Page 66 of Don't Puck the Wrong Brother

A guy hovers over Cade, trying to get him to walk away.

I snark, "That’s so nice, Cade. I hope you and Anna live happily ever after!"

He’s walking backwards now. "And you," he points at me. "If you continue to see my brother––"

"What?" I ask, ready to throw down with a man twice my size. He wants to threaten me? That’s when I notice the smartphones pointing at us. Everyone and their fucking phones are recording us––the most embarrassing moment I’ve ever had in public. I pray to God this doesn’t get posted and go viral. "I can do whatever I want, Cade. And you can do whatever you want! We’re not together anymore."

A familiar body cuts through the crowd. I would be able to point out that walk anywhere.

"Cade, what the fuck are you doing?" Sanderson calls out.

Suddenly it’s quiet. I hadn’t realized that people were joining in on our fight. When I think back to what the voices were saying, most were echoing me.She’s her own person. She can do whatever she wants. Leave her alone. Don’t call her a bitch.

My heart flutters as I watch the two brothers come head-to-head. Sanderson’s eyes are ready for war, and I hate the sight. I hate all of this.

"Brother of the fucking year is here, everybody," Cade announces.

"What’s going on?" Sanderson asks, glancing over at me. With the amount of people here, I find myself unable to cry now. My tears have dried.

"We were just having a conversation," Cade says, his tone falsely casual. "About you, actually. About how you've always wanted what I have." He’s jabbing him with his finger.

"Cade," I say sharply. His tone, his body language, the jabbing––I don’t like the direction this is going. "Please stop."

"No, let him talk," Sanderson says, rising to the bait. "Let's hear what he has to say. Let my brother get it all off his chest."

"I'm saying you're a piece of shit," Cade spits. "Both of you."

Sanderson's jaw tightens. "Hannah, we should go."

"She's not going anywhere with you," Cade steps between us.

I try to intervene. "Stop. Both of you!"

"Listen to her, Cade," Sanderson says, stepping closer to him. "Walk away before this gets worse."

"Or what?" Cade challenges, stepping closer to his brother. "I bet you can’t fucking wait to win this one, hmm, Sandy. Everybody… He thinks he wins this time."

"We’re done," Sanderson states, though I can see the muscle working in his jaw.

"You know you’re wrong," Cade presses his finger to his chest. "You've always been jealous of me. Always wanted what I have. Well congratulations, you fucked this one up for me too. You got her right where you want her, don’t you, Sandy? News flash to Hannah." Cade glances at me. "He’s just like our father. High and fucking mighty, thinks he knows everything. I bet Hannah would love to know––"

"Don’t," Sanderson warns.

Cade smiles. "Don’t want me to spill your secrets, do you?"

"Cade," Sanderson warns.

"Come on, Sandy. You should tell Hannah about your last––"

It happens so fast I barely register the movement—Sanderson shoves Cade hard, sending him stumbling back a step. For a moment, Cade just stares at his brother, a complicated mix of emotions crossing his face. Then he scoffs.

"Let's go, Hannah," Sanderson says quietly. I wonder what secret Cade is about to spill. The depths of families and how petty everyone gets during a fight never ceases to amaze me. I would know because my mom can be nasty.

"What’re you scared she’s going to find?" Cade taunts. "Huh, Sandy, you don’t want everyone to know––"

The rest of his sentence is cut off as Sanderson whirls around and throws a punch that connects with Cade's jaw, sending him sprawling onto the grass.

"Sanderson!" I gasp, shocked by the sound of his sudden violence.

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