Page 20 of InfraRed

Andthatis the reason I stayed away. For two years, I limited our interactions. I thought whatever the hell her innocent kiss stirred in me would dissipate with time. I tried to remember she was my stepsister. To remember, I’d practically watch her grow up. I was an adult, and she was a child. Nothing helped because no matter what or who I did, it was her face, those soft lips, those pretty eyes so full of innocence that I saw.

When I saw her assholeboyfriend’shands all over her, I knew it wasn’t happening. The urge to rip his arms from his body andbeat him with them was strong all night. When I saw them in the garden, heard her tell him no, and saw him refuse to stop, I lost it. But it was those few moments alone with her afterward that told me everything. This thing I felt wasn’t going away, but even though she was a legal adult that day, I knew how it would look.

So, I made a plan. I would keep my distance and cut off all communication so no one could accuse me of manipulating her. Until two weeks ago, no one could accuse me of inappropriate behavior, but now she’s an adult. She’s not stuck in that awkward place of when you’re an adult yet still a teenager.

One phone call changed everything. I didn’t just come back to claim a job title.

“You taking this job wasn’t a coincidence, was it?”

“It was always supposed to be mine. You know that.”

“And you’re avoiding the question. Did you come back for the job or for Casey?”

“Does it matter?”

“It does if you’re going to hurt her because Casey isn’t like the other girls you’re used to.”

My teeth clench hard. Does he think I don’t know that? That I haven’t known all along?No one knows her better than I do.“I would never hurt her, and I’ll kill anyone else who does.” It’s a promise I intend to keep one day, too.Everyperson who has hurt her body or her heart will pay.

“We’ll see, bro. You don’t have a great track record with women.”

I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean. Messy breakups and drama have never been my thing. A line of broken hearts isn’t my style. I was always faithful to the few girlfriends I had, and those who weren’t given the title knew the score.

But the statement irritates me for some reason. “And you do?” Isnap. His green eyes flash with venom. Of the two of us, Jagger is the one with the jilted girlfriends and toxic exes. I don’t know the details, but his love life hasn’t been drama-free. But I also know my brother never set out to hurt anyone. “I’m not admitting to anything,” I finally relent, running my hand through my hair with a sigh. “But if I were, I would say that I would never go after Casey unless I was sure she is what I want. I would never be reckless with her heart.”

“Better not,” he points between us, “or you and I will have problems.”

“You know, I told you to watch out for her, not become her white knight.” Despite trying to seem as if I’m teasing, even I hear how jealous I am.

“I’m no white knight. Not for her or anyone. But we got close, Graham, so I’ll break your face if you break her heart.” A wry grin spreads across his mouth, and I know whatever he says next is meant to get under my skin. “Although it doesn’t matter since she’s over her crush on you. She told me so herself.”

I’m a cocky bastard—pretentious, arrogant, and entitled. But I can be because I can back it up. I get what I want when I want it because I don’t wait for it to be handed to me. I go after it.

But it’s not arrogance that makes me smirk and call bullshit. It’s the fact that both times I’ve been near her, I could see the want in her eyes. She tried to hide it. Seemed desperate to keep walls erected. But her eyes told her lies.

“Yeah, she can keep telling herself that.” I roll my neck and chuckle, then jerk my head toward the door. “How about we go get a drink?”

He glances at his phone and then lifts his eyes to me. He eyeballs my suit and tie with a lifted brow before a slow smirk pulls his mouth. “Fine, but I pick the place.” He stands and walks towardthe door. “And I know just where I want to take you.”

Casey

My torso surges forward, arms extended, back curled. Sweat trickles down my temple as I pull back, my movements short and sharp. My left leg extends behind me, high and straight.

Hold. Hold. Hold.

I twist my body and leg, landing the illusion en pointe.

“Beautiful, Casey.” I cringe, waiting for thebut, and I don’t wait long. “Next time, faster.” Miss Dumond claps her hands. “That’s enough for today. I’ll see all of you on Monday.”

I groan silently because she’s right. It was too slow. Everything today has been too slow. I’ve functioned more on muscle memory than actual momentum. I’m just thankful I’m finally done because I’m ready to climb into my bed and hide under the covers until Monday.

We begin to scatter, heading for the dressing rooms when Miss Dumond calls my name. “Casey, a word, please.”

My head falls forward with a sigh. A few girls around me giggle and murmur, and I suppress an eye roll at how catty they can be. I thought when I graduated high school, the mean girl attitudes would be left behind inhigh school. I’ve learned it follows you everywhere. Maybe it takes a few more years to grow up.

I walk to Miss Dumond, hands clasped in front of me, and wait expectantly for my reprimand over a lackluster performance.“Yes, ma’am?” I almost whisper.

Her warm smile relaxes me when she grabs my hand, pulling me further away from the girls still filing through to the changing room. “Casey, you are one of the most talented dancers I’ve ever seen.” My eyes fall to the floor, the tips of my ears heating from the compliment. They’re hard to take because I don’t feel that special or great. I know I’m technically sound most days, but it takes so much more than being able to execute the moves to be talented. “I know you think you’ll never be able to do this professionally, but I’m telling you that you can. Your talent and skill. It’s truly breathtaking.” When I start to shake my head, to deny her words, she grips my chin, tilting my head until our eyes meet. “Yes, Casey. I don’t know where the lack of confidence grows from, but trust me when I say you are remarkable. If you believed it too, nothing could stop you.”

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