“What are you doing here?”
“Liv sent me to retrieve you,” Wick said.
“And I just tagged along because I didn’t want to miss out on this photo op,” Emmett said, his glee evident.
“Shut up, Emmett,” Wick and I said in unison.
Wick's expression turned serious.“What the fuck happened?”
I ran a hand through my hair.“Your brother-in-law is a dick.”
“Yeah, big fucking asshole,” Wick agreed.“How does that result in you being arrested?”
“Well, I sort of punched him.”
Emmett's face fell.“Ugh, and I missed it?”
Wick pressed on, his eyes narrowing.“Why’d you punch him?”
“I don't fucking know, man!Probably because I'm in love with your sister!”
“Well, duh,” Emmett said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
I blinked, stunned.“I'm sorry?”
Wick rolled his eyes.“He said, 'duh.'Since, you know, we've all known this for weeks.But let me guess, you're just now figuring it out?”
Emmett's grin widened.“Aw, he's so cute and emotionally stunted.Kinda like you used to be, Wick.”
“Fuck off,” Wick and I snapped.
I stood there, floored by their casual acceptance of my outburst.The obnoxious strip lights buzzed overhead, casting harsh shadows across our faces.My brain scrambled to process the implications of what I'd just admitted.
I turned to face Wick head-on.“What do you mean you've all known for weeks?”
Emmett took the liberty of answering for him.“Well see, on the project site, you used to walk around barking orders at everyone.Now you just stand around making heart eyes at Livvy.It's very cute.”
I kept my attention on Wick.“And you're okay with this?”
“Look, Liv's been through hell.If you make her happy, that's all that matters to me.”
“But—”
“Can we please get out of here?”Emmett cut in.“This place smells like despair and bad life choices.”
As we walked out into the cool night air, I swear I sensed the foundations of my world shifting under my feet.Everything was changing so fast.I'd punched a man, spent a night in jail, and confessed my love for Olivia to her brother, of all people—all in the span of a few hours.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
OLIVIA
My eyes dartedbetween the door and the clock on the wall.The sterile hospital room felt suffocating, and I couldn't banish the image of Ethan's angry face from my mind.
The door opened, and I flinched before realizing it was Mel.Her calm presence washed over me in a soothing wave.
“Security's been notified about Ethan,” she said.“He won't be allowed anywhere near your room.”
I exhaled slowly as the tightness in my chest eased.“Thank you, Mel.I don't know what I'd do without you.”
