Page 58 of Shattered

“You know, the one who beat the crap out of Karl?” I grin. Bexley’s expression shifts, then softens.

“That’s kind of him,” he says, lips tight.

“Yeah,” I nod, unsure of his reaction, maybe because someone else is involved. “Anyway, we’re getting you out of this mess, Bex. I promise. I talked to him last night, and—”

“You were in Chicago yesterday?” His frown deepens.

Shit.

“I—um. It was on text.” Bexley raises his eyebrow.

“You have your teacher’s number and are meeting him outside of school?”

His questioning gaze annoys me. Who is he to question what I do?

“Yes, your point?”

Bex raises his hands in defense. “No point, just an observation.” His face and tone dripping with sarcasm.

A sharp knock reverberates through the trailer door, and Bex’s eyes snap to mine before darting to the hallway. I spring to my feet as Bex tries to bolt out of the bedroom first, but my stronger build easily shoves past him. I fling the door open, unsurprised to find my mom gone. Instead, I come face-to-face with Marley, looking infuriatingly perfect in designer clothes, gleaming jewelry, and carefully styled hair. His cheeks are vibrant and full, and his eyes are free of bags, a testament to his worry-free, eight-hour sleeps.

Exactly how my brother should look—alive and thriving.

But he’s not, and the person standing before me is one of the reasons why.

“Bex busy?” he smirks, fully aware that his mere presence grates on my nerves.

“Yeah, he is actually. Forever. Bye.” I flash him a bright, mocking smile before slamming the door. Just as it’s about to close, Bex grabs it, yanks it open, and shoves me aside.

“Sorry, Mar. I’ll be over shortly.” When Bexley slams the door shut, I stare at him, stunned and seething.

“Fucking Mar?” I stare at him in disbelief. “We’re on nickname terms now?” I ask, my voice dripping with shock.

“Bray, don’t.” Bex raises his hand, a clear signal to stop, and walks back into the room. I follow, my anger simmering.

“What the hell was that, Bex? Why are you even talking to him? And ‘I’ll be over shortly?’ Why are you going over there?”

“Because I still have to live, Bray. Damn it!” Bex snaps, running his hand through his hair, his frustration palpable as he paces the bedroom. “Every time you come here, you try to fix me,Bray. Don’t you see how lost I am? I can’t escape this life. I have nowhere to go, no money to live on if I don’t stay here. You need to let go of this fantasy world you’ve planned for me. It’s not me.” His voice rises to a shout, each word laced with desperation and anger.

“This,” he says, pounding his chest. “This is who I am.” His eyes, filled with pain, bore into mine. “You need to start accepting that. You can’t change me. Shit Bray.” He lets out a bitter laugh, gesturing wildly toward the door. “Even Bohdi saw me for who I am. I’ll drag you into the darkness and strip away all the good in you. I hold you back, Bray. He was right. I didn’t want to admit it, but I do. I always have.” He sighs deeply, collapsing onto the bed. “The best thing you can do is leave and not come back, Bray.”

“I’m not well. And there’s no way to save me,” He drops his head into his hands, and a wave of confusion and hurt crashes over me.

“What are you talking about? Bohdi saw you for who you are? What do you mean he was right?” I demand, standing up and kneeling between his legs.

He leans back, appearing utterly exhausted. “Ignore that,” he mumbles, trying to bury his head in his hands again.

“No,” I snap, gripping his arms to stop him. “Answer me.”

Bexley’s eyes flicker between mine, guilt etched across his face. But I need to know what he meant. As far as I know, he and Bohdi haven’t met.

“When I came to see you play.” He peers down. “He caught me just after I came out of the bathroom, and I had, you know.” He pauses, taking a shaky breath. “He dragged me out back and had a few things to say to me.” His eyes meet mine, filled with a mix of shame and resignation. “And honestly, he was right, Bray,” he mumbles.

Anger blazes through me like wildfire. Everything from yesterday and last night evaporates in a haze of fury. How dare he think he can speak to my brother like that and spew such vile things?

“You listen here. I’m not going anywhere. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you this. I am not going anywhere.” I yank Bex into me, holding him tightly against my chest. Why does it hurt so much? Normally, I’d be consumed by rage, but now, the pain seeps in, raw and relentless. I can’t let this slide. All the happiness he brings me has shattered in this moment, because no one on this earth comes between me and my brother. And I will make damn sure Mr. Stiles knows that.

Chapter thirty-one

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