Page 129 of Branded Hearts

Anxiety?No, that can’t be it. I don’t think so.

She smiles at me, watching my reaction.

“I’m doing it now, aren’t I?”

She shrugs. “It’s okay, though. I just assumed, but I could be wrong. I deal with lots of children with GAD. I know kindergarteners are different, but we see it in our older students.”

Amelia continues to reassure me that it’s normal, that this might be what gives me thatgrumpyvibe. She doesn’t believe I’m a real grump, just that I’m so caught up in my head that I give off thosebroodingvibes—as she put it.

Fuck, how can someone know me so well? She seesright through me, and to my surprise, it doesn’t bother me at all.

“Bradley,” she says softly. “You can open up to me whenever you want. I won’t judge you. I just want you to be yourself. Always.” Her words wash over me, and I feel a weight lift off my shoulders.

She has this power over me. In her eyes, I can be myself.

“Come,” she says, getting out of bed. “Let’s make some breakfast.” She gently pulls me up, and I follow her into the kitchen. But as we move, her steps falter, and she stops suddenly, a gasp escaping her mouth. I look up to see what caused it, and my heart drops.

Standing in the doorway, holding a set of keys, is mysister.

“What. The.Fuck?” Liv’s voice cuts through the silence.

“Liv…” Amelia whispers, her voice barely audible. My sister just frowns, just standing there, not saying anything else.

Well, shit.

Her gaze flickers between us, eyes narrowing as she takes in the scene. We’re not exactly dressed for company.

“What the FUCK is going on here?” Liv demands, her voice sharp. “Are you two… together?” she asks, her tone accusatory.

Amelia stumbles over her words, and I step in to confirm, “Yes.”

Liv gasps, her disbelief evident. “What? I’m so fucking confused. No, this can’t be real,” she laughs incredulously. “You’re fucking joking, right?”

“Liv, I didn’t know you were coming by. I—” Amelia begins, but my sister cuts her off, her tone sharp.

“I texted you!”

“I’m so sorry, I haven’t checked my phone,” Ameliaexplains, trying to defuse the situation.

Liv’s eyes flash with anger. “Of course you didn’t. You were probably too busy fucking my brother,” she spits, each word laced with venom.

Amelia recoils, her face paling. I feel a surge of protectiveness toward her, but I know Liv’s anger is justified.

My sister directs her gaze toward Amelia. “How long?” she asks, her tone demanding. Amelia hesitates, not answering immediately.

“Liv—” I start, but she holds up a hand, cutting me off.

“You, shut the fuck up. I’m talking to her. How long, Amelia? How long have you been seeing mybrotherbehind my fucking back?” Liv’s voice is sharp.

Amelia takes a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. “A few months.”

“Months?” She blows out a breath. “Are you for real?” Liv cries out, her frustration palpable. “It’s been months. FUCKING MONTHS, and you never thought to tell me?”

Amelia’s eyes fill with tears. “Liv, I promise you, we were planning on telling you. We just...” she trails off, unable to find the right words.

“Oh. Youwereplanning on telling me?” Liv asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “When exactly?”

I step forward. “We should have told you sooner. We know. We both just got caught up.”

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