Page 79 of Where We Fall

The meeting carries on, but I stay stuck in my head. I just want it to be over so I can go back to my office and blast some music in my headphones.

That's my go-to to help me deal with the rage inside me when something like this happens at work.

When the meeting is finally over, I stand up and walk out. Sometimes, I feel like I did as a kid—blind to everybody. I often wonder if that's why I took to being such a big personality.

I march into my office and promptly close the door.

As soon as I take a seat, I reach for my headphones. I put them on and play my punk rock playlist. Simple Plan has always been a good band to help ease these feelings.

The noise drowns everything out, specifically my thoughts. I must not have heard the knock on my door because the next thing I know, I see a figure standing in front of me.

If it were Lexi, which it is, I would be massively annoyed. But if anything, her presence has a soothing effect on me.

I pull my headphones off.

“Hey,” I say.

“What happened in there?” she asks, arms crossed,

She leans against the side of my desk.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean the fact that your brothers made a big decision on sales for your company, and it seemed like you had no idea. It clearly bothered you.”

It’s almost creepy how in-tuned she is with me. How did she catch onto that?

“It’s no big deal,” I lie.

That just seems to piss her off more. “Cut the shit. Why didn’t you say anything? I know it bothered you. It’s still bothering you.”

“I don’t know. I just don’t see the point in saying anything.”

“Why?” she pushes.

“Because!” I scream. “Because they won’t listen to me anyway.”

“Thenmakethem listen.”

“You don’t understand. If I get defensive or angry, they will just think it’s typical Marcus acting like the younger sibling.”

“Well…then tell them that. Tell them that you’re a grown-ass adult and demand they shed the sibling bullshit and treat you like an equal person at this company.”

I look up at her, completely floored that she stands up for me so strongly. Part of me thought that maybe this shit was all in my head. That I was just a jealous younger brother. Lexi is making me see that maybe my feelings are valid.

Seeing this woman standing in front of me—fighting for me. It’s everything.

I stand up from my chair, grab her face, and smash my lips down onto hers. I’m so overcome with emotion. No one has ever gotten me like she does. I put everything into the kiss—hoping to express what she means to me.

When I pull away, I can’t help but just stare at her in awe.

“What was that for?” she breathes out.

This is it. I need to just say it.

“I love you, Lexi,” I whisper as my thumbs rub gently on her cheeks.

Her eyes begin to well up with tears as she bites her bottom lip.

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