Page 13 of Dirty Fortune

"He'll use you and then discard you. I've seen him do that to a hundred women over the years."

"Then ask him what his intentions are instead of throwing the first punch like a madman. God, Mike."

"You're worth more than your weight in gold, Julie. Don't let a man like that take you for a ride."

"Mike, Keith has been your friend for years. How can you talk about him like this?"

"Stop defending him." My brother shouted.

"How can you be friends with him if you believe him to be a bad person?"

"Our friendship is over."

"I think you should reconsider,” I said, my voice shaking. “Talk to him once we're back from the hospital."

He passes his hand over his face as if trying to gain some clarity.

"Are you choosing him over me?"

"Eww, that's not even a thing. You're my brother. You already have a place in my life. Keith and I are still working on what we are to one another."

I don't dare tell him that Keith is now my boss as well as my lover because that will take my brother over the edge.

"I need to get changed. Go somewhere and get a grip, Mike. I'll let you know when we're back from the hospital. Maybe you'll be calmer then and can discuss things like the adult you are supposed to be."

Before I move to get dressed, I see him sit down on the couch and cross his arms over his chest. I guess he's staying, then. I go to my room and see Keith has laid down on the bed and has his head thrown back in order to quell the bleeding.

"I'm going to get changed and take you to the emergency room, baby."

He mumbles something but we do make eye contact. "Everything is going to be alright," I tell him.

"I should be the one saying dat." His nose is starting to swell, and I hurry my movements. We have to go.

We spent six hours in the hospital. Everything moves at a slower pace there, but Keith was taken care of, and he's feeling comfortable with some pain meds. I really don't think this is time for a confrontation with my brother, so I text him.

Me: are you still in my apartment?

Mike: You know the answer to that

Me: Keith is in no shape to fight right now

Mike: Drop him off at his place and come back

Me: I'm not going to leave him alone. Just leave and come back tomorrow afternoon

Mike: Fine, but this isn't over

I exhale in relief and put my phone back in my pocket. We're waiting on a rideshare to take us back to my apartment, and Keith is a little wobbly. Keith takes my hand in his and squeezes softly.

"We should have talked to him first," I say.

"Yes, that was my job and I totally screwed it up." He hesitates. "Is he waiting at the apartment?"

"No, I asked him to give us a little time. There's still some of our Saturday left to enjoy. As much as can be enjoyed with a broken nose."

"Everything else works, Princess."

"Oh, God. Don't even. You're taking it easy for the rest of the day. But I would like to talk about a few things."

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