Page 24 of Bossy Ex's Brother

Every single strand of happiness immediately drained out of my soul.

“What?!” The word echoed around the hollow house, and Felix winced.

“Not so loud, sis. I think Em and Angel are still in bed.”

“Tell me I heard wrong. Tell me you didn’t just tell me you dropped out of one of the best schools in the country.”

“I wouldn’t say all that,” he said, and I felt a little bit of relief until he added, “Harvard isn’t really the best in the country if you think about it.”

I felt like ripping my hair out. The panic attack that was only barely staved off was now on the horizon, rushing back in full force. “This can’t be happening.”

“Breathe, sis. Calm down. It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? Not a big deal?!” I felt like the top of my head was about to blow off. “You think that dropping out of school isn’t a big deal? Wasting your opportunity to better yourself?”

“Everything I learned there, I could learn on my own.”

“It doesn’t matter. It's a great opportunity, regardless. Think about the connections…Jesus, your scholarship….”

He shrugged. “I was failing World History, so I was probably going to lose my scholarship anyway. And I didn’t want you paying for my education. Plus, this way, I can work and help you support the family.”

“I don’t need you to do that! Jesus, this can’t be happening,” I said with a groan, feeling like I was going to actually have a panic attack. But before I could say more, the door crept open. We both turned around in time to see Bethany sneaking in.

She looked shocked to see us both standing there. Then, joy filled her expression when she noticed who I was standing with. “Felix! You’re back!” She ran to him like I did and gave him a big hug, which he returned exuberantly.

As much as I didn’t want to interrupt their reunion, I had to ask, “And where are you coming from this night, Beth?”

She shrugged and avoided my gaze. “Just went down to the corner to pick up some stuff.”

“Dressed like that?” She was wearing a halter neck top and a high-waisted mini-skirt with studs on it. “Bullshit. You went out again, didn’t you?”

“No, I didn’t go out.”

“Damn it, Beth, you were supposed to be watching the kids tonight. You knew I was working. What if something happened? What if they needed you?”

“Holy shit, I was only gone for a few minutes! Get the fuck off my back and quit bitching me about every little thing.”

“Hey, don’t talk to her like that,” Felix said.

But I didn’t want his help. I was still reeling from the bombshell he’d just dropped, but I decided to put out this fire first. And I needed to put my foot down this time.

“Bethany, you’re grounded for a month.”

“Yeah, right.” She rolled her eyes. “Last I checked, you’re not my fucking mother.”

“I am when you act like a fucking child.”

“Language,” Felix cautioned.

“Stay out of it,” Beth and I chorused simultaneously.

“Alright then.” He held up his hands defensively. “Y’all wanna kill yourselves? Knock yourselves out. I’m going upstairs.”

“No, you’re staying where you are,” I told him. I was going to convince him to return right now. “I’m not done talking to you about your stunt.”

“Well, I’m done talking about it,” he said cheerily.

“That wasn’t a request, Felix.”

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