's POV

"Is that all you think about when you look at me?" he asked again.

I didn't get what he was implying. Or I pretended not to understand.

I felt a flutter in my chest, and my mind went blank. I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. I cleared my throat, trying to compose myself. "I... uh..."

I couldn't think of a response, and my eyes dropped to his hand, still holding mine.

But before I could continue, Hendrix smiled, seeming to enjoy my flustered state. "Seriously, Angel," he repeated, his voice a little softer now. "Do you only see me as your stepbrother?" Finally I got myself.

Why was I feeling flustered by him?

I glared at him and snatched my hand away. "Maybe I spoke too soon," I said, trying to regain my composure. "You're still a kid, and you still act like one. The only thing you know how to do is charm girls."

Hendrix's eyebrows shot up, and he let out a low chuckle. "Woah, so you think I'm charming?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I stammered, feeling my face heat up. "I-I didn't mean it like that."

Hendrix chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. I punched his arm, trying to play it cool. "Shut up."

We both laughed together, the tension between us dissipating. For a moment, it felt like old times, like we were just two friends joking around. But as we sat there, catching our breath, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between us.

I began to notice things I hadn't thought much about before. The way Hendrix's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. Or the way his long hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. I felt a flutter in my chest, and I quickly looked away, trying to shake whatever feeling that was.

"So, how about you? What were you apologizing for?" I asked.

Hendrix's expression turned serious, and he looked away for a moment before answering. "I lied to you, Angel. I wasn't with a girl all this time."

I felt surprised and hurt. "What do you mean? Why did you lie to me?"

Hendrix sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't know, okay? I just didn't want to deal with your worry and concern. I thought it would be easier to just make something up."

I shook my head, trying to process this new information. "But why did you feel like you had to lie to me? What were you really doing all this time?"

Hendrix hesitated, looking around nervously before answering in a low voice. "I've been doing some research, Angel. On the center."

My back straightened immediately and my eyes narrowed. "What kind of research?"

He continued, unaware of my sudden alertness. "I couldn't find any record of LiveLaughLong Wellness Center online. No website, no social media, no reviews. It's like it doesn't exist."

I remained silent and he must have mistook it for disbelief because he said.

"I know what I found, Angel. Or rather, what I didn't find. And it's not just that. I've been talking to some of the other patients..."

I cursed under my breath.

Hendrix looked at me concerned, "Are you alright?"

"Dammit, I should have done my own research before agreeing to come here. I just trusted Mom's judgment..." I swore.

Hendrix's eyes locked onto mine. "What do you mean?"

I shook my head, feeling a wave of regret wash over me. "I mean, I didn't question anything. I just assumed this place was legit because Mom said so. But now...I don't know what to think." I sighed, and ran my hand through my hair. "I've been suspicious of this place too."

Hendrix's eyes widened in surprise. "You have?"

"I confronted Miss Stefan and Dr. Nixon about my suspicions," I said, my eyes locked on Hendrix's. "And they really looked like they had something to hide."

At the mention of Dr. Nixon's name, Hendrix stiffened, and I noticed a flicker of something in his eyes. But he didn't say anything, and I didn't push it.

"Why would you do that?" Hendrix asked, his voice a little softer now.

I smiled. "I don't know. They get on my nerves. And let me tell you, they didn't seem too happy about it."

Hendrix's expression turned serious. "Angel, you shouldn't go around looking for trouble. Confronting people like that...it's not safe."

I laughed, a little incredulously. "That's my line, Hendrix. I'm always the one giving that advice."

Hendrix's eyes narrowed. "I mean it, Angel. You shouldn't dig too deep. You could get hurt."

I leaned in, my voice dropping to a whisper. "I suspect Miss Stefan and Dr. Nixon, maybe all the doctors and medics, Hendrix. I mean...this whole place! You said it yourself, they don't exist. What instifution doesn't exist online in the twenty-first century? When I confronted them, they didn't seem fazed at all. It was like...they were waiting for me to figure it out. And I think they'll stop at nothing to keep me quiet."

Hendrix's expression turned grim. "Be careful, Angel. Please."

I nodded, feeling a sense of unease settle over me. "I will. But you need to promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"You have to promise me you'll be careful. Whatever is going on here... it's not normal. And I don't want anything to happen to you." I said.

"Ugh! What have we gotten ourselves into?" Hendrix asked as he buried his face in his hands

I put my hand on his shoulder and my jaw clenched. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

"But, why didn't you say anything?"

"What about you?" I frowned. "Why were you looking into it alone? You should have involved me."

Hendrix shrugged. "I only became suspicious when I was admitted to the infirmary. Something didn't feel right."

My mind racing, I asked, "What went down there?"

Hendrix's expression turned dark, and he locked up again, his eyes clouding over. "I don't want to talk about it," he muttered, his jaw clenched.

I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "Hendrix, what's going on? You can trust me."

But Hendrix just shook his head, his eyes flashing with a warning, his tone rising. "Not now, Angel." He lowered his tone and apologized, "I'll tell you later, okay? So just drop it."