Chapter 8 #2
Anger sears through me, white and hot. “You know what, you can be a real jerk sometimes.”
“What?” he asks, looking genuinely perplexed. “I’m just trying to help.”
“Help?” I bite out the word. “You’re the one who introduced me to Axel, who brought him around every day, who vouched for him in more ways than one.
And now, since I’ve been here, you’ve insisted that I accompany you to these events.
You casually tell me not to date your teammates, but insist I go to your games.
You dragged me into your social life and now you’re upset about me talking to your friends. ”
“That’s not…” he trails off, shaking his head. “That’s not what I meant, Avah. And Axel…” he trails off, his gaze leaving mine as his mind runs a thousand miles an hour. “Let’s just have a good time, okay?”
Our lives have always been tangled. His friends were my friends, his teammates a constant in our home. If he really wanted distance, why has he continued to include me in his life? I’ve seen him with Liz, and even if it’s not that serious, he could’ve asked her to be his date instead of me.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask him, pulling back slightly. I search his eyes, desperate for an answer. Before he can hide it, before he can slam a wall back up between us, there’s a glimpse of sympathy…pity.
My stomach twists.
“Because it’s easier to have you here,” he says, avoiding my gaze and running his hand through his hair. “Dates are drama. I don’t need drama in my life.”
“EJ,” I force him to look at me. After staring into my brother’s eyes for another two seconds the answer is clear. The truth heavy as it settles in my chest.
I step back, pulling free from his hold. Realization hits, followed by a surge of humiliation and anger, cementing everything I’ve been thinking about myself with that one look on his face.
“You’re doing this because of what happened with Axel,” I mutter, as the realization hits.
Every time EJ has begged me to be his date to some function, every game, every practice.
..it wasn’t because he wanted my company or valued my support.
It wasn't even because he wanted me to meet and mingle with the people in his life. No, it’s because he felt pity for his little sister.
“No, Avah—” EJ tries to reach out but I step away before he can touch me. “All I’ve ever wanted was for you to get out a bit. I wanted you to see what’s out there, find friends, and enjoy life again.”
“You don’t have to take care of me, EJ. I can take care of myself.”
“I never said you couldn’t,” he says, shaking his head.
“You didn’t have to say it,” my voice raises slightly, and I catch myself.
“This is all because of pity?” I ask, suddenly feeling even more self-conscious in this stupid dress I’ve been tugging on all evening.
I thought I was doing him a favor when in reality he was feeling sorry for me.
My gaze lands on Hannah and Lucas where they’re still dancing.
She’s my only friend, and now even that feels forced and orchestrated by my overbearing brother.
“I’m leaving,” I say, my throat suddenly tight.
I spin on my heel and collide with another body. Champagne spills all over my dress, cold and sticky.
My gaze lifts and I find Melissa standing there with an angry look on her face.
“Watch where you’re going,” she hisses, right as a flash goes off, near blinding.
Declan steps closer, his date tailing along. He reaches for me and I rip away from him.
“Don’t touch me,” I grind out, my gaze daggers of anger and shame. If it wasn’t for him, blonde Barbie wouldn’t even be here. I look between Melissa and Lynn, realization dawning.
“You brought two dates?” I ask, unable to help myself. “Classy.”
Declan’s jaw tightens. “I didn’t—”
“He’s here with me,” Melissa cuts in, sliding her arm possessively into Declan’s who looks down at it, a small frown forming between his eyes. Lynn is just standing there with her eyes wide open, probably wondering why she’s stepped into this death trap.
Another flash goes off.
Looking at her stuck to his side, I can’t stop myself.
“Oh don’t pretend like you care. Last night you were more preoccupied with your instagram account than with him.”
The words hang between us, regret already burning through me. The problem is obviously not me trying to keep these words in…it’s that they shouldn’t even have been there in the first place.
I spin away, desperate to escape, but my heel slips on the puddle of champagne on the floor. My feet slip out from under me, and I brace for impact—
A pair of strong arms catch me before I hit the floor. Another flash goes off.
“Easy there,” Declan murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. His dark eyes meet mine, his gaze not filled with sarcasm but something that looks dangerously like concern.
Another hand clamps down on his shoulder and pulls him away from me.
“Why don’t you back off, Murphy?” EJ’s voice is a growl, low and filled with anger. He moves in front of me, immediately shrugging off his jacket and reaching to settle it around my shoulders like some kind of shield.
Something inside me snaps.
“Stop EJ. Just stop it.” My voice cracks, my eyes burning with tears. “I can take care of myself.”
I toss off his jacket, turn and leave the room, the whispers, the flashing cameras.
“Avah!” EJ’s voice calls from behind.
Another voice cuts through, rough and sharp. Declan.
But I don’t look back. I can’t.