Page 89 of Serenade Me

“It was an accident, man. You’ve got to know that.”

“Do I? She was doing fine.”

“You didn’t see what I saw.” I plead with him.

“You want to know what I saw? I saw YOU hit Anca.” He glares at me, his eyes accusing.

God. What have I done? “I didn’t see her there, man. Come on! You know I wouldn’t hurt her.”

“Do I?” He asks again.

“Jez…” Brad cuts in, but there’s no point.

Jez jumps to his feet and takes three steps, pressing his chest against mine and his fingers against my shoulder.

“All I know is that you went over there, even when I told you not to, and she ended up with a bruised fucking cheek. And that you caused it. So, hot shot, how the fuck do you think I should feel? Would YOU trust you?”

He’s right. Of course he’s right. “I’m sorry, man. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.”

“I will, I’m going now.”

“No! You stay the fuck away from her. I thought… I thought if there was anyone I could trust to treat my sister well, it would be you. I’m not going to make that mistake again.”

“Jez!” We turn to sound of Anca’s voice. Her face is red and her eyes even redder.

“Anca!” We both run to her. But Jez pushes me back hard, and I stumble against the coffee table.

“Stop! Enough! Both of you! Enough!” She yells and runs out of the room.

Jez turns to me, acid in his eyes.

“I said it to you before, but now you better fucking listen to me. You stay the fuck away from my sister. Just stay away.”