Page 75 of All Her Broken Pieces

“Nope, he’s just become a friend I can count on. He offered to let me hang out here if I needed a break from class. Nothing is going on,” she promises, but something tells me that’s not the whole story. “And I’m so taking Bridget up on the offer. This professor is nonstop. I feel like he’s constantly over my shoulder, picking my work apart. Putting me on the spot by calling on me first. It’s a lot, and I don’t know how to get off his radar.”

“Anything you need a big brother to help with when it comes to Professor Asshole?”

“A-hole, and gosh, no,” she says, looking a bit flustered.

Something more is going on there too, but I’ve learned it’s best not to push my sister. She’ll share it with me when she’s ready.

“I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks, Ethan. And I really like Bridget. I can tell she’s into you—I mean, aside from the humping. It’s obvious by the way she looks at you. There’s a connection there.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m in love with her.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s so exciting! Have you told her?”

“I can’t. I don’t think she’s there yet, and I don’t want to scare her off.”

“Oh, she’s there, even if she doesn’t tell you. Like I said, it’s the way she looks at you. Has she met Mom and Dad yet?”

“She’s not ready for all that yet. Baby steps.”

I’m returning to Bridget’s place an hour later with a bag full of clothes. Just as I enter the place, my phone buzzes with a text.

Alyx

When you said you were going to come by, I thought you meant you were going to stop by the apt, not cum.

How the fuck do you know that?

Also, you’re welcome for doing your dishes

Emma texted me that she walked in on you two

Good for you, by the way

You guys text?

Chill, bro

It’s not like that.

Just friends

Even though Emma is my stepsister, she’s still family, blood or not, and I’m not excited at the thought of Alyx being interested in any of my sisters. But if he says they’re just friends, then I believe him.

Alyx is a great friend and a great person, but he’s a bit of a fuckboy. And while that works for him, I know that Emma is a relationship person, and a fuckboy is not something she’s looking for or needs.

You’re like family, but don’t fuck with my sisters.

Respectfully

Pickle, I’m not fucking with Emma, I can promise you that

I know you wouldn’t. It was weird seeing her there when I knew she wasn’t there to see me. Kinda sure she’s crushing on her professor tho

Professor A-hole?

Totally

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